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Sperm Energy-restriction and Recovery (SER) enhances equine sperm function and embryo development after ICSI
Camila Arroyo-Salvo1,2, Sofía Rio2, María Eugenia Bogetti2
1Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA, CT 06269.
Journal of Animal Science
|July 11, 2026
Summary
Sperm energy-restriction and recovery (SER) enhances equine sperm function and improves embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This method boosts sperm motility and viability, leading to better outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies for horses.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Biotechnology
- Sperm Physiology
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in domestic animals face efficiency challenges, particularly in equine species due to sperm capacitation issues.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is crucial for commercial equine embryo production, but further improvements in efficiency and consistency are needed.
- Enhancing sperm functional competence is key to improving equine in vitro embryo production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of sperm energy-restriction and recovery (SER) on cryopreserved equine spermatozoa.
- To assess the impact of SER on sperm functional parameters and subsequent embryo development following ICSI.
Main Methods:
- Equine spermatozoa were subjected to energy restriction (starvation; ST) without essential nutrients, followed by recovery (SER) in a complete medium.
- Sperm functional parameters including motility, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium levels, and acrosome reaction were assessed.
- ICSI was performed using SER-treated sperm, and subsequent day-7 blastocyst development rates were compared to controls.
Main Results:
- SER restored motility in immotile spermatozoa and improved sperm curvilinear velocity (VCL) and lateral head displacement (ALH).
- SER treatment normalized ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular Ca2+ levels, and increased live acrosome-reacted cells.
- ICSI with SER-treated sperm significantly increased the proportion of day-7 blastocysts (44.2%) compared to controls (18%).
Conclusions:
- Sperm energy-restriction and recovery (SER) treatment effectively enhances functional competence of cryopreserved equine spermatozoa.
- SER improves early embryo development rates following ICSI in horses.
- This strategy holds significant potential for advancing equine reproductive biotechnologies.
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