Résumé:
Artificial insemination domestic horse’s in Mostaganem region
The equine sector occupies an important place in the history and the economy of Algeria. In order to provide effective tools for the management of the most successful equine breeds, we have conducted a study on artificial insemination in mares in the first center of insemination in Algeria (Mostaganem) using different methods. This preliminary study is the first of its kind in our country.
The main characteristics of female and male genital organs anatomy are mentioned, then the female and male reproduction physiology, and the reproduction control techniques are considered. Females are usually mated at 2 or 3 years of age and males at 3 or 4 years of age. Astral cycles of about three weeks (without fecundation) occur during sexual seasons. Estrus is very long and with variable lengths (six to eight days most often), and a spontaneous ovulation occurs 48 to 24 hours before the end.
Photoperiodic treatments may allow advancing the date of the end of anoestrus of mares kept in stalls during winter. Estrus synchronization is possible with various hormones. To perform artificial insemination, sperm is usually collected with an artificial vagina. The volume is high, about 30 to 150 ml on average, some being a gel. The semen, filtrated and diluted, can be used fresh, or refrigerated (up to 10 hours), or frozen after centrifugation to eliminate seminal plasma. On average 200 million spermatozoa in 15 to 30 ml are put in the uterine body through the uterine cervix. Results are at least as good as those from natural mating with fresh semen, and slightly lower with frozen semen.
