In the Straw
For you to get an idea what is in the straw that your stallion keeper has sent you, we will briefly explain the most important steps taken in the laboratory, from collecting the semen all the way to the semen straw that is ready for shipment:
Approximately eight to ten portions can be won from one ejaculation. The first step is to centrifuge the ejaculation.
During centrifuging, the so-called seminal plasma (= semen plasma), which consists of secretions from the accessory gonads, is separated from the spermatic cells and drawn off. The seminal plasma would also separate from the spermatic cells in the body of the mare. So actually, the natural process has only been transferred to a test tube.
In Germany, the law on breeding animals prescribes exactly which volume and which degree of forward motility the spermatic cells must have per insemination dose. To achieve this, the density of the spermatic cells is determined from the native semen. So there is always the same quantity of semen prescribed by law in a 15 ml portion of semen.
By adding a nutrient medium such as VitaGamet, for example, the seminal plasma is replaced and an optimal environment is created for the spermatic cells so that when slightly cooled for transport to the mare they can remain completely functional for 24 to 48 hours.
Fresh semen(FS) can be kept in a refrigerator at 6 bis 8 °C for several days since the forward and inherent motility of spermatic cells is reduced to a minimum when cooled down to this temperature.
When the insemination is carried out, the internal body temperature of the mare is ideal and allows the spermatic cells to regain their motility.