Blue Chip went to talk to Tullis Matson, the founder and managing director of Stallion AI Services, to find out abit more about the company and the services they offer.

Stallion AI Services are a DEFRA approved semen collection centre who have been carrying out artificial insemination for nearly 22 years.They freeze and export semen for the worldwide market.

In a year around 100 stallions will visit the centre for fertility investigations. Stallions visit for a variety of reasons, everything from fertility investigations to fresh chilled distribution. There are many reasons for the freezing down of stallion sperm for instance a stallion being castrated and wanting to carry on the breeding schedule.

At Stallion AI Services they freeze semen from the 10 rarest breeds in the country, 10 stallions from each breed including the Eriskay ponies – where there are only a few different blood lines left. This is a way to try and preserve their rare genetic blood lines for the future. Frozen semen has enormous opportunity for all stallions; insurance for death, disease or injury.

Collection from a stallion can vary enormously. In the summer it depends on demand of the mare owner. The beauty of AI is that stallions don’t need to be overworked. Collection every other day is normal for the fresh and chilled side. For frozen collections occur around 4 times a week but this can depend on what the stallions needs are. Some are best 3 times a week and others are better suited to 4. In the winter months collections will be carried out for 7-10 stallions a day and in the summer they can do up to 20 collections.

Stallion AI Services use Blue Chip Dynamic and have been using it and recommending it to their stallion owners for 7 years. They find it really helps with the semen quality as the essential Omega oils help with the sperm membrane integrity which in turn helps with mobility, fertility and helps with conception rates.

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Blue Chip visited Stallion AI (artificial insemination) Services to watch the process of taking a semen collection, and the steps which follow; freezing and storing the semen.

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Step 1: Preparing the artificial vagina (AV)

Stallion AI Services use a Missouri AV, a doubled layered latex liner which is filled to a temperature of 45-50°c for point of collection. Once the AV has been filled with water the AV is assembled. First it is covered with a leather case, a semen collection bottle is then prepared to harvest the semen. A filter is inserted into the bottle to ensure there is no smegma or gel getting in contact with the semen. A bottle warmer is then put onto the bottle to protect the semen from temperature shock and UV rays.

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Step 2: Preparing the stallion

The knees of the stallion are bandaged to help protect them while they’re on the dummy mare.

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Step 3: Preparing the AV for collection

At the stage the AV has already been filled. Lubrication is applied and the pressure and temperature of the AV are tested.

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Step 4: Preparing for collection

The stallions penis is washed with copious amounts of warm water to get rid of any debris or smegma before the collection process.

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Step 5: Taking the collection

The horse mounts the dummy mare, whilst inserting his penis into the AV. After a few thrusts the semen has been deposited.

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Step 6: Analysing the semen

First the semen is analysed in it’s raw state. The motility of the semen is then looked at by putting a 10 micro litre droplet on the slide of the microscope, this is a quick analysis that checks the semen is okay. A concentration reading will then be carried out of the semen to make to see what concentration the stallion has given using a nuclear cell counter machine. This is one of the most accurate ways of testing the concentration of the sperm cells.

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Step 7: Preparing the semen for freezing

Semen doesn’t live very long in it’s raw state to it has to have centrifuge medium added to it, at a one to one concentration. Once mixed the liquid is then poured into the centrifuge tubes and the semen is then spun at 1000gs for 20 minutes, on a liquid cushion. The cushion is added to the centrifuge, enabling 95% of the sperm cells to be harvested. Typically the slower the semen is spun the less can be harvested. The tubes are then placed in the centrifuge machine.

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Step 8: Chilling the semen in preparation for freezing

The semen is chilled for 30 mins before the freezing machine is switched on. The straws are then inserted into the freezing machine. The straws are then removed from the machine and then plunged into liquid nitrogen at -196 °c.

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Step 9: Storing the frozen semen

After freezing the semen has to be stored in nitrogen containers. Stallion AI have two store rooms, one for UK and the other export. Each container holds around 250,000 straws, where they remain until requested by the mare owner.

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Used and recommended by: The National Foaling Bank, Holme Park Stud, Throckmorton Stud, Glenwood Stud, Rotherwood Stud, Pickmere Stud and Carradale Arabian Stud

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Dynamic and stallion fertility

In 2001 Blue Chip was approached by Tullis Matson of Stallion AI services to develop a supplement to help stallion fertility. When discussing the ingredients he required, Blue Chip realised that most of the ingredients were already in their joint supplement, Blue Chip Dynamic.Those ingredients include:

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Organic zinc

Known to be an essential component of the sperm’s protective mechanism. It is beneficial to testosterone metabolism, sperm motility and sperm formation.

Organic copper

Shown to have direct links to both semen quality and libido.

Organic selenium

An antioxidant trace mineral essential for normal sexual development. (Intensive farming has dramatically reduced the quantities of selenium in European soil.) It helps to create the correct environment for sperm function and protection and is essential in the production of testosterone.

Vitamins C, D and E

Antioxidant vitamins known to neutralise free radicals.

Omega 3 and 6

Essential for reproduction and for sperm function in particular. They are known to beneficially affect sperm quality and quantity.

Cooked linseed

A natural source of Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) required for the formation of specific prostaglandlins.

Yucca

For increased libido.

Rob Williams, Owner, Glenwood Stud International

“We have found DYNAMIC to be extremely beneficial to the stallions’ fertility. All the stallions standing at Glenwood Stud International (resident and walk-in) are fed DYNAMIC from January to the end of the covering season. Since feeding DYNAMIC we have not had a single stallion that has failed to freeze.”

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Results from Stallion AI Services Before & After feeding DYNAMIC

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Breeding

The Broodmare

Close attention to the care and management of the brood mare is of upmost importance to the success of any breeding programme. Broodmares maintained in desired body condition will generally breed more successfully and produce foals that are thriftier. Broodmares are fed Original to:

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• Optimise fertility

• Aids foetus development

• Aid digestion and nutrient uptake

• Support milk production

• Maintain condition throughout pregnancy, lactation and weaning

Foals and Youngstock

Original’s small pellets are the ideal introduction to hard feed for the foal and can be fed from 3 weeks. Foals and youngstock will greatly benefit from the inclusion of Original in their diet to:

• Help maintian a healthy gut, even when the mare is in season – less chance of foal scours

• Promote steady, even growth rates.

• Aid the development of strong, dense bone

• Promote good muscle tone

• Promote a gleaming coat and healthy skin

• Aid the development of strong, pliable hooves

• Help prevent stress during weaning

Sales preparation

Pro will give you all the benefits of Original with:

• An additional prebiotic to aid the digestion of a higher starch diet

• Enhanced levels of minerals to enable them to cope with increased amounts of exercise

Johanna Vardon MBE ,The National Foaling Bank

“Original is invaluable. I have never had my mares cycling and covered so early and youngstock grow at steady, even rates, with good dense bone.”

John Peter-Hoblyn, Stud Managet at Shadwell Estate, who purchased an Acclamation yearling colt raised on Blue Chip Pro

“The colt is in superb condition and I am delighted that we managed to buy him.”

Close attention to the care and management of the broodmare is of upmost importance to the success of any breeding programme. Broodmares maintained in desired body condition will generally breed more successfully and produce foals that are thriftier. Broodmares are fed Original to:

• Optimise fertility

• Aids foetus development

• Aid digestion and nutrient uptake during the gestation period

• Support milk production

• Maintain condition throughout pregnancy, lactation and weaning

• Scientifically proven in trials at Hartpury College to double the ability of fibre absorption

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Foals and Youngstock

Original’s small pellets are the ideal introduction to hard feed for the foal and can be fed from 3 weeks. Foals and youngstock will greatly benefit from the inclusion of Original in their diet to:

• Help maintain a healthy gut, even when the mare is in season – less chance of foal scours

• Promote steady, even growth rates.

• Aid the development of strong, dense bone

• Promote good muscle tone

• Promote a gleaming coat and healthy skin

• Aid the development of strong, pliable hooves

• Help prevent stress during weaning Sales preparation

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Pro will give you all the benefits of Original with:

• An additional prebiotic to aid the digestion of a higher starch diet

• Enhanced levels of minerals to enable them to cope with increased amounts of exercise

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Stallions

(See Dynamic and stallion fertility)

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Johanna Vardon MBE ,The National Foaling Bank

“Original is invaluable. I have never had my mares cycling and covered so early and youngstock grow at steady, even rates, with good dense bone.”

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John Peter-Hoblyn, Stud Managet at Shadwell Estate, who purchased an Acclamation yearling colt raised on Blue Chip Pro

“The colt is in superb condition and I am delighted that we managed to buy him.”

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Used and recommended by:

The National Foaling Bank, Holme Park Stud, Throckmorton Stud, Glenwood Stud, Rotherwood Stud, Pickmere Stud and Carradale Arabian Stud