1. Collecting and Handling Semen
4-H Veterinary Science
Extension Veterinary Medicine 

2. Objectives Describe methods for semen collection
List the steps for handling semen for freezing

3. Purpose Evaluation Evaluate breeding soundness Breed artificially
Increases economic rewards
Evaluate breeding soundness
Breed artificially
Storage
Increase bred animals
Reduce disease transmission

5. Semen Collection Species dependent Types Keep warm Avoid light
Artificial vagina (AV)
Electroejaculator
Palpation of accessory glands
Keep warm
Avoid light

6. AV Rigid tubular structure Jacket Tube on end Ideal Filled with water
Good sperm quality

7. Electroejaculator Sends electrical impulses Inserted rectally
Lower sperm quality
Poor libido males

8. Palpation Seminal vesecles Epididymis Ampulla Vesicular glands
Prostate gland
Cowper’s glands

9. Bull and Ram Collect with Mount Electroejaculator AV Palpation
Castrated animal
Cow/ewe
Dummy

10. Stallions
Collect with AV
Condoms
Mount
Mare
Dummy (most common)

13. Boar Collect with AV (modified) Gloved hand technique (most common)
Electroejaculation (anesthetize)

14. Dogs and Cats
Dogs
Manual collection
Cats
AV collection

15. Semen Evaluation Macroscopically Microscopically Grossly Color Volume
Creamy, white or gray
Volume
Depends on age and species
Consistency
Concentration
Microscopically
Sperm motility
Forward motion
Morphology

16. Macroscopic evaluation
Motility
Morphology
Normal sperm composed of a head, mid-piece, and tail

18. 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

19. Extending Diluted for insemination or for storage
Only highest quality of pure substances of various 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 yolk-citrate, tris, homogenized milk, or cream and if frozen for long term glycerol
Sometimes antibiotics are includes to prevent contamination of sperm

20. Storing Cool slowly Stored -130oC prevents crystal formation
Prevent cold shock
Preserve viability
Stored -130oC prevents crystal formation
Accomplished by liquid nitrogen process called cyrostorage
Various methods
Straws

22. Storing Divided in ½ or 1 ml fractions
20 million cells per straw
Labeled and placed into canes in canisters within liquid nitrogen tank
Canisters are numbered for records

24. Thawing
Quickly
Warm water
10-30 seconds
Ice water
Few minutes