Reproductive Evaluations

Stallion reproductive evaluations are performed for a number of reasons. This type of exam may be a prelude to the breeding season or prior to purchasing a stallion for breeding purposes. Many times, a reproductive evaluation is done to assess damage after an injury or if a fertility problem is suspected. A stallion evaluation includes two semen collections an hour apart allowing each ejaculate to be evaluated for volume, motility, concentration and total sperm numbers. To assess bacterial growth, a set of cultures is taken from the prepuce, urethra and semen following each collection. In addition, semen and blood samples are tested for the presence of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) and morphology slides are made to assess structural integrity of the sperm cells. Lastly, the stallion’s testicles are palpated and evaluated for consistency, conformation, orientation and size. Once all results are gathered, a full report is provided to the stallion owner which provides descriptive details of the findings. The report makes recommendations on breeding procedures, treatment of any pathogens present, and the general suitability of the stallion as a breeding individual.