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Shipping Equine Semen
By B. W. Pickett, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Colorado State University
The acceptance of shipped and/or transported semen by the
majority of breed registries has had a dramatic effect on the horse industry. Like many technological advances, or changes, depending upon your point of view, this technology provides additional opportunities and
more flexibility in breeding horses, which in turn will ultimately improve the genetic merit of the breeds that are participating.
Although the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, many of the
disadvantages can be eliminated or minimized. The objective is to get your mare pregnant, hopefully on the first breeding, requiring only one shipment of semen. When this does not occur on the second or third
attempt a great deal of dissatisfaction ensues, resulting in all sorts of warranted and /or unwarranted accusations.
It is the responsibility of the stallion owner to utilize an appropriate extender, such as
E-Z Mixin® - "CST". This is a milk-based extender, which must be handled properly to provide maximum fertility. Fresh extender is essential, and upon receipt should be placed in a deep-freezer,
because all milk and milk by-products will deteriorate, particularly when exposed to excessive heat or even room temperature. Fresh batches are produced throughout the year, and evaluated at Colorado State
University and approved before being offered for sale.
Unfortunately, semen from some stallions does not tolerate cooling and shipping. Obviously, it is the responsibility of the stallion manager to use fresh
extender and make the appropriate tests prior to the breeding season to assure that his stallion's semen will withstand the rigors of cooling and shipping. It is the responsibility of the mare owner to employ the
services of a veterinarian well trained in equine reproduction to assure that the mare is in the appropriate stage of her cycle for maximum chances of conception. In addition, appropriate handling of the semen upon
receipt is an integral part of management. Failure to obtain well-trained personnel with appropriate technical skills is a common cause of failure.
A common source of disagreement between the stallion manager
and mare owner is motility of the spermatazoa. Most frequently this is due to the lack of a good phase-contrast microscope by the mare owner. There are a number of good, relatively inexpensive microscopes available,
such as the Video Microscope produced and sold by Animal Reproduction Systems. Frequently it is difficult to remember that the sperm must be warmed, sometimes for as long as 20 minutes, to attain maximum motility.
Further, not all motile sperm are fertile, therefore a quality microscope, properly cleaned and adjusted is necessary for trained personnel to make a reliable judgment.
When the stallion manager and the mare
owner have confidence in one another and a spirit of cooperation, shipped semen has many fewer disadvantages and a much greater chance of success..
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