Freezing Equine Semen Cold Facts for Stallion Owners

Equine Frozen Semen - Cold Facts for Mare Owners

Q: Are all stallions good candidates for frozen semen processing
A: Not all stallions can be successfully frozen. Based on studies conducted in Europe and the experience of the Select Breeders Service Network, approximately 70% of all stallions produce sperm that are able to withstand the stresses of freezing and thawing.

Q: What is the age range of stallions that can be successfully frozen?
A: Although 2 year old stallions are producing sperm and can be collected, we generally recommend that stallions not be collected and frozen until the spring of their 3-year-old year. Aged stallions can be frozen as long as they are producing viable sperm and are physically able to be collected. Once sexually mature at 5 or 6 years, semen quality reaches its peak and can only go downhill with advancing age. The best time to freeze semen from a stallion is when he is producing the maximum number of viable sperm. All too often owners wait until a stallion is in his late teens or older before they decide to freeze semen. For an unproven, young stallion, building a small bank of frozen semen is good insurance against declining semen quality due to advancing age or illness.

Q: How many doses of semen will my stallion produce from each collection?
A: On average, most stallions provide enough sperm on an every-other-day collection schedule to produce 6-12 doses of frozen semen. Typically, 2 doses are used per estrous cycle; therefore, each collection produces enough frozen semen to inseminate through 3-6 cycles.

Q: How long can the semen be stored and still be viable?
A:  If the semen is stored properly, it can maintain its viability for many years. Although no one knows the ultimate lifespan of properly frozen and stored equine semen, SBS has achieved pregnancies with semen frozen for more than 18 years. At each of the Select Breeders Affiliate Labs, frozen semen is stored immersed in liquid nitrogen at -196°C (-320°F). At this temperature, metabolism is virtually halted. Based on studies it is estimated that frozen semen will last 50,000 years if maintained properly in a nitrogen tank.

Q: How  long will my stallion need to be at the SBS lab?
A: It depends on the number of factors. If your stallion has not been collected or bred recently we will have to perform 'clean-out collections' to deplete the old sperm that are stored in the stallion's reproductive tract. That may take anywhere from 2-5 collections, typically performed over a 3 day period. We will then collect and freeze your stallion 3 times a week. The rest depends on the number of doses you want to store and how well you stallion's sperm survives the freezing process. If you determine how many mares you want to be able to service with frozen semen we can estimate the number of collections typically required.

Q: What about collecting semen for export outside the U.S.?
A: Each of the SBS affiliate labs are government approved collection centers. Depending on where you want to send the frozen semen, there may be pre and/or post health testing required. Because of our international distribution program, SBS can handle everything from the initial freezing of the stallion's semen through managing the export for you. Please call your nearest SBS lab for further details and up to date export health requirements.

Q: How much does it cost to freeze semen?
A: Each of the SBS affiliate labs operate as independent businesses and as such set their own prices.  The average cost to freeze semen is $450 per ejaculate frozen.  Contact your nearest SBS Affiliate for exact prices.

Q: Can you store the semen for me and ship it out to my clients?
A: Absolutely! We store the semen in special cryogenic liquid nitrogen containers, which maintain semen and embryos at -196°C. The SBS distribution system is designed to be efficient and easy for both stallion and mare owners. Once the stallion/semen owner authorizes a shipment, the laboratory staff takes care of the rest. Each shipment includes detailed instructions for thawing and handling the frozen semen. The technical staff at each affiliate lab is available for consultation with receiving veterinarians.

Q: Can someone come to my farm to freeze semen?
A: Several SBS affiliates have mobile labs which can set-up at individual farms or veterinary clinics for on-site freezing programs. Additionally, technicians can set-up freezing equipment at farms with appropriate laboratory facilities. Please call your local affiliate to ascertain their availability, costs, and minimum number of stallions required to schedule this service.