[koolkas2]

How long after collection can you AI with fresh cooled semen? I suppose that the pregnancy rate is related to the freshness of semen, isn't? I ordered semen from US (I'm in Canada), stallion was collected yesterday PM and it "should" be here this evening. What if the package arrives only tomorrow PM? I tracked it and it seems like it hasn't move since 11AM this morning... Anyways, just wondering how long it could be useable?

[Acme Acres]

It all depends on the semen, the extender, the way it's being cooled (is the coolant still good or is it old and should be tossed). Most stallions should easily go 36-48 hours and in my opinion shouldn't be shipping if they can't. Some stallions go 72-80 hours with great motility.

[Equine Repro]

Originally Posted by koolkas2

How long after collection can you AI with fresh cooled semen? I suppose that the pregnancy rate is related to the freshness of semen, isn't? I ordered semen from US (I'm in Canada), stallion was collected yesterday PM and it "should" be here this evening. What if the package arrives only tomorrow PM? I tracked it and it seems like it hasn't move since 11AM this morning... Anyways, just wondering how long it could be useable?

There is a HUGE stallion variability and of course, how the semen is packaged will also have a huge impact on how well the semen will last. For example, research now shows that for optimal results, semen should be extended to a final concentration of 25 to 50 million sperm per ml. Unfortunately, it's amazing how many people that ship semen don't even bother doing a sperm count so there is no way that they can know what the appropriate extender/semen ratio should be. And, because every collection is different, you can't just have it evaluated once in a breeding season and go by what the concentration was on that first collection. So, when booking to a stallion, we always recommend asking what exactly the farm does for collecting and extending to insure that they are getting the best results possible.

With stallions that are managed appropriately, most will easily last 24 hours and 48 hours is reasonable. There are some stallions that will easily last well past 72 hours post collection, but just because you have motility at that time, does not necessarily mean you still have fertility. Of a bigger concern is whether or not hte mare will have ovulated before you receive the semen.

Hope that helps!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[koolkas2]

Thank you for the answers! It sure helped. Now I'll hope it arrives this evening to be sure, but I won't worry too much if I get it only tomorrow!

[Acme Acres]

Make sure your vet holds some back after AI'ing your mare to evaluate it after it's warmed to room temp too!