Page 973 - Small Animal Internal Medicine, 6th Edition
P. 973

CHAPTER 54   The Practice of Theriogenology   945



                                                                        BOX 54.5
  VetBooks.ir                                                    Semen Collection Equipment

                                                                  Teaser bitch (estrual)
                                                                  Artificial vagina (AV)
                                                                  Test tube rack
                                                                  Plastic collection tubes
                                                                  Pipettes
                                                                  Nonskid rug or floor mat
                                                                  Slide warmer turned on and loaded with slides
                                                                  Slide covers, glass pipettes
                                                                  Fresh semen extender solution, warmed to body
                                                                    temperature
            FIG 54.20                                             Lubrication jelly, not spermicidal
            Feline vaginal cytology, estrus showing nucleated superficial   Light microscope 10×, 40×, 100×
            cells.


            tests is pooled (vaginal cytologies, vaginoscopy, and proges-  assistant not wearing their white laboratory coats. Medical
            terone or LH tests).                                 procedures (vaccination, temperature  evaluation, rectal
                                                                 examinations, venipuncture) should be performed after the
                                                                 collection or by another veterinarian. When performing
            THE DOG AND TOM                                      semen collections, one should try to approximate the stud
                                                                 dog’s usual breeding environment as closely as possible. Col-
            SEMEN COLLECTION                                     lection should be performed on the floor except in toy breeds
            If a natural breeding cannot be accomplished (mismatched   accustomed to being collected on a table. Repeat visits allow
            mate size, geriatric or inexperienced stud) or is precluded by   the stud dog to relax, and he will soon learn what he is there
            geography (shipped extended and chilled semen), or frozen   for. Semen quality is generally better when an estrous teaser
            semen is to be used, veterinary participation may be sought   bitch  is  present  and  cooperative,  and  the  stud’s  libido  is
            for artificial insemination. Both intravaginal and intrauter-  highest. Stud dogs can withhold the sperm-rich (middle or
            ine artificial insemination techniques are successful in the   second) portion of the ejaculate if they are uncomfortable.
            bitch. Neither is commonly performed clinically in the   Semen collection equipment (AVs, semen collection tubes)
            queen, hampered by the technical demands of semen collec-  is commercially available. Make sure all collection equip-
            tion in the tom (special training to an artificial vagina [AV],   ment is at room temperature, dry and clean, and free of
            electroejaculation, or chemically [100 µg/kg medetomidine   spermicidal agents.
            IM]-induced ejaculation with urethral catheterization) and   Support the teaser bitch in a standing position, restrain-
            ovulatory  status  (usually  induced)  of  the  queen  (Zambelli   ing her head as necessary. Allow the stud to familiarize
            et al., 2006; Zambelli et al., 2007). Most veterinarians have   himself with the surroundings, the bitch, and the handlers.
            not developed semen collection and insemination skills in   Position yourself next to the stud as he approaches the bitch.
            school.  Successful  artificial  insemination  requires  proper   Right-handed people usually work best on the stud’s left side.
            collection technique, appropriate semen handling, and   Allow the stud to mount, placing the AV in front of his penis
            correct insemination procedure. Semen evaluation should be   with the left hand as he thrusts toward the bitch. If he does
            performed regularly in valuable stud dogs. Special training   not mount or thrust, gently massaging the penis through the
            is required to develop additional skills in semen chilling,   prepuce with the right hand will stimulate an erection. When
            advanced methods of artificial insemination, and semen   he is 50% erect or less, push the prepuce behind the bulbus
            freezing (cryopreservation). Cryopreservation  of canine   glandis. If this cannot be done easily, pull the dog off the
            semen is routinely performed both by veterinarians and   bitch, walk him away to allow detumescence, and bring him
            technicians. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC)   back to the bitch to try again. Ejaculation within the prepuce
            only a licensed veterinarian should perform artificial insemi-  is painful. During thrusting, reposition your hands to provide
            nation  of cryopreserved  semen.  Several  proprietary pro-  gentle constant pressure just behind and incorporating the
            grams train individuals for canine cryopreservation. Research   bulbus glandis, keeping the AV over the penis. Rapid thrust-
            and debate concerning semen extenders, freeze buffers, and   ing coincides with penetration. After achieving full erection,
            the role of prostatic fluid in sperm function are ongoing.  coinciding with the tie, the stud will dismount and try to step
              Successful collection of fresh canine semen usually   over the bitch and your arm to turn. Help the stud by lifting
            requires a quiet  room, a  rug or  mat for good footing, an   his leg over your arm and swinging the penis 180 degrees so
            estrual or teaser bitch, and minimal special equipment (Box   it is directed backwards between his legs. Keep the dogs
            54.5). Attempts to put the dog at ease before the collection   standing near each other during the ejaculation phase so the
            may include simple measures like the veterinarian and   stud believes a breeding is occurring. Visualize the semen as
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