Reproduction: Stallion Articles

Maximizing Pregnancy Rates with Shipped Semen

Cool Semen Transport: Advancements in Eqine Arti!icial "nsemination

Maximizing Pregnancy Rates with Shipped Semen
by Elizabeth S. Metcalf MS !"M

Well, theres no avoiding itshipped semen is no longer the "wave of the future." It has
rapidly emerged as an integral part of every general equine practice and breeding facility.
Therefore, we must pay rapt attention to all means of enhancing the fertility of stallion
semen being shipped nationwide. There is, however, tremendous variability in the fertility
of semen shipped throughout the country and subsequent pregnancy rates.
regnancy rates of mares bred with cooled shipped semen are dependent on three
variables! ".# the fertility of the mare. $.# the fertility of the semen with which they are
inseminated. and %.# the e&pertise of the veterinarian coordinating the insemination.
'nfortunately, the quality of transported equine semen, and its subsequent fertility,
appear to be e&tremely variable in private practice. Therefore, despite good fertility of the
mare and adequate e&perience of the veterinarian coordinating the insemination with
ovulation, the mare may not get pregnant due to the poor quality of semen that is
received. This variability in semen quality may be due to the inherent ability of the
stallions semen to withstand a particular cooling process( the e&pertise of the person
collecting, processing, and preparing the semen for shipment( differences in transport
containers( as well as events that occur with commercial couriers during the transport to
the )I facility.
) retrospective study e&amined and determined the pregnancy rate per cycle that can be
e&pected with semen shipped from many different sources into a private equine practice.
*are candidates were selected based on those presented to the breeding facility by
owners. They were categori+ed based on reproductive status as maiden mares ,"-#, barren
mares ,%.#, and foaling mares ,nine#. /ifty0three mares, of various breeds, were bred over
1" cycles with semen from -" different stallions that was shipped by a commercial
carrier. The semen arrived in either an 2quitainer, a 3ioflyte, an 2&pect0)0/oal, or a
modified version of a shipping container. The mares were inseminated at least once
within -1 hours preceding ovulation. The presence of a corpus hemorrhagicum was
documented by ultrasonographic e&amination using a five *4+ linear array ultrasound
probe. regnancy was confirmed by the same method "$0"1 days following ovulation or
by the attainment of an embryo seven to eight days following ovulation.
The criteria used for the sub5ective evaluation of shipped semen included progressive
motility estimation of the spermato+oa, morphology of the spermato+oa, total number of
progressively motile spermato+oa, concentration of the semen, pac6aging of the semen,
the container in which the semen was shipped, and accompanying paperwor6 that
included a semen analysis, instructions for use, and adequate labeling of the semen. 7ut
of 1" heat cycles in which mares were bred with shipped semen, %8 resulted in a
pregnancy, thereby resulting in a -19 per cycle pregnancy rate. The heat cycles in which
mares were inseminated with e&cellent versus good versus fair versus poor quality semen
resulted in 1:.;9 ,"-<"=#, =$9 ,"1<$8#, %%9 ,=<"1#, and ""9 ,$<"1# pregnancy rates,
respectively.
In this study, pregnancy rates in mares inseminated with shipped semen in private
practice reflect the quality of the semen received. *any of the insemination dosages
received during this study failed to meet the recommended insemination dose for
ma&imal pregnancy rates. )s previously reported, ma&imal pregnancy rates should be
achieved with an insemination dose of greater than or equal to ;.. > ".= progressively
motile sperm within -1 hours preceding ovulation. This semen should be e&tended to a
final concentration of $.0;. > ".= progressively motile spermato+oa<ml in order to
ma&imi+e pregnancy rates.
The results of this study may be somewhat s6ewed by the variation of frequency in
insemination. If sufficient semen was sent, mares participating in this study were often
bred with a second dose of semen. In the case that two adequate insemination doses are
included in the shipment, pregnancy rates may be enhanced by re0insemination on the
following day if ovulation has not occurred, presumably due to the replenishment of
storage sites that are responsible for selecting spermato+oa in the mares oviducts.
?esults of this study demonstrate the importance of a pre0breeding<pre0shipment breeding
soundness e&amination ,3@2# of the stallion as well as proper handling, processing, and
shipment of the e5aculate. It is important to reali+e that all transport containers are not the
same. The cooling rates and ability to maintain storage temperatures of different shipping
vessels may vary and thereby affect motility and subsequent fertility of the semen.
)lthough 4eis6anen et al. reported per cycle pregnancy rates of 1:9 in $= mares bred
over %. cycles with semen that had been cooled for -. hours from three stallions, it is
generally accepted that fertility of semen is compromised to varying degrees with a
cooling process more than $-0-1 hours regardless of the transport container. @till, the low
pregnancy rate per cycle of -19 in this study suggests that impaired fertility may be
secondary to causes other than changes that occur with semen cooling. The causes of this
compromise may range from improper handling of the semen to the inherent quality of
the semen itself.
*any of the 2uropean registries limit their breeding stallion licenses based on a stallions
3@2. @tallions within the 'nited @tates are not selected or ran6ed based upon fertility, but
rather upon performance alone. This selection process may be a disservice to all involved
in the breeding industry. If fertility of the semen and the ability to maintain this fertility in
shipping are indeed a heritable trait in the stallion, whole breeds may be potentiated
carrying the ability or inability to withstand the rigors associated with shipping semen.
In conclusion, many breed registries have e&panded their requirements for registration
and subsequently, transportation and artificial insemination of equine semen have rapidly
become routine practice. In order to ma&imi+e pregnancy rates of mares inseminated with
shipped semen, the fertility of both the mare and stallion must be optimi+ed as well as the
e&pertise of the veterinarians processing the semen and coordinating insemination.
Elizabeth S. Metcalf, MS, DVM
?2/2?2AB2@
". *etcalf, 2.@., regnancy rates with cooled equine semen received in private practice.
--th )nn ))2 Bonv roc, p. "=0"1, "881.
$. 4ouseholder, C.C., ic6ett, 3.W., Doss, E.F., and 7lar, T.T. 2ffect of e&tender, number
of spermato+oa and hBG on equine fertility. 2q Det @ci Ean</eb, p. 80"%, "81".
%. Eas6o, C.E., *oran, C.*., /arlin, *.2., @quires, 2.F., )mann, ?.., and ic6ett, 3.W.
regnancy rates utili+ing fresh, cooled and fro+en0thawed stallion semen. %1th )nn
))2 Bonv roc, p. =-80==., "88$.
-. @quires, 2.F., 3ruba6er, E.H., *cBue, .*., and ic6ett 3.W. 2ffect of sperm number
and frequency of insemination on fertility of mares inseminated with cooled semen.
Theriogenology -8 ,-#, p. :-%0:;., "881.
;. Cobrins6i, I., Thomas, ., @mith, T., and 3all, 3. @perm0oviduct interaction! role of
sperm adhesion and effects of sperm cryopreservation. -$nd )nn ))2 Bonv roc, p.
"--0"-;, "88=.
=. *cHinnon, ).7., and Wal6er, E.3. 2ffect of ambient temperature and container on
temperature of e&tended semen. World 2q Det ?eview % ,"#, p. ;0"", "881.
:. 4eis6anen, *.F., 4uhtinen, *., irhonen, )., *aenpaa, .4. Insemination results with
slow0cooled stallion semen stored for appro&imately -. 4ours. )cta Deternaria
@candinavica %; ,%#! $;:0$=$, "88-.
American Association of E#uine Practitioners
$%&' (ron )or*s Pi*e
+exington ,- $%'..
/0%01 2334%.$&
www.aaep.org
posted: #$%&$'((') *ast pdated: #$%&$'((')

5ool Semen 6ransport: Ad7ancements in E#uine
Artificial (nsemination

BREEDING WITH TRANSPORTED SEMEN
Today's breeding technology provides horse owners more options than were available
in the past. Artificial insemination and semen preservation techniques make it
possible to ship stallion semen to mares nearly anywhere in the country. But success
with transported semen will depend on the careful reproductive management of both
stallion and mare.
WHY SHIP SEMEN?
Even under the best conditions, transporting horses long distances can be stressful
and costly. ares with foals are of special concern, since foals are particularly
vulnerable to disease and in!ury when e"posed to new horses and environments.
#lder or in!ured mares, or those requiring special care, may also benefit from staying
closer to home during breeding season. The ability to ship cooled semen makes it
possible for breeders to arrange matings that might otherwise be impractical due to
distance, economics, or health.
GOOD CANDIDATES
any$$but not all$$horses are good candidates for the use of cooled transported
semen. Both mares and stallions should be in e"cellent reproductive health, since
fertility problems tend to be compounded when transported semen is added to the
breeding equation.
%ith shipped semen, there is generally only one opportunity per cycle to breed a
mare. &roblem breeders may fare better at the stud farm, where they can be
monitored and serviced at regular intervals throughout their heat cycles.
Also be aware that not every stallion's semen cools or ships well. Therefore, it is
critical for a stallion's sperm viability to be checked after a dose has been e"tended
and cooled for '( to )* hours. This is generally the interval between collection and
the time the transported semen is placed in the mare.
+f you are planning to raise a registered foal, be sure to check the association's rules
regarding semen transport in advance and follow them. %hile registry acceptances
are growing, not every breed registry permits the use of transported semen.
INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT
Breeding with cooled transported semen is more management$intensive than with
on$site matings. Timing is critical. ,or the greatest chance of pregnancy, a mare
must be bred from -'$'( hours before ovulation to up to si" hours after ovulation.
,rom a practical standpoint, however, once the mare has ovulated, it may be difficult
to determine whether you are still within an acceptable time frame for fertility. Also,
remember cooled stallion semen only has a shelf life of '($(. hours.
THE MARE
&rior to breeding season, a mare should have a full reproductive e"amination. A
uterine biopsy and culture may be indicated to get a clearer picture of the mare's
overall reproductive health. /uring breeding season, the mare should be kept where
she can be teased by a stallion on a regular basis in order to detect onset of estrus
reliably.
#nce the mare comes into heat, your equine practitioner will need to predict the
onset of ovulation accurately$$$allowing time for the semen shipment to arrive. The
veterinarian will monitor the mare daily or every other day via rectal palpation and
ultrasound throughout her heat cycle to determine the appropriate time to breed her.
THE STALLION
The stallion should also be evaluated for fertility prior to the breeding season. 0emen
should be tested by e"tending, cooling and storing it in the same way it will be
handled for shipping. 1ommercial e"tenders have different formulations. The stallion
manager or veterinarian may want to e"periment to see which e"tenders promote
the greatest viability. &roper handling is also important. 2ere are some
considerations3
An insemination dose of cooled semen requires - billion progressively motile
sperm cells, twice the number used in fresh insemination doses. ,ollowing
storage and transport, 455 million progressively motile sperm cells would be
considered a minimum insemination dose.
6eterinarians and stallion managers should have the equipment to determine
sperm concentrations and motility accurately. /oses should not be estimated.
0emen e"tenders should contain antibiotics to help reduce bacterial
contamination and the spread of disease.
A high quality shipping container is essential to semen viability7 directions
should be followed e"actly.
/ue to variability between individual characteristics of each stallion's semen,
the procedures for e"tending, shipping, handling and insemination may vary.
/irections from the attending veterinarian or stallion manager should be
followed precisely.
Any semen which remains after the mare has been bred should be checked
for quality.
0emen not used within (. hours should be discarded even though it may still
appear to be viable.
COMMUNICATION & COOPERATION
8ood communication between stallion and mare managers is essential. 1oordinating
semen shipments will take planning and cooperation. ost stallion managers plan
collection schedules so as not to overta" a stallion's fertility or reproductive
performance. 1ollections made )$( times per week will accommodate most cooled
transported semen requirements without negatively affecting fertility, while allowing
breeders to meet on$site demands as well.
The mare should be on a regular teasing and e"amination schedule to reliably
ascertain the proper time to breed. This will allow planning and timely shipment of
cooled semen. any overnight shipping services provide prompt, reliable deliveries
and can reduce the need for last minute trips to the airport.
COSTS
Transporting semen may have some cost saving benefits. 2owever, they can be
offset by increased management costs. Additional costs may include3
0pecial handling and shipping charges.
Board, mare care, teasing and management at a breeding facility or clinic.
6eterinary e"aminations, palpations, ultrasound and artificial insemination
charges.
CAVEATS
&regnancy rates with transported semen are somewhat lower than with on$the$farm
breedings. This means it may take more than one cycle to get a mare successfully in
foal. The mare owner absorbs the cost of additional semen shipments, veterinary
procedures and mare care.
A TEAM EFFORT
Breeding with cooled transported semen is a team effort requiring the e"pertise of
qualified professionals. The goal is to produce a healthy foal in the most efficient,
effective way. To prevent disappointment, undue e"pense and loss of valuable time,
you must do your part to ensure success.

9nderstand your responsibilities.
1heck the credentials and references of the breeders and professionals with
whom you plan to do business.
1hoose stallion and mare management facilities and an equine reproductive
specialist whom you trust.
Establish a good line of communication between all parties.
6isit the facilities if possible.
:ead your breeding contract carefully.
1ontact the associations with which you are affiliated for their guidelines. ,or
more information, contact the
American Association of Equine &ractitioners
(5;5 +ron %orks &ike, <e"ington, => (54--
?*5*@ '))$5-(;.
posted: #$%&$'((') *ast pdated: #$%&$'((')