Professor Carrol C. Platz, Jr.
Director, International Canine Semen Banks
Main Office
P.O. Box 651
Sandy, Oregon 97055
(503) 663-7031

Professor Carrol C. Platz, Jr. graduated from the University of Oregon in 1967 and began his career in research at Providence Hospital Biochemistry Research Department in Portland, Oregon, working in mammalian eye lens proteins and eye cataract research. In 1969, Prof. Platz joined the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oregon Medical School [now Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU)] in Portland, working with DNA and RNA biochemistry research in domestic Mammals.

In 1971, Prof. Platz moved to the Department of Surgery at OHSU beginning studies in animal reproduction and his work with semen cryo-preservation (freezing) in the canine, first funded by the American Kennel Club and later by the National Greyhound Association. His research led to many important published techniques and medias for improving quantity and quality of canine semen specimens, as well as developing routine and efficient breeding techniques using frozen canine semen. Critical data was obtained for determining minimum sperm numbers necessary to produce conception in the bitch and determining that there were no detectable increases in birth defects through 5 generations of progeny produced from the use of frozen semen using the procedures Prof. Platz had developed. In 1976, Prof. Platz reported that conception rates of 92% had been attained using non-surgical inseminations in the canine (12 conceptions in 13 bitches bred), using the semen freezing system he had developed and in use by ICSB.

Prof. Platz also developed the electrical equipment to collect semen from the domestic dog and cat. This research was funded first by Ralston-Purina Co. This then led to reproductive research by Prof. Platz into semen collection, cryo-preservation and breeding in endangered species, which has benefited some of the rare species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

In 1974, Prof. Platz joined the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, to learn and develop procedures in reproductive physiology of the canine and many other species of mammals, reptiles and birds. He also stored genetic material from animal models of human disease. This program was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1980, Prof. Platz accepted a position at Texas A&M University, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology in College Station, Texas, where his research continued in animal reproduction.

In 1983, Professor Platz returned to Oregon to establish the Main Office of International Canine Semen Banks. The reproductive techniques, medias and equipment that served Prof. Platz so well in the academic setting were now put to good use, providing successful breeding protocols for dog breeders in the use of fresh, fresh-chilled, and frozen canine semen.

During his years at the various academic organizations Prof. Platz has authored/co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed scientific articles in veterinary, zoological and biological journals. He also has an ongoing program of establishing other ICSB franchise centers (32 to date) in this and other countries, as well as having a mobile laboratories operating on the West Coast, including California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. In addition, he is Director of P-T Electronics, which specializes in design, manufacture and sale of equipment for semen collection in domestic, wild and endangered species of mammals, reptiles and birds. This equipment is in use at many of the zoos, scientific laboratories, wild game preserves, and U.S. and foreign government endangered species programs around the world.

In addition, Prof. Platz serves as consultant in projects dealing with animal reproduction at Texas A&M University; US Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Smithsonian Institution, regional Primate Research Centers, and many zoos and universities in the U.S. and overseas.