…BREEDING WITH CONFIDENCE…

Our dedicated and experienced team provide a comprehensive range of stallion services.

Plum Park Farm Paulerspury 01327 811007

www.towcester-vets.co.uk

Onley Grounds FarmRugby

01788 523000www.onley-equine-vets.co.uk

STALLION SERVICES

Breeding soundness❖

Semen collection❖

Semen evaluation❖

Fresh/chilled semen❖

Semen freezing❖

Dummy training

SEMEN COLLECTION

Our purpose bui l t col lect ion suite at Towcester Equine Vets provides a safe, controlled environment for semen collection from your stallion.

The dedicated stallion team are experienced in collecting from a variety of stallions. The collection suite is light and spacious with a complete rubber floor. We have a teasing box at the head of the dummy to allow safe teasing should the stallion require it.

We collect from experienced stallions and are also able to provide dummy training for the inexperienced. Please contact us to discuss your stallion’s requirements.

SEMEN EVALUATION AND PROCESSING

SPERM MOTILITY When assessing the quality of a semen sample, an estimate of the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) present in a sample is recorded. This is a subjective measure and may vary slightly between professionals, but is considered to be the industry standard for the assessment of sperm motility. A progressively motile sperm is one which moves forward actively and is not travelling in circles. A healthy motility (ideally greater than 50% PMS) is necessary for fertilisation to occur. Semen with a PMS score of less than 50% is considered inappropriate for freezing. In sub-fertile stallions with PMS lower than 50%, we can use techniques such as centrifugation to further enhance motility and longevity.

SPERM MORPHOLOGY Sperm morphology refers to the shape and structure of the sperm cell. Abnormal morphology will impair fertilisation. The sperm cell is made up of four main parts; head, mid-piece, tail and acrosome. Each of these areas can be affected. Common defects include heads without tails, kinked tails and misshapen heads.

Thorough semen evaluation is essential for assessing optimal stallion fertility. Immediately following collection, the semen will be examined in our laboratory. We assess sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Using this information, an appropriate extender is chosen to optimise motility and longevity. The extender also supports the sperm throughout the chilling process. Semen can be processed ready for use both fresh and chilled. We also offer a semen freezing service.

SPERM CONCENTRATION The volume and concentration produced with each ejaculate varies greatly between stallions. It is important to remember that a high semen volume does not equate to large numbers of sperm cells. Some stallions may regularly produce enough sperm in one ejaculate to give 20 insemination doses, while others with comparable natural conception rates may only produce a concentration high enough for four.

BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAMPrior to breeding from your stallion a general health check is advised. This will include gross examination of the sheath, penis, scrotum and testicles. Sedation may be required depending on temperament.

Swabs from the penile sheath, urethra and the urethral fossa are taken after 1st January of the breeding year. A separate swab is required from each site, in order to be tested for Contagious Equine Metritis (C.E.M.). These swabs are repeated 7-14 days later.

A blood sample is taken at the same time, to screen for Equine Viral Arteritis (E.V.A.) and Equine Infectious Anaemia (E.I.A.).

Swabbing a urethral fossa.Image from HBLB Codes of Practice 2016