Semen Facts

The Facts About CHILLED, FRESH & FROZEN Semen

In general, semen is collected from the stallion into an AV (Artificial Vagina), whereby immediately filtered, & accurately diluted in an appropriate extender (milk-like substance) for that stallion's semen. A sample of each collection is taken to analyze for its percentage live, percentage progressive motile (more importantly as it is the forward, direct moving sperm that increases a stallions fertility rate), pH level (ideal at pH 7.2) and concentration (million sperm per milliliter). At this stage the semen may be processed in 3 ways to be used either Fresh, Chilled, or Frozen.

However please note that the following information is merely a guide and may vary depending on a number of factors such as individual stallion semen quality.

CHILLED SEMEN

Chilled semen is the most effective method of transporting semen for insemination of mares, ideally within 24 hours of collection from the stallion. However chilled semen may have a shelf life up to 48 - 72 hours. Please note that the longer the semen is outside the stallion or mare, the greater the increase in semen quality degradation, thus decreasing fertility! So the faster you inseminate after receipt of the semen, the better.

 
Chilled Semen Transporting Container
Chilled semen transport container

FRESH SEMEN

This method should only be used if the mare is ready for immediate AI (artificial insemination) after the stallion has been collected. After being filtered, the semen is taken directly & used to AI a mare.
FROZEN SEMEN

The semen will last indefinitely, frozen at -196°C in liquid nitrogen, providing that the straws (Casing surrounding the frozen sperm) are maintained correctly at all times.
Dry Shipper For Transporting Frozen Semen Around Australia & WORLD-WIDE
Dry Shipper- Transports Frozen Semen Domestically and Internationally		 .
Frozen semen has many advantages.
  1. Firstly it can be used for insurance purposes in case of the sudden loss of the stallion
  2. AI mares
  3. Enables stallion owners to market their stallions genetics worldwide.
Prior to the development of this technology, the latter would not be possible without physically shipping the stallion to the desired country, with much effort involved. This process involves the concentration of sperm cells allowing for a calculated dilution in a freezing extender (much different to chilled semen extender) to dose levels (measured concentration- number of million sperm per milliliter).
Once the semen is injected within the straws, with an air-bubble (allowing for expansion during the freezing process; no air would result in the straw popping, thus damaging the semen!), the freezing process occurs eventuating in the straw being submerged in liquid nitrogen (NOT A FREEZER!). The frozen semen straw must remain submerged within liquid nitrogen to remain viable for use.
Frozen StrawsFrozen semen straws
 Transporting Frozen Semen is made possible by a 'Dry Shipper' (pictured above). Liquid Nitrogen is absorbed into the lining of the tank until saturation, leaving remaining visible liquid nitrogen to cover the frozen semen straws being transported
From being full to empty (gradual evaporation of liquid nitrogen), the Dry Shipper tank has a shelf life of approximately 21 days. However, the quicker the semen straws are transported and transferred to a proper semen storage tank, the better.