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Considerations when
thinking about breeding:
-
Method of
Insemination for Bitch:
-
Type of Semen to
be used:
-
Fresh
-
Fresh Chilled
-
Frozen
-
Ovulation Timing
-
Do you need
Vaginal Cultures done?
-
Do you need a
Mycoplasma Culture done?
-
Do you need to do
Brucellosis testing?
We have put together a
“Steps for Success/Preparing to Breed Your Bitch” flyer that you
can download from the Forms/Links dropdown above.
 Ovulation
timing is probably the most important aspect to a successful breeding
regardless of the type of semen you use or the method of insemination
used.
Currently at our
facilities, utilizing ovulation timing and surgical implantation of
semen in the bitch, we are running between an 85% to 90% success rate.
 Ovulation
timing improves the overall conception rate no mater how you do the
breeding.
We have put together
the “Importance of Ovulation Timing” brochure. You may select
this document from the Forms/Links dropdown above.
Successful ovulation
timing involves several things:
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Knowing when the
bitch comes into season, d1 (day 1)
-
Progesterone
testing beginning on d5 or d6 (day 5 or day 6)
-
LH testing if
necessary
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Vaginal cytology
to corroborate progesterone results and physical signs.
The only accurate
ovulation tests are from laboratory blood tests! With the quantitative
results reported in nanograms/ml.
We have a miniVidas
machine in our reproductive center so we do not have to send our
progesterone tests out to the lab. The
advantages of having our own machine are: you can run daily tests (if
necessary) and have the results in an hour as opposed to having to wait
24 to 72 hours for results when sent out to a commercial lab!
If you live outside
our area, you can have your vet send us the serum via FedEx for
testing. You need to download a Progesterone Level Request Form
from the FORMS/LINKS dropdown menu above, and you will need to
send along with the serum.
The progesterone tests
will help us to estimate when the LH surge occurs and when ovulation
occurs. These help us to determine the bitch’s most fertile period for
breeding.
Progesterone tests
should be run every other day to determine when the LH surge occurs.
When the progesterone value doubles or is at least 1.5 – 3.5 ng/ml on
the miniVidas scale, this should coincide with LH surge.
Ovulation generally is
48 to 72 hours post LH surge. The eggs then are not capable of being
fertilized until 48 hours post ovulation and then receptive for 48 to 72
hours.
When the day of LH
surge is determined, consider that day zero. Count forward 4 days and
that is the first day for a natural breeding or with chilled semen.
Usually, progesterone level is near 15.0 – 20.5 ng/ml on the miniVidas
scale.
MiniVidas results vary
somewhat from standard laboratory values. Through research we have put
together a chart that compares the miniVidas results from our machine to
lab (IDEXX) values. You can download and print our Progesterone
Value Comparison Chart on the the FORMS/LINKS dropdown menu
above.
Frozen semen should be
implanted at ideally the point when all three specifics are met:
LH testing is rarely
used today, however, it was most used when planning a frozen semen
breeding or when breeding a bitch that has a history of difficulty of
conceiving. LH tests must be done daily and the blood must be drawn at
approximately the same time each day. LH is only measurable in the
bitch for a short period of time (12 to 24 hours) and it can be easy to
miss it. An in-house test kit has been available from Synbiotics,
however a short shelf life limits its use and it currently has been
taken off the market. A link to the Synbiotics website can be found on
the the FORMS/LINKS dropdown menu above.
Please Note:
Every cycle is different for each bitch. They
are never truly the same each cycle. All timelines for when LH Surge
and Ovulation occur are if your bitch goes “By the Book”. Many girls
have not read “The Book” and therefore do not necessarily follow this
progression. Be prepared for your girl to not follow “The Book” and be
happy if she does!
You need to determine
both the type of semen you intend to use and the method of insemination
prior to beginning the progesterone timing of your bitch. The type and
method of insemination will determine when to put the semen in the
bitch.
Type
of Semen
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Fresh – stud dog
is present
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Chilled – semen is
collected elsewhere, cooled down and shipped on ice
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Frozen – semen has
been collected, frozen and stored
Method of Insemination
– some methods work better with certain types of semen than others
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Vaginal AI: Semen
is inserted vaginally and deposited near the cervix via a rigid
pipette
- NOT
recommended with frozen semen
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Trans-Cervical
Insemination (TCI): Semen inserted vaginally using a scope so that
the semen is placed through the cervix into the uterus.
- Works with
chilled, fresh or frozen semen
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Surgical
Insemination: Semen is placed into each horn of the uterus via an
abdominal incision.
-Works with all forms of semen; Recommended method with frozen semen
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