CLASSIC SIRES
FAQ's & Tips for using Frozen Semen
What is an insemination dose?
Good question. The Hanoverian State Stud, Klosterhof Medingen, Gest¸t Sprehe, and Gest¸t Vorwerk sells frozen semen by the insemination dose. Each farm usually packages it differently. The sperm can be packaged in just a few large 4cc straws or in as many as 12 small (0.25cc) straws. However, it is usually packaged in three to eight 0.5cc straws. Klosterhof Medingen packages 250 million sperm per straw and the number of straws per dose can vary from two to four straws depending on the stallion. The Hanoverian State Stud packages 800 million sperm into 4-8 straws. Regardless of the number of straws per dose, there should be enough semen for one ovulation cycle. Many veterinarians will thaw half the straws in the dose to inseminate just before ovulation and the other half to inseminate just after ovulation.
How many doses do you recommend for each mare?
With frozen semen most veterinarians like to inseminate just before and just after ovulation since timing is so critical. If everything goes right, this means two inseminations per cycle. However, mares can be fickle! That follicle that felt like it was ready to rupture this morning can hang on for another day or even longer, which means you will need to use more semen. I recommend buying a minimum of two doses (or enough semen to inseminate four times) which should be enough for two cycles. Frozen semen does not go bad as long as it is kept in liquid nitrogen, so if you have extra you can always use it in another breeding season or sell it. However, due the fragile nature of frozen semen once it has been shipped to you we will not advertise it for sale for you. As long as it remains in our tanks here we will be happy to list it on our "in stock semen" page for you.
What can I do to increase my mare's chances of getting
in foal?
For the best results with frozen semen start by having your mare in good health and good reproductive condition. Your veterinarian must time the inseminations as close to ovulation as possible, i.e., within hours of ovulation. This requires careful monitoring (several times daily) of your mare's ovarian follicle during the time your mare is in heat.
Is there a live foal guarantee?
Unfortunately, not. The frozen semen is imported directly from stud farms in Europe with no breeding contract.
How is frozen semen stored, and how long will it last in
the tank?
Frozen semen is stored in a large liquid nitrogen holding tank at -321 degrees Fahrenheit (-196 Celsius) and is shipped in a liquid nitrogen shipping canister at -238 Fahrenheit (-150 Celsius). Many veterinarians have a liquid nitrogen holding tank at their clinic. At temperatures between -321 to -238 degrees Fahrenheit all biological processes are stopped until the semen is thawed and the sperm cells come "back to life". Experts tell me that frozen semen will keep indefinitely if it is stored properly. I do know of someone who has used nine-year-old frozen semen. I was told that the semen looked terrific and the mare had a healthy foal. However, if the frozen semen warms at all before it is thawed for insemination, it is ruined. Maintaining the proper temperature in the holding tank and the shipping canister is critical!
When should I order the frozen semen?
We recommend that you order as early in the year as possible, even if you do not plan to breed until later in the year. We will store the frozen semen for you free of charge in our storage tanks until you need us to ship it to your veterinarian.
How is the frozen semen delivered when I need it?
When you place the order for the frozen semen you will indicate on the order form when and where you would like the frozen semen delivered to. If your veterinarian has a liquid nitrogen storage tank then we highly recommend that you request the frozen semen be delivered to your veterinarian a minimum of a month before you need it. That way your veterinarian has it on had exactly when he/she needs it and there are no last minute shipping requests. If your veterinarian does not have a liquid nitrogen storage tank then we will work with your vet and ship it when he/she thinks they may need. The frozen semen can remain in a liquid nitrogen shipping canister for about five days. After five days, unless you add liquid nitrogen to the shipping tank, it is possible that the interior of the shipping canister may warm up which will destroy the semen. We always ship the frozen semen Fed Ex overnight service and the price of shipping includes shipping the semen to your vet as well as the return of the empty shipping tank to us.
What is the conception rate using frozen semen?
The conception rate using frozen semen varies substantially with the "freezability" of the specific stallion, the fertility of the mare, and the effectiveness of the insemination procedure. Some stallions have one-cycle conception rates above 75%. Our overall live foal percentage is about 45-55% for a season. If you would like to know what experiences we have had with a particular stallion, please feel free to contact us.
Do some stallion's have better frozen semen than others?
Unfortunately, yes. Some stallion's semen cannot handle being frozen. Although their fresh or cooled semen may be perfectly viable and fertile, it may not be able to withstand the freezing process for frozen semen. It is also know that as a stallion ages his semen becomes more sensitive to freezing and may decrease in fertility over time, however there can be exceptions.
What is the difference between viability and fertility?
Viability mean that the sperm is motile (alive). Usually motility is measured in a percentage, like 80% LMS (live motile sperm). Fertility means that the sperm can actually penetrate the mare's egg. A vet will check to make sure that the frozen semen is viable before it leaves Germany. However, there is no way to check to see if it is fertile. Unfortunately, this has to be proven over time.
How are the foals registered?
Hanoverian foals can be registered in the registry of their dams. After the mare has been inseminated and pronounced in foal you need to notify us. Once we are notified then I will send you a photocopy of the "Stallion Certificate of Service" for your records. I will send the original "Stallion Certificate of Service" to the American Hanoverian Society which notifies them to send you a registration packet for your foal the following year. A foal cannot be registered without having the "Stallion Certificate of Service" form sent into the American Hanoverian Society. There is an extra fee to register foals sired by a foreign stallion. In the case of the American Hanoverian Society, the extra fee is $150. For additional rules on foal registration please visit our registration link from the home page, or click here.
9300 Dillard Rd. Wilton, CA 95693
phone 916.687.8463 fax 916.687.6697
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