Equine umbilical cord stem cell collection process
Enrollment:
After you enroll with VetiCell, we will send a collection kit to your breeder for use by your Vet at foaling. If your vet has not worked with us in the past, we will provide training (and certification) in the proper procedures.
Collection:
The kit will include all collection materials needed and a full set of detailed instructions. We are always available to speak directly to you, your breeder, or your vet to answer any questions. Some vets may charge a collection and handling fee. We typically pay this fee directly to them and you will not incur this charge. While attending the birth, the vet will collect the umbilical cord from the foal.
Shipping:
The collected samples will be delivered early the next day by courier to our lab.
Processing:
We have developed a unique, two-stage method of processing. You can choose to have Stage One only completed initially to save money, or you can have both stages completed to preserve an injection ready therapeutic dose of stem cells.
Stage 1
Processing and Storage
Upon arrival at the lab, the samples are inspected and cleaned. The Wharton’s Jelly portion of the cord, where the valuable stem cells are located, is isolated, processed, and infused with a cell protectant. This preparation then undergoes a gradual, hours long, controlled-rate freeze down to -190*C (-350*F). Your horse’s sample is maintained at these ultra-low temperatures in a cryogenic storage tank. In a freeze this deep, biological activity virtually stops, helping prevent any deterioration of the sample.
There is a modest charge which includes the sample collection and shipping, this Stage One processing, and the first year of storage.
Stage 2
Therapeutic Preparation
This stage separates the stem cells from the connective tissues, expanding them into a therapeutic dose, and preparing them in an injectable medium. This typically takes two to three weeks to complete. The stem cells are then shipped to your veterinarian for the infusion/injection. Some owners choose to have the sample fully processed initially. Having the cells frozen in this infusion ready phase would allow for much more prompt treatment should an acute injury occur.