Reproductive Services
Veterinary Associates has been at the forefront of companion animal reproduction in New Zealand for many years. We are Auckland’s leading canine reproduction clinic
The Services provided include:
- Reproductive health checks
- Fertility examinations for both males and females
- Ovulation timing – progesterone testing and interpretation
- Semen evaluation including motility assessments, full sperm counts and morphology
- Artificial insemination (fresh, chilled and frozen)
- Semen collection & freezing
- Chilled semen services
- Storage of canine semen
- Frozen semen implantation
- Import and export of semen including customs clearance
- Infertility management
- Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis
Dr Eckhard Stalmann has been trained in the use of the world famous “Camelot Farms” semen preservation system. This system has revolutionized the Greyhound breeding industry worldwide. In this industry all breeding results are published and open to public scrutiny. Conception rates using “Camelot Farms” semen are in excess of 90%. The use of a proprietary extender means that we are able to ship chilled semen to anywhere in the world or within New Zealand. This semen will remain viable for well over a week after collection. Results with frozen semen are even more impressive. In most instances frozen sperm only survive a matter of hours once thawed out. I have seen Camelot Farms frozen sperm remain alive for 5 days after thawing!
Put simply; Camelot Farms is the world’s best canine semen preservation system.
Veterinary Associates is the only hospital in the upper North Island using this system. Being in Auckland, the hub of international trade for New Zealand, means that we can look after all your international breeding needs. We have many worldwide contacts in the canine reproductive industry.
Semen Freezing
There are huge benefits when using frozen semen.
Advantages:
- Semen can be stored indefinitely
- Semen can be imported and exported easily
- No need to keep a male stud dog
- No long distance travel to stud dogs
- Huge potential to improve the New Zealand gene pool
- Can prolong the breeding life of a particular stud dog – even once he has passed away!
What does it all involve?
Semen is collected from a stud dog. It is generally necessary to have a female dog in season to use as a “teaser” to stimulate the male. Once the semen has been collected it is evaluated macro and microscopically. If suitable, it is diluted using a proprietary diluent/extender which protects and nourishes the sperm during the freezing process. Once diluted, the semen is divided into pellets and is then frozen according to a strict protocol using liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C. The semen can be stored indefinitely at this temperature.
A bitch in season is then inseminated surgically. Success rates for frozen semen implants typically vary between 70 and 80%. Conception rates using “Camelot Farms” semen are in excess of 90%. Timing is the critical factor. It is necessary to run a series of progesterone tests to determine the optimum time for insemination.
Importing and Exporting Frozen Semen
If you are importing semen into New Zealand from Australia then follow this link
If you are exporting frozen semen from New Zealand to another country follow this link
If you are unsure about what to do then please contact us before you just go ahead. Mistakes can be very costly!!
To find out more send us an email.