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01948 666 295

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Epididymal Semen Extraction – Your Stallion’s Last Chance

At Stallion AI Services, we understand the importance of preserving your stallion’s genetics. His bloodlines, temperament, and performance are the result of years of dedication, and losing those genetics can be devastating.
Our Epididymal Semen Extraction (also known as Epididymal Semen Harvesting) service offers one final opportunity to safeguard your stallion’s legacy—even when traditional semen collection is no longer possible.

Recognised globally as one of the most trusted and advanced stallion freezing centres, our expert team combines experience, compassion, and scientific excellence to achieve the highest standards in equine semen preservation.

Using our renowned SAIS Freezing Extender, developed and refined in-house, we achieve outstanding post-thaw success rates and excellent fertility outcomes for breeders across the world.

Epididymal Semen Harvesting – The Latest Pioneering Method of Semen Recovery

Post-castration Epididymal Semen Extraction is a pioneering collection technique that allows semen recovery where other options do not. The process involves removing sperm-rich fluid from the epididymis, the structure attached to the testes that stores and matures sperm cells before ejaculation.

This method can be used:

Following routine castration,
After sudden death of the stallion, or
When the testes have suffered severe trauma or torsion.

It is particularly valuable in unplanned or emergency situations, offering owners one final opportunity to recover and freeze viable semen for future breeding.

When Should It Be Used?

Under ordinary circumstances, valuable breeding stallions have semen collected and frozen during off-season or when breeding programmes have concluded.
However, if this is not possible, or in cases of sudden and unexpected death, Epididymal Semen Extraction provides a chance to salvage and freeze semen retrospectively, preserving your stallion’s genetic contribution to future generations.

Understanding the Epididymis – A Valuable Hub of Semen

The epididymis is a long, coiled tubular duct running along the testes, consisting of three sections: the head, body, and tail.
It is here that sperm cells undergo their final stages of maturation and are stored prior to ejaculation.

At any given time, up to 62% of a stallion’s total sperm population can be found in the tail of the epididymis, making it a significant and often life-saving source of viable semen that can be harvested after castration.

What Happens During Epididymal Semen Extraction?

The procedure begins with the removal of one or both testes using standard veterinary castration techniques.
The testicles are then carefully packaged and shipped via same-day courier to Stallion AI Services, ensuring they remain in the correct condition for recovery.

Once received, our trained laboratory team performs a meticulous four-hour extraction procedure to harvest, evaluate, and freeze the sperm cells contained within the epididymis using our state-of-the-art freezing technology.

Is Semen Always Recovered?

While Epididymal Semen Extraction offers a powerful final opportunity, it is not guaranteed.
Success depends on factors such as stallion health, the time elapsed since death or castration, and the handling and shipping of the testicles.

However, for sexually mature and reproductively normal stallions, and when correct procedures are followed, the recovery success rate is high.

How Many Doses Can Be Recovered?

The number of doses obtained varies between stallions and depends on age, fertility, and the conditions surrounding castration or death.
On average, 10–60 doses of semen can be recovered from reproductively normal stallions when handled and processed correctly.

Semen Quality and Fertility

Semen quality following epididymal recovery is generally good for normal, healthy stallions but can vary.
Fertility rates may be slightly lower compared with ejaculated semen due to reduced exposure to seminal plasma, which aids activation.

At Stallion AI Services, our use of the world-leading SAIS Freezing Extender helps to mitigate this effect, supporting better sperm survival and maintaining fertility potential in frozen epididymal samples.

Epididymal Semen Extraction and ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

With advances in reproductive technologies, ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is becoming an increasingly popular way to utilise epididymal semen.
This highly efficient technique requires only one sperm cell per oocyte, helping breeders conserve their sperm reserves while still achieving pregnancies.

When used for ICSI, epididymal semen produces comparable pregnancy rates to conventional frozen ejaculated semen, offering an exciting route for continued breeding success.

Health Testing Requirements

Standard pre-breeding health tests apply to stallions undergoing post-castration epididymal semen extraction.
Testing for Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas must be completed in line with Stallion AI Services’ laboratory guidelines.
(Include a link to your health testing requirements document.)

Freeze + Castrate Service

If you’re planning a castration, consider our complete SAIS Freeze + Castrate package.
Your stallion can stay at our facility in Whitchurch, Shropshire, where we will:

Collect and freeze semen prior to castration
Arrange veterinary castration through our trusted partners
Provide post-operative recovery and care

This service offers a convenient, all-in-one solution for owners who wish to ensure their stallion’s genetics are safely stored before castration.

Why Choose Stallion AI Services?

Over 25 years of experience in equine reproductive technology
Global reputation as a world-leading stallion freezing centre
Exclusive use of the SAIS Freezing Extender for superior post-thaw results
Highly experienced and compassionate equine reproductive specialists
Excellent success rates with epididymal semen extraction and pregnancy outcomes

We combine scientific excellence with genuine care, giving every owner confidence that their stallion’s legacy can live on.

Contact

📞 01948 666 295
📧 office@stallionai.com | lab@stallionai.com

Contact our team today for more information or emergency guidance.
In those critical moments, time matters, our experts are here to help.