Insemination Equipment
The equipment featured here is high quality, providing precision of fine tooling delivering accurate and “butter smooth” movements with high repeatability. There is no standardization of insemination equipment and quality varies. What I recommend is what I personally use that offers proven performance. Inquire for details.
Harbo Large Capacity Syringe
An innovative large capacity syringe designed to simplify the collection, handling, storage, and shipment of semen. The Harbo syringe increases efficiency and meets specific requirements for specialized research purposes. It is compatible with most insemination instruments on the market.
Glass Tips for Instrumental Insemination
Custom-made glass tips are sized to the subspecies of queen bees inseminated. Tips are finished with an angled edge (unless otherwise specified), providing more surface area for semen collection and a leading edge to bypass the valve fold. Tip length is sized to fit either the Harbo syringe and Schley syringe. When ordering, please specify the bee stock and syringe type used.
Glass Tip Choices to Consider:
SIZING The tip finish is sized to the subspecies of queens inseminated, varying from 0.12mm to 0.20mm. In general, 0.14 to 0.16mm is recommended for most. Please specify.
FINISH The tip finish is angled or straight, based on personal preference. The angled finish is preferred and recommended as this provides a larger surface area for semen collection and a leading edge for insemination, especially when using tips sized with a finer OD finish. Tips are handmade, so slight variations occur in the tip finish, the degree of angle and taper. Please specify preferences when ordering.
LENGTH The length of tips varys depend upon syringe design. The Harbo syringe uses a 3.5cm length, the European style syringe uses a length of 7cm. The short tips designed for the Harbo syringe are easily changeable and connected to the capillary storage tube with a small piece of latex tubing. This provides flexibility, easy disconnect/assembly and helps prevent breakage of the tip. The European style tips and storage tube are one piece with a rigid attachment.
CLEANING Tips can be reused with proper cleaning. Tips are fragile and breakage often happens during cleaning, especially when removing mucus plugs. Here are some guidelines to keep your tips clean and avoid breakage.
After use, flush tips with distilled water and soak in a solution of distilled water and 10% sodium hypochlorite (bleach). To flush, a syringe or squeeze bottle works well – start from the large end to avoid breakage. Note - bleach tends to loosen the residue and will sterilize the tip. Flush well with distilled water before use.
Note: Do not soak tips after use in alcohol, as this will fix residual tissue and make tips difficult to clean.
If there is residue in the tip after flushing, a cleaning wire can be used to remove this. Insert the wire into the large end of the tip and work this back and forth while turning the tip to loosen the residue. Flush well. Do this under the microscope with care not to break the tip.
REMOVING A MUCUS PLUG
There are several steps to remove a mucus plug from the tip dependent upon the severity of the plug. The first concern is saving the semen previously collected. Using a Harbo syringe, first draw the semen from the glass tip into the capillary tube, possible. This is accomplished by moving the micrometer back and forth with the tip in saline, to tease the plug out of the end of the tip. Try to isolate the mucus plug in the tip, remove the tip. Flush out the plug- from the larger end of the tip. Canned pressurized air is useful if the plug is lodged in the tip and cannot be pushed out.
Note: Do not keep turning the micrometer without movement - as pressure will build up.
If the plug cannot be removed by flushing or blowing out with canned air - a cleaning wire can be used. First try pushing out the plug from the large end of the tip. If this does not work, as a last resort - push the plug out of the fine end of the tip with the cleaning wire. Do this carefully, under the microscope so the tip is not chipped or broken. When loosened from the point of the tip, the plug can be flushed out.
Schley Insemination Instruments
The Schley instruments are precision-machined, highly adjustable, and provide fine, accurate movements with high repeatability and low maintenance. Components include:
- A sturdy base (brass with plated finish)
- Ball & socket assemblies for smooth movement of hooks (ventral hook and pressure grip forceps or perforated sting hook)
- Syringe manipulator and syringe
- Queen holder assembly with queen and backup tubes
Various syringe types can be used : the standard Schley syringe, the Harbo large capacity syringe, and the Schley modified Harbo-type syringe.
Semen Collection Station
An innovative large capacity syringe designed to simplify the collection, handling, storage, and shipment of semen. The Harbo syringe increases efficiency and meets specific requirements for specialized research purposes. It is compatible with most insemination instruments on the market.
Short Term Semen Storage
The Harbo Syringe was designed by John Harbo to simplify the collection and storage of semen. Easy detachable capillary tubes provide a practical means to collect multiple tubes of semen for storage or transport. Capillary tubes of semen can be easily shipped, minimizing the risk of pests and disease compared to the shipment of live bees. A major advantage, semen can be held at room temperature for several days to several weeks, increases flexibility and convenience in insemination scheduling.
Parts & Accessories
Replacement parts and consumables for the instruments and syringes are available. These are fitted for the Schley Instruments and original Harbo Syringe. Please inquire as to items needed and type of instrumentation you are using to ensure a proper fit. Various lab. accessories and misc. parts are also available. Please inquire.
Please inquire for items, availability and pricing
Drone Flight Cage
The flight cage provides release and easy access of drones during semen collection. The mesh cage has a vinyl floor and a sleeve opening. The cage is collapsible, easy to assemble, and washable. A lightweight fiberglass framework, constructed outside the structure provides support and is easily removable. Suggest a light above and bit of honey or candy to keep drones warm and stimulated during semen collection.
Contact
Please contact Susan Cobey for current prices and availability.
scobey@mac.com