The Veterinary Column - Handling Conventional and Sexed Semen
Date Posted: 12th December 2022
Brian Kennedy MVB, DBR, MRCVS, FrAgs
Company Veterinarian, AI Services (NI) Ltd
In the second of our Veterinary Columns, Company Veterinarian Brian Kennedy shares tips on handling Sexed and Conventional Semen.
Handling Conventional Semen
Avoid excessive handling - use semen location record
Thaw in water 33 – 35° C for minimum of 7 seconds - Use Thermometer
Dry straw and insert into warmed pistol
Use clean sharp scissors to remove crimped end of straw - approximately 0.5 cm
Insert pistol into sheath and fix within plastic ring
Press plunger gently until semen appears at sheath tip
Wipe vulva clean and deposit semen beyond cervix
Handling Sexed Semen
Avoid ANY exposure to air before usage
Remove from flask using tweezers
Place straw straight from liquid nitrogen into water at 37 - 38° C - NO DELAY - for a minimum of 40 seconds
Shake straw to dislodge liquid nitrogen - avoids air bubbles forming on surface of straw under water
Dry straw and insert into warmed pistol
Keep thawed semen at body temperature and use as soon as possible - maximum 5 minutes
Clean vulva thoroughly with paper towel
Deposit semen gently beyond cervix
