The sperm storage revolution is here.

No-chill storage for up to 14 days

Enhanced fertility for all stallions

Cutting-edge science

Long-term stallion sperm storage at 17-22°C

Introducing

SpermSafe is a a new product and a new way to store, ship and thaw equine semen

 

Designed to work at +17°C

Maintains AI-quality sperm for up to 2 weeks of storage*

 

Developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia

 

*Depending on individual stallion and initial sperm quality. Semen must be processed as per instructions prior to storage.

 

Why ambient temperature?

Traditional chilled storage at 5°C has been used to slow down metabolism and cell deterioration, but low temperatures cause physical damage to the sperm cells. We have designed a storage medium that instead supports the metabolism and health of cells, so that chilling to 5°C for shipping and storage is no longer necessary. By providing the right mix of nutrients that mimic the fluids of the mare’s reproductive tract, we can support the sperm to survive much longer, without inducing the damage associated with chilling.

 

The optimal temperature for storage and shipment of stallion sperm in SpermSafe is +17°C, which can be easily achieved with a standard wine refrigerator. For transport, a number of insulated and temperature-controlled shipping solutions are available. SpermSafe-extended semen can also be shipped at 22°C (room temperature) but will survive for longer (and better maintain motility) with gentle cooling at 17°C.

The research

SpermSafe is a synthetic sperm medium that maintains motility, viability and fertilising ability of stallion sperm for up to 14 days.

Our team (Dr Zamira Gibb and Dr Aleona Swegen) have spent over a decade working on extensive research to understand how sperm cells metabolise energy [1-4]. This allowed us to identify the nutrients, antioxidants and storage conditions required for optimal longevity.

For the majority of stallions, sperm stored in SpermSafe retain over 50% of their initial motility after 14 days of storage (as seen in graph).

SpermSafe 17°C stored spermatozoa show enhanced capacitation and ability to bind to oocytes, and double the motility of conventionally chilled spermatozoa [5].

Stallions that are “poor chillers” benefit from using SpermSafe and ambient temperature storage to enhance fertility [6].

SpermSafe thawing protocol supports post-thaw sperm viability for up to 24 hours, allowing fixed-time insemination without 4-hourly ultrasound scans for frozen semen breedings.

Foals are now on the ground [7-8] and SpermSafe is available on a non-commercial basis. Contact us for more information.

[1] Gibb, Z., Lambourne, S.R., and Aitken, R.J. (2014) The paradoxical relationship between stallion fertility and oxidative stress. Biology of Reproduction. 91 (3): p. 77. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25078685/

[2] Gibb, Z., Lambourne, S.R., Curry, B.J., Hall, S.E., and Aitken, R.J. (2016) Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Plays a Pivotal Role in the Maintenance of Stallion Sperm Motility. Biology of Reproduction. 94 (6): p. 133. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27103446/

[3] Swegen, A., Lambourne, S.R., Aitken, R.J., and Gibb, Z. (2016) Rosiglitazone Improves Stallion Sperm Motility, ATP Content, and Mitochondrial Function. Biology of Reproduction. 95 (5): p. 107. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27683266/

[4] Gibb, Z., Lambourne, S.R., Quadrelli, J., Smith, N.D., and Aitken, R.J. (2015) L-Carnitine and Pyruvate Are Prosurvival Factors During the Storage of Stallion Spermatozoa at Room Temperature. Biology of Reproduction. 93 (4): p. 104, 1-9-104, 1-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26316064/

[5] Gibb, Z., Clulow, J. R., Aitken, R. J. & Swegen, A. First Publication to Describe a Protocol for the Liquid Storage of Stallion Spermatozoa for 7 Days. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 66, 37-40 (2018). https://doi.org:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.05.016

[6] Gibb, Z. et al. Storing stallion sperm in SpermSafe™ at 17°C may improve fertility by reducing mPTP formation. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 125, 104589 (2023). https://doi.org:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104589

[7] Clulow, J., Swegen, A., Aitken, J. & Gibb, Z. Preliminary insemination trial to determine the fertility of stallion sperm stored for 3 and 7 days at 17ºC in a long term liquid storage medium. Clinical Theriogenology 11, 461 (2019). https://doi.org:10.58292/ct.v11.10220

[8] University of Newcastle, ‘Sperm extender the recipe for fertility success’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAB6BaLbYG4

Key features

  • Minimises damage to sperm & supports cell metabolism

  • Long-term storage: up to 14 days

  • Semen can be shipped at ambient temperature or compatible with EquOcyte or BotuFlex 15°C shipment systems

  • Optimal storage at 17°C (wine fridge)

  • Enhances sperm capacitation and minimises inflammation in the mare’s reproductive tract

  • Does not contain undefined animal product components