Hot weather breeding by Brian Miller

Hot weather takes its toll on animals, but especially the male breeding dog. Male dog fertility peaks around 5 years of age as does the female, but can breed and settle females long after 5 years if managed for fertility.

Season of the year:
Research tells us the season of the year does have an effect on concentration of sperm per ejaculate. Increase concentration occurs in Spring/Early Summer and lower concentration in Late Summer/Fall (Tahs 1981). Sperm concentration is thought to be influenced by photoperiod (day length) and the environmental temperature. One or both can be controlled. Though the concentration of sperm fluctuates, the normal dog is still fertile and can settle females any time of the year if managed well.

Temperature control:
The testicle is outside the body in the scrotum to keep it cooler than body temp. The breeding male is often housed outside and semen quality he is producing is sensitive to hot weather. When outside temp approaches 102°F – normal body temp – male fertility can suffer. Over 105°F and males can be subfertile or infertile if overheating happens. The issue with the testicle is the stored sperm in the epididymis – if it gets too hot the stored sperm dies and the replacement can take 60 days. Temperature is worth managing!

Water misters over the kennel with shade have long been used and can lower the environmental temp by 10°F. Simple solutions such as mister hoses, or in warm areas of the south more permanent nozzle misters, are sufficient. Timers can be set for the hottest part of day, 5 min every 30 min if temp is under 102°F and twice that high when over 102°F. Or just turn on during the 4-6 hours of afternoon sun at a low level. The shade can be permanent metal roofing or shade netting. Feedlot netting lasts for years and is effective. Just be sure to keep netting out of reach. If you have an air-conditioned kennel, keep males inside and don’t allow outside access during the hot of day. Breed when the evening cools or early morning is even better. When breeding, do not use a male in hot weather more than once a day and never pen breed.

Frequency of use:
Sperm is viable for up to nine days in a female with natural breeding. (Threlfall OSU). AI breeding sperm is viable for 3-5 days, so most of us need to breed smarter not more frequent. The female ovulates at the end of standing heat, which is why they quit standing accepting the male. The best conception rate is when females are bred 4 days before or 3 days after ovulation. That is pretty wide window to hit!

Research done on frequency of use for males found healthy stud dogs could breed once daily without affecting fertility. In hot weather, never pen breed, leaving male with female! Put the females with the male and remove after the tie to limit the temperature influence and keep sperm numbers per ejaculate high. Most breeders moved away from pen breeding to better manage their best genetic stud dogs. Breeding every 3rd day will increase the number of sperm per ejaculate and increase success if some sperm are killed by hot weather. Sub-fertile stud dogs should only be used every third day for the same reason — Limited use will increase the number of live viable sperm per ejaculate available to fertilize eggs.

Infertile or Sterile Male:
The number of live sperm and limited number of abnormal sperm more closely correlates with ability to settle females than the total number of sperm! Both can be influenced by temperature. When we check males we cannot call them sterile on the basis of one sample. Repeatable lack of sperm or dead sperm is needed to declare a stud dog infertile. There are multiple reasons for temporary infertility from trauma to the testicle or infection and this article focus — overheating. Always check at least three times over 60 days before calling the stud dog sterile.

Brucellosis:
Both male and female fertility is affected by Brucella Canis! Any dog affected with testicular issues and infertility should have B. canis in the screening test. Likewise, any dog brought into the kennel for breeding should have Brucella testing to protect your breeding stock investment.

Testing involves serum sent to a lab and the most accurate test is the PCR test done at Kansas State University and Iowa State University. Other tests for B. canis have had issues with false positives and negatives not seen with the PCR test that detects the Brucella DNA. If you have a positive test, you can be assured it is positive and, likewise the negative is negative, no repeat testing is needed to prove the test results. Please always test any new dog and especially any adult dog brought into the kennel for breeding and be sure the PCR test was the one used.

Male Fertility Supplements:
L-Carnitine plays a vital role in the process of sperm development, in promoting proper maturation, and morphology of sperm. It also has a role in ensuring the maintenance of sperm quality and vitality.
Vitamins A, C, E, and Selenium are important vitamins and cleansing antioxidants that play a key role in repairing damage caused by the environment and aging.
Grape seed Extract scours damaging free-radicals from your system and literally prevents “rusting” of tissues and cells of the testicle.
Zinc has been shown to have a positive effect on sperm formation, sperm motility, and testosterone metabolism.
Vitamins - B6, B12 and Folate are vitamins critical to male reproductive.
Lastly Vitamin D has shown to increase sperm motility and I always use if males are primarily housed inside.

These are the vitamins, minerals, and herbs found through research to be helpful in mammals for maximum fertility. They can be useful when given during the breeding season. Research these products yourself or use Breeders' Edge® Oxy-Stud™ — with all these products in it at levels research recommended. Oxy-Stud is used during breeding season and best to start 30 days before for best results. The reason for use is maximum fertility and to keep the stud dog fertile. Most products do not correct infertility but can be helpful. You have an investment in your stud dog; the use of supplements can help keep your investment fertile!

Hot weather breeding is never a sure thing and is one of the toughest management times in the kennel! Keeping your stud dogs cool and not overusing can increase your hot weather breeding success!

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