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Evaluation of sperm morphology is part of the assessment of fertility in human and animal reproduction. Analyses can be performed using different techniques, including the use of staining methods In our prospective study, the morphology of equine sperm was evaluated using 3 staining methods Diff-Quik, eosin-nigrosin, and SpermBlue, the latter being a relatively new stain commonly used for human sperm. Our hypotheses were that (1) SpermBlue allows easier assessment of horse sperm morphology and facilitates better identification of sperm abnormalities, and (2) sperm morphology classification differs depending on the evaluator's experience. Semen was obtained from various horse breeds; 40 samples from stallions between 2 and 15 years of age were collected during the 2016 breeding season and stored in a 2% buffered formaldehyde solution until processing. For each sample, 3 semen smears were made and stained with Diff-Quik, eosin-nigrosin, and SpermBlue. All morphological parameters were then evaluated blindly using a light microscope by a novice evaluator and a more experienced evaluator. For each slide, 200 spermatozoa were examined randomly and classified according to their characteristics. For the identification of morphologically normal spermatozoa, no significant difference between evaluators was found with any of the staining methods used. In contrast, significant differences between evaluators were observed in the classification of some anomalies affecting mainly the midpiece and the tail. Poor dye fixation was observed with SpermBlue., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine and taurine on the motility and viability of chilled equine semen. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 ejaculates were collected from three mature stallions with proven fertility during the breeding season. The gel-free spermatic fraction of each ejaculate was divided into two aliquots and diluted with a semen extender (either INRA 96® or BotuSemen Gold®). The aliquots were then split and assigned to one of the six treatment groups: control (no supplement), caffeine (2 and 4 mM), taurine (25 and 50 mM), and a combination of caffeine (2 mM) plus taurine (25 mM). Samples were stored at 4°C and analyzed at different time points (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h) to evaluate total (TMOT) and progressive (PMOT) motility and viability by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: Regardless of the extender, PMOT and TMOT decreased over time. However, compared with the control, the treatment with 4 mM caffeine significantly mitigated the decrease in PMOT at 72 h. Additionally, semen treated with a combination of caffeine plus taurine maintained a significantly higher PMOT at 96 h, with improved viability at all time points. Conclusions: The combination of caffeine plus taurine helps maintain chilled equine semen viability and progressive motility up to 96 h independently of the extender used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]