services

RVRC is a Swine Veterinary Practice with an emphasis on Boar Studs, Air Filtration, Biosecurity, Semen Analysis, and Research. dr. darwin reicks is Licensed Veterinarian in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. he is a Recipient of the 2005 Al Leman Science in Practice Award.

We have been working with Boar Studs and Semen analysis for Swine for 25 years. we have been implementing filtration systems in livestock facilities for 14 years on well over 100 farms.

We have consulted and/or given presentations in the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, China, Australia, Spain, France, Ireland, and Belgium as well as having worked in 18 different states and 5 Canadian provinces.

Andrology Lab Programs

End Product Monitoring Program

Purpose: Continuous monitoring of bacterial contamination and sperm counts which should be done at least weekly to make timely adjustments. Bacterial contamination can change daily. Photometers and technique can drift over time and become inaccurate. CASA machines and associated techniques also need to be monitored routinely.

What to send: Extended semen doses that would normally get used to breed sows. Ship to RVRC Lab with 1-2 gel packs (gel packs at 16-18 C) in a small cooler. Include a submission form which collects various data important to boar stud monitoring. You may also drop off at the lab. There are only samples from boar studs there to alleviate biosecurity concerns.

What information is provided:

  • Results of bacteria culturing. We forward positive results to the University of Minnesota for isolate identification and track this in our database.

  • Morphological analysis:

    • Each submission yields the following output results: Total Sperm (Nucleocounter), Morphology breakdown (CASA), Motility (CASA), Normal sperm, Bacterial count, Calculated average sperm per dose and standard deviation

  • Dr. Reicks reviews results and can provide recommendations are made as needed at no extra charge.

  • Benchmarking provided for studs.

  • Lab Manager: Lisa Domeier

    • Managed a 438-head boar stud for 8 years

    • Knows how a boar stud works; from boar collection to lab processing and can answer questions from first-hand experience

    • Degree in Biology

CIVAL Participation (Consortium of Independent Veterinary Andrology Laboratories)

  • The RVRC Lab is one of three labs that adhere to strict quality guidelines along with University of Pennsylvania (Dr. Gary Althouse) and Kuster Research and Consulting (Dr. Chris Kuster).