Cryopreservation
Equine Cryopreservation is the process of collecting, processing, freezing and storing a stallion's genetic material. It is perhaps the most misunderstood and therefore backed away from technology in advanced equine reproduction. Research is continuing at numerous universities and private enterprises to advance our current knowledge, and smooth out what has become recurring problems.
At this time, conception rates with frozen semen remain at about 50%. Even with this, there are many critical factors for success. There must be proper collection techniques, with a close to sterile environment. The stallion should have a progressive motility, upwards of 50% (bare minimum). Middle to high concentration is also preferred. Many aged stallions, beyond 13 years, while developing varying degrees of testicular degeneration, produce larger volumes of fluid with less sperm cells. It is from this group we receive the most requests for freezing. Owners of young, virile stallions are not as concerned at the moment for saving their stallions genetic material, thus insuring their future. Often when we are called, it is too late. Many aged stallions can continue to be successful with live cover, and even ship well with the aid of a centrifuge, but lose potential to freeze enough straws per collection, to make it economically feasible. It is therefore imperative to decide on banking semen while the stallion is in his prime, if circumstances permit. Many stallions are not suitable at any age. Young stallions may exhibit poor seminal quality due to other factors such as: medications, physical condition, nutrition, over breeding, testicular size, overwork, and heredity, to name a few.
The freezing process begins similarly to a normal collection. We are using some form of sperm counter to assess concentration, and preferably a phase contrast microscope with a heating stage, centrifuge, incubator, liquid nitrogen tank, and water bath.
We start by washing the stallion thoroughly, making certain he is dry. If using anything other than warm water for cleaning, it is imperative to rinse thoroughly, making certain there is no residue. I recommend doing this type of washing, the day before collection, and washing with warm water only, prior to collection. A mild detergent such as Ivory works quite well for removing smegma, as well as the sheath cleaning product, Excaliber. Remember, be gentle. Do not force or pick off scales. Excaliber can be left on for an hour, and when you return to finish the job, the scales are easily washed away, leaving the penis non-irritated. And always, rinse, rinse, rinse, and gently towel dry.
After collecting, the ejaculate is evaluated as to concentration and motility, and extended in a centrifuge medium. Centrifugation time varies, by the individual animal's ejaculate. A good base to start at is 10 minutes at 400 G force. The centrifuge spins at extreme speed, separating the liquid from the cells. The liquid is then aspirated off leaving a sperm pellet on the bottom. It is important to leave a small amount of seminal fluid, as this appears to be necessary to the cells survival. The new concentration is then re calibrated by means of a hemocytometer, and re extended in a freezing medium. This freezing extender is a base extender with the addition of glycerol, egg yolk, and a food detergent, Equex.
Straws are then filled depending on their size. If macro straws, 5 ml., are used, they normally will accommodate 600 to 800 million progressively motile cells per straw, or 1 dose. Half ml. straws are also common, but take 3 or as many as 10 straws, to support a dose. Straws are then placed on a freezing rack set just above a level of liquid nitrogen. This allows the straws to initially freeze in the vapors, producing less shock. After 20 minutes they are placed directly into the liquid nitrogen which completes the freezing process. ½ ml straws may take less time in the vapor. The straws can now be transferred into a liquid nitrogen tank for storage. Properly cared for these will last forever. Regular checks and maintenance of the tanks are a priority.
In evaluating frozen semen, we can only test for post thaw motility. Unfortunately, this does not mean fertility. Even very high motility is no guarantee for conception. One of the problems being researched is that freezing tends to destroy 1) the cells abilities to adhere to the egg, and, 2) the enzymes needed to penetrate it, for capacitation and conception to occur. At this time there is no test to confirm or deny whether any damage has occurred, but research is currently being conducted to produce a test. Breeding a reproductively sound mare, with a sampling of your straws is recommended. A positive pregnancy test is your only warrantee. If purchasing straws, always ask if they have had a successful test, and for numbers and references.
The sale and purchase of equine frozen semen, is also a new avenue for most breeders. Frozen semen can be banked by the purchaser for any length of time, including years. Live foal guarantees become difficult to promise, if not impossible. The added expense of freezing and banking, is usually compensated in the breeding fee, by being paid for up front, in full. The straws are then released to the purchaser. Most stallions offering frozen semen also limit the amount of straws, or cycles, of the breeding. If the mare has not settled, additional straws can be obtained at a pre arranged cost. There are also stallions, including some deceased, that charge another full stud fee, should the mare not conceive on the allotted straws. There are pros and cons on both sides. Considerable time and cost are engaged by the stallion owner, yet the mare owner can pick and choose the right moment for insemination. The cost of shipping, and the dry shippers themselves, specific nitrogen containers for shipping, are costlier then shipping fresh chilled semen. But, you don't have to worry about timing your mare's ovulation. The straws are available whenever you choose, and your mare is ready.
Always get thaw instructions, specific for the straws you have purchased, and a contact number for the company who froze the semen. Only a few degrees, or 2 to 3 seconds, too long or too short, will damage or destroy the cells. Competent companies, with positive pregnancy results, are happy to give references. Always discuss the purchase of frozen semen straws with your veterinarian. He or she may not be experienced with working with frozen. It also is necessary to have a liquid nitrogen tank available to either yourself or your vet to store the straws. A water bath, and straw forceps are also necessary to handle and thaw.
Insemination with frozen has it's own specific needs. The mare must be carefully observed during her estrus. Monitored by ultrasound throughout, and at least twice daily after reaching a 35 ml. follicle. Ultrasound needs to be utilized every 6 to 8 hours, nearing ovulation, in order to decide the closest point, prior or post ovulation.. Most straws need to be administered within 6 hours of ovulation. The ultrasound gives us a clear picture of the follicle beginning to lose shape, just prior to ovulating. With most mares, ovulation occurs between 4 AM and 10 AM. This can be an added burden on your veterinarian's time. Semen previously frozen, does not have the life span of fresh chilled, within the mare. Thus the need for insemination within minutes of thaw, and perfect timing of the ovulation.
A new protocol was presented this year at the International Reproduction Symposium at Solvang, California. It has been researched and found effective, and simplifies the insemination timing. The mare is observed at the start of estrus, and when ultrasounded at a 35 follicle, larger for certain breeds, HcG is administered. The mare is then inseminated at 24 and 40 hours post HcG. One can then determine once a day, utilizing ultrasound, the progression of her ovulation. This will definitely cut cost to the mare owner.
It is actually the European, Iberian, and South American markets, that have pursued the American breeders to become more adept in the use and marketing of Equine Cryogenics. In Europe, the use and shipment of straws, are as commonplace as fresh chilled is to us. For 20 plus years it has been an accepted and successful practice. Recently they lobbied the American Quarter Horse Association, so successfully, that at the AQHA convention, they passed the usage of frozen semen, beginning in 2001. Because of international customs regulations, fresh chilled was often unable to be delivered within 48 hours, diminishing sperm quality severely, if not entirely. To maintain a global genetic bank, readily available and accessible, their reasoning won out.
This is also an excellent way to secure healthy semen, for both exportation and importation, while also expanding your client base, or, as a mare owner, expanding your genetic pool. Each country has their own requirement for the importation of horse semen. A quarantine is generally needed, along with a health certificate. The stallion while quarantined, may use that time to be frozen. This ranges from 30 to 60 days. A quarantine may be arranged at your own barn, a specific reproductive facility or University, through your vet and the USDA. Semen frozen within the USA and shipped within the country does not require a quarantine.
Heredity is a severe problem we have created in the industry. In cattle, regardless of quality, show career or breeding, a reproductively inferior animal is eliminated. As horse breeders we continue to breed both stallions and mares with poor reproductive histories. Using the advancements of veterinary science, we make up for what nature has tried to cull. The result is a growing number of reproductively defective, yet outstanding, show horses. Perhaps we need a wake up call to breeders, owners, and horsemen, to recognize our responsibility to perpetuate our breeds. Our standard must be as high for producing reproductive efficiency as it is for creating an otherwise athletically and physically, superior specimen.
Finally, the future of our industry to grow and be financially healthy, on a global basis, is the utilization of the many advanced reproductive techniques, such as freezing, embryo and oocyte transfer, gender selection and frozen embryos. We as responsible horsemen, must continue to educate ourselves, ask questions, and select our breeding horses responsibly.
Article
Cryopreservation...
Freezing Semen
By Karen Berk
Author
Karen Berk owns and operates Equine Reproduction Services (ERS) Stallion Station in Ocala, Florida. Along with Bryan Huggins she stands 9 stallions and travels nationwide as a speaker and clinician. Her published articles have appeared in over 30 publications in 4 languages, worldwide.
Karen Berk, a Cleveland Ohio native, founded Equine Reproduction Services in 1994. ERS is a worldwide mobile lab dedicated to advanced technologies in horse breeding. The lab's capabilities are: Stallion collection, Semen Freezing, Semen Evaluations, Shipping, Storage, Artificial Insemination, Phantom Training, Troubleshooting, Lab and Tech training, Consulting and Clinics. Soon added will be Embryo transfer and frozen embryos and storage.
Karen received her certification and training at Ohio State University, Colorado State University, and veterinary apprentice programs. Karen attended the 2002 International Reproduction Symposium in Solvang CA, and works under the auspices of numerous vets in the United States, Central and South America. She is also a member of the International Association of Equine Practitioners, IAEP.
Additional accomplishments in Karen's career include; Founder of the Riding for Handicapped program in Orlando Florida, 1978 Founder of the Women's Equine Network, 1996 Producer and Host of Horse $en$e TV, 1995-96 Keynote speaker at ABRACAM Congress, Brazil, On Import/Export equine semen, 2003 Top 5 rider at World Cup, 1989 Trainer of Champion Arabian Horses including Region 12 Champions and Reserves, Plus Sweepstakes Champion, Board of Directors of The Russian Heritage Arabians, & represented the US at the Ptersk/ Holland Sale at DeHartog's Kossak Stud in Amsterdam, the head of public relations for the equine department of a Fortune 500 company, and last, but not least, mother of Brian, Brandon and Justin.
Karen resides and is based in Ocala, Florida. She is working on one more record. Her beloved Arabian gelding, Galant Sur, is 34 this year, and the Shetland Pony, Chocolate is 45.
Karen can be reached at 352-465-8881 or by Email ERSmobileAiLab@aol.com
or through her website www.Frozen-Semen.com