THE WAY WE BREED IS CHANGING FOREVER!

In any realm of science as new technologies grow and evolve, with refinement in techniques, both cost and efficacy steadily improve. Frozen semen technology has similarly undergone considerable development over the past decade to a level of efficiency now making frozen semen (FS) a better way to breed and an affordable option for the Show Dog breeder.

The efficiency of the freezing system commonly used today has emerged from the research of Richard and Sharyn Conole of Camelot Farms, Texas USA. Richard and Sharyn are not Veterinarians – they are breeders with a special interest in Greyhounds and the West Highland White Terrier. In the early 1980’s they were disappointed with the poor conception rates they experienced whilst trying to breed with the current techniques and technology of the day.

They set about researching every aspect of the elements required for success with AI, Chilled Semen and Frozen Semen. The most expensive part of breeding is the missed conception – not the service fee! – rather the season lost forever in the bitch’s reproductive life.

As a result of this research they developed the Four Steps to Breeding Success. By following these steps and being prepared to take total control of the breeding you will maximize your chances of a successful conception.

Step 1 - Prepare
It is important not to put your bitch on a course of antibiotics just because she has come on season. To do so has been shown to more easily suppress the normal healthy bacterial flora present in the reproductive tract, making it easier for opportunistic pathogens to grow preferentially which may create a pathogenic (disease producing) infection to compromise fertilization or maintenance of the pregnancy. It has been shown that once a course of antibiotics has been given, 2 – 3 days after the course has finished the original flora re-populate to similar levels existing prior to the antibiotics! Every vaginal swab will culture bacteria – care should be taken not just to use antibiotics because “something has been cultured”.

Step 2 - Premate
It is essential to monitor the rise in a hormone called “progesterone” to accurately determine the correct time of mating or implantation. Some bitches have ovulated, eggs ripened for fertilization as early as day 5 of season whilst in others this won’t occur until day 24! This will often also vary from season to season. Some bitches start to rise their progesterone level then suddenly drop – A split season! Progesterone testing navigates through this mine field of possibilities. Never rely on the sire to pick the time to mate – some bitches will stand even when not ovulated whilst some males will attempt to mate at any time. Progesterone testing can be done with an Immulyte Analyser such as we have at our Calga facility or with the “Date to Mate” kit – ideal for timing natural matings.

Step 3 - Checkmate
So we have determined that the bitch is ready and no fulminating infection is present. We now must be assured of the semen quality. If we are using frozen semen this is not an issue as it has been processed according to the strict protocols of Camelot Farms and a guaranteed minimum number of live forwardly motile sperm are present. With natural mating we do not know if the introduced semen is alive or dead, or if it is of such morphology that it is highly unlikely to be able to successfully penetrate the egg! Artificial insemination is always preferable to natural mating as it gives us the opportunity to check the semen. This should also be done at least 1 week prior to the anticipated mating date in case semen quality is poor – an alternate sire may be sought.

Step 4 - Inseminate
Insemination – by vaginal AI or surgical of frozen semen is the preferred way to breed. It overcomes any social problems between the dog and bitch and ensures quality semen is correctly placed to maximize chances of a successful conception. At FrozenPuppies Dot Com we are not just about frozen semen. We manage a lot of fresh AI breedings from beginning to end to ensure the best chances of a successful breeding. In some older sires with compromised semen quality we have had great success with a surgical implant of fresh semen. Even if the morphology (sperm anatomy) is poor a surgical implant with fresh semen will ensure viable sperm are delivered over ripe eggs, giving you the best chance of success.

By following these Four Steps to Breeding Success you will eliminate so many of the causes of a missed conception, which are so difficult (and costly) to investigate in retrospect once your bitch has missed.

Not satisfied with improving breeding efficiencies by natural mating or AI, Richard and Sharyn researched the many factors impacting on success with Frozen Semen and Chilled (Kooled) Semen at the same time. As a result of the application of their methods, breeding in the Greyhound Industry in the USA has been revolutionized. In 2004 72% of all greyhound pups born were by frozen semen. This had risen to 75% in 2005 and 98% of Frozen Semen breedings were by the Camelot Farms methods utilizing their patented extenders.

Building on this solid base of proven science that has been proven here in Australia for the past decade with the Greyhound industry, we have commenced an education and information service to enlighten breeders in the Show Dog World to the benefits of Frozen Semen. We have created a major web portal for breeders. www.frozenpuppies.com is in its infancy but we are growing this portal as an international site for frozen semen information and sales. Here you will find expanded sources of information in our library as well as details on semen collection, export and import facilities provided by FrozenPuppies Dot Com Pty Ltd.

The Stud Register is growing rapidly as a service for breeders. Here you will find a list of many breeds and sires from whom frozen semen is available for purchase. It functions as a conduit whereby breeders can list their sire’s semen for sale. At all times you have control over your sire’s semen and any sales enquiries are directed to you for approval before any transaction occurs.

At FrozenPuppies Dot Com is committed to service provision in the Show Dog world and you may find us at many large Shows or as sponsors in the Show Dog rings. Be sure and contact us at the shows should you have any questions or you may direct queries to support@frozenpuppies.com

We also encourage responsible DNA profiling for those sires listed on our site and the various breeds should move toward Genetic Disease Testing to identify problems and assist selection for future breeding directions. Genetic Science Services (Melbourne) process our DNA samples. This association has grown from the ethical need to be able to produce such profiles, often required for international identification integrity, and GSS comes with the standards accreditation enabling it to hold forensic contracts with Police NSW.

October 2006 sees the launch of a revolutionary service taking Frozen Semen accessibility to a new level. Be sure to check regularly with our web site for information updates as our site expands. Our on-line store, with a focus on breeder supplies, has been well received particularly for some items normally difficult for the breeder to source.

Welcome to a new era in Frozen Semen Breeding
Introduce Your Dog to the World!

Dr John F Newell B.V.Sc.

<< BACK TO TOP

Dr. John F. Newell B.V.Sc	Phone: 02 4375 1001
Tony Wiseman Crt. Camelot.F.S.	Fax: 02 4375 1010