AV Preparation & Care

As you read in the lecture material, there are 2 major equine AV styles used in the United States: Colorado and Missouri.

Assembling the AV

In the movie below, you will see how to assemble the Missouri AV for collection. The critical items to remember about putting together the Missouri AV are:

1. Fill the AV with 50-55°C water.
2. Keep water away from any surface that will contact sperm since water is spermacidal.
3. Place filter in collection bottle to separate gel from semen.
4. Have anything that comes in contact with the sperm warmed so the sperm do not undergo coldshock.
5. Use a non-spermicidal water soluable lubricant in the AV to lubricate the surface that comes in contact with the stallion's penis. (Do not use mineral oil with gum rubber or latex AVs as it will case degeneration of the AV).
6. Different stallions will prefer different water temperature, pressure and amount of lubricant. You will be able to tell if the stallion does not like the AV because he will "back out" of the AV during collection and not ejaculate. Try changing the temperature of the water and/or the amount of water if this occurs. Warmer AV temperatures will be needed in winter months to compensate for cooling of the AV prior to collection.