FAQ's & Tips for using Frozen Semen

What is an insemination dose?

Good question. Some Stallion Stations package 800 million sperm per dose. These sperm can be packaged in just a few large 5ml straws or in as many as 12 small (0.25ml) straws. Usually, though, the semen is packaged in six to eight 0.5ml 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 three doses (or enough semen to inseminate six times) which should be enough for three cycles. However, if you are breeding your mare late in the breeding season then I would recommend buying more doses since we may not have extra doses at your disposal.  Also, for some stallion stations we only do one order per year.  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 to 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 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. We offer a discount if you have your mare checked by a veterinarian and swabbed.  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 stallion stations 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 -196 degrees Celsius and is shipped in a liquid nitrogen shipping canister at -150 degrees 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 say that frozen semen will keep indefinitely if it is stored properly. 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 hand exactly when he/she needs it and there is 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 it.

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%, others are perhaps as low as 40%                   

Do some stallion's have better frozen semen than others?

Absolutely. 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.