For any equine breeding operation, it is always worth taking time to consider factors which may adversely impact the fertility of your stallions (and importantly, what we can do to rectify the situation).

Environmental toxicity is something which is often overlooked, yet can significantly impact stallion fertility. Some of our most valuable stallions in the Southern Hemisphere are based in regions where there are high levels of heavy metals in their environment: particularly those in areas where coal mining activities take place. Water and soil in the region can have elevated levels of heavy metals including cadmium, lead, nickel and aluminium- exposing our stallions to these metals and resulting in accumulation of the metals in their bodies. Toxic heavy metals may also enter their systems through inhalation of particles, dust or fumes. These heavy metals can increase sperm DNA fragmentation, in addition to negatively impacting sperm count, motility, morphology and testosterone levels.

The good news is that appropriately selected and applied nutraceuticals can help to minimise absorption and increase excretion of some of these heavy metals. Furthermore, the suitable use of specific antioxidant nutrients and herbal medicines can reduce some of the damage caused by these heavy metals and improve stallion fertility.