Frozen Semen Notes.

      The use of frozen semen in the equine breeding industry is growing in popularity. Mare owners are now able to choose a stallion anywhere in the world to breed their mare to; and stallion owners can use their stallion without disrupting his competitive career. Proper equipment and a knowledgeable veterinary surgeon/technician is required for the intensive management needed for success with frozen semen. Vets must be competent not only in the management and insemination of mares, but also in the handling and evaluation of frozen semen.

Introduction to Frozen Semen.

      A great deal of variability exists among stallions in the ability of their semen to withstand freezing and thawing. Equine semen is far less tolerant of the process than bull semen; no single technique or formula exists to successfully freeze all equine semen. Semen from some stallions fares better than others with certain freezing buffers.
      It is generally accepted that frozen/thawed semen does not maintain viability within the mare for as long as fresh or fresh cooled semen. Whereas the number of progressively motile sperm needed for optimal pregnancy rates using fresh semen has been established as 500 million, the minimum breeding dose to optimize pregnancy rate is unknown for frozen semen usage. Insemination with frozen/thawed semen is performed very close to ovulation and dosages of 200 million progressively motile sperm (post-thaw) have obtained acceptable pregnancy rates. Dosages less than this may compromise fertility.

Please note - We will only accept and inseminate with frozen or chilled semen from outside the UK if the correct health papers accompany it.