Frozen Semen Services
With the acceptance of frozen semen by most major horse breed societies in the USA, artificial insemination with frozen equine semen is increasing globally a good option for horse owners looking to expand their breeding program. Banking frozen semen from your young stallion when he is producing the maximum number of viable sperm translates into financial and emotional security for the future. Sperm quality can decline due to age, injury or illness and losing a stallion without a semen bank can be devastating.
Thanks to Dr. Emond’s extensive knowledge and experience in the field of equine reproduction, we are able to offer the latest technology to properly collect, evaluate, freeze and store your stallion’s semen.
The process of freezing semen is called cryopreservation. Cryopreservation can be compared to hibernation. The metabolism of the sperm cells is lowered to the minimum they need to survive without losing their ability to fertilize an egg.
Why use Frozen Semen?
- Decrease stress and risk to mare and foal
- Decrease transport costs
- Decrease reproductive disease transmission
- Improves continuity of breeding season for the stallion (shows, illness, injury)
- Facilitates scheduling around the mare’s cycle/longer breeding season for the stallion
- Life insurance for the stallion (ability to produce offspring even after injury or death)
- Opens large, new international markets (markets can be reached not accessible with transported fresh semen)
Is your stallion a good candidate for frozen semen?
- Young adult (3-11 years of age)
- Free of undesirable, potentially heritable defects and infectious diseases
- Good temperament (facilitates collection of semen)
- Good genetic lineage for semen freezing
- Good semen characteristics
- >80% progressive motility
- >200 million sperm/ml concentration
- >4 billion progressively motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa in second of two ejaculates collected one hour apart after one week of sexual rest
How many doses per collection can be expected?
In our freezing program we use two different types of extenders, with two different vapor freezing methods. Through a post-thaw of the semen, the optimum freezing method is selected. The stallion is then collected on an every-other-day cycle based on how many frozen semen doses are desired by the owner. Using this method, a stallion generally produces 6-12 doses of frozen semen per collection, with typically 2 doses being used per estrous cycle.
How is the frozen semen stored and distributed?
Our frozen semen straws are placed in canes and stored in cryogenic containers. The insulated storage vessels minimize evaporation of the liquid nitrogen, maximizing container holding time. Each tank is measured regularly and liquid nitrogen is added at regular intervals to maintain the proper levels. If the semen is stored properly, it can maintain its viability for many years. There is no concrete evidence as to the lifespan of frozen semen, but studies estimate that frozen semen will last for thousands of years if maintained properly.
Once the semen is frozen, it can be stored at our facility for a monthly fee or shipped to any destination within the Unites States in nitrogen shipping containers, all housed in special protective shipping cartons. Each shipment contains breeding doses requested by the stallion owners, and detailed information about the semen, including handling and thawing instructions.
Can the semen be shipped internationally?
Yes, we are an approved USDA facility that can provide the service and experience needed to facilitate your import/export market. Frozen semen intended for international shipment must meet the requirements of the country to which it is being imported. Often a lengthy quarantine period and specific protocol is required. Permits are needed for import, and certain criteria must be met for exportation of the frozen semen. If you are interested in shipping worldwide, please allow ample time prior to freezing to satisfy the stringent quarantine requirements.
|
