Vetogene

Vetogene, a spin-off of the University of Milan, was founded in 2003 and focuses on research and innovative services based on animal DNA analysis. The company acts as a technical and scientific partner for universities, public institutions, dog and cat owners, canine associations and groups, breeders, and veterinary facilities, including at international level.

The Vetogene project, headquartered at Fondazione Filarete in Milan, involves professors and researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Milan, who are highly qualified in genetic and behavioral research on companion animals.

More recently, Vetogene partnered with BioRep to develop a new project focused on the storage of canine semen and the subsequent creation of a semen bank.

Cryopreserved semen is increasingly used for the artificial insemination of companion animals and for the preservation of genetic material from rare species and valuable breeds. Sperm cells can in fact be preserved for virtually unlimited periods through freezing in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. When the male and female animals are located in different countries, semen preservation makes it possible to avoid transporting the animals, as artificial insemination can be performed using preserved semen shipped directly to the female’s location.

Within the project involving Vetogene and BioRep, Vetogene is responsible for the semen freezing procedures, while BioRep acts as the storage facility.

The preservation process involves dilution with specific media designed to maintain the viability and functional integrity of sperm cells during exposure to non-physiological temperatures. The semen is then packaged in straws, appropriately labeled and catalogued using barcodes produced and supplied by BioRep, and placed in visotubes.

BioRep is responsible for transferring the biological material to its facility using suitable containers designed for transport in nitrogen vapor.

At BioRep, the biological material is stored in a dedicated tank connected to a monitoring and control system operating 24 hours a day. The same monitoring and control system automatically notifies BioRep personnel of any alarms, with staff on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.