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How does it work?
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How is the semen
stored?
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What are the
requirements?
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When is the best time to collect my dog?
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How do I ship semen?
Collection
The collection of semen is done by
appointment only. Most dogs provide the best collections when teased by a bitch
in season. Please coordinate a collection with a bitch of the same breed or
close to the same size of the male. Sometimes Pupsicles, LLC. has a bitch in
season we can use as a teaser.
Processing
After the collection the semen is analyzed
under a microscope. We check for motility and determine if the semen is worthy
of freezing. A sperm count and morphology report are completed. The extender
is added to the semen which acts like sperm food. After the semen is
properly chilled, it is then frozen into pellets. The pellets are then dumped
into liquid nitrogen which flash freezes the semen. The semen can be stored
like this forever and still be fertile.
When the freezing process is completed, 1
pellet is thawed to check the motility. From these numbers (sperm count,
morphology, and post thaw recovery) we separate the semen into breed units
(BU). 100 million live normal cells qualify as a BU. 1 BU is used to breed 1
bitch.
The semen is stored in breeding units
(vials). One breeding unit (BU) or vial is used to breed 1 bitch. The semen is
never bulked together. Other facilities bulk the semen together to save space.
This only creates confusion and potential for disaster everytime the semen is
handled.
The storage tanks are self contained. They
do not rely on an electrical supply to stay cold. Liquid nitrogen (-320 F) is
added to the tanks every few weeks to ensure the highest level.
A copy of AKC registration papers
DNA number (can be performed at the time of collection)
Front and side view picture of stud dog
Signed release
The ideal time to freeze your dog’s semen is
when he is in top form and health. Usually between 2 and 6 for most dogs.
Many times a stud’s value has not been
determined when he is in his reproductive prime. However, this is the time the
semen should be collected for freezing.
How do I
ship semen?
If you have a request for your dog’s semen,
you will need to contact Pupsicles, LLC as soon as possible. You will have to
sign a release, provide the name and address of the receiving veterinarian, as
well as the bitch owner and name of bitch. The cost of shipping is $160 plus
the cost of Fed X. We also require a $1000 deposit on the shipping tank which
will be returned as soon as our tank is safely back to us. Normally the bitch
owner will provide a credit card number for these cost.
We do not collect stud fees, that is done in
private treaty between the stud owner and bitch owner.
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