Although fewer sperm can still result in pregnancies, it is typically advised to use at least 200 million motile sperm for intravaginal artificial insemination in dogs.
The Quantity of Sperm that a Dog Produces
Normal dog semen contains 300 million to 2 billion sperm. The quantity of sperm varies depending on the weight and size of your dog, with the bare minimum sitting at around 10 million sperm cells per pound of bodyweight. For example, a 30-pound dog should have at least 300 million sperm cells in his ejaculate. A 60-pound dog should have 600 million sperm cells in his ejaculate. Sperm count also depends on your dog’s testicular size. Most normal dogs exceed the minimum count significantly. In normal sperm production in dogs, more than 70% of the sperm are progressively motile and normal morphologically.
The average volume of dogejaculate ranges anywhere from 1 to 30 mL. Dog semen is produced in three fractions. The first fraction is small in volume at less than 5 mL. It cleanses the urethra of any contaminants before ejaculation. The second fraction is rich in sperm and usually 0.5 to 4 mL in volume. The third and final fraction contains prostatic fluid and few sperm cells. This final fraction lends more volume (3 – 80 mL) to the ejaculate. Volume is not a reliable indicator of semen quality. Instead, it’s measured to find the concentration of sperm in the ejaculate.
Storing dog sperm has drastically changed breeders’ ability to carry out planned breedings with success. Vaginal and transcervical insemination is the new norm for many breeders, and it is possible to breed using semen from dogs anywhere in the world, reducing travel costs for breeders and stress for the dogs. Storage is a great way to preserve bloodlines for future use, especially in cases where the stud is due to be neutered. Finally, storing dog sperm is a great way to ensure that breedings can continue when your dog is on a busy schedule or otherwise unable to perform stud work due to factors like temporary illness or injury.
Sperm storage facilities are widely available. Once you have found a facility that suits your location and needs, make an appointment with the facility. You will need to transport yourself and your dog to the location. Make sure that you bring any relevant registration certificates (AKC, UKC, or other applicable registries), a DNA profile number, and a copy of your negative brucellosis test within the last 6 months. It is also helpful to bring a “teaser” bitch (in heat) with you. This helps to increase your male dog’s libido and encourages a 30-50% higher sperm count.
Your dog’s semen sample is extended with a buffer solution to protect the sperm cells during freezing. After a sperm count is performed, the sample is further diluted to make up a uniform concentration. The diluted sample is divided into individual straws – the number of straws is decided through the initial sperm count. These straws are stored in liquid nitrogen at a constant -196 degrees Celsius. After the cooling and freezing process, one straw is thawed and thee sperm is examined for motility. The average post-thaw motility rate is 40-60%, meaning that 40-60% of the sperm cells survive the thawing process. This information is also used to determine the amount of semen you will need for insemination.
Online advertisements for stud dogs’ one-to-one mating, chilled, and frozen sperm services are common. Depending on the stud’s heritage and pedigree, a one-to-one mating session typically costs between $500 and $1,000 in stud fees. In the event that the owner of the stud is required to help with the mating, there may also be a handling fee. In a similar vein, the price of chilled or frozen semen differs according to the stud’s lineage. Due to this, the stud’s owner usually provides the cost of the stud’s semen upon request.
You may dispatch your stud’s chilled semen by using a specialized kit. There are many successful chilled semen kits commercially available. The CLONE Chilled Semen Kit has been successfully used for over 25 years, especially in North America. No special training is required as the kit comes with instructions and equipment. Alternatively, some veterinarians offer chilled semen kits and may be able to assist with the process. If in doubt, ask for referrals from other local breeders!
You should think about the morality of selling your dog’s sperm before doing so. It’s imperative that you look into general DNA testing and have your dog tested for inherited diseases that are known to affect their breed. Additionally, you ought to refrain from taking too many sperm from your dog. Although sperm production is constant in dogs, taking too much can lower sperm counts and lower the quality of semen.
For SCSA, sperm are treated with an acidic solution (pH1. 2) in order to denature their DNA in situ. Under these circumstances, abnormal DNA will denature instead of sperm with normal chromatin. The sperm are then stained with acridine orange (AO). This is a metachromatic DNA stain. DNA that does not denature (remains double stranded) will fluoresce green, whereas chromatin that has been denatured into single stranded DNA will fluoresce red. Combining SCSA and ASMA testing could make it easier to assess dogs with normal spermiograms and poor fertility.
Numerous tools can be used to measure concentration, including CASA systems, hemacytometers, optical density meters, and spermatocrit The most popular technique for calculating sperm concentration is to simply count sperm using a hemacytometer and a microscope. A glass slide with a fine grid etched onto it serves as a hemacytometer. Although they are advertised for counting blood cells, they also function well for counting sperm. Calculating cell concentration is simple because the grid square dimensions and sample chamber depth are known. According to reports, the hemacytometer method is reliable and regarded as the industry standard.
In addition to artificial insemination breeding, semen collection is recommended for evaluation along with a breeding soundness examination, in the diagnostic workup of potentially subfertile or infertile dogs, in the diagnostic workup of reproductive tract diseases (infectious, degenerative, or neoplastic disease), or for short-term (fresh-chilled extended semen) or long-term (frozen semen) storage of gametes to be used in the future. The American Kennel Club (AKC) mandates documentation, including a semen evaluation, of the male’s ability to sire a litter when very young ( 7 months) or aged (> 12 years) sires are used for breeding.
• Acrosomal stains: During fertilization, acrosome function is necessary for the sperm to enter the egg. Some dogs may have enough sperm to reach the oviduct and surround the egg, but the acrosome reaction may not happen as expected, leading to fertilization failure. In these dogs, all other sperm testing may be normal. A substance known as calcium ionophore is added to the semen to evaluate acrosome function. This substance will induce the acrosome reaction in normal sperm. When fluorescent dye is then added, only sperm with reacting acrosomes will take the dye; sperm without reacting acrosomes will not pick up any stain. Testing on acrosome in dogs is still being improved, but it shows great promise for the future.
The acrosome of cat spermatozoa has been stained using Fast green FCF, Rose Bengal, and ethanol. Acrosome intact, acrosome reacted or damaged, and acrosome non-intact sperm can all be distinguished using this stain. The slide is examined using bright field microscopy at 1000x.
Is it healthy to eat sperm?
Yes, semen’s constituent parts are generally safe to consume. Swallowed semen is digested in the same way as food. However, very rarely, some individuals may learn that they are allergic to semen. This is also known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP).
FAQ
How much sperm do dogs need to get pregnant?
Waltham Focus 16:7, 2006. Although fewer sperm can still result in pregnancies, it is typically advised to use at least 200 million motile sperm for intravaginal artificial insemination in dogs. This is anticipated to result in typical pregnancy rates and litter sizes.
Do dogs sperm come out?
An initial clear or slightly cloudy pre-ejaculate fraction, the sperm-rich fraction (SRF), and a clear fraction of prostatic fluid make up the majority of dogs’ ejaculates. During the period of vigorous thrusting, the initial clear fraction is released.