Collecting and Handling
Semen
4-H Veterinary Science
Extension Veterinary Medicine
Objectives
 Describe methods for semen collection
 List the steps for handling semen for freezing
 Purpose
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Evaluation
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Increases economic rewards
Evaluate breeding soundness
Breed artificially
Storage
Increase bred animals
Reduce disease transmission
Semen Collection
 Species dependent
 Types
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Artificial vagina (AV)
Electroejaculator
Palpation of accessory glands
 Keep warm
 Avoid light
 AV
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Rigid tubular structure
Jacket
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Filled with water
Tube on end
Ideal
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Good sperm quality
 Electroejaculator
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Sends electrical impulses
Inserted rectally
Lower sperm quality
Poor libido males
 Palpation
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Seminal vesecles
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Epididymis
Ampulla
Vesicular glands
Prostate gland
Cowper’s glands
Bull and Ram
 Collect with
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Electroejaculator
AV
Palpation
 Mount
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Castrated animal
Cow/ewe
Dummy
Stallions
 Collect with
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AV
Condoms
 Mount
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Mare
Dummy (most common)
Boar
 Collect with
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AV (modified)
Gloved hand technique (most common)
Electroejaculation (anesthetize)
Dogs and Cats
 Dogs
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Manual collection
 Cats
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AV collection
Semen Evaluation
 Macroscopically
 Grossly
 Color
 Creamy, white or gray
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Volume
 Depends on age and species
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Consistency
 Concentration
 Microscopically
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Sperm motility
 Forward motion
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Concentration
Morphology
 Macroscopic evaluation
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Motility
Morphology
 Normal sperm composed of a head, mid-
piece, and tail
Abnormalities in Semen
 May swim in circles or in place
 Conformational problems
 Primary defects
 Originate in testicles more serious
 Secondary defects
 Acquired as sperm pass through the tubules
and ducts of repro system also by poor
handling
 Large number of either type may result in
decreased fertility
Extending
 Diluted for insemination or for storage
 Only highest quality of pure substances of various
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compounds should be used
Increases the number of females to be bred with
single ejaculate
Provides energy source and protection
Extenders include egg yolk phosphates, egg yolkcitrate, tris, homogenized milk, or cream and if frozen
for long term glycerol
Sometimes antibiotics are includes to prevent
contamination of sperm
Storing
 Cool slowly
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Prevent cold shock
Preserve viability
 Stored -130oC prevents crystal formation
 Accomplished by liquid nitrogen process
called cyrostorage
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Various methods
 Straws
Storing
 Divided in ½ or 1 ml fractions
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20 million cells per straw
 Labeled and placed into canes in canisters
within liquid nitrogen tank
 Canisters are numbered for records
Thawing
 Quickly
 Warm water
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10-30 seconds
 Ice water
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Few minutes