Semen Collection from Dogs
Semen is collected from dogs for breeding soundness exams, as well as for artificial
insemination. Semen collected for insemination can be used fresh, or can be cooled and
shipped to another location. Canine semen can also be frozen, allowing long term storage.
Another indication for collecting semen is to obtain prostatic fluid for culture or cytology in
cases of suspected prostatic disease.
Semen Collection
Semen can be collected from most males without the need for a teaser bitch, particularly if
the male has had semen collected previously.
However, use of a bitch will almost certainly
expedite the procedure and allow more sperm
to be harvested. Ideally the teaser should be in
estrus, but considering the length of the canine
cycle, that is often difficult to arrange, and a
friendly, non-estrus bitch will often serve the
purpose. If a bitch is used, she should be
controlled with her rear quarters facing the
male.
An alternative means of stimulating the male is to present him with a vaginal swab from an
estrous bitch - for convenience, a number of such swabs can be prepared from an estrous
bitch and stored frozen until needed.
Canine semen is collected using digital pressure and massage. Most failures arise because
the male is shy or otherwise intimidated. It helps to perform the collection on a non-slip
surface such as a carpet. If the male appears nervous or this is his first time, a teaser bitch
may help considerably.
Semen is collected without allowing the male to mount. A latex collection cone with an
attached tube is commonly used. As an alternative, some people prefer to use a disposable
baby bottle liner. Both collection tools are shown.
Collecting semen from dogs is not difficult, but like many things, is much easier after you've
done it a time or two. The basic process is conducted in the following series of steps:
• Grasp the prepuce and pull/push it back to expose the tip of the penis.
• Slide the collection cone over the protruding penis and slide it over the penis,
pushing the prepuce back over of the bulbis glandis (see images below).
• Lock your fingers in a ring around the penis, essentially holding the bulbis glandis
inside your fist.
• Apply pressure with forward and backward movement; in most cases, the male will
begin to thrust back and forth.
• Watch for semen to flow in the collection tube. Most dogs stop thrusting as they
begin to ejaculate.
• Continue to apply pressure until you observe a crystal clear fluid (prostatic fluid)
begin to flow into the collection tube; at that time you can gently slide the collection cone
off the penis.
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Retraction of the Collection cone on and After collection. Note the
prepuce pressure being applied engorged bulbus glandis
A rather common problem encountered in collecting canine semen is that the male
develops an erection prior to being able to extend the penis and bulbus glandis out of the
prepuce. Semen can be collected in this manner, but not as easily. If this happens, simply
take the male a distance away to let him calm down, then try again.
Semen Evaluation
Dogs ejaculate semen as three distinctive fractions. By using a clear plastic collection tube,
the delivery of these three fractions is easily monitored.
• Pre-sperm fraction: this is usually slightly cloudy in appearance and has a volume
of roughly 0.5 to 2 ml.
• Sperm-rich fraction: in normal dogs, this fraction is distinctly milky in appearance.
• Prostatic fraction: this fraction is recognized as a crystal clear fluid flowing into the
tube, and ejaculated slowing over a prolonged period of time. In most cases,
collection is stopped as soon as this fraction is recognized.
Normal ranges for seminal characteristics in dogs are described in the following table:
Parameter Normal Values
Ejaculate volume (without prostatic fraction) 1-6 ml
Sperm concentration 100-1000 million/ml
Total sperm per ejaculate 300-2000 million
Progressive motility Greater than 70%
Morphology Greater than 80% normal
Canine Reproduction 101
Performing Artificial Insemination Using Fresh Chilled Semen
In fresh chilled semen breedings, 2 inseminations should be performed during the fertile
period usually on days 4 and 6 post-serum LH peak. By properly planning multiple
inseminations, you’ll optimize the chances of success.
1. The semen should be inseminated within 15 minutes after removal from
the chilled package. Gently invert the syringe or capped plastic tube in
order to thoroughly mix the semen; as settlement readily occurs during
transit.
2. If you have a microscope, it is best to evaluate the semen for motility.
a. Place a drop of semen on a microscope slide
b. Place a cover slip over the drop of semen
c. Examine for progressive motility.
3. Draw 3ml of air into the syringe
a. This is to clear the pipette at the end of the insemination.
4. Draw all of the semen into the syringe and attach the pipette or catheter.
5. Have the bitch on a table is much easier to manage than on the floor;
larger breeds do prefer standing on the floor.
6. Make sure someone is available to safely restrain her as necessary.
7. Wearing rubber gloves; spread the labia and prepare to pass the tip of the
insemination pipette dorsally into the vaginal opening ventral to the
rectum.
8. The pipette should be in an almost vertical direction at this stage. (see
drawing) You will need to redirect the pipette in a horizontal position;
then gently advance the pipette towards the cervix. Vaginal folds can
subject the pipette or catheter to temporary resistance, although, this can
be avoided by spinning and/or rolling the pipette as the resistance occurs.
9. The tip of the pipette usually stops when it arrives at the dorsal fold in the
anterior vagina; it is recommended, to advance the pipette past the dorsal
fold.
10. This is accomplished by applying a slight amount of pressure in a ventral
direction while pushing the pipette fourth, the pipette should be advanced
as far as possible,
a. In giant bitches, advance the pipette 25cm.
b. In large bitches, advance the pipette 22-24 cm.
c. In small to medium bitches, advance the pipette 15-18cm.
d. In toy breeds, advance the pipette 5-10 cm
11. Always check the position of the pipette by simply palpating the abdomen.
In most bitches, you can feel the cervix, which should be just cranial to the
tip of the insemination pipette.
12. Elevate the hindquarters of the bitch if you are using a pipette or if you are
using a catheter, simply keep the end elevated above the point of the hip.
13. Once the hindquarters are elevated;
a. Turn the syringe vertically with the plunger in the uppermost position
b. Inject the extended semen
c. Make sure that the air left in the syringe clears the pipette or catheter.
14. If using a pipette, withdraw the pipette, keeping the bitch’s hindquarters
elevated.
15. If using a catheter, keep the end elevated above the point of the hip.
16. Gently stimulate the vaginal wall with finger for 5 minutes, this is called
feathering, which stimulates the closure of the cervical folds.
17. Keep the hindquarters elevated for an additional 5 to 10 minutes after
stimulation is completed.
Key Words:
Axis: Line Around Which Object Rotates
Cranial: Top or to the topside
Dorsal: Back, Toward Spine or to the Backside
Ventral: Lower Body or Close to the Abdomen
Motility: Progressive Movement or Straight Forward Movement
How to Use the Canine Express Cooled Semen Transport System
1. Slide the “all plastic” syringe with cap into the gray foam thermoregulating sleeve.
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2. Lay the dose into the bottom of the Canine Express Semen Transport System
3. Lay the white foam plate on top of the doses of semen
4. Set the frozen coolant pack on top of the white plate and fold in excess plastic flaps.
Set the lid in place and press together engaging the dual seal lid.
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6. Place the Canine Express into the corrugated box, fold in the side and front wings
7. Slide the wire tie through the two holes on the bottom front edge of the corrugated box.
Collecting and Preparing a Dose of Semen for Fresh Cooled Transport
1. Using a Next Generation Canine Collection Kit, collect a sperm rich fraction.
2. Try not to get too any of the prostatic portion of the ejaculate mixed after the sperm rich
fraction has been collected.
3. Check motility, concentration, morphology, measure the volume with the syringe and
extend the total volume of the collection to 4 parts extender; equals a 4:1 extension ratio.
4. Next Generation® Dr. Kenney’s Formula, Universal™ or the new Velocity Extenders
work exceptional; Amikacin & K-Penn is the best antibiotic combination, although, it has
been known to be harsh on the semen of some horses and/or dogs; we also offer plain,
Timentin & Amikacin & Timentin antibiotic combinations.
5. Testing your dog’s semen with a variety of extenders = Optimum Performance.
Allow the extender to remain at room/ambient temperature = 20° C; it is important
that extension occurs at a like ambient temperature.
After the semen has been collected, it will cool to at room/ambient temperature = 20°
C almost instantly; preventing cold and/or reverse shock will dramatically effect the
longeviety after 24 hours – Shock Kills.
***Always Mix Semen Into Like Temperature Extender***
6. Sperm concentration and broad seminal extension are always good markers to follow,
although, it is important to only provide an insemination dose that is acceptable to the
size of the bitch yet providing an optimal concentration of semen to enable conception.
7. It is better to provide two doses of semen than one large dose.
Large semen doses induce excessive tract manipulation and can cause irritation.
Large semen doses will open the opportunity of contamination and infection.
Large Dogs = < 15 mL maximum dose
Medium Dogs = < 10 mL maximum dose
Small Dogs = < 5 mL maximum Dose
8. All dogs do not collect the same; seminal volume and/or sperm concentration can easily
fluctuate between the various canine breeds, a sperm count is always good management.
A 4:1 ratio represents 4 parts extender to 1 part semen.
9. Compared to equine fresh cooled semen; the two species are very similar in stress
tolerance and survivability; common guidelines are as follows:
50 to 70 million progressively motile sperm per extended milliliter
400 million progressively motile sperm extended 4:1.
10. Research has shown that shipping a larger dose volume and then centrifuging off the
supernatant upon arrival is highly effective, although, make sure the receiving facility
first has the capability to properly handle and centrifuge semen.
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Canine Express Guiding Your Way to Reproductive Success!
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