Hygienic aspects of storage and use of semen for artificial insemination

The artificial insemination (AI) industry has developed over the last 50 years to the extent that it is used in almost every country in the world. One of the main factors contributing to its success is the confidence of the farmers that germplasm is not associated with pathogens, so that AI can be performed without risks. This has been achieved as a result of a considerable amount of research based on sound scientific data that has identified the major risk pathogens. A summary of these studies, given in this section, shows that despite the large number of agents that could be transmitted via the semen, there are cost-effective means to prevent such hazards. One of the basic rules is that the males should be housed in strictly protected semen collection centres (SCCs). Such centres should be approved by the veterinary authorities based upon specific criteria, which include special housing and operating specifications. This also includes specific means of monitoring the health of individual males through regular clinical examinations, assessment of semen and testings for various diseases. Two new challenges can now be identified, one relevant to so-called emerging diseases the impact of which on the status of the semen donors should always be assessed, and the second, relates to endangered genetic resources which may become extinct without active conservation programmes. The experience gained by the AI industry over the last 50 years should help to solve those problems. Currently, the use of semen derived from approved SCCs warrants their disease-free status.