Sexual behavior of stallions during in-hand natural service and semen collection: an observation in French studs

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Abstract

The sexual behavior of 42 stallions from French national and private studs was examined in two contexts: semen collection for artificial insemination (AI) and in-hand natural service (NS). Each stallion was observed twice in the same context. Erection and ejaculation latencies, the number of mounts leading to ejaculation, dismount latency and total breeding time were measured and compared between AI and NS. Mount without erection was rare (6/83 observations). Erection latency was 89±11 s, and was not different between NS (62±22 s) and AI (100±13 s, P=0.128). Stallions ejaculated after either one mount (62/83 observations), or two (11/83 observations) or three mounts (10/83 observations). Ejaculation latency was 85±15 s (84±19 in AI and 86±28 in NS). If 1st mount did not lead to ejaculation, then ejaculation latency increased several fold following the 2nd mount during both AI and NS. The results provide reference measures for semen collection in French studs. Difference in erection latency between AI and NS, although not statistically significant, may reflect different contributions of excitatory inputs from the brain and the genital area to the activation of spinal networks controlling erection. In contrast, lack of difference in ejaculation latency between AI and NS suggests that the spinal network that controls ejaculation follows a more rigid motor pattern.

Introduction

Stallions that display potential genetic merit undergo semen collection. In this species, ejaculation for breeding, as opposed to ejaculation in copula, imposes manipulation by qualified collectors, and restraint of the stallion’s spontaneous sexual behavior. These aspects may contribute negative factors to the stallion’s behavior, semen collection and semen quality. During the breeding season, the frequency of semen collection (often daily) may lead to problems that breeders wish to eliminate. Difficulties in handling the stallions may arise from: (1) the animal itself because its training to semen collection was not performed in good conditions, or because of its poor libido; (2) the mare or the teaser presented during collection the mare might not be receptive, or be aggressive; (3) the methods for collecting semen because the stallion may not feel comfortable with the dummy, and contact with the artificial vagina may elicit aversion; and (4) the environment of the collection area may not be appropriate (noisy, windy, visitors, etc.). The first objective of the present study was to provide reliable data on stallion sexual behavior during in-hand natural service (NS) and semen collection by gathering observations in a variety of studs. The second objective of our study was to search for some easily measurable parameters of stallion sexual behavior that could help breeders to identify the origin of problems during semen collection.

Section snippets

Animals

The study was performed on 42 stallions during April–July of a single breeding season. Sampling characteristics were: collecting data in a variety of breeds representative of those present in French studs light-breed stallions [French Saddlebred (n=8), Standardbred (n=19), Thoroughbred (n=5), Anglo-Arab (n=2)], draught horses (n=7) and one pony. Stallions were 6–19-year-old (mean±S.D.: 11±4). Five national (n=21 stallions) and four private (n=20 stallions) studs participated in the

Sampling characteristics

A range of 2–9 stallions was monitored per stud. Every stallion had daily regular physical activity, and 8 of 42 stallions had less than 7 h of weekly physical activity. Compared with the National Official Statistics, our sampling evidences an over-representation of lightbreed stallions (80%) relative to draught horses (17%; 68 and 32% in Official Statistics), as well as AI condition versus NS condition (71 and 29% in our study versus 50 and 50% in Official Statistics). The number of people

Discussion

The aim of our study was to evaluate, using behavioral criteria, the conditions of semen collection in French national and private studs, and to try to understand whether some aspects of stallion handling by the staff facilitated the activity of the studs. Our study included a variety of private and national studs, as well as a variety of semen collection techniques. In contrast, all semen collections and in-hand NS were performed in a shed.

Mounts without erection appear to be a normal element

Acknowledgements

The National Studs of Les Bréviaires, La Jumenterie du Pin, Pamfou, Aulnoy and Angers, and the Private Studs of Fligny, Les Cruchettes, de l’Orne, and Brulemail are gratefully acknowledged for their participation in the present investigation. The authors also acknowledge Dr. Kevin McKenna for revising the manuscript.

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