Targeted Use of Rare Performance Genetics

in cooperation with

The breeding availability of interesting stallions with proven breeding records and/or successful sports careers is often severely limited by various factors. Firstly, a confirmed and high breeding value, combined with special genetic merit, often only becomes apparent after the death of a sire. Furthermore, many stallions primarily pursue successful sports careers, which often relegates widespread breeding use to a secondary role. Due to these circumstances, the use of frozen semen (FS) often remains the only option. However, as its attractiveness and the associated increasing demand grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain and afford, meaning many attractive and performance-oriented breeding plans cannot be implemented.

For several years, the Trakehner Tournament Sports Community (TTG), in cooperation with several stallion stations, has been committed to securing proven performance genetics for Trakehner breeding through the special project “Genetic Resources.” The goal is to make these available to Trakehner breeders. However, suitable frozen semen (FS) is often difficult to find, and usually only residual quantities are available at higher price levels. This inevitably raises the question of how to effectively use the limited available insemination doses for breeding progress, as there are many more potentially suitable mares and interested breeders than there is corresponding FS. This is where the possibilities offered by modern reproductive techniques come into play. Specifically, the method of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) opens up new perspectives here.

The reproductive method of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which is also used in a similar form in human medicine, is divided into two sub-steps: the so-called OPU (Ovum Pick-Up or egg retrieval) and the subsequent actual Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), which involves fertilizing the retrieved oocytes with a single sperm under laboratory conditions.

While the OPU procedure can be performed year-round, the mare should not be in heat. Therefore, egg retrieval is usually applied during the autumn and winter months, as an important prerequisite is that the donor mare has developed as many follicles as possible with a size of at least 1 cm in diameter. During OPU, oocytes (egg cells) are then retrieved under ultrasound guidance by puncturing the follicles located on the ovaries. These are then identified under the microscope, washed, and subsequently mature in an incubator into fertilizable oocytes. At this point, the actual ICSI procedure is applied.

Under the microscope, using the finest tools, the fertilizable oocyte is fixed, and a single sperm, after preparation and selection, is injected directly into the oocyte using a small needle (ICSI). Ideally, the artificially fertilized oocyte then develops in the incubator into a transferable embryo, which can be directly transferred into a recipient mare. In most cases, however, the embryos produced in this way are cryopreserved and transferred to a surrogate mother at a later date. This allows for planning the later birth date, and synchronization of the recipient mare’s cycle is not strictly necessary.

Through the application of OPU and ICSI, a single FS straw can be used multiple times for the fertilization of oocytes from different mares and can be utilized much more effectively for breeding.

Against the backdrop of new reproductive technological possibilities, a cooperation with two experienced institutions in the field of ICSI technology has been developed within the framework of the Trakehner Genetic Resources Project. In collaboration with Pferdeklinik Mühlen (OPU; Address: Münsterlandstraße 42, 49439 Mühlen, Contact Person: Dr. Alexandra Görgens – Tel.: 0170 2459027, Website: https://www.pferdeklinik-muehlen.de/) and Reproduktionsklinik Hurkmans ET in the Netherlands (OPU and ICSI, Address: Binnenveld 12, 5763 BT Milheeze (NLD), Contact: Hans Hurkmans: +31638919783, Website: https://www.hurkmanset.de/icsi.html), Trakehner breeders can exclusively utilize stallions such as Almox Prints, Favoritas xx, Heops, Heraldik xx, Kentucky, and many other proven sires. A detailed description of the ICSI procedure, as well as the associated costs, can be found on the Trakehner Association’s homepage at: www.trakehner-verband.de. Interested parties can also find information here about all stallions available for use within the Trakehner ICSI project and the associated stud fees/usage prices. For questions about the project, as well as inquiries regarding mating advice, the Trakehner Association’s breeding management is happy to assist.

Cost Overview

Available Trakehner Stallions via ICSI

Hans Hurkmans Dr. Alexandra Görgens, Mühlen