Introduction of innovative animal production solutions at Michalow Stud Farm

The primary goal of the project is to develop and implement innovative solutions in the field of breeding Arabian horses, which are tools to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of breeding. Innovations will be developed and then implemented through cooperation between the Michałów Stud and the National Research Institute of Animal Production.

• Due to the solutions developed, the stud farm's competitiveness in the domestic and international markets will increase, and the results developed by the group will be able to be used by other entities with similar activities.
• The work of the operational group will aim to develop and implement an innovative method of organization and managing horse breeding, using achievements of marker-assisted selection (MAS). 
• Both of the above innovations indirectly concern agricultural products indicated in Annex 1 to the Treaty on Functioning. EU: horses and stallion semen.
• The project is focused on direct, practical application of the results. Both the precise selection of Arabian horses based on molecular markers as well as securing the horses' genetic reserve through stallion semen banking, will increase the profitability and competitiveness of animal production at the stud farm.

The aim of the operation is to develop and implement Marker Assisted Selection in the horse breeding department in order to intensify breeding progress and increase the company's competitiveness on domestic and foreign markets. The tasks include: Modernization of the European Horse Reproduction Center Introduction of MAS selection and securing the "Pure Polish" genetic reserve. An innovative and intuitive system for analyzing the quality of stallion semen will improve work, avoid mistakes and precisely adjust the insemination dose to the semen quality. The innovatively developed semen processing method will reduce the costs of veterinary services for mares, increase mating efficiency and strengthen the potential and competitiveness of the European Reproduction Center.

Project activities

Introduction of MAS Selection and securing the "Pure Polish" genetic reserve based on the results of SNP genotyping. Development of selection guidelines. Inventory of "Pure Polish" resources in frozen semen from 16 stallions using the semen quality assessment system (AndroVision® CASA).

In order to organize the transport of stallions to the place of semen collection and deposit, a car will be purchased. Modernization of the European Equine Reproduction Center. Purchase of a "Pure Polish" stallion semen storage container. Identification and development of sperm quality markers based on sequencing of the entire sperm transcriptome and proteome. Undertaking marketing activities: including a website, a film promoting a modern reproductive center and research cooperation with the National Research Institute.

The main benefits of the project

Selection guidelines for the monitoring of genetic diseases will be developed for purebred Arabian horses. The biological material of the "Pure Polish" population will be deposited in the gene bank at Michalow Stud.

Practice summary

One of the dynamically developing areas of research in the field of animal improvement is the search for the genetic basis of traits related to broadly understood use. Genetic markers are a state-of-the-art tool to support standard selection tools in both cattle and horses. Properly developed and used, they are a real tool for shortening the path of breeding progress, reducing the costs of production, reproduction and veterinary care of animals.

• Introduction of innovative solutions based on research and in cooperation with a team of experts from IZOO PIB in Balice.
• Identification of genetic markers for semen quality parameters based on molecular analysis (proteomic and transcriptomic). Together with a modern system for analyzing the quality of stallion semen, it will improve work, avoid mistakes and precisely adjust the insemination dose to the semen quality. The innovatively developed semen processing method will reduce the costs of veterinary services for mares, increase mating efficiency and strengthen the potential and competitiveness of the European Reproduction Center.

Results achieved

The project's primary goal was to develop and implement innovative solutions in breeding purebred Arabian horses to enhance competitiveness and efficiency, The project was carried out through collaboration between Michałów Stud and the National Research Institute of Animal Production. 

The operational group focused on:

1. An innovative breeding management method, utilizing marker-assisted selection (MAS) to intensify breeding progress.
2. Advanced technology for stallion semen collection and evaluation, incorporating omics-based methods to improve semen quality and secure genetic resources through semen banking.

The project also included the following specific objectives:

• modernization of the European Horse Reproduction Center, including modernization, and acquisition of innovative of innovative equipment for semen analysis.
• Conducting research with operational group partners, piloting MAS methods, securing the genetic reserve of (Pure Polish) lines, and characterizing the population's genetics using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

The project's practical outcomes significantly improved breeding profitability and competitiveness. The innovations enhanced breeding precision and successfully safeguarded valuable genetic resources.

The project is focused in direct, practical application of the results developed through application research and development work. Both precise selection of purebred horses based on markers of color, health, sports and racing potential, as well as securing the genetic reserve of horses by banking stallion semen, will increase the profitability and competitiveness of animal production in the stud farm.

One of the dynamically developing areas of research in the field of animal improvement is the search for the genetic basis of traits related to broadly understood use. Properly developed and used, they are a real tool for shortening the path of breeding progress, reducing the costs of production, rearing and veterinary care of animals.