We have received a number of requests for information regarding collecting and storing semen for future use. This short write-up provides an entry level review of the topic.

We begin by bringing our stud to a veterinary clinic capable of storing and/or collecting semen.

It is helpful (but not necessary) to have the animal microchipped. This added feature allows the veterinary clinic to scan and document the data with the animal’s collection. It is an additional layer of authentication. Likewise, some clinics photograph the pet for this purpose.

Note:

Bringing a teaser female who is in “heat” can often aid in the quality of the collection.

Once the individual’s semen is extracted, a veterinarian will freeze the sample. A portion is then thawed which allows for a post thaw analysis. These numbers are predicative of the likelihood that a collection will successfully bring pups. Likewise, since much of an animal’s semen is lost during the freezing process, an individual needs a mid- to high quality sample for freezing.

Note:

It is often the case that studs are able to bring pups naturally but whose semen quality is not adequate for freezing.

Once the hurdles of the collection are complete, the pets registered owner should notify the registration company he or she intends to use. A filing fee creates provenance where the collection is documented for the future..

It is important to remember that only the registered owner (of the stud) at the time of collection can make this filing (or approve of another to do so). Likewise, only a licensed veterinarian can document the collection.

While the filing fee creates provenance, registration companies require the studs DNA before offspring from his frozen semen can officially be registered.

Our final step involves the licensed veterinarian who eventually performs the semen’s insemination. An AIFS form stating the stud name, identification number, and semen sample number (matching the data filed with the registration body) must be completed and sent to the registration company (by the veternarian).

Post thaw motility and the number of live viable sperm are key. While samples containing as low as 30% post thaw motility can bring pups, the odds are not in your favor. We recommend 200 million live motile sperm with a post thaw motility of no less than 45%.

We could go in detail about the likelihood for success per post thaw motility percentage or on the technical aspects of saving and thawing semen, but this is all the time we have for now. Feel free to call with questions.

Good luck and god bless

Titan Kennels