BREEDING stallions can face considerable reproductive demands.

Some first season sires commence covering before they are fully three years of age. In addition, very successful, proven sires can frequently cover up to four mares a day at the peak of the breeding season and may continue breeding into their later years when fertility may be subject to a natural decline.

To support fertility, stallions must receive a well-balanced diet. Targeted nutritional intervention, including supplementing with omega 3 fatty acids and optimal dietary antioxidants such as Foran FOR-REPRO Stallion may also be particularly beneficial for certain categories of stallions.

Fertility

For a stallion to be considered successful, they must have a good success rate of getting mares in foal. Despite the importance of fertility, little research has been done on the effect of total diet on semen quality, however, a few studies do suggest certain nutrients may be of particular importance to a stallion’s fertility.

One such study was recently carried out by a team in Washington State University, which found strong evidence to suggest that the inclusion of the Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) in the daily diet of breeding stallions improved multiple semen parameters including total motility, progressive motility and viability of spermatozoa.

Antioxidants

Recent research into the use of supplements to aid a stallion’s fertility has focused on the effect of oxidative stress on equine sperm and seminal fluid.

Oxidative stress can be defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and the ability of the body to counteract their harmful effects through neutralisation by antioxidants.

Equine sperm cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to the remarkably high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membrane; as much as 30% more than other species. This makes them very vulnerable to lipid peroxidation – which follows from exposure to free radicals.

Oxidative stress also damages the DNA that resides within the sperm cells and therefore, even if the damaged sperm succeed in creating a conception by fusing with the ovum (or egg), the embryo can be so damaged as to prevent it being viable and therefore result in early embryonic death and pregnancy failure.

An effective and proven method of combatting the disastrous effects oxidative stress can have on spermatozoa is by including Ubiquinol CoQ10 in the daily diet of the breeding stallion.

Foran Equine’s FOR-REPRO Stallion is the only supplement available which provides a quality source of Ubiquinol CoQ10, an essential feed element for normal body function, helping to support maintained semen quality throughout the breeding season.

Along with its antioxidant role, the active ingredient in FOR-REPRO is also involved cellular energy synthesis.

Sperm cells are highly motile, requiring high rates of energy production and producing potentially damaging free radicals as a result, therefore increasing the requirement for antioxidants in the daily diet to minimise the potential damage to the fragile spermatozoa.

Why should I include Ubiquinol CoQ10 in my stallion’s diet?

Horses have evolved over thousands of years as free ranging pasture grazers and can consume herbage for 17 to 20 hours per day.

Pasture grasses and legumes naturally contain Ubiquinol CoQ10, so stallions managed with modern husbandry are likely receiving less than the necessary daily intake, particularly if they are actively and regularly engaged in an activity that utilises Ubiquinol CoQ10, like breeding.

What stallions will benefit the most from including Ubiquinol CoQ10 in the diet?