Bringing biotechnology to ireland
OPU & ICSI
What is ICSI?
ICSI Requirements
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is an advanced assisted reproduction technique where a single sperm is injected directly into a mature mare egg from a mare that has undergone Ovum Pickup at an external clinic, in a laboratory to create an embryo. Used primarily in sport horses, it maximises limited semen, enables breeding with sub-fertile mares, older mares and preserves genetics from deceased stallions. It can be performed at any time of the year and does not require the mare to be out of training for long periods, unlike conventional breeding.
To qualify a donor mare for ICSI, she must have a negative Coggins test and CEM clearance (if required by the lab), along with an ultrasound confirming a sufficient count of small follicles (ideally 10–15). Physically, she must be sound enough to stand in stocks under sedation for up to 90 minutes and should have a temperament that allows for safe handling. Administratively, the breeder must secure stallion owner permission for ICSI use, notify the breed registry beforehand to ensure foal eligibility, and coordinate the delivery of semen to the lab to coincide with the egg collection.
The advantage of ICSI is it completely separates the mare's reproductive potential from her physical condition or competitive schedule. It allows elite mares to produce multiple biological offspring in a single season while remaining in full training or competition, as the procedure doesn't require the hormonal shifts or "downtime" associated with traditional pregnancy. Furthermore, it offers a "second chance" for aged or injured mares who can no longer carry a foal or be successfully flushed for embryos, ensuring their valuable genetics aren't lost due to uterine or cervical issues. By allowing for year-round egg collection and producing multiple embryos at once, ICSI maximises a mare's lifetime production while prioritising her athletic career and physical well-being.
ICSI Advantages
Equigenesis Ltd has partnered with The Stallion Shop at Kylemore Stud in Co. Galway.
With over 25 years of experience in sport horse breeding, the team at Kylemore Stud are here to help you achieve your goals.
Stallion semen
Who ICSI for?
ICSI is a reproductive technique originally developed for mares with fertility issues where natural pregnancy or ET have failed in the past. By bypassing the uterus and fallopian tubes, these mares are given another chance at producing a foal.
When is ICSI suggested?
ICSI is suggested for a mare when traditional breeding or embryo transfer (ET) is unlikely to succeed, it is deemed the final option for breeding her.
Why Equigenesis for ICSI?
With a strong human embryology background, we enhance breeding efficiency and preserve Irish breed heritage.
In ET, the procedure requires the mare to cycle naturally and for fertilisation to happen inside the mare’s body, while in ICSI, it happens in a laboratory under a microscope, that bypasses the mare's uterus completely.
ET vs ICSI
Fresh/chilled or frozen?
You can use fresh, chilled, or frozen semen for ICSI, though frozen is by far the most common choice due to its logistical convenience and long-term availability.
