Semen collection and evaluation

Conformation showing and a variety of dog sports are increasingly popular. Propagation of an excellent dog requires normal fertility. Semen collection and evaluation are essential skills for small animal practitioners who work with breeders and dog-sport enthusiasts. Semen collection can be performed on most dogs in the clinic setting with minimal standard equipment. Preparation of the collection room and presence of a teaser bitch increase the success of sample collection. Semen evaluation consists of several components. First, gross characteristics and sample volume are recorded. Percentage and quality of motility are evaluated immediately. The concentration of spermatozoa in the sample is determined and multiplied by the total sample volume to determine the total number of sperm in the ejaculate. Morphology of > or = 100 spermatozoa is evaluated and recorded to determine the percent normal spermatozoa Total normal sperm per ejaculate is then calculated. Additional tests are often performed. These include cytology of the second and third fractions, culture of the semen, and measurement of semen alkaline phosphatase. Knowledge of normal parameters for canine semen enables the practitioner to evaluate the results of these tests with confidence.