Preservation and shipment of chilled and cryopreserved dog semen

Abstract

The transport and artificial insemination of chilled (4°C) and cryopreserved (-196°C) dog semen have gained increasing interest worldwide and have become very popular among dog breeders. Whereas cryopreservation of dog sperm is a complicated and time consuming procedure, which is almost exclusively performed at universities, the chilling of dog semen can be handled by veterinarians in their private practices, provided that the basic knowledge of chilling and diluting semen is acquired. Immediately after sperm collection, the quality of the fresh sample is evaluated and recorded before diluting in an appropriate extender. Subsequently, the diluted semen is gradually chilled to 4°C. It can be stored at 4°C for several days or transported in a thermos flask, a styrofoam box or a Minitübe neopore box. Cryopreserved dog sperm is mostly transported in a dry-shipper container. The rules and legislation for the shipment of chilled and frozen dog semen are rather complicated. They differ between almost every country and may change over time. To comply with all the administrative procedures, it is necessary to plan the transport of semen well in advance.