GetBreeding

An Iranian group of researchers have published research detailing their work using a new castration technique. The technique, called section-ligation-release (SLR) leaves the testicles inside the scrotum, but renders the stallion sterile in the same was as a standard castration.

The procedure is performed via small incisions in the scrotum, a few minutes of manipulation of the spermatic cords, and the closing of the wounds on the scrotum. The oxygen starved testes slowly shrivel into benign fibrous masses, and the gelding’s blood testosterone levels fall to that of a gelding castrated using standard techniques within 2 months.

Dr Saifzadeh, leader of the research group said “The new technique reduces the risk of postoperative bleeding and severe swelling at the incision sites or in the prepuce, which are common complications of standard castrations. Risks of parasite and bacterial infections are also reduced in the SLR technique”.

SLR operations would have to be carefully documented in the animal’s passport for the purpose of differentiating between SLR geldings and stallions.

Sorry for the lack of recent updates. Things have been so crazy over the last few weeks. Got a few new exciting things happening.

To help those of you collecting and sending out semen, we’ve produced some 4-step crib sheets with handy reminders for collecting, processing, and shipping semen.

More information to follow.

WRONG! It’s really early in the stud season here, but already I’ve seen some people who go by this three-step procedure. Collecting semen, extending it 3:1, and sending it away is not an acceptable way to send out semen to mare owners. By sending out semen in this way, you are providing mare owners with an inferior product. You are going to be getting poor fertility rates from your stallion, and probably causing a good deal of frustration to mare owners, AI techs and vets.

Some things to think about…

• You MUST examine the semen using a microscope before you should even consider shipping it out, or even inseminating it on-site. You can pick up a microscope for less than £100 from eBay, so there really is no excuse.
• A microscope allows you to make subjective measurements of total motility AND progressive motility. It also allows you to make a subjective assessment of velocity (normally on a 1-5 scale). It is vital that you make both motility estimates.
• Combined with a haemocytometer, the microscope also allows you to measure concentration. You MUST know the concentration of the individual ejaculate. Saying “oh, well he always produces around 200 million/ml” is NOT good enough. You must monitor concentration, not only because you need it for calculating how much semen you need to send away, but to see if there are any unusual changes to your stallions semen quality. If you don’t know how to use one, get someone to teach you, or get a cheat sheet from us!
• Extending 3:1 is the MINIMUM amount that semen should be extended for chilled shipping (in fact, the best longevity and fertility rates are normally achieved when semen is extended from around 7:1 to 9:1). The aim is to extend semen until you have 25 million progressively motile sperm in each ml. To do this, you MUST measure progressive motility and concentration. If you can’t work out the maths, then get someone to teach you, or get a cheat sheet from us!
• You should always send away paperwork containing information about how and when the semen was collected, the semen quality at the time of processing, the initial and shipping concentrations… as much information as you can give. The syringes, bags, or tubes should also be labelled with the stallion’s name & collection date and time as a bare minimum.

It’s not difficult to send out good quality semen, but when it’s done badly it damages your reputation, your stallion’s reputation, and the reputation of AI & chilled semen… Everyone should be aiming to send away the best quality chilled semen that they possibly can!

Mare owners, vets, and AI technicians… when you receive semen, make sure that the points above have been addressed. If not, then make a fuss!