Frozen Semen

Why should I freeze my dog’s Semen?

Long Term Storage: To ensure breeding availability for future generations, you should have his semen frozen if your stud has qualities which are valuable.

For Breeding When the Stud is Not Available: Live breeding can be limited by the stud’s show or trial schedule, overbooking for the stud’s service or other scheduling conflicts.  The use of frozen semen allows availability during the bitch’s fertile time.

Long-Distance and International Breeding: Long-distance breedings may be accomplished using semen which has been either fresh-extended or frozen and eliminates the need to transport the bitch or stud dog.

What will it cost?

Each Synbiotics Freeze Center is independently owned and operated. Please contact your local Freeze Center regarding  specific costs for collecting your stud dog.

How is Semen Collected?

Semen is collected from the stud dog by manual stimulation; the different parts or fractions of the ejaculation are collected separately, so that good quality sperm-rich semen is frozen and stored. In general, semen of better quality with higher sperm count is collected when the dog’s libido is high.  Therefore, try to closely approximate a typical breeding situation for each stud: owners are encouraged to provide a bitch in season to use as a “teaser”.  In addition, if the dog associates a particular item with breeding, such as a rug, table, breeding rack, etc., that item should be brought to the collections.

How do I contact a Reproduction Veterinarian?

Synbiotics provides a list of Repro Network Veterinarians and Freeze Centers that can be found within the United States and Internationally.

What kind of Paperwork and Record Keeping are required to Collect my Stud Dog?

Please bring to First Appointment and maintain copies in your file:

A copy of the stud’s individual registration papers

Positive identification such as a tattoo or microchip. 

A full side profile picture of your dog needs to be brought to the appointment. 

Completed freezing paperwork: Synbiotics Storage Contract, Telephone Release Form, Record of Collection Ownership.

A copy of the DNA Profile for you dog (which is required by AKC).  If you do not have a DNA Profile on you dog, the collecting veterinarian will submit a cheek swab sample to the AKC so such a profile can be generated. 

Record of Collection Ownership which include signatures of all owners if different than on registration certificate.

Synbiotics Storage Contract

What paperwork will be filled out during the first appointment?

Record of Semen Collection and Freezing which includes stud dog owners(s) signatures and will be filed by collecting veterinarian with the appropriate registration organization.

Semen evaluation record.

How long does the collection and freezing process take?

The entire process take 4-5 hours from the time of the collection.  However, clients are present for the first 15-45 minutes only. Expect to spend a little more time during the first visit to take care of necessary paperwork.

How much semen will be stored from each collection?

The quantity of straws obtained is directly dependent of the dog’s sperm count.  The quantity and quality of the semen produced in one ejaculation can vary, sometimes considerably from dog to dog and collection to collection.

Why Does the Semen Quantity and Quality Change from collection to collection?

Factors that affect the quantity and quality:

Age: In general a young mature dog (2-4 years of age) will have a higher sperm count and  better quality semen than older dogs or young immature dogs.

General Health Status: An ill or stressed dog will rarely produce good quality semen. It can take as long as 3-6 months for the ejaculate to return to normal following recovery from illness. Certain drugs also affect sperm production

Size: In general large dogs produce more sperm than small dogs. Toy breeds must have semen collected several times to store enough to breed one bitch, whereas a giant breed stud might produce enough semen in one ejaculate to inseminate 3-5 bitches. Remember that it is the number of sperm cells, not the volume, that is important.

Disposition/Temperament: In general an experienced stud dog produces better quality semen than one who doesn’t fully understand what is expected of him. In addition, a dog that is accustomed to having people around and/or being handled while breeding will perform better then having semen collected.

How many straws should I use per breeding?

The quantity of straws required depends upon the quality of the collection including morphology and motility and the concentration of the sperm per ml.  Synbiotics Reproduction Services will discuss with you the semen evaluation recorded for specific collections and you and your reproduction veterinarian can make a final decision regarding the number of straws per breeding.

How long will frozen semen stay viable?

Researchers have estimated that frozen bull semen will last over 10,000 years, and it is presumed that canine semen has similar storage properties. Canine frozen semen that was collected in the late 80’s and then stored in our facilities has resulted in successful breedings as much as 28 years later.

Storage of Frozen Semen

How do I contact Synbiotics about my Canine Frozen Semen?

Synbiotics can be contacted by phone (1-800-228-4305, Option 4; 1-816-464-3500, Option 4), e-mail (repro@synbiotics.com) or fax (816-464-3521).  We are happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding either your frozen semen or your account with Synbiotics.

What kind of security does Synbiotics provide for my stud dog’s semen?

Our facility has a 15,000 gallon liquid nitrogen bulk tank that automatically fills the storage tanks which permanently hold the canine frozen semen.  Our security system includes individual tank monitors, offsite alarm service, and fulltime security guards on the property to monitor our restricted access suite.   Safety of the canine collections is also a priority in transportation for breedings or storage.

How and Where is the Semen Stored?
How does Synbiotics storage differ from others?

Synbiotics Corporation is located in Kansas City, Missouri. Our AKC approved storage facility maintains the semen of over 9,000 stud dogs. The semen is stored in a liquid nitrogen bath at a temperature of -196°C, which keeps the semen viable for an indefinite period of time.

What are the storage fees?

Canine Frozen Semen Storage Fee: $85.00 Per Dog Per Year (Subject to change).

Storage fee are paid a year in advance. Synbiotics charges one storage fee per dog regardless of the number of straws stored

Payments can be made at 1-800-228-4305 or 1-816-464-3500, option 8

How to I transfer ownership of my dog’s frozen collection?

Contact Synbiotics by phone (1-800-228-4305 or 1-816-464-3500), email (repro@synbiotics.com) or fax (816-464-3521) for assistance in completing a Record of Semen Disposition Form.

 

Shipping of Frozen Semen

What steps need to occur in order to ship canine frozen semen?

Please discuss ovulation timing with your Reproduction Veterinarian.

Schedule ovulation timing procedures with your Reproduction Veterinarian.

Synbiotics requires both the Stud dog and Bitch owners to complete shipping forms before shipping canine frozen semen from our facility.

How much notice does Synbiotics need for a shipment to occur?

The use of frozen semen should not be an emergency. We require two business days for Domestic shipments and four weeks for most International shipments. Planning ahead will ensure availability of shippers, allow for proper paperwork preparation time, allow time for proper ovulation timing procedures,  and eliminate urgent rush fees. We ship our Domestic Shipments FedEx priority overnight, the canine frozen semen will arrive at the clinic the next day.

How much do shipments cost?

Synbiotics has outlined the costs associated with shipping canine frozen semen on both the Domestic and International Forms.

What are the special considerations and time requirements for international shipments?

It is the responsibility of the importer to check with the appropriate government agencies to obtain the proper requirements necessary for the importation of canine frozen semen into his or her country. Fill out this form in its entirety, sign and/or obtain the appropriate signatures and return the completed form by mail or by fax. A minimum of four full weeks notice upon receipt of the completed form is required in order to avoid the assessment of any rush fees. Shipping to Canada does not require additional paperwork and a minimum of two business days notice is required to avoid rush fees.

How do I decide how many straws to send?

The quantity of straws required depends upon the quality of the collection including morphology and motility and the concentration of the sperm per ml.  Synbiotics Reproduction Services will discuss with you the semen evaluation recorded for specific collections and you and your reproduction veterinarian can make a final decision regarding the number of straws per breeding.

Why should I select additional insurance on the Domestic Shipment Request Form?

FedEx insures the contents of the vapor shipper for $250 dollars, which is included in the freight cost.  Additional insurance, $2 dollars per $100 dollar value, will be added to the $250 dollars. Breeders can select this if they wish to insure the collection itself.  This may be especially important if total collections are shipped.

Why would I select FedEx Priority Alert on a Domestic Shipment Request Form?

FedEx Priority Alert affords the shipment a higher status within Fed Ex so that greater care is assigned to the shipment.  It guarantees the shipment to arrive on the date selected.   FedEx Priority Alert is recommended if the shipment is arriving the day of insemination.

Does Synbiotics deliver on Saturday?

For a Saturday delivery to occur, certain criteria need to be provided to Synbiotics.  These include verification that the Inseminating Veterinarian is open on Saturday and determination of the clinic’s Saturday closing time.  FedEx may not deliver to certain areas on Saturday and or within the required end time.

We will arrange a Saturday delivery if requested to do so; however, we recommend avoiding weekend shipments because if a situation arises with FedEx, our staff will be unavailable to assist.

Fresh Chilled

What is the inventory included in the  Fresh Express Kit?

(1) Fresh Express® shipping box with Styrofoam® liner
(2) Chill packs - Place chill packs in freezer upon arrival, for at least 24 hours
(1) Vial of Fresh Express® Semen Extender - Refer to instructions for storage details.
(1) Vial of Semen Separating Solution - Refer to instructions for storage details.
(1) Small Styrofoam® box with cardboard sleeve and plastic zipper bag
(1) 15 ml orange capped centrifuge/sample tube
(1) Eight-inch insemination pipette
(1) Semen Collection Evaluation and Insemination Form
(1) Fress Express® Extender Instructions
(1) Semen Separating Solution Instructions
(1) Collection/Insemination Record
(1) Instructions for the Inseminating Veterinarian
(1) AKC Application to Register a Litter Resulting from Artificial Insemination Using Fresh Extended Semen

How much is the Fresh Express Kit?

Please contact Synbiotics’ customer service at 1-800-228-4305. If you wish to place an order please fill out a customer order form.

How much does the Fresh Express Kit weigh?

6 pounds

How many inseminations are necessary for Fresh Chilled Semen?

Please discuss how many inseminations will occur with your veterinarian. With precise ovulation timing using Witness LH to identify the LH surge along with progesterone testing, many veterinarians are utilizing a single insemination.  If precise ovulation timing is not practiced, two collections and inseminations per breeding are strongly recommended. This should allow you to effectively cover the fertile period of the bitch.

What is a possible conception rate when using the Fresh Express Kit?

Fresh Express Breedings produce a conception rate in the range of 75-80% in actual clinical use with normal litter sizes in breeds ranging from toys to giants. This rate is close to the 80-85% achieved with natural service.

How long will the semen keep once extended?

Reproduction Veterinarians and breeders have achieved successful breedings when using semen within 48 hours of adding Fresh Express Extender.  If a the extended semen must be used beyond 48 hours, you may wish to refer to this protocol.

General Repro/Breeding Info

What are the different Insemination Techniques?

Please discuss with your reproduction veterinarian the best method to inseminate your bitch.

Vaginal Insemination- semen is deposited into the cranial vagina using a rigid pipette

Surgical Insemination- Frozen semen is implanted inside the uterus during a surgical procedure and placed closer to the site of fertilization.

Transcervical Insemination- Intrauterine deposition of the semen by passing a catheter though the cervix.

Why is ovulation timing necessary?

The bottom line is it improves chances of success.

Accurate ovulation timing is essential, since the stress of freezing and thawing decreases the life span of the sperm cells to 12-24 hours once thawed. Daily blood testing is recommended to identify the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, enabling insemination during the short fertile period of the bitch.

When should I start testing for progesterone levels or LH levels?

Please consult with your Reproduction Veterinarian prior to your bitch’s heat cycle.  Each Reproduction Veterinarian has their own protocol for testing and inseminating using  Progesterone  and LH levels.  Most Reproduction Veterinarians require a base level for Progesterone so they are able to detect the rise in Progesterone levels.   The rise of Progesterone identifies the bitch’s fertile period. Using Progesterone levels, the Reproduction Veterinarian is able to approximate the LH surge.  The LH surge can be pinpointed using LH testing.  The LH surge allows the Reproduction Veterinarian to determine when to breed according to what type of semen (fresh chilled, frozen semen, or live cover) is available for the breeding.

Planning a Frozen Semen Breeding.

The use of frozen semen should not be an emergency. Advance notice will:

Allow time to prepare all paperwork as required by the AKC or other registration body

Ensure availability of shipping containers

Allow time for proper packaging and shipping of semen

Allow time for proper ovulation timing procedures

When should the Bitch be inseminated?

  Your reproduction veterinarian will be key in identifying proper breeding dates.  Information about the date of the LH surge, progesterone levels, type of semen available and breeding method will be considered when determining the optimum time and number of inseminations.

The recommendation below are just guidelines; you should still consult with your Reproduction veterinarian:

Fresh Chilled: Usually transcervical breedings occur on days 3 and 5 or days 4 and 6 after the LH peak.  If only one insemination is used, timing is even more critical.   If a single surgical insemination is desired, it should be performed on Day 5-6 post LH surge.

Frozen Semen:
Transcervical Insemination: if multiple vaginal or transcervical inseminations are performed, they should be on days 4, 5 and 6 after the LH surge. 

Surgical or transcervical: if a single insemination is used, it should be on day 5 or 6 after the LH surge.

ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR REPRODUCTION VETERINARIAN!!!

Does Synbiotics have any diagnostic tests to check if my dog is pregnant?

Yes.  We offer WITNESS® Relaxin  and ReproCHEK® to assess pregnancy status.

Refer to our product information for additional details.

The product can only be ordered by a veterinarian.