Proper Gun Loading Procedures are Important when Using ¼ cc Semen Straws By: Sarah Thorson, Training Programs Manager, CRI
If you have used semen from any of the Genex Scottish Angus bulls or GenChoice™ sexed semen, you have noticed it is packaged different than traditional Genex semen. This semen has been packaged in ¼ cc straws, versus the traditional ½ cc straw. The smaller straw size allows for this semen to be packaged 10 semen straws in the bottom goblet, with an empty top goblet, compared to the five straw in the top goblet, five straws in the bottom goblet that most of us are used to.
½ cc straws: cut the straw at a slight angle.
It is important to recognize gun loading procedures for ¼ cc straws are different and should be followed to achieve optimum performance from the ¼ cc straw package size. We have developed a set of protocols that should be used when loading the ¼ cc straw into either a universal artificial insemination (A.I.) gun or ¼ cc A.I. gun. The nice thing about using a universal A.I. gun versus ¼ cc straw gun, is adaptability for both ½ cc and ¼ cc straws. That way, even if you may have some semen ¼ cc straws: cut straight across the straw. packaged in ½ cc straws and some in ¼ cc straws you still only need one gun. Secure the cut end of the straw into the insert of the sheath. When removing the ¼ cc straw from the semen tank it a. For the All-2-Mate™ O-ring gun use the split sheath is important to always use tweezers. Tweezers designed with the green insert. specifically for ½ cc straws may not work effectively with b. For the All-2-Mate™ spiral gun and KombiColor use the ¼ cc straws; ask your local Genex representative about non-split sheath with blue insert. tweezers for ¼ cc straws.
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To Properly Load Universal or ¼ cc Guns:
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Pull the plunger of the gun back six to seven inches. Place the straw directly into the barrel of the gun with the plugged end in the gun and the crimped end sticking out. Give the straw a quarter turn to ensure it is properly seated in the gun.
Use a clean scissors to cut through the air space below the crimped end of the straw. Keep in mind ½ cc and ¼ cc straws are cut differently. For ½ cc straws, cut at a slight angle. For ¼ cc straws, cut straight across.
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To secure the straw into the sheath, place the sheath over the gun and straw. Pinch lightly above the insert and apply pressure until you feel the straw lock into place inside the guide cup. Seating the straw into the insert assures the semen cannot run back into the sheath during deposition.
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Finally, secure the sheath onto the gun. a. To secure the sheath onto the spiral gun, pull the sheath down over the barrel of the gun until the end of the sheath touches the spirals on the gun and the insert is near the end of the sheath (Figure 1). Screw the sheath onto the spirals at the base of the gun until you meet resistance (Figure 2). The end of the insert should now be into the tip of the sheath (Figure 3).