Researchers in the New South Wales Hunter Valley have developed a new scientific method they say could boost horse breeding around the world.
The scientists from the University of Newcastle have developed a new nutrient-rich liquid that is added to deposits of horse semen collected after ejaculation, which keeps the sperm alive for longer at an ambient temperature.
Horse sperm have short lifespans, and traditionally to preserve them for longer than a few days, the samples had to be chilled or cryopreserved, which can be damaging to the cells.
With the new liquid, the sperm could remain viable for up to two weeks, as opposed to about three days when chilled.
This means higher-quality samples could be sent overseas for breeding programs in other countries, and they would have a greater chance of success.
