How is SpermSafe different to other extenders?

SpermSafe is sperm storage and shipment medium, rather than a semen diluent like other extenders.

SpermSafe is designed to support rather than slow down their metabolism, so it does not contain any cryoprotectants nor any biologically derived components (e.g., skim milk or egg yolk). Because of this, it is important to process semen first to remove toxic seminal plasma proteins (by first diluting in a milk-based extender immediately following collection).

SpermSafe supports cells to survive for up to two weeks, so removing bacteria and other contaminants from the sample prior to storage is necessary (using a single layer centrifugation method such as EquiPure).

Has SpermSafe been tested in the field?

Yes, SpermSafe has been tested by clinicians in the field. The first foal was produced with SpermSafe stored sperm in Australia in 2018, and vets in Australia and New Zealand have been routinely using SpermSafe in their breeding programs since then.

Is SpermSafe compatible with all stallions?

We have tested SpermSafe with dozens of different stallions, including those that are poor chllers or poor freezers, and if processed correctly, sperm maintain motility with a loss of only about 20% of initial motility over the course of a week of storage. Several stallions whose sperm cannot be chilled successfully have achieved pregnancies with SpermSafe.

Samples with low initial motility (immediately after collection) may not be suitable for long term storage. The sperm that are motile, however, will generally live longer in SpermSafe than in conventional extenders (if processed correctly). In some cases with low % motile sperm we can advise on how to best isolate the high quality sperm and improve the storage process.

Can I extend raw semen directly in SpermSafe?

No. Semen needs to first be collected into a skim-milk based extender before storage in SpermSafe. This is because SpermSafe is protein-free and does not bind or inactivate toxic seminal plasma proteins. Please see the user protocol for details.

Can I ship SpermSafe-extended semen in a syringe, whirlpak bag or Falcon tube?

No. Some plastics create static or interact with ingredients and will compromise the quality of sperm being stored. Please use a flat-bottom specimen pot to store/ship SpermSafe-extended spermatozoa. Please contact us if you need supplier details or more information on suitable storage containers.

Note: A syringe can still be used for insemination.

What products/equipment do I need to use SpermSafe correctly?

Sterile water;

a milk based extender of your choice for initial dilution of semen;

tubes, EquiPure and centrifuge to isolate sperm;

hemocytometer or cell counter to determine concentration;

polystyrene (yellow-top) containers for storage of sperm in SpermSafe;

a shipping container at 17-22C and/or wine fridge (17C) for storage.

Full protocol for use can be downloaded here.

Please contact us to inquire about sperm processing kits.