Over the last 3 years, Minitüb

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1 SpermNotes The International AI Newsletter from Minitüb No. 10/2005 Bovine Semen Production: New Options Offered by Minitüb Over the last 3 years, Minitüb has developed a completely new product line for modern bovine semen production laboratories. With engineering and veterinarian competence of 35 years, our specialized team has concentrated on the real needs of today s semen production: best usage of valuable cells, high degree of precision in cell quantity and quality determination, high level of security in identification and full traceability of semen doses, excellent efficiency of laboratory time spent and maximum technical reliability. This special edition of the Minitüb SpermNotes concentrates on technical features of our equipment for bovine semen production. Additional information is available in our catalogs and on our webpage The Minitüb customer service team is available at any time for individual consulting. MINITÜB Hauptstraße Tiefenbach Germany Tel.: +49-(0) Fax: +49-(0) minitube@minitube.de MPP Quattro...1 MiniJet straw printer...4 Volume measurement...6 Advances with Andromed...7 Intrauterine insemination...8 Integrated semen processing with IDENT and IDA... 9 Appointment Dr. Sieber...11 I CONTENT MPP Quattro: a filling and sealing machine designed for best semen usage The MPP Quattro is a fully automatic filling and sealing machine for 0.25 cc and 0.5 cc semen straws. It simultaneously fills and seals 4 straws per one-second cycle which equals approximately straws per hour. The MPP Quattro is equipped with a modern touch screen and well-designed user interface that guarantees optimal machine operation and minimum maintenance. Since the first machines have been installed in the industry, one year ago, the ever growing demand and many different labs and operators helped to gather a lot of experience about the most important features of this machine from the user s perspective: The unique design of the straw transport is a very characteristic feature. The star design ensures precise positioning of the straws at the various work stations, it is wear and tear free and due to its low mass the machine 1

2 is very quickly adapted to 5 C working ambient. The changeover from 0.25 cc to 0.5 cc straws or vice-versa does not require the exchange of components and is carried out by simple mechanic adjustments within only few seconds: the 0.25 cc straws use the small grooves whereas for 0.5 cc straws the large grooves of the supply wheel are open and the small ones are blocked. However, the most outstanding feature of this machine is the automatic recognition of low ejaculate volume. The current ejaculate is placed on a spring balance which is incorporated in the machine. The balance sensor system of the MPP Quattro constantly records the ejaculate weight and recognizes when it is close to coming to its end. Then the machine automatically initiates a changeover from 4 straws to 1 straw per cycle filling. At the same moment, all three idle nozzles and hoses are left open, so that the semen from the 3 unused filling nozzles and hoses flows back into the ejaculate container. The remaining nozzle fills single straw by single straw until a sensor detects an air bubble in its hose. Then the supply from the straw hopper is stopped and only the straws that are already in the 4 straw operation Selector for 0.25 cc or 0.5 cc straws Ring for selection of straws per cycle Small grooves for 0.25 cc, big grooves for 0.5 cc, 2000 extra produced semen doses or EUR extra turn-over value per year. The standard operation processes 4 straws per cycle, but the user can also select a software-driven 1 straw per cycle operation simply through a key provided on the touch screen. Depending on the individual requirements, the machine is also mechanically adjustable to constantly 3, 2 or 1 straw per cycle which is useful for those who want to save filling tubes and if only small ejaculate volumes need to be filled. The design of the machine provides perfect view of the complete filling process. All 4 straws are exposed to the eyes of the operator while they 1 straw operation Semen bottle with cone-bottom to catch the last drop of semen, along with holder Adjustable scale-platform production cycle are finished to be processed. After that, the machine stops. This procedure ensures the complete use of the ejaculate up to the very last drop. Practically no semen and no straws are wasted. How important is this feature? A simple calculation shows the economic benefit: with a normal 4-cycle machine, the last 4 or 8 straws are not completely filled and have to be thrown away. If calculating an average of only 4 wasted half full 0.5cc straws per ejaculate, 10 ejaculates per production day, and only 2 production days per week, with an average value of 5 EUR per semen straw, the benefit from this feature is 2

3 are filled and sealed. The filling of the straws itself, as well as the moistening of the plugs can perfectly be observed. A bluish yet transparent hood is fixed on sliding rails and provides very quick and easy access to the most important machine components for cleaning and maintenance. For large semen production labs, the quick and easy change between ejaculates is an important concern. The MPP Quattro is designed to be very efficient in this sense: all 4 nozzles are situated in one single block; and all hoses can easily be pulled off with one movement. Also the straw hopper is easily removable and can already be filled with the printed straws before starting production. With both straw types the same straw hopper is used. The filling of the straws is conducted by negative pressure through an integrated vacuum pump. Vacuum sensor and vacuum trap bottle with 500 ml vacuum buffer provide the constant negative pressure without unnecessary noise. The adjustable vacuum regulation includes the pressure indicator located with the sensor. The filling time can be adjusted on the display: this function enables the setting of individual filling parameters like fast or soft filling. Straw sealing is performed with ultrasound through the newest Branson ultrasonic sealing unit, with worldwide availability for spare parts and specialized service. limiting the space requirements to a minimum. No PC, no control tower or control unit is needed additionally. The machine operates under 5 C cool room condition as well as at room temperature. Cleaning and maintenance has been made extremely easy. The machine operates without need for lubrication of moving parts. All used filling nozzles of a production day can be collected with a special holder for several nozzle blocks in order to proceed to cleaning and sterilization. Daily cleaning of the machine is quick and easy. Only 3 areas should be cleaned routinely: the vacuum trap bottle, the area around the filling nozzles and the sealing area. Finally: the MPP Quattro may be operated as a stand-alone or in combination with the Minitüb MiniJet printing system as a combined filling, sealing and printing machine. Combination and separation of the two units is done very easily. It is easy to operate and to control the MPP Quattro through the integrated touch screen which at the same time is the only information terminal of the machine. The status can be observed at any time, even from a certain distance: failure reports are displayed as simple text with acknowledgement option. The MPP Quattro is controlled through a reliable PLC technology ensuring very safe and rapid semen processing. All electronic components are built into the machine thus Machine dimensions (without ultrasound generator): 65 x 37 x 46 cm (W x H x D). Total weight with all components: 37 kg. Dimensions of the external ultrasonic generator: 20 x 23 x 40 cm (W x H x D). Weight: 6.5 kg. The ultrasound generator should be installed at a distance of up to 2 meters from the MPP Quattro. I 3

4 Easy and time saving for the user, low cost for the AI center: the new MiniJet straw printer Large semen production labs demand an efficient and rapid, yet cost and labour saving printing system for the semen straws. Minitüb has chosen the German inkjet specialist Leibinger as a partner for the new MiniJet concept, because it offers a series of important improvements when compared to the solutions which have been on the market before: Low operation cost: unlike other systems, this printer works without mechanical gear pumps to generate the pressure in the ink circuit and this avoids abraded metal particles contaminating and aging the ink. It therefore needs no yearly exchange of the ink. It is sufficient to refill the ink and solvent tanks whenever they show low level. As a consequence, much less ink is used: a laboratory producing around 2 million straws per year has a need for 2 ink bottles and 12 solvent bottles (including solvent for cleaning purposes) per year. This corresponds to a yearly cost of less than EUR 350,-, or approximately 0.17 EUR per 1000 straws. Time saving: the cleaning procedure for the ink nozzle is simple and quick. Even a printer which has not run for a long time is quickly put to work again, because a unique automatic closing system for the ink nozzle is activated when the printer is switched off and tightly closes the opening so that no ink can dry off and block the nozzle. The nozzle plate is quickly removed for cleaning if required. Ease of use: the Minitüb software is user friendly and allows high flexibility. The printing text can be chosen manually from the data base or by reading the barcode label of the ejaculate. Data strings are easily generated for automatic and quick combination of texts and numeric fields. The straw hopper is quickly placed, removed and exchanged so that switching from one straw size or colour to another is done within seconds. The conveyor belt can be quickly and without any tool removed for cleaning. The MiniJet is suitable for both sizes of semen straws (0.25 and 0.5 cc) and prints with a capacity of up to straws per hour. Several types of barcodes can be printed, also different kinds of small, large and bold characters. The straw print is immediately non abrasive. The casing of the printing unit needs only little space and it is all made of stainless steel. Additionally, only a small control unit and a normal PC with monitor are required. There is no need for a bulky control tower. The ink viscosity is automatically adjusted once per day. The automatic nozzle closing system not only reduces the need for cleaning, but makes also sure that the printer produces practically no smell when it is shut off. The printing unit itself is equipped with a simple to use touch screen monitor. It is important to install the printer on a stable, vibration free table. 4

5 The straw printer can be combined with any of the Minitüb automatic filling and sealing machines, the MPP Quattro or the MPP 133 to a Combi- System with the option to use both machines as stand-alone any time and with only small changes. The MiniJet software and the Minitüb IDA ejaculate data file software communicate via network with each other including the prescription and feedback on the number of printed straws per ejaculate. Daily maintenance consists of only 2 activities: 1. Before starting the work, the ink absorbing tube of the print head is rinsed with a few drops of solvent, and dried. 2. After each working day and before closing the system, the lower face of the print head is cleaned from fine ink droplets with a small amount of solvent, as well as the transport unit where it shows fine ink droplets. The nozzle plate of the print head is cleaned in case that the ink jet does not hit the exact spot on the straw any longer and needs to be adjusted. To clean this nozzle plate, the operator should provide good light, fresh solvent in a spray bottle, a tray to collect used solvent and tissues, and wear protective clothes and gloves. After removing the nozzle plate from the ink nozzle, the plate and its ink opening are freed from all ink rests by spraying solvent around and through it. After that, the plate is dried off and the small opening is controlled with a magnifying glass for eventually remaining black particles. Then the print head itself is cleaned with the help of solvent and the nozzle plate is fixed again in its position. Finally, the electrode slot is dried off, the print head is brought back to the operating alignment and fixed again. This whole procedure takes an experienced operator about 5 minutes. The two conveyor belts of the transport unit should be cleaned approximately monthly. First, the print head is removed and laid down. The transport unit is opened by loosing the knurled screws, and the two belts are removed. Both belts together are rolled up and fixed with a small piece of wire in this rolled position. They are then soaked in solvent for about one minute. The solvent must not be fresh in this case. After removing the belts from the solvent, they are dried with paper towel and placed back into the transport unit. The unit is closed by screwing the plates back on. This maintenance procedure takes about 5 minutes altogether. Every 2 to 3 years, it is recommended to exchange the ink tank filter. This service should be done by a Minitüb service engineer. If the printer had been transported or relocated, or if the straw size is changed very frequently, the operator may also make adjustments to the angle of the ink jet, and to the position of the print head, if alignment and position of the characters on the straws should be modified. These adjustments are also easily and quickly performed. Approximately once per month, the operator should control the following features and make the appropriate maintenance if necessary: The level of the ink and solvent tanks are refilled as soon as the control unit shows low level. CombiSystem in cold handling cabinet 5

6 Volume measurement of the bull ejaculate and the extender: small errors can lead to important consequences Traditionally, most bull semen production centres measured the volume of the ejaculate and also the volume of extender to be added by using graduated glassware. This procedure leaves the door for wrong readings and badly measured volumes of extender wide open. There are several factors influencing the degree of precision: graduated laboratory glassware is not always calibrated with 100% precision the angle of holding the glass in front of the eyes may vary the result the graduation is usually only precise to the millilitre foam on top of the liquid makes it difficult to take the right decision when adding extender, to stop at exactly the right moment is not always successful With today s needs of using the semen of proven top bulls in the most beneficial way by maximizing the number of straws per ejaculate, the number of sperm cells per straw is adjusted precisely to the needed amount for achieving good non return rates. This approach leaves very little tolerance for variations and mistakes in the process. It is standard laboratory practice to validate and periodically control the semen quality analysis methods, especially the concentration measurement since it is of critical importance to production. The procedure to measure the precise volume of the ejaculates and of the extender volume deserves the same attention. Both are crucial to obtain perfect dilution rates. An error in measuring the volume of the ejaculate has important consequences. A standard ejaculate with 5 ml volume, a semen concentration of 1 billion motile sperm cells per ml, and a desired 10 million motile sperm cells per straw will serve as an example: a sub-estimation of only 0.2 ml will lead to an unnecessary loss of 200 million semen cells, because these cells will not be used in the calculation. 20 straws of high quality semen will not be produced and sold. When adding extender to the ejaculate by reading the volume from a graduation in the flask or beaker, an error of few millilitres easily occurs. If the calculated volume is exceeded by only 5 millilitres, each straw of our above example will contain only 9.6 million sperm cells instead of 10 million - an error of almost 4%. The solution is the use of electronic, calibrated and regularly controlled balances for both measurements. For the measurement of the ejaculate volume with a balance, standard weight collection vials are required. Disposable plastic vials fulfil this requirement, but each batch should be checked for weight and uniformity. For the exact dispensing of extender into the semen, Minitüb offers the Smart Dispenser: this system consists of a balance, a pump and a control unit. The control unit automatically receives the necessary amount of extender to be added to the semen from the central processing software (IDA), or by manual entry. A start key makes the pump run and starts the dispensing of the extender. The volume is controlled by an electronic balance which returns the weight signal to the control unit and stops the pump as soon as the correct amount has been reached. At the beginning, the dispensing process is quick, but the last millilitres are dispensed carefully drop by drop. A precision within 0.5 millilitres is achieved, and the operator is free for other tasks while the dilution is performed automatically. 6

7 Advances with the AndroMed Bull Semen Extender By Dr. med. vet. Frank Müller-Schlösser The modern international cattle industry is based on the use of artificial insemination with frozenthawed semen and therefore on the use of semen extenders specifically suitable for semen freezing. Cryopreservation of sperm cells is also of great importance in advanced assisted reproductive techniques like semen sexing, gene banking, and studies concerning functional sperm activity and its interaction with the female gamete. In addition to glycerol as cryoprotectant, the basic components of extenders for semen freezing are several sugars as a functional energy source and other substances that maintain osmolality and provide buffering capacity. In traditional extenders, the egg yolk acts as a source for lipoproteins like phospholipids and for other substances of high molecular weight which help to prevent cold shock. Egg yolk has been used for decades with good success. In recent years there is increasing doubts about the use of egg yolk, one of them being the wide variability of its composition, which makes it impossible to define a clear quality standard. Furthermore, the use of egg yolk not only requires a lot of work on preparation and cleaning, but also introduces a largely uncontrollable risk for contamination with bacteria, drugs, and hormones. Modern investigations have shown that chicken eggs may be functional carriers of medical residues after application of different drugs typically used in hen husbandry. Steroid concentration (µg/kg) in eggs and milk (3,5% fat) Hormone Pregnenolone Progesterone Hen eggs Milk High concentrations of Progesterone and Pregnenolone produced by the avian endocrine glands have been detected in egg yolk (figure 2 9,8 Eggs are, therefore, a considerable source of hormonally active steroids and their precursers. Free range husbandry Floor husbandry Battery husbandry 1). Progesterone is able to induce the acrosomal reaction of spermatozoa, leading to the assumption that a higher percentage of acrosome reacted sperm cells may be found in semen after coming into contact with egg yolk based extenders. Another risk lies in the hygienic status of hen eggs. Figure 2 shows the frequency of bacterial contamination. It becomes obvious that there is really no production system for hen eggs which is able to supply eggs completely free of hygienic risks. Microbial contamination of the shell and the yolk itself may be a risk of disease transfer. The potential presence of endotoxins in contaminated egg yolk, capable of damaging the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa poses another threat. Not only pathogens affecting the cow but also genuine poultry diseases can be transmitted via egg yolk. As a direct consequence, most countries fear the risk of introducing exotic diseases through the import of egg-based products. In summary, egg-yolk containing extenders bear the following risks: bacterial contamination drug residues hormonal active substances like progesterone and pregnenolone. 7

8 The international AI industry therefore needs a semen extender of clearly defined composition with pathogen-free egg yolk substitutes of non animal origin, providing optimal Non Return rates in the field and easy handling in the laboratory. The extender manufacturing under GMP guidelines shall become an industry standard. AndroMed meets all these criteria: it fulfils the requirements of the EC 88/407 guideline. All used raw materials are produced according to GMP and DIN ISO 9001 norms, and are certified after PH Eur, BP or USP standards. They are tested according to international valid quality guidelines concerning the testing of pharmaceutical substances and meet these requirements. Each single component of each extender batch is tested chemically, physically and spermatologically under specialized veterinarian supervision for their adequacy for the semen conservation. Analysis certificates and testing protocols constitute full traceability. AndroMed is based on phospholipids of vegetable origin which fully replace the egg yolk. The low viscosity and homogeneous particle free consistence of AndroMed delivers brilliant microscopic images. The microscopic picture is so superior, that even the morphological evaluation of the semen is possible without need for applying stains. This would be impossible with egg-yolk or milkbased extenders. More than 20 international scientific studies have demonstrated the high fertilizing ability and biosecurity of AndroMed combined with its excellent ease of handling. Recent studies also provide evidence of superior performance if compared with other egg-yolk free extenders available on the market (Janett et al. (2005): Cryopreservation of Bull Semen with AndroMed, Bioxcell and Triladyl ). Full literature list and publications are available upon request. AndroMed is appropriate for the use with several species and semen protocols. The Minitübs experts for semen production and artificial insemination are at your disposal for any technical question. Intrauterine insemination in cattle goes hand in hand with new technologies in the semen lab By Dr. med. vet. Christian Simmet Traditionally artificial insemination in cattle implies the deposition of the semen in the cervix or in the body of the uterus. In contrast to this well established practice, the concept of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in the bovine species refers to the deposition of the semen far up in the uterine horn as close as possible to the uterotubal junction. The main drivers for this development are new developments in the semen lab as well as the need to make the best use of the valuable genetics available in a stud. All circumstances where low dose insemination will be used will benefit from this new insemination procedure. Improving the chances for these valuable sperm cells to arrive at the site of fertilization will enhance the chances of producing good pregnancy rates. Especially the use of sex sorted semen, a technique which provides up to now only small numbers of potentially less fertile semen can get a boost out of IUI. How does it work? The IUI equipment consists of the disposable IUI sheath, a finger support for the sheath, an insertion mandrin and an insemination mandrin. First the sheath with the attached finger support is passed through the cervix with the insertion mandrin just like in a standard AI procedure. The diameter of the sheath is smaller than an embryo transfer device which makes it easy to pass the cervix even in heifers. After having reached the uterine body the insertion mandrin is withdrawn slowly in order to set free the flexible sheath. The sheath alone will enter smoothly the uterine horn and follow gently its curved shape until reaching the tip of the horn. The perfect finish of the tip of the sheath ensures the best care for the delicate endometrium. Once the sheath is in position, the insertion mandrin is withdrawn completely from the sheath and the 8

9 semen straw and the insemination mandrin are introduced into the sheath. The insemination mandrin is very thin and flexible, carrying at its front end a small ball shaped head to push the straw to the tip of the sheath. The head of the IUI sheath has an inner cone which will anchor the straw securely and leak-proof even if the straw arrives in a curve at the tip. Only after having fixed the straw inside the head of the sheath, the plug of the straw will empty the semen or the embryo into the uterine horn. The emptying of the straw is also possible with a curved sheath. This new IUI device allows the best use of low insemination dose semen without having to transfer the semen into other plastic devices. There is no risk of contaminating the semen or loosing valuable sperm cells because the semen is used with its original straw. The IUI procedure is easily performed by one person and does not require further training. Insertion mandrin The chain of development from the most modern semen lab practices to the cow barn will be closed with this IUI device. A.I. mandrin IUI sheath Integrated semen collection and processing with IDENT and IDA IDENT and IDA are 2 independent Minitüb software programs. The IDA laboratory software is a flexible and modular computer program for accompanying the process of bull semen production. With the application of this program, all semen collection and processing steps are standardised and optimised and a true integrated system is composed. This integrated system consists of a network of computer workstations, semen analysis and production systems and other hardware and facilitates data management from the collection through analysis and production to quality control and statistics. IDA is a Windows based application with an Access database. Not only is a complete package available. To those who find IDA being too sophisticated, basic software is also available and different modules can be added on at any time. Due to this flexible concept, the IDA system can be selected, combined and adapted individually and specifically for each laboratory. Upgrades of the program are made available periodically and Minitüb provides the technical support to all users worldwide. With the complete software pakkage, the entire process is supported and documented by a single system, from the identification of the bull, to ejaculate data recording, through to correct labelling of the semen straws. Specific, customised reports allow a quick overview at any time during and after production at every computer workstation within the network. Production data are transferred to the sales and administration departments in real-time. All data can be transferred to Excel and other applications. IDA will thus greatly improve the speed and efficiency of production and decrease the chances for human errors. It improves the communication within the company and provides real-time data on bull performance to everyone connected to the network program. The Access database makes combinations with other software applications possible. 9

10 4 7 IDENT is a software application for electronic identification of bulls and semen collectors. It perfectly combines with IDA, but can also be used as a stand-alone. IDA automates the ejaculate analysis, extender dispensing, semen packaging in straws, as well as the record keeping of thawing controls: with the working mode active, the collection list of the day and the current production figures are shown on the monitor. For each new ejaculate, a batch file is opened. Measurements taken by instruments integrated into the system (e.g. the photometer and weigh-scale) are automatically transferred to the computer and entered into the correct batch data file. Depending on individual software settings, other data of interest can be added manually. Then the extender calculation is performed and the process continues with an automatic semen dilution facility and data transfer to the packaging machine. The complete software package controls the following hardware, which is used to identify, analyse, dilute and pack the semen in doses: Barcode scanning The identification of each ejaculate can be entered manually or by scanning a barcode label. The barcode label may be provided by the Minitüb IDENT software. There are hand-held and standing scanners available. The program opens the new ejaculate data file for this bull and starts ejaculate data management. The new ejaculate file is immediately available at all computer workstations integrated in the system, but analysis data can only be entered at the analysis workstation. Volume determination The ejaculate analysis starts with determining the volume. Exact volume determination can be carried out with an electronic balance which is connected to IDA via interface. The volume is entered automatically into the ejaculate file. Alternatively, the volume can also be determined and entered manually. SpermVision Semen motility is determined manually or automatically by the CASA system SpermVision. In this case, SpermVision and IDA are interfaced and the motility value enters automatically in its field within the ejaculate record, as well as the concentration value, if SpermVision is used for chambers to determine cell number. In this way, no manual entry is needed thus avoiding completely any typing errors. SDM5 photometer Alternatively or additionally to a CASA system, the photometer SDM5 is interfaced with IDA and the semen 10

11 concentration value is transferred automatically to the ejaculate data file. SmartDispenser As soon as the analysis is finished, IDA calculates the number of straws to be processed and the volume of required extender. The program applies user-specific and bull specific formulas for this calculation. With the optional SmartDispenser system connected to IDA, the volume of required extender is automatically transferred to the SmartDispenser and dispensed into the ejaculate. The system can also be set for predilution, 2 or more step dilution and to combining of 2 ejaculates of the same bull. The processing information is immediately available to all workstations integrated in the system, i.e. the lab manager, the barn manager and the collection room display (see description of IDA module collection room display). Automatic filling, sealing and printing system Finally, the data are automatically transferred to the automatic filling, sealing and printing system for semen straws. With a barcode scanner connected to the control unit of the processing system, the identity of the ejaculate is read into the system, the pertinent bull ejaculate file is opened and the filling, sealing and printing machine automatically receives the information to be printed on each straw and the number of straws to be processed. IDA can also be interfaced with the printer only. IDA software module for a display in the collection room There is a software module available for a large display in the collection room that can be combined with IDA as an add-on. The display in the collection room offers to the semen collectors the possibility to observe the most important data of the recently collected ejaculates: volume, concentration, motility and number of doses which can be produced out of the ejaculate. Reports and statistics In addition to several standard reports offered by the program like the daily report, bull data sorted by various criteria, production data sorted by groups of bulls, forms for the collection plan or schedule, and holding samples etc., user-specific records and reports can easily be programmed. A special export menu allows data to be transferred to Excel for further analysis. The Minitüb straw printer EasyCoder prints characters, barcodes and symbols with unique precision 11

12 InsideMINITÜB Dr. Sieber appointed Director of International Technology Transfer for Minitube of America and Minitüb Dr. Martin Sieber has been appointed Director of International Technology Transfer for Minitube of America Inc. (Verona, Wisconsin, USA) and for Minitüb Abfüll- und Labortechnik GmbH&Co.KG (Tiefenbach, Germany). The son of a German veterinarian, Dr. Sieber received his undergraduate and graduate training in animal breeding from the Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel, Germany. His doctoral studies were completed at the Bavarian Research Center of Animal Husbandry, near Munich, Germany. After completing his graduate studies, he was a postdoctoral research assistant at Iowa State University in Ames. While there, he also participated in bovine mastitis research at the National Animal Disease Center. Dr. Sieber was a research dairy scientist for 2 years at USDA s Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. While there, he developed methodology with Dr. Rex Powell to compare genetic evaluations of dairy cattle accurately among countries as well as procedures for calculating conversion formulas. From 1989 to 2004, Dr. Sieber was Director of International Market Development for the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) in Columbia, Missouri, where his primary focus was administration and implementation of programs to expand use of artificial insemination and U.S. livestock genetics worldwide. His work with international import organizations, agricultural ministries and U.S. embassies took him to over 40 countries. He then served as Director of International Market Development for Alta Genetics (Hughson, California) until Alta s restructuring in 2005 and continued to provide international marketing support to the U.S. dairy industry as a private consultant. In his new position as Director of International Technology Transfer for Minitube, Dr. Sieber will be the link between the International Center for Biotechnology and Minitube s international network and customers around the world. He will focus on global customer service, support and providing training, consulting and technical information on existing and new technologies. 12