Nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) gases, along with liquid nitrogen (LN₂), has become increasingly vital across the horse racing, veterinary, and animal husbandry sectors. These essential commodities support a wide range of scientific, diagnostic, and operational functions, from cryopreservation and analytical testing critical to economical outcomes.
In the racing industry, nitrogen gas is commonly used in analytical laboratories for Gas Chromatography (GC) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) systems. These instruments are essential for anti-doping and banned substance testing in equine and other athletes. Hydrogen gas, often used as a carrier or fuel gas in GC, offers high sensitivity and faster analysis times, making it ideal for high-throughput racing laboratories. Peak generators are already deployed at racing sites in Australia and New Zealand, supporting multiple GC-MS and LC-MS instruments.
Liquid nitrogen plays a more specialised role in Racing science. It is used in cryotherapy for treating soft tissue injuries in racehorses, offering a non-invasive method to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery. Additionally, LN₂ is used in the cryopreservation of semen and embryos, enabling genetic preservation and international breeding programs. This is particularly important for maintaining bloodlines and enhancing performance traits in thoroughbred populations.
In veterinary and animal husbandry contexts, LN₂ is indispensable for reproductive technologies. It enables long-term storage of semen and embryos at -196°C, preserving cellular viability for artificial insemination and embryo transfer. This is crucial for genetic improvement and disease control in both equine and bovine populations. Noblegen Cryogenics LN₂ generators are therefore an ideal solution for remote or logistically constrained environments, such as rural breeding centres and mobile veterinary units.
This paper details how the integration of Peak on-site generators into laboratories and businesses facilitate operational precision, efficiency, safety, compliance and sustainability throughout the racing community.