Services & Fees
Specializing in the Cryopreservation of Canine Semen
Based in Gladstone, OR, ICSB is one of the most trusted providers of canine semen collection and freezing services to dog breeders worldwide. We attribute our success and longevity in the industry to our excellent customer care and through using the most advanced technology in the industry. The services we offer include:
ICSB specializes in collecting and freezing canine semen at our office and through our mobile laboratory for dog shows and clinics (collections at these events are subject to an additional mobile lab fee). Please see our service guide as follows:
Form to fill out: New Dog Authorization and Agreement Form for a first-time collection or if stud is not currently at our facility. Repeat Authorization Form if the stud’s semen has been collected and is currently stored at our facility.
Fees:
- New Dog Freeze- Collection & Freezing of stud not currently stored with ICSB
$270 Collection, Evaluation, and Freezing fee. Covers the first 4 vials, additional vials are $73 each
$57 File Preparation
$95 First Year of Storage (annual storage fee for each group of 30 vials or less; one vial is one insemination.)
Total Base Fee: $422* (same for samples shipped in) - Repeat Collection- Collection & Freezing of stud currently stored with ICSB
$270 Collection, Evaluation, and Freezing fee. Covers the first 4 vials, additional vials are $73 each
Total Base Fee: $270* (same for samples shipped in) - *Unsuccessful Freeze Attempt- *If the semen does not have the quality to attempt freezing, we will stop processing at the evaluation, which will be $125 If the semen has the quality to potentially freeze a breeding unit, we will continue processing the freeze, however, if the post-thaw quality after freezing is not high enough to store a breeding unit, the discounted processing fee is an additional $27 which will bring the total processing fee to $152. ICSB cannot guarantee the outcome of processing a sample.
Registry Requirements: ICSB is required to have copies of all registration certificates the stud is registered to, this includes AKC, CKC, ASCA, FDSB, ADBA, etc. If AKC-registered the stud is also required to have an AKC DNA Profile Number in order to register litters produced from the frozen semen. Please see AKC's DNA Profile Program for more information. Please check with your specific registry to ensure you are completing all necessary steps to store and register litters resulting from frozen semen on your stud.
Request an in-office appointment or Request an appointment at an event
After the collection process we evaluate the sperm count, motility, and morphology to check the quality of the ejaculate. If the sperm meets our criteria, we begin the freezing process. The entire freeze process takes about an hour but you and your stud are free to go after the collection.
If the semen quality or quantity is too low to perform full counts or there is no sperm in the collection then the fee is $80 for a cursory evaluation and collection.
A freeze report will be sent to the client by mail and/or email after the freezing process is completed. It will include the quality, count, post-thaw rate, and a number of vials/breeding units stored.
This exclusive technology was developed by ICSB and has been in use for more than 40 years. Epididymal Harvesting allows us to extract the sperm cells from your dog’s testes and freeze them for later use. Using this service, you can continue your breeding program from remote locations and ship your dog’s testes after neutering or an unforeseen event. Please see our service guide as follows:
Shipping testes to ICSB: Ship the testes to our office (430 West Arlington St. Gladstone, OR 97027) using the ICSB Epi kit for overnight delivery between 9am-12:30pm M-F. Please contact ICSB for weekend and holiday availability. Please always call our office ahead of the neuter to ensure we will be in the office to process the sample. NEVER FREEZE THE TESTES.
Form to fill out: New Dog Authorization and Agreement Form for a first-time collection or if stud is not currently at our facility. Repeat Authorization Form if the stud’s semen has been collected and is currently stored at our facility.
Fees: $592 base fee (if successful):
$170 Epidydimal Harvest Processing (this is the fee if there is no sperm present after the harvest)
$270 Evaluation, and Freezing fee. Covers the first 4 vials, additional vials are $73 each
$57 File Preparation
$95 First Year of Storage
**Fee for Labor & Processing if harvest is successful but freeze attempt is unsuccessful: $280
If you would like us to return the specimen/testes, we kindly ask for advance notice and either a provided return label or authorization/payment for us to generate one. Please note that we are unable to retrieve the specimen from our biohazard waste, so advance notification is necessary if you wish to keep it. Prompt handling and return of the specimen is crucial to prevent decomposition.
If you do not want to freeze your stud's sample and just want to know the quality of his semen, we can do an evaluation. This service is available in our office and dog shows/events (subject to additional mobile lab fee). Please see our service guide as follows:
Form to fill out: Canine Semen Evaluation Authorization Form
Fees:
$125 Full evaluation: a report will be emailed and mailed to you
$80 Cursory evaluation: if semen quality/quantity is too poor to perform full counts
Request an in-office appointment or Request an appointment at an event
We prepare fresh-collected semen in our office using our most advanced shipping media (PDV-06) and keep it chilled in our ICSB Puppy-Pak for shipping. We recommend overnight delivery and use within 24hrs after the collection. Please see our service guide as follows:
Form to fill out: Fresh-Chilled Semen Shipment Authorization Form (one per collection & shipment)
Fees: starting at $220 plus shipping:
Collection and Cursory Evaluation: $160 or Full Evaluation: $210
Puppy-Pak: $60
Overnight shipping: dependent on zip code, contact ICSB for an estimate
*Please note, we have received notification from our shippers that any delays, especially due to COVID-19 closures, will not be covered by insurance, or be eligible for guaranteed service refunds.
Request an in-office appointment: Please note this type of appointment must be scheduled no later than 1pm to ensure we have enough time to prepare the shipment before our daily scheduled pick-up. If delivery date is Saturday, please contact ICSB with the destination zip code to ensure Saturday delivery is available to that location.
TCI is a highly successful insemination method, facilitating the deposition of semen directly into the uterus. TCI is compatible with fresh-collected, fresh-chilled, or frozen semen. The TCI method permits the option of multiple inseminations performed, further increasing the potential success of conception. ICSB recommends at least two inseminations. This procedure does not require the use of anesthesia, nor does it involve any surgical intervention, thus eliminating the need for post-operative recovery time. Please see our service guide below for fees and forms:
Frozen Semen Stored at ICSB in Oregon:
Forms to Fill Out: Frozen Semen Release Authorization Form for AI & Authorization for TCI (one per insemination)
Fees:
Semen Prep (up to 4 vials/b.u.): $140*
First TCI: $500
Second TCI: $450
*If we are unable to enter vaginal canal, a Discounted Semen Prep Fee of $70 will be charged
Frozen Semen Being Shipped In:
Forms to Fill Out: Authorization for TCI (one per insemination) & Authorization and Agreement for Semen Intake and Release for Artificial Insemination (AI)
Fees:
Semen Intake: $57
Storage: $10/month
Semen Prep (up to 4 vials/b.u.): $140*
First TCI: $500
Second TCI: $450
*If we are unable to enter vaginal canal, a Discounted Semen Prep Fee of $70 will be charged
Fresh-Chilled Semen & Fresh-Collected Semen:
Forms to Fill Out: Authorization for TCI (one per insemination) & Stud Information Form for TCI (one per insemination)
Fees:
First TCI: $500
Second TCI: $450
*If we are unable to enter vaginal canal, a Discounted Semen Prep Fee of $40 will be charged
Please note if you wish to do more than the recommended two inseminations, each additional one would be $450.
*Fees are subject to change and do not include stat fees, after hours fees or holiday fees.
ICSB provides vaginal artificial insemination services 24/7/365 in our office (after hours/weekend appointments have an additional fee and must be prearranged).
Please see our service guide as follows:
Types of Vaginal Artificial Inseminations:
-
- Fresh Collect (Side-By-Side) Vaginal Insemination- Manual collection of male and vaginal insemination of female with collected sample using an insemination rod (does not go past the cervix)
- Fresh Chilled Vaginal Insemination- Vaginal insemination of female with fresh chilled sample
- Frozen Vaginal Insemination- Vaginal insemination of female with frozen semen. ICSB strongly recommends Surgical or Transcervical insemination when using frozen semen
Form to fill out: Authorization for Vaginal Artificial Insemination (one per insemination), or if using frozen semen stored at our facility, you will also need the Frozen Semen Release Authorization Form for AI.
$300* with frozen semen ($140 semen prep + $160 insemination) (If unable to inseminate: $180)
$190* with fresh collected semen (if unable to inseminate $80)
$160* with fresh chilled semen (if unable to inseminate $40)
*Fees are subject to change and do not include stat fees, after hours fees ($170) or holiday fees ($230).
ICSB assists with surgical inseminations at Gresham Animal Hospital and are on call 24/7 for breedings. We recommend contacting Gresham Animal Hospital with your intent to use their services to schedule your breeding and for their fees.
Please see our service guide as follows:
Form to fill out: Service Authorization Form or if using frozen semen stored at our facility: Frozen Semen Release Authorization Form.
Fees:
Travel & Assist: $145
Semen Prep: $145 (Frozen semen or fresh-chilled semen)
OR
Semen Prep: $175 (Fresh-collected semen)
*Fees are subject to change and do not include stat fees, after hours fees ($170) or holiday fees ($230).
This blood test is a highly reliable tool for determining the ideal time for breeding. ICSB recommends starting progesterone testing around day 7-9 after the onset of bleeding. In cases where the female dog has a known history of irregular cycles, we advise conducting the testing at an earlier stage. In-house test results ready same day.
To maximize the chances of a successful AI, we highly recommend progesterone testing. This offers us the best "window of insemination" wherein the largest number of eggs are available for the semen to fertilize. Lack of testing is shown to significantly decrease your chances of success and, if successful, decrease your litter size, therefore we highly encourage testing.
Form: Authorization for Timing Services (valid for 30 days once signed)
Fees: In-house: 1st test $180*, follow-up tests $120*
*Fees are subject to change and do not include after-hours or holiday fees.
We provide our frozen semen shipping services for domestic and international clients. Additionally, we intake frozen semen for both short-term and long-term storage. If shipping semen internationally, please email your inquiry to [email protected] so our international department can look into the specific requirements for that country and the fees associated with that. Please see our service guide as follows:
For Domestic Frozen Semen Shipping:
Form to fill out: Frozen Semen Release Authorization Form The semen owner must complete and sign the form. The recipient and the person paying for the shipment will sign and complete their portion of the form as well.
Fees: starting at $245* plus shipping:
Semen Preparation: $140 per 4 vials (every additional group of up to 4 vials is $30)
One-Week Tank Rental: $105
Overnight or Two-Day Shipping: dependent on destination
Return Shipping: dependent on destination
*Please note this estimate does not include Stat Fees, a one-day notice Stat Fee is $85, a same-day notice Stat Fee is $120. Notice is given when we receive the completed Release Form. Everything must be confirmed before 11AM PST in order to ship out same day.
If local to our facility, curbside pick-ups are available upon request.
For Frozen Semen Intake:
There are no import requirements for frozen canine semen being sent into the United States. We are here Monday through Friday to accept deliveries, please notify us before shipping to ensure we are available. Ship to our physical address: 430 West Arlington St. Gladstone, OR 97027.
Form to fill out: Semen Intake Authorization and Agreement Form
Fees:
Semen Intake: $57*
Annual Storage: $95* (vials) or $101* (straws)
*Fees are per stud
To store with us, we will need the following:
- notice when the semen is to arrive, preferably with the tracking number
- clear ownership paperwork (if needed, use our Transfer of Ownership Form)
- thawing instructions
- thaw media
- semen quality report
- the stud's registration certificate
- the stud's third generation pedigree (optional, but recommended, as this is required for many registries to register litters produced)
- the stud's DNA profile (optional, but recommended, as this is required for many registries to register litters produced)
These may all be sent by email or with the semen when it arrives. Part of our intake process is assessing the paperwork to see what other information we may need and we will notify you of this after the semen intake is complete.
Reproductive Culture: $490- If our ICSB technician suspects an infection in the reproductive tract we can send the sample to culture for common reproductive infections. The MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will test for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and Aerobic Bacteria*, which are some of the most common infections in a dog's reproductive tract. Testing typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Some infections that may not be identified in this test include prostate, urinary tract, and other infections present in other parts of the body. If no infections were found in the culture, we would recommend seeing your vet to see if any of these infections may be present.
*If you'd like to complete these tests with your vet, we recommend that they culture the stud's ejaculate for these infections.
Alkaline Phosphatase: $240- If the stud ejaculates but produces no sperm, ICSB technicians will recommend this test to determine if blockages exist in the epididymis.
Acrosome Integrity: $340- ICSB only recommends this test if semen quality is normal, but the stud still fails to produce pregnancies. This tests to ensure the enzyme cap on the sperm is functional.
Form To Fill Out: Service Authorization Form
ICSB offers Ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, this is a great non-invasive diagnostic tool to verify pregnancy. We recommend scheduling a Pregnancy Ultrasound 35 days after breeding. ICSB technicians can only determine if the Bitch is pregnant or not at the time of the ultrasound. ICSB cannot confirm the number of puppies, health of puppies or Bitch, gestational length, etc. ICSB will provide you with Ultrasound photo(s).
Form: Pregnancy Ultrasound Authorization Form
Fee: $155
ICSB offers a vaginal cytology (swab and staining of vaginal cells) to estimate the best time to breed by examining the morphology of the vaginal cells. We recommend scheduling the first cytology around day 7-9 after bleeding starts.
Form: Authorization for Timing Services (valid for 30 days once signed)
Fee: $70
Request an in-office appointment
To maximize the chances of a successful AI, we highly recommend progesterone testing. This offers us the best "window of insemination" wherein the largest number of eggs are available for the semen to fertilize. Vaginal exfoliative cytology is the next best method to estimate the optimal insemination day(s). Lack of testing is shown to significantly decrease your chances of success and, if successful, decrease your litter size, therefore we highly encourage testing.
ICSB can administer a Canine Sperm Survival Test in our office to determine how long your stud’s semen can survive in our fresh-chilled media (PDV-06) after collection. The purpose of this test is to give the owner an idea of how long the sperm cells remain motile prior to the purchase of a canine fresh semen shipping kit.
Form: Service Authorization Form
Fee: $270
Request an in-office appointment: Please make your appointment earlier in the week since we are closed on the weekend and cannot monitor the sample.
ICSB can provide post-thaw analysis of semen that has been frozen to determine the current quality of the sample. A report will be emailed and mailed to you once completed and typically takes 2-3 business days to complete depending on lab availability.
Form: Post-Thaw Retest Authorization Form
Fee: $80 per collection date
Utilizing Advanced Methods of Cryopreservation
We utilize the most advanced pelleting method in the semen freezing industry, which was developed by Prof. Platz over 50 years of research. It has been proven to be the most effective method of freezing semen for long-term storage, holding the record for the oldest sample successfully used for insemination, which was stored for more than four decades.
In 1970, ICSB was the first to successfully inseminate and produce a litter using frozen canine semen in pellet form. Since then, we have remained the industry leader in the field of canine semen cryopreservation.
Pelleting Method Versus the Straw Method
There are currently two technologies that can be used to freeze canine semen, the pelleting method and straw method. When freezing canine semen, the pelleting method allows changes in temperature to occur very quickly when compared to the .5mL straws, as pellets are only 1/16 of the volume. An eight-year study supported by the American Kennel Club concluded that the pellet form has a higher number of viable sperm cells during the freezing process and more cells were recovered with a high motility.
When comparing both methods, pelletized semen was 20-60% higher depending on the size of the straws that were used. The pellet method also boasts a higher conception rate of 93% when compared to the 73-85% of the straw method. Additionally, the litter size using pelleting averages a normal size while the straw method often produces smaller than normal litters.
