Semen Freezing and Epididymal Sperm Harvest

Semen freezing is a valuable tool in equine reproduction. It has the benefits of

Longterm preservation of a stallion’s breeding potential
Widen the market of a stallion to international sales, through export of frozen semen
Reduce the collection demands on your stallion during the breeding season, enabling him to focus on his competition
Protect your stallions breeding potential in the event of an unexpected illness or injury

Semen freezing is carried out at West Kington Stallion Centre near Chippenham.

All stallions visiting West Kington will require health tests to be taken according to the HBLB code of Practice for the control of venereal diseases:

Stallions that are collecting for export will require additional health tests relevant to the country of destination.

Prices range from around £260 + VAT to meet basic EU requirements to around £1000 + VAT for worldwide distribution.

Logistics

During a 2 to 3 day stay it may be possible to make 3 or 4 collections. Over a longer period, the most cost effective collection routine will be established, depending on multiple factors including an individual stallion’s semen output.

The number of insemination doses produced from each collection varies considerably depending on semen quantity and quality, but is usually between 5 and 15.

Epididymal Sperm Harvest

The sudden death of a stallion can be devastating, not only emotionally but also financially. Castration and harvesting the sperm from the epididymis immediately before or after death/euthanasia may be possible in some cases and can enable doses of semen to be banked after death. Alternatively, epididymal sperm harvest can be performed as an elective procedure at the time of castration of a healthy animal. Obtaining semen this way means that the stallion doesn’t need to undergo training for collection, or be exposed to the breeding environment, and there is no interference with a competition/training schedule.

Please contact the stud team at the B&W Willesley Stud on 01666 880501 if you require further information on the cost of epididymal sperm harvest, or routine semen collection and freezing.