Attempted semen collection using the massage technique in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva).

The purpose of this study was to establish a technique for collecting semen from blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva) and to evaluate the samples that were collected. The massage method is the most common technique used to collect semen in birds and has been proven successful in several psittacine species; however, collection attempts in larger parrots have been unsatisfactory. Six blue-fronted Amazon parrot males, 3 paired with hens and 3 unpaired, were used in this study. The semen collection technique was revised to allow collection from individual birds by a single person. Semen collection was attempted from the 6 parrots on 52-56 occasions, which totaled 330 single attempts. Nineteen ejaculates were collected, and each bird produced at least 1 ejaculate that contained spermatozoa. Large ranges of sample volume (1-15.4 microL), sperm quality (motility = 2%-60%; live:dead ratio = 2:198 to 185:15), sperm concentration (0.79-3.3 x 10(6) sperm/mL), and contamination rate (0%-100%) were observed. Measured parameters did not appear to be significantly impacted by birds being paired or kept singly. Because of the relatively short acclimation period, the birds appeared to be sexually inactive for the majority of the study. Further research using sexually active birds will be necessary to determine standard spermatological parameters and verify the success of the methodology used here.

Comparative examination of testicular biopsy samples and influence on semen characteristics in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Although breeding of companion birds has become increasingly popular over the last decades, evaluating avian fecundity is rarely addressed and remains a challenge. Whereas histologic examination of a testicular biopsy sample is useful in evaluating reproductive status, as well as in identifying pathologic changes, cytologic examination is a much quicker method and is less invasive. To determine if cytologic examination of testicular impression smears is reliable compared with histologic examination in assessing reproductive status, we evaluated results in 16 live and in 14 dead male budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). In most birds, macroscopic evaluation, combined with histologic or cytologic examination, resulted in a consistent grading of testicular reproductive stage. However, some testes assessed as inactive macroscopically showed advanced reproductive stage on histologic examination. Although a single biopsy caused no permanent damage to the testes and did not impact the general health status of the examined birds, repeated endoscopic examination resulted in testicular cicatrization or adhesions with the air sacs. In addition, some birds had delayed recovery after endoscopy. A biopsy of 1 testis done once or even repeatedly during a 1-year period had no impact on sperm production or quality.