Norwegian Red (NRF) x Holstein cow in Germany where non-return rates improved dramatically with SpermVital semen in warm summer months. Photo: Elly Geverink
SpermVital – extends the life of semen after insemination
SpermVital is a new revolutionary insemination technology that makes the timing of insemination less critical and increases the number of pregnancies in dairy cows. SpermVital semen extends the life of sperm cells after insemination for an extra 24 hours.
The innovative SpermVital technology is developed by scientists in Geno together with Sintef (the largest independent research association in Scandinavia) and is the result of a decade of research and studies.
What is SpermVital semen?
SpermVital is a unique technology that extends the life of semen after insemination. This makes the timing of insemination less critical and increases the number of pregnancies. To achive this, sperm cells are immobilized in a natural substance before cryopreservation. This immobilization preserves energy and enables a controlled release of sperm cells in the uterus after insemination over an extended period of time. This makes timing of insemination less critical and increases the number of pregnancies.
SpermVital semen prolongs the life of the sperm cells in the uterus for an extra 24 hours!
International market tests and studies
SpermVital semen has been used internationally by dairy farmers since 2009. The first market to launch SpermVital semen (outside Norway) was Italy through Geno Italy. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from this market.
SpermVital has also been sold and tested under field conditions in Germany, Holland and UK. The technology was awarded first prize for "Best new product" at Agriscot in November 2010.
SpermVital tested in Germany
A herd of 1200 dairy cows in Niedersachsen, Germany tested SpermVital semen in the summer of 2010 via the Geno Global partner TwoPlus. During the normally difficult months of July and August, several hundred Holstein cows were randomly inseminated with either ordinary Holstein semen or SpermVital semen from 3 Norwegian Red (NRF) bulls. Non-return rates improved dramatically for the group using SpermVital semen, and was higher than both summer and year average in this herd. Compared to the expected summer average, the SpermVital group outperformed this estimate by close to 100%!
SpermVital tested in Holland
The Geno partner Xsires and students from Christelijke Agrarische Hogeschool conducted a three-month trial using the product. The average pregnancy rate of the SpermVital inseminated cows was 49% compared to 25% with the Holstein semen.
Several hundred Holstein cows from 30 herds were randomly inseminated with either ordinary Holstein semen or SpermVital semen from the NRF bull 10177 Braut. Only Holstein cows that were not pregnant from 1st inseminations were a part of the study; 231 SpermVital inseminations and 204 Holstein inseminations were made.
Norwegian Red (NRF) bull 10177 Braut. Photo: Elly Geverink
How to use SpermVital semen
At first sign of heat inseminate the cow following normal AI procedure and methods.
SpermVital semen is produced and delivered in the same straws as conventional bull semen, and is thawed and handled in the same way as ordinary semen.
Availability of SpermVital semen
SpermVital semen is exclusively available from Norwegian Red (NRF) sires through Geno Global’s subsidiaries and distributors in Europe (June 2011).
Trials and milestones of SpermVital.
| 2003 |
Started research and try outs with new technology |
| 2006 |
Patent application submitted |
| 2007 |
New technology successfully combined with cryopreservation |
| 2007-2008 |
Field trials with frozen SpermVital semen |
| 2009 |
Field trial pilot on Norwegian Red cows in Norway |
| 2009 |
Launch of SpermVital Norwegian Red semen for crossbreeding in Italian market |
| 2010 |
Large scale field trial in Norway |