Measurements of reproductive function in stallions treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pyrimethamine

Abstract

Objective - To evaluate the effects of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pyrimethamine treatment on various measures of reproductive function in healthy pony stallions. Design - Randomized complete block study. Animals - 12 healthy, mature pony stallions. Procedure - Stallions were assigned to treatment and control groups balanced for age and various characteristics of reproductive function. The treated group received trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole and pyrimethamine for 90 days during summer and fall; the control group was not treated. Semen characteristics, sexual behavior, testicular volume, and sperm production efficiency were evaluated before treatment started and at 30-day intervals until 60 days after treatment ended. Results - Effects of treatment were not detected for semen characteristics, testicular volume, sperm production efficiency, libido, erection, and quantitative measures of ejaculatory efficiency. At 30, 60, and 90 days, 4 to 6 treated stallions had unsteadiness upon mounting, clumsy or weak thrusting, failure to flex the back, and thready or inapparent ejaculatory pulses that resulted in dribbling of semen rather than forceful expulsion. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Although treatment with trimethoprin-sulfamethoxazole and pyrimethamine may not affect semen quality, testicular volume, sperm production efficiency, erection, or libido of healthy stallions, treatment may induce changes in copulatory form and agility and alter the pattern and strength or ejaculation. Stallions that develop neurologic signs during treatment should be used with caution for breeding.