Male Reproductive System and Sperm Transport Mechanisms

Insulin-like 3

Later inguinoscrotal phase

Above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament

Myoid cells

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

Glandular secretory cells

Conversion to DHT

Regulation of pituitary gland activity through GnRH secretion

Inguinoscrotal Phase

Protect the horse from pain, injury, suffering, and disease and take records of all medical treatment

Inappropriate use of training aids and inappropriate stabling

Manual palpation of the scrotum and blood tests for AMH

To differentiate between rigs and geldings

Age, weight, and previous medical history of the horse

Anaesthetic, surgery, post-operative checks, and pain relief

Description of the animal, list of all vaccinations, and microchip details

To reunite lost or stolen horses with their owners more easily

Before they reach six months old or before November 30 within the year they are born

The horse may be ineligible for certain veterinary treatments or procedures

To calculate the horse's approximate weight

To allow spermatogenesis to occur at a lower temperature

35°C

Near the kidneys and dorsal body wall

To provide a more comprehensive assessment of the horse's health

Behind the peritoneum

In the abdominal cavity

To facilitate genetic recombination during meiosis

'Zero' point positioning

The peritoneal cavity.

Secretion of hormones to regulate sperm production

Relaxation of the smooth muscle walls

Transportation by the deferent duct

Maturation and storage of sperm

Aggression toward other horses

To prevent undesirable genetic traits from being passed on

Tense muzzle as a sign of worry in the horse

Collisions due to attempted escape

"Increased bonding with handlers"

"Increasing estrogen production"

Under or over weight = Inappropriate body condition leading to health problems Stabling 24 hours a day = Limited movement and lack of access to grazing Inappropriate use of training aids = Improper equipment causing discomfort or injury Kept in unsuitable environments = Poor living conditions affecting health and behavior

Manual palpation of the scrotum = Assessment for descended testicles AMH blood test = Biomarker of testicular tissue production Oestrone Sulphate blood test = Distinguishes between rigs and geldings History of the animal and bilateral castration = Assessment of previous castration and medical background

Castration under general anaesthetic (up to 200kg) = Procedure, sedation, consumables included Castration under general anaesthetic (Up to 350kg) = Procedure, sedation, consumables included Castration under general anaesthetic (Over 350kg) = Procedure, sedation, consumables included Castrate Standing < 6 months old = Procedure, sedation, consumables included

Passport = Describes the animal, lists vaccinations, includes owner's details Microchip = Includes owner's information, horse’s passport details Passport upkeep = Must be kept with the horse at all times, kept up to date Microchipping before new homes = Must be microchipped before going to new homes, details stored in CED

microchips

cryptorchidism

blood test

cryptorchidism

Anti-mullerian Hormone (AMH)

oestrogen

3ml

oestrone sulphate

2.5ml

six months

Estimating a horse's weight when no scales are available

To allow spermatogenesis to occur at a lower temperature

Spermatogenesis will not occur normally at body temperature

Retroperitoneally within the cranial abdomen from intermediate mesoderm near the kidneys and dorsal body wall

To differentiate between cryptorchid and castrated horses

They may be located in the abdomen or inguinal canal

Stimulates the production of AMH

Androgens such as testosterone

Regulating the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland

Above 35°C

cranial gonadal ligament and caudal gonadal ligament (gubernaculum during development)

It provides a covering to the inguinal canal's content and is located above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament.

testicular, epididymal, and accessory sex glands

Regulating the activity of the pituitary gland and the release of hormones, particularly gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).

Testosterone is converted to DHT, which is vital for maintaining spermatogenesis.

They influence male sexual behaviors like aggression and other species-specific patterns.

Transabdominal Phase (regulated by testosterone) and Inguinoscrotal Phase (regulated by androgens and the genitofemoral nerve)

Cryptorchidism

Glandular secretory cells

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Sympathetic nerves cause tonic contractions of the smooth muscle walls of the erectile tissue, while parasympathetic control leads to the relaxation of smooth muscle, allowing blood to fill the cavernous spaces and increase length and girth.

The reasons for castration of male horses include preventing undesirable genetic traits from being passed on, managing aggressive behavior caused by high testosterone, and addressing cryptorchidism, an inheritable trait that leads to lower sperm count.

Castrated horses may exhibit reduced aggression and stallion-like behavior, but some mature geldings may still display masculine behavior and attempt to mount and breed mares in estrus.

The male reproductive tract absorbs old or unused sperm through macrophages, and the accessory sex glands produce seminal fluid to aid motility and nourish sperm.

The health and safety risks include physical injuries to handlers, attempts of escape leading to collisions, and unpredictable reactions of unhandled horses. Strategies for safe handling include assessing body language, using appropriate physical restraint, and allowing time for the examination.

Sperm transport in the male reproductive tract involves spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules, collection into the rete testis, reabsorption and concentration of fluid in the efferent ducts, maturation and storage in the epididymis, and transportation to the pelvic urethra at ejaculation via the deferent duct.

The reabsorption of sperm occurs in two steps: macrophages break down old or unused sperm, and the remnants are absorbed into the membrane lining the epididymis.

Key aspects of equine body language include stance, ears, eyes, muzzle, and nostrils, which can indicate the horse's mood and help assess safety implications for handlers.

The legislation in the UK places a duty of care on those responsible for horses, ensuring the animals' welfare needs are met, including the provision of adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care.

The accessory sex glands in the male reproductive system produce seminal fluid to act as a transport medium aiding motility and nourishing sperm.

Some major welfare issues facing horses in the UK include being under or over weight, stabling 24 hours a day, inappropriate use of training aids, unsuitable environments, and vulnerability in the racing industry and travellers horses.

Tests to identify a 'rig' in horses include manual palpation of the scrotum, taking a history of the animal to check for castration, and conducting blood tests for AMH (Anti-mullerian Hormone) and Oestrone Sulphate.

It is a legal requirement to have microchips and passports for horses. The passport should include the animal's description, vaccinations, owner's details, and the microchip details. Horses must be microchipped before going to new homes by law, and the details must be stored in the Central Equine Database.

The cost of castration for horses varies based on factors such as the size and weight of the horse, the type of castration (standing or under general anaesthetic), and whether additional treatments like vaccination for tetanus are required.

The costs of castration for horses vary based on the size and weight of the horse, ranging from around £110 to £385. Costs are incurred for the procedure, sedation, consumables, drugs administered, and additional treatments like tetanus vaccination if required.

The cost of castration for horses under general anaesthetic should cover the procedure, sedation, consumables, drugs administered, and may include additional treatments like oral antibiotics and pain relief on a case by case basis.

The purpose of testing for Oestrone Sulphate in horses suspected to be 'rigs' is to distinguish between rigs and geldings. Equine testes produce 10 times as much oestrogen as testosterone, and this test helps differentiate between the two.

Under the Animal Welfare Act (2013), those who own or are responsible for a horse have a duty of care to provide suitable housing, food and water, protection from pain and suffering, normal behavior, medical treatment records, vaccination, and registration with a vet and farrier.

The hypothalamus regulates male reproduction by secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland, thereby controlling the production of testosterone and sperm.

Foals should have a valid passport and microchip before they reach six months old, or before the 30 November within the year they are born.