How to Increase Stud Sperm Count

Whether it's a young colt just entering the breeding shed or an established stallion, finding out your stud is subfertile is alarming news. The costs of infertility are more than lost stud fees--lost clients, damage to your farm's reputation, and the loss of an entire year's foal crop can be the consequences if a stallion's conception rate is low. To improve fertility, there are things you can try from supplements to the services of a theriogenologist (reproductive specialist).

Things You'll Need

  • Theriogenologist
  • Supplements
  • Testing supplies
  • Artificial lighting
  • GnRH pump
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Instructions

  1. Steps to Increase Stud Sperm Count

    • 1

      Testing and an exam by your regular vet is the first step if you suspect a fertility issue. A semen analysis can tell you motility (movement), morphology (what percent are normally shaped) and give you a sperm count. An exam for any obvious illness, injury, or disease also is in order so that can be ruled out as a cause.

    • 2

      Fertility supplements make elaborate claims, but almost none of them are backed up by real research. Omega 3 and 6 oils may help improve the quality of frozen semen, but it can take two months or more to see results.

    • 3

      Inspect your stallion's surroundings. Look for any toxic plants, leaves or weeds. If he's pastured beside other stallions, anecdotal evidence suggests he may do better placed where he can see 'his' herd of mares and can no longer see (or hear) other stallions. If he's stalled, try slowly increasing the amount of artificial daylight he's under until he has an additional two hours of light each day. Horse shows can be stressful for any horse, and can render stallions subfertile. Consider scheduling a stallion's breeding season after his showing season for a more relaxed horse.

    • 4

      Consider the method you use for collecting, storing, extending and shipping semen. One study indicated that samples that were centrifuged had better motility and survival rate, regardless if they were used fresh or frozen. If possible, use fresh or fresh-cooled semen over frozen. Try different semen extenders and concentrations to find the one that works best for your horse.

    • 5

      Consult with an equine theriogenologist if you are unable to achieve results with your regular veterinarian. An expert can do ultrasounds, test extenders, storage and shipping methods, and possibly perform surgery that can improve or restore your stud's fertility.

    • 6

      Your specialist may suggest using a GnRH pump. Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) can help restore proper hormonal functioning. The stallion wears the pump on his back just behind the withers, and it releases a measured dose into the bloodstream. While some subfertile stallions show improvement with the pump, it won't work for every one.