AV Equipment, CEM & Semen Collection Sites

[Lionheart]

So this is the first year we are offering our 2 boys to outside mares. I need to find a place to have them collected (that's a different thread I have).

What I'm wondering is this...

Last year when there was the CEM outbreaks, I thought I'd heard that the stallions and/or semen was contaminated by using the same AV's on different stallions.

So... Do collection sites/stallion stations require the owners to provide their own AV's? I would think this would eliminate that problem. Or at least liability.

Does anyone know, is it actually possible for stallions to contract CEM from AV's used at collection sites?

I guess my problem is (we've done the Equine Repro course - It's great if you've not gone!) we dont know what types of AV either of our boys will "fancy".

Kathy St. Martin says they like the "french" AV, but it doesnt seem easy to find. And yet I hate the idea of purchasing an AV to find that neither of our boys likes it.

So wondering what the rest of you have heard or encountered?

Thank you in advance.

[Equine Reproduction]

So this is the first year we are offering our 2 boys to outside mares. I need to find a place to have them collected (that's a different thread I have).

What I'm wondering is this...

Last year when there was the CEM outbreaks, I thought I'd heard that the stallions and/or semen was contaminated by using the same AV's on different stallions.

This is somewhat of an ambiguous statement. The stallions "did' contract the disease, but everything that was possible was disposable. There are several theories on how the pathogen got passed from one stallion to another (they were all bred via AI, so no live cover). It could have been from the person washing the stallion may not have worn gloves or washed with a disinfectant between stallions, it could be that the breeding mount was not disinfected between stallions. No one is sure how it crossed from one stallion to the next. After the outbreak, we now wrap the end of the breeding mount with a plastic shrink wrap between stallions, wear gloves when washing and collecting stallions, everything we use that is possible is disposable (always has been), and we disinfect the AV and wash it thoroughly between stallions, before putting in a new disposable liner, etc. We also swab the stallions that are standing here at the beginning of breeding season for CEM, just as an additional precaution.

So... Do collection sites/stallion stations require the owners to provide their own AV's? I would think this would eliminate that problem. Or at least liability.

Nope. Not necessarily. And, I believe this particular facility "did" have individual AV's for each stallion. If the stallion jumps on the breeding mount with an erect penis and pre-ejaculate gets on the mount - you're contaminated. If the person doesn't wear gloves or wash between stallions - you're contaminated. Etc.

Does anyone know, is it actually possible for stallions to contract CEM from AV's used at collection sites?

Yup.

I guess my problem is (we've done the Equine Repro course - It's great if you've not gone!) we dont know what types of AV either of our boys will "fancy".

Most stallions are not terribly particular. I guess one of the convenient things about having a facility do your collecting is hopefully they will have a variety of AV's (we have 8 :D) so that if your boy doesn't particularly like one, they can try another. But truthfully, it's more important to get the temperature right and the "tension" right. The handler is the one that usually has a preference <lol>.

Kathy St. Martin says they like the "french" AV, but it doesnt seem easy to find. And yet I hate the idea of purchasing an AV to find that neither of our boys likes it.

French INRA is sold only through IMV international. http://www.imv-technologies.com/dnn/Contact/tabid/71/language/en-US/default.aspx

If you call, ask to speak to Ana. She is in charge of the Equine supplies and should be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Hope the above helps!

[Lionheart]

Thank you Kathy!