A modified Celle container was developed for equine semen cooling and transportation. It was possible to inseminate 100 mares with 148 estral cycles. Each inseminating dose contained 400 million motile spermatozoa in 15ml extended semen in dry skim milk-glucose extender, transported for 215 min at 14ºC. The conception rates, at first cycle, and conception/cycle were 56 and 52%, respectively. During a field trial, the container propitiated a cooling rate of -0,03ºC/min between 19ºC and 9ºC, the cold shock zone. However, in a laboratory assessment the cooling rate was more accelerated. The container allowed cooling, simultaneously, of eight individual insemination doses with minimal aeration.
Equine; cooled semen; fertility; modified container
