 Tª (ºC)


- - Tª -  >21 Too warm


20.5 20 19.5 19 18.5 18 17.5 17 Warm


Accelerated loss of semen  too high


- 16.5 Ideal


Viability and semen shelf-life maximized





16


15.5


15


14.5


14 Cold


Accelerated loss of semen shelf-life and sperm motility


Too Cold


13.5


<13


• Doses should be transported once they have reached the stabilisation temperature.


• The use of sufficient amounts of transport containers as well as climate-controlled vehicles is recommended.


• Temperatures should be monitored regularly to detect pos- sible failures during transport.


• Opening times of the semen container should be minimised. • Stopping for a long period of time is not recommended, nor is direct exposure to sunlight.


Sometimes, however, transport under controlled temperature may not be possible. When there is no other option but to send semen doses without controlled temperature manage- ment – that is, using courier companies – then proper insula- tion of the parcel is recommended to prevent variation and fluctuation. Here is what to do: • Only the doses that have reached the stabilisation tempera- ture should be packaged.


• Polyethylene containers should be used that are either at least 4–5cm thickness or double-walled.


• Gel packs can be used to help preserve temperature in the range 15–17ºC.


• In summer or in high-temperature climates, for long-dis- tance shipments gel packs at 4–8ºC or even frozen ones can be used to maintain temperature. Packs should never touch


the doses. They should be kept separate, ensuring that tem- peratures will not drop below 15ºC indoors. Similarly, hot gel packs can be used in climates with low temperatures, follow- ing the same instructions applying to cold or frozen ones.


• From time to time, data loggers should register tempera- tures during transport.


• To increase insulation, aluminium foil can be used to wrap the doses together. Alternatively, a polyethylene box can be placed inside a cardboard box.


• If there is space, the container can be filled with polystyrene shavings.


2. During transport: vibration A factor that has been recently studied is the possible effect of vibrations that occur during transport. As semen doses are produced in large AI centres and the routes can involve long distances and take a long time, depending on their geo- graphical location or the country, vibration can be an impor- tant factor. In recent years, several authors have described vibration po- tentially having an impact because it increases the medium’s pH and oxidative stress levels. Therefore, it will affect mito- chondrial activity, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, as well as motility.


3


4


Built-in, two-door storage cabin for biosecure semen delivery at a farm.


Storage units should be used that are specifically designed for the preservation of semen doses.


▶PIG PROGRESS | Volume 36, No. 5, 2020 25


PHOTO: HENK RISWICK


PHOTO: MAGAPOR


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