Freeze Your Future

A Primer on Using Frozen Semen (Reprinted from Southwest Horse Trader)
Frozen Semen is a hot topic these days.  Two of the nation's largest breed registries, the AQHA and APHA, have just approved the use of frozen semen.    Like cooled shipped semen and embryo transfers this technology is being touted as a big step forward for horse breeders.  In this article, we'll help you determine whether frozen semen can serve your breeding program.  

Kristine Waldron, based in Cleburne, Texas owns a mobile laboratory to collect and process both cooled and frozen semen on the stallion owner's farm.  With a BS in Horse Reproduction & Mgmt, and years of working for Select Breeders, the nation's premier frozen semen service, Kristine has a lot experience in handling all aspects of frozen semen.  Kristine shared her breeding expertise with the Southwest Horse Trader for this article.  

HOW SEMEN IS FROZEN

"Freezing" a stallion is an easy process fort he stallion owner.  The mobile lab unit comes to the farm.  The stallion is collected as usual, using a breeding dummy or an estrous mare.  After the semen is" spun down" in a centrifuge, it is then mixed with an extender that contains glycerol and antibiotics to protect the cells during the freezing and thawing process.  The semen is then frozen slowly in straws, using vapor to avoid "cold shock," which could damage the cell linings.  Kristine believes the glycerol in the extender is critical , because it helps to draw out the water in the cells so they do not burst during freezing and thawing.   Even if the cells survive  being frozen, they may not have the capability to penetrated the egg if their linings are damaged,  Even if thawed semen has sufficient motility, the only way to be sure of fertility is to breed a mare with the semen.  The tiny straws are stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196C (-320F).  The entire freezing process typically takes less than three hours.

COSTS OF FREEZING SEMEN

Waldron Reproductive Services charge $400-$550 for the freezing of one collection depending on geographic location.  A single collection normally yields eight to ten breeding doses.  Stallion owners also pay a storage fee of at least $10 per month.  Frozen semen can be kept in storage tanks for months, years or decades.  The portable nitrogen tanks, "dry shippers." which stay could up to two weeks, cost $700 to $1000.  In comparison, the collection process for chilled semen is just $100, but it all has to be used with a few days!

ADVANTAGES OF FROZEN SEMEN

Depending on the rules and restrictions of your registry, you may or may not be able to benefit from the following advantages.  Please contact your stallion's registry for the most current rules.

You don't have to go through the hassle of collecting the stallion every time you need semen.  When a mare owner needs semen, it is already collected and ready to be shipped.  You can ship semen to mare owners at the beginning of the season, to be stored in a tank with their vet, or you can ship in a portable tank up to ten days before a mare's projected ovulation.  Because it is possible to store collections well in advance of breeding season, your stallion may be able to breed a larger number of mares.  Meanwhile, he won't be to exhausted , thin, or lusty to shine in competition.

You can continue to breed an aged, ill or injured stallion.  Stallions can lose sexual interest and /or fertility.  Some aged stallions are too arthritic, or develop back problems form frequently mounting mares or a breeding dummy.

You can continue to breed after the stallion dies.  Whoa, but only if your breed registry allows it!  For example, the AQHA permits you to continue using frozen semen just through the end of the calendar year during which the stallion died.  APHA will allow you to use the semen for up to 24 months after his death.  Having frozen semen can help you to fulfill live foal guarantees.  Since you supply is limited, the value of those breeding doses could skyrocket.