Has anyone used the big 5ml macro straws? How do you do this if you don’t have an incubator (or can you?). I have been using the universal pipette and stylet for the 0.5ml straws but a stallion I want to use is frozen with the big straws. Arggg
[QUOTE=Donella;6403417]
Has anyone used the big 5ml macro straws? How do you do this if you don’t have an incubator (or can you?). I have been using the universal pipette and stylet for the 0.5ml straws but a stallion I want to use is frozen with the big straws. Arggg[/QUOTE]
<smile>…It’s pretty much ALL we freeze in and once you use them, you’ll HATE the 1/2 ml straws. You thaw them in a container that is slightly taller than the straw (11 inches). They need to be thawed vertically. There is a bubble in the middle of the straw (if bubble is at either end, the straw has probably been thawed at some point or was frozen incorrectly so make SURE when you purcahse them that they have that bubble in the middle!!! IMPORTANT!) that when the semen has thawed, you flip the straw every time the bubble rises to the top until the time has been met. By doing so, it moves the semen in the straw so that it mixes as it thaws. You typically thaw the macro straws at a much higher temperature, as well - 52 degrees Celsius is pretty common, but make sure instructions accompany the semen for thawing.
Once the semen is thawed, you draw it up in a regular insemination pipette and inseminate! EASY!!!
A couple of things that are worth knowing. The 1/2 ml straws were originally developed for the bovine industry as one straw is typically an insemination dose for cattle. All of the equipment for production has been developed specifically for use with the 1/2 ml straws, so it was just an easy (relatively) transition for freezing equine semen. Unfortunately, it takes multiple straws for most stallions to make up an insemination dose.
There “are” advantages and disadvantages to both types of straws and they all work! But, don’t be intimidated by the macro straws. They are incredibly easy to work with and sufficient volume that if you drop any you don’t figure you’ve just lost a significant portion of your insemination dose <LOL>
Kathy, as always, you are a treasure trove of information.
Kathy, thank you so much for that info!!
I usually do deep horn but I am assuming with the large straws just a simple uterine body insemination would be best? The mare is a 4 yr old maiden, I am assuming she will be fertile and healthy that way.
Do the standard minitube blue water baths that are used to thaw the small straws work? I don’t have a larger bath…
I guess my big ? is how do I keep the pipette and test tube that I would dump the semen in at body temp if I don’t have an incubator? Someone suggested I use a human heat pad and put a towel on top and just set the materials on it for a few hours prior to use? Do you think this would work? It’s not like the pipettes ect are cold but I was taught they should be at body temp when in contact with the semen?
With the system I use the straws just go from the bath into the mare.
Thank you so much!!
[QUOTE=Donella;6403608]
Kathy, thank you so much for that info!!
I usually do deep horn but I am assuming with the large straws just a simple uterine body insemination would be best? The mare is a 4 yr old maiden, I am assuming she will be fertile and healthy that way.
Do the standard minitube blue water baths that are used to thaw the small straws work? I don’t have a larger bath…
I guess my big ? is how do I keep the pipette and test tube that I would dump the semen in at body temp if I don’t have an incubator? Someone suggested I use a human heat pad and put a towel on top and just set the materials on it for a few hours prior to use? Do you think this would work? It’s not like the pipettes ect are cold but I was taught they should be at body temp when in contact with the semen?
With the system I use the straws just go from the bath into the mare.
Thank you so much!![/QUOTE]
I’ve used the large straws before with success, so no big deal. We don’t use an incubator to keep the equipment warm, even though we have one. Generally my husband will put the test tube (or whatever you are using) in his shirt pocket until he is ready to use it. As long as the equipment isn’t cold you will be fine; I know some people who just keep it at room temperature and get along just fine.
You can do deep horn! Indeed, I think it’s usually easier using a regular insemination pipette. But, I will add a word of caution. Doing deep horn “can” irritate the uterus and unless there is a specific reason to do deep horn (low sperm numbers, etc.) we don’t usually recommend doing it.
Do the standard minitube blue water baths that are used to thaw the small straws work? I don’t have a larger bath…
Nope. Needs to be at least 11 inches TALL! We actually use a pasta container ;)…it’s tall and narrow. Fill it up to the top and drop the straw in. When the bubble moves to the top, flip the straw. Wash, rinse, repeat until the timer is up.
I guess my big ? is how do I keep the pipette and test tube that I would dump the semen in at body temp if I don’t have an incubator?
Ohhhh…this is REALLY high tech…SUPER high tech… Costs a HUGE amount of money!! Put the tube in your bra :). Temp is perfect for holding. When you’re ready to inseminate, draw up into the pipette as you would for fresh or cooled semen.
Someone suggested I use a human heat pad and put a towel on top and just set the materials on it for a few hours prior to use? Do you think this would work? It’s not like the pipettes ect are cold but I was taught they should be at body temp when in contact with the semen?
For the time that the semen will come into contact with the pipette, it isn’t an issue unless the pipettes are being stored in your refrigerator or your inseminating in January ;).
Good luck!
[QUOTE=Equine Reproduction;6403778]
Wash, rinse, repeat until the timer is up. [/QUOTE]
Lest anyone happens to take Kathy literally, no, you do not wash and rinse… <rolling eyes> When the air bubble reaches the top of the straw, simply quickly remove the straw from the water, flip it over and return it to the water, and then do that again each time the air bubble reaches the top again within the allotted thawing time.
Maybe my clarification is unnecessary, but I just read this and was envisaging someone washing a straw in the middle of the thawing process and wondering why it was necessary…!!! :eek:
Put the tube in your bra
And if, like me, you prefer not to put things in your bra, you can put the centrifuge tube (or vacutainer or whatever container you drained the semen into to hold it in while preparing the mare and before drawing the semen up into the pipette and syringe) in the waistband of your trousers, next to your waist, where it will also be kept at body temperature.
[QUOTE=Jos;6403880]
And if, like me, you prefer not to put things in your bra, you can put the centrifuge tube (or vacutainer or whatever container you drained the semen into to hold it in while preparing the mare and before drawing the semen up into the pipette and syringe) in the waistband of your trousers, next to your waist, where it will be kept at body temperature.[/QUOTE]
I am NOT going to respond to this. I am NOT going to respond to this. Nope…nope…I will be good. I will be good :D!
LOL. Thanks for the entertainment and advice. You guys should take your show on the road. 
Thank you guys SOOO much for this info!!! (and the laugh
