Why is fresh cooled horse semen better than frozen?

[astro]

From this AP story in Salon. What is the technical reason fresh cooled horse semen is preferred over frozen semen?

Shatner’s ex-wife sues over horse semen
May 7, 2003 | VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) –

William Shatner’s ex-wife has sued him for breach of contract over breeding privileges of three American saddlebred stallions.

Marcy Lafferty Shatner claims in her civil lawsuit that her ex-husband broke an agreement in their 1995 divorce settlement that allowed her one breeding privilege per calendar year.

The lawsuit says that until this breeding season, the ‘‘Star Trek" star provided Lafferty the semen of one of the horses, Great Day’s Came the Son, in ‘‘fresh cooled format." In March, the lawsuit says, Lafferty learned the breeding privileges from that horse and two other stallions would be in the form of frozen semen.

‘‘Mr. Shatner’s offer to provide semen from the three stallions in question in frozen form is unacceptable to Ms. Lafferty," says the lawsuit, filed in late April in Woodford County Circuit Court. ‘‘Potential buyers of the breeding privileges do not want the semen in frozen format."

The 72-year-old actor has owned central Kentucky horse farms since the mid-1980s and has homes in Lexington and Studio City, Calif. As of Tuesday, he hadn’t responded to the lawsuit.

This isn’t Shatner’s first legal entanglement involving horse breeding. In 1990, a former associate sued him over breeding rights to a world champion fine harness horse. Shatner won that case in Fayette County Circuit Court.

[j_kat_251]

Milkshakes don’t taste as good with chunks of ice in them. :eek:

[Ice_Wolf]

Conception rates are found to be lower with frozen semen, it seems.

From this site regarding appaloosa breeding:

For breeding within the U.S. and Canada, we recommend fresh cooled semen over frozen semen. Frozen semen is much more expensive to ship than cooled semen. The conception rates with frozen semen are not nearly as high as with fresh cooled semen. Frozen semen must be thawed in a precise manner and once thawed does not stay viable very long. Mares must be palpated every 6 hours to accurately pinpoint ovulation. The majority of veterinarians are no equipped to handle frozen semen. Most frozen semen is sold by the straw (dose) without any guarantees.

[Little_Nemo]

This week’s entry for “Misleading Quotes Taken Out of Context”

Marcy Lafferty Shatner claims in her civil lawsuit that her ex-husband broke an agreement in their 1995 divorce settlement that allowed her one breeding privilege per calendar year.

[Liz]

I actually like my horse semen slightly warm with a nice parsley garnish.

I’m sorry. I am so sorry.