How long does frozen semen last, and what is the scoop on it?
If your stud has positive enduring qualities which should be preserved for the breed or your own future breeding program, you should have his semen frozen.His breeding availability will be guaranteed by this.
Sometimes the stud dog isn't available when an individual bitch needs to be bred.The reason may be due to a show or trial schedule, booked stud services, temporary illness or injury, or any other logistical scheduling conflict that could limit a stud's availability.
Long distance breedings can be accomplished without shipping the bitch or stud dog by using either chilled or frozen semen.
Semen is collected from a dog.Good quality semen is frozen and stored if the different parts of the ejaculate are collected separately.When the stud dog's libido is high, semen of the best quality and higher counts are collected.We try to mimic a typical breeding situation for each stud and encourage owners to provide a bitch in heat to use as a teaser.If the stud dog associates a particular item with breeding, such as a rug, table, breeding rack, etc., that item should be brought to the appointment.We may recommend a temporary injection to increase libido.If time constraints exist, it is a good idea to wait for a teaser before scheduling a frozen semen collection appointment.
The semen is evaluated after the collection.We have a video screen attached to the microscope that allows us to show you the sample as it is analyzed.The sample is extended with a buffer solution if the quality is acceptable for freezing.A sperm count is performed and the sample is further reduced to a uniform concentration.The number of straws is determined by the initial sperm count of the semen sample.After a gradual cooling and freezing process, a partial straw is thawed and examined for quality.40% of the original sperm cells have survived the freeze and thaw process.
The process usually takes 3-4 hours from the time of the collection.The collection process can take up to 30 minutes if clients are present.All paperwork needs to be completed at the time of collection, so additional time may be required in the office.
We are an approved storage facility.The semen is stored in a container that contains liquid nitrogen.The frozen semen is held in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 degrees Centigrade.The semen can be viable indefinitely if the temperature is maintained.There is no fear of accidental thaw due to a power failure since the container does not require electricity.
The number of straws depends on your dog's sperm count.In a short period of time from dog to dog and collection to collection, the quantity and quality of semen produced in one ejaculate can vary.There are factors that can affect your stud's semen quality.
Younger dogs have a higher sperm count and better quality semen than older dogs.
Good quality semen will rarely come from an ill or stressed dog.It can take 3-6 months for the ejaculate to return to normal after a recovery from illness.Sperm production can be affected by prescription and over the counter drugs.
Large breeds produce more sperm cells than smaller ones.Toy breeds often need to have semen collections done several times in order to store enough sperm to breed one bitch, whereas a large or giant breed might be able to inseminate multiple bitches.The number of sperm cells is more important than the volume of the collection.
In general, an experienced stud dog produces better semen quality than one who doesn't fully understand the collection process and what is expected of him.Before semen is stored, it is advisable to have a young or inexperienced dog collected once or twice.The semen numbers of a stud dog can be poor if he is shy or nervous.When semen is collected, a dog that is used to having people around and being handled will fare better.A bitch in heat standing in front of a stud dog helps the semen collection process.
It is possible to freeze a dog's semen if it is producing motile sperm cells.Only a small amount of viable sperm cells will be stored if semen numbers are compromised.Every attempt should be made to either breed your stud with fresh semen or improve the quality and freeze subsequent collections.
Fees for the freeze and storage are around $450 and $94 per year, respectively.If you have a UKC breed, these registration bodies require a DNA number be on file and will cost between 40 and 45 dollars.A surgical insemination is usually preferred for a breeding with frozen semen.Costs can be discussed individually.
A copy of the stud's individual registration papers and positive identification are usually required.We need the stud owner's signature to file appropriate paperwork with the registration body.The stud dog owner will receive written information about the collection statistics and yearly storage bill after the semen is collected and stored.
Individual success depends on semen quality, bitch fertility and procedures used for breeding.The appropriate use of frozen semen for breeding should be investigated in advance of a bitch's heat cycle.It is a better option to delay the use of frozen semen until the stud dog is dead or infertile.