Effect of freeze-dried quail egg white and yolk addition to semen extender on viability of rooster sperm stored for 6 h at 4°C.

The effect of freeze-dried quail egg white and yolk addition to basic EK extender on morphology and motility of chicken broiler breeder semen was investigated. Fresh pooled semen was divided into eight parts: fresh, undiluted (control), diluted in 1:2 ratio (v/v) with basic EK extender, EK + 200 mg/ml of egg white, EK + 100 mg/ml of egg white, EK + 50 mg/ml of egg white, EK + 100 mg/ml of egg yolk, EK + 50 mg/ml of egg yolk, EK + 25 mg/ml of egg yolk. Semen samples were evaluated 15 min after dilution and after 6 h of storage at 4°C. In the fresh semen, the number of live normal sperm was the highest in semen diluted with EK + 200 mg of egg white and EK + 100 mg of egg yolk, while the highest sperm motility was in the neat semen. Semen storage reduced the number of normal sperm in all analysed semen samples. In the neat semen, the number of normal sperm decreased, in relation to the fresh not-stored samples, by 36.8% (from 72.3% to 35.5%), with EK extender by 9.2%, in samples enriched with egg white, from 8.4% (EK + 200 mg) to 10.0% (EK + 100 mg), and in EK with egg yolk addition, from 1.2% (EK + 50 mg) to 10.6% (EK + 100 mg). The highest percentage of motile sperm was observed in EK extender enriched with 50 mg of egg white (77.1%) and EK + 25 mg of egg yolk (65.3%).

Semen characteristics of ganders kept as genetic resources conservation programme.

The creation of genetic reserves of domesticated animal species and breeds almost become a necessity in the recent years, but there is a question what is the value of semen of males kept ex situ in vivo as gene conservation flocks. Presented studies assessed the response to semen collection by dorso-abdominal massage and the quantitative and qualitative semen characteristics of six goose breeds (Pomorska, Garbonosa, Kuban, Landes, Roman and Slovakia) covered by the genetic resources' protection programme. Fourteen semen collection attempts were performed per male. In each breed there were ganders with low and high sensitivity to massage. The most positive reactions were stated in Pomorska ganders (67.9%) and the least in Kuban breed (52.60%). Individual male evaluation showed that only in three breeds (Pomorska, Garbonosa and Kuban) there were individuals showing 100% susceptibility to semen collection, in some breeds only one to four positive reactions (ending with ejaculation) were noted. Results obtained indicated breed and male effect on analysed semen traits, with the exception of sperm motility. The highest number of live normal sperm (44.2% on average), sperm concentration (530 × 106 ml-1 ), the highest Semen Quality Factor (92.9) and sperm motility (50.30%) were found in semen of Kuban ganders, while the lowest values of these traits (28.7%; 230 × 106 ml-1 ; 11.4 respectively) in Slovakia ganders. The lowest sperm motility (38.3%) was observed in ganders of Roman breed, but comparing to the other breeds existing differences were not significant. Significant differences in sperm morphology between individual ganders were also observed.

Characteristics of semen collected from gander included in the genetic resources conservation program.

Conservative breeding ex situ in vivo is one of the most popular methods of creating genetic reserves. Unfortunately, keeping animals in small closed populations leads to inbreeding which reduces their reproductive capacity. The aim of the study was to characterize the sperm quality of 6 genetic groups of geese (northern and southern breeds) kept in Poland for many generations as genetic reserve flocks. Each breed was represented by 10 randomly selected 1-yr-old ganders, semen was collected 14 times, individually from each male, and the number of positive reactions (ended with ejaculation), semen volume, sperm concentration, and morphology were assessed. The obtained results showed a significant difference between breeds and individuals of the same group, both in males' reaction and semen quantitative and qualitative traits. From the northern breeds 193 ejaculates were obtained in total (i.e., 45.9% of all attempts), from the southern breeds 242 ejaculates (57.6%). The volume of single ejaculate varied from 0.01 mL (one drop allowing only histological smear and sperm morphology evaluation) to 0.65 mL; sperm concentration varied from 23.0 × 106mL-1 to 2376.0 × 106mL-1; the amount of total live sperm was at a similar level in all breeds (89.6%-97.7%), while live normal cells ranged between 15.2% and 67.9% depending on breed and individuals. When keeping the genetic reserves ex situ in vivo, attention should be paid to the quality of semen and males that are poor in this respect should be eliminated, in order not to lead to an excessive weakening of the reproductive capacity of the flocks covered by the genetic resources protection program.

Reproductive season and male effect on quantitative and qualitative traits of individually collected Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) semen.

Males of Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) are mainly used for mule duck production via artificial insemination of females originated from wild mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos); therefore, the quantity and quality of drake semen play a crucial role. The assessment results of male reaction to sexual stimulation by dummy female and basic semen characteristic (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and morphology) of 12 individually kept Muscovy drakes carried out during the entire reproductive season are described. The male and period of the reproductive season effect on scored semen traits are documented. In total, 792 individual semen collections and evaluations were performed. The average of positive reaction in the entire reproductive season varied from 90.6% in December and April to 50.0% in July, while for individual males, it varied between 97.1% and 29.0%. Throughout the season, the ejaculate volumes ranged from 0.05 to 2.45 ml, sperm concentration from 0.15 × 109 ml-1 to 4.44 × 109 ml-1 , total number of live spermatozoa from 68.0% to 100% and live normal (properly formed, with any deformations) from 51.0% to 99.0%. Our study indicates the necessity of male breeders pre-selection before the onset of the reproductive season, and the need to leave an appropriate number of males to ensure adequate amount of semen for female insemination, especially when using Muscovy drakes (Cairina moschata) for interspecies crossing with Anas platyrhynchos ducks.

Effect of semen extenders on viability of ISA Brown and Hubbard Flex roosters' sperm stored for 24 h.

Artificial insemination is used in almost 95% of turkey reproductive flocks and is becoming more important in chickens, particularly broiler breeders, as well as in assisted reproduction of wild birds kept in breeding centers. Diluted semen is recommended for artificial insemination. Pooled semen samples collected twice a week by dorso-abdominal massage from 2 chicken lines: laying-ISA Brown (ISA-B) and meat type-Hubbard Flex (H-F) were divided into 5 parts: neat semen and diluted in 1:2 ratio with 4 extenders: basic EK; EK + 1 µg/mL organic selenium and 8 µg/mL vitamin E; EK + 10 mg/mL of royal jelly; and EK + 0.25 g/mL of lyophilized bovine colostrum. Diluted semen samples were evaluated after 15 min and then 24 h storage at 4°C. Sperm concentration, motility, motility parameters (with Sperm Class Analyzer), and morphology were evaluated in the neat semen, whereas in diluted and stored samples, the last 3 traits were determined. In case of both lines, dilution did not affect (P > 0.05) the number of live normal cells (78.0-81.1% in ISA Brown and 73.8-68.7% in Hubbard Flex) in relation to neat semen; however, bovine colostrum addition increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of bulb head sperm (5.7 vs. 10.0% and 12.1 vs. 17.6%, for ISA and Hubbard, respectively) and decreased sperm motility (67.4 vs. 92.9% and 67.3 vs. 98.5% for ISA and Hubbard). The 24 h storage of neat semen and semen diluted with colostrum caused (P < 0.05) the unfavorable changes in all evaluated traits and both chicken lines, whereas semen dilution with remaining extenders decreased the percentage of live normal cells (by 18.8-23.4% ISA and by 20.9-25.5% Hubbard) but did not affect sperm motility (81.5-87.6% for ISA and 81.1-96.6% for Hubbard). Sperm motility and motility parameters depended both on the extender and chicken line.

Effect of semen extenders and storage time on quality of Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) drake semen during the entire reproductive season.

Avian semen dilution with appropriate extender allows to prolong the fertilizing ability of sperm stored in vitro. In the present study, the impact of extenders and time of storage on morphology of Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) drake semen were examined. Semen was collected twice a week, using male stimulation by a female method, from 12 adults (29 weeks old) drakes kept individually in cages, under controlled environmental conditions. Freshly collected, pooled ejaculates were divided into three part: neat undiluted sample, and diluted 1:1 with Schramm (SCH) or Watanabe (W) extender and stored at 4°C. Morphological examination of all samples was conducted after dilution and then, after 3 and 6 hr of storage. The storage of undiluted semen caused decrease (p ≤ .01) in live morphologically normal sperm, from 79.73% in the freshly collected ejaculates to 55.75% and to 12.12% after 3 and 6 hr of storage, respectively (average calculated for the entire reproductive season). In the semen diluted with Schramm's extender the adequate values attained 86.84, 79.65 and 61.66%, and using Watanabe extender 84.77, 83.58 and 75.25%, respectively. The period of semen storage and the type of extender caused significant (p ≤ 0,05; p ≤ 0,01) changes in sperm morphology. The longer period of storage contributed to the decrease in number of morphologically normal sperm, whereas their content in Watanabe extender after 3 and 6 hr of storage was higher (p ≤ .01) than in semen diluted in Schramm extender.

Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on ganders' response to semen collection and ejaculate characteristics.

Compared to other domestic bird species, geese exhibit the lowest reproductive efficiency (poor semen quality, low egg production, and poor fertility and hatchability rates). From an economic perspective, it is a necessity of improve these reproductive traits. Studies have demonstrated that the essential trace element-selenium-plays key roles in testicular development and the maintenance of spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of feed supplementation with organic selenium and vitamin E on ganders' response to manual semen collection and semen quality. Sixteen 3-year-old White Koluda ganders were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was provided commercial feed while the experimental group was provided with the same commercial feed supplemented with selenium (0.3 mg/kg) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg). The response of individual ganders from both groups to manual semen collection and the quality of the semen collected were evaluated. The supplements increased (P ≤ 0.05) the frequency and decreased the time interval of a complete ejaculatory response of the ganders to manual semen collections (82.7 % supplement vs. 73.5 % control). Males from the supplemented group had significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05) ejaculate volumes, sperm concentrations, and percentages of viable sperm and lower percentages of immature sperm (spermatids). Lipids peroxidation, expressed in terms of the malondialdehyde concentration, was lower (P ≤ 0.01) in semen of the supplemented group (0.172 nmol/50 × 10(6)) as compared to the controls (0.320 nmol/50 × 10(6)). Moreover, the duration of the reproductive period of the ganders in the experimental group was 1 week longer. The results show that supplemental dietary selenium and vitamin E improved both the ganders' response to manual semen collection and semen quality. We conclude that such feed supplementation could lead to greater economic benefits through increased reproductive efficiency within the goose production industry.

The effect of DMA level on morphology and fertilising ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) spermatozoa.

The effect of different levels (2, 4 or 6%) of DMA (dimethylacetamide) on the morphology and fertilising ability of unfrozen quail spermatozoa was evaluated. Semen was collected from 72 males kept individually in cages and randomly divided into four groups: Group I--control -- fresh undiluted semen (12 males) and three experimental groups (20 males each) - semen diluted 1:1 with Lake's extender and supplemented with 2% (Group II), 4% (Group III) or 6% (Group IV) of DMA (final concentration). Sperm morphology was evaluated at each step of semen preparation, i.e. in fresh and diluted semen, semen supplemented with DMA and semen that remained after insemination. For fertility tests, 36 females were divided into four groups (nine females each). Females in the control group were inseminated with 10 microl of fresh semen, in the experimental groups with 40 microl of diluted semen. Each stage of quail semen treatment had a deleterious effect on sperm morphology. The highest percentage of morphologically normal cells in semen evaluated after insemination, was observed in samples with 2% DMA, and the lowest--in samples with 6% DMA. Semen dilution and DMA addition significantly affected the fertilising potency of spermatozoa. Fertility of eggs collected from the control group (71.5% on average) was significantly higher (P