Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences (아세아태평양축산학회지)

Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (아세아태평양축산학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

High Ejaculation Frequency Enhances Semen Production in Taiwan Country Chickens

  • Fan, Y.K. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Ju, J.C. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Lee, S.L. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Chen, C.F. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Peh, H.C. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Hsu, J.C. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University) ;
  • Lee, Y.P. (Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung-Hsing University)
  • Received : 2003.10.15
  • Accepted : 2004.03.29
  • Published : 2004.07.01

Abstract

The objective of this study were to investigate the effect of ejaculation frequency on semen characteristics and to establish a method for quick assessment of sperm concentration in TCC using packed cell volume (PCV) as the parameter (Trial 1). Eighty senior roosters, averaging 61 wk-old, were used and the sperm concentrations were determined using a hemacytometer. The PCV value was measured in a capillary (0.75 mm in inner diameter) by centrifugation. A simple linear regression analysis suggested that the sperm concentrations were significantly correlated with PCV values (r=0.62, p<0.001). Trial 2 was conducted to determine the optimal ejaculation frequency of TCC roosters in a weekly semen collection program. The male birds were subjected to 1, 2, 3 or 6 ejaculations per week for four consecutive weeks and semen characteristics including ejaculation volume (EV, mL), sperm motility (%), PCV (%), sperm concentration (ESC, $\times$10$^{9}$/mL), weekly sperm production (WSP, $\times$10$^{9}$/wk) and average motile sperm numbers (AMSN, $\times$10$^{9}$/ejac) were determined. Average EV was greater in the group with 3 ejac/wk than with only 1 ejac/wk in weeks 1 and 3 of the collection period. WSP increased with ejaculation frequency during the first 3 weeks of collection (p<0.05). Sperm motility was better in the birds with 6 ejac/wk than in single ejaculation group for the first 2 wk and no significant differences were found for the last 2 wk of study. In contrast, the PCV value showed a trend of reduction for the first 2 wks in the 6 ejac/wk group. Surprisingly, no significant differences were detected in the AMSN among treatment groups. The weekly motile sperm production (WMSP) increased with ejaculation frequency. Based on our observation, PCV values could be used for a quick estimation of sperm concentration and an intensive semen collection program enhanced weekly sperm production in TCC roosters.

Keywords

Ejaculation Frequency;PCV;Sperm Concentration;Roosters

File

Download PDF

References

  1. Etches, R. J. 1996. The male. In: Reproduction in Poultry. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon OX 8DE, UK. pp. 208-233.
  2. Froman, D. P. and A. J. Feltmann. 2000. Sperm mobility: phenotype in roosters (Gallus domesticus) determined by concentration of motile sperm and straight line velocity. Biol. Reprod. 62:303-309.
  3. Garner, D. L. and E. S. E. Hafez. 2000. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In: Reproduction in Farm Animals, 7th Ed. (Ed. E. S. E. Hafez and B. Hafez). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, USA. pp. 96-109.
  4. Hafez, E. S. E. 1993. Reproduction in Farm Animals, 6th Ed. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, USA.
  5. SAS Institute. 1989. SAS User’s Guide: Statistics. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.
  6. Taiwan Provincial Government. 1998. Taiwan Agriculture Yearbook, 1998. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Taiwan Provincial Government.
  7. Ax, R. L., M. Dally, B. A. Didion, R. W. Lenz, C. C. Love, D. D. Varner, B. Hafez and M. E. Bellin. 2000. Semen evaluation. In:Reproduction in Farm Animals, 7th Ed. (Ed. E. S. E. Hafez and B. Hafez). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, hiladelphia, USA. pp. 365-375.
  8. Lee, Y. P., S. L. Lee, Y. J. Ho and T. L. Chen. 1999. Behavioral responses of cockerels to semen collection and their influence on semen characteristics. Br. Poult. Sci. 40:317-322.
  9. Ju, J. C., S. P. Cheng and H. T. Yen. 1985. Effects of amino acid addition in rations on the characteristics of boar semen. J. Chin. Soc. Anim. Sci. 14:27-35.
  10. Lin, M. J., P. W. S. Chiou, S. C. Chang, J. Croom and Y. K. Fan. 2003. Feeding value of high-oil corn for Taiwan Country chicken. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 16:1348-1354.
  11. Chao, C. H. and Y. P. Lee. 2001. Relationship between reproductive performance and immunity in Taiwan country chickens. Poult. Sci. 80:535-540.
  12. Lee, Y. P. 1998. Preservation and utilization of poultry genetic resources in Taiwan. In: Proceedings of the 6th Asian Pacific Poultry Congress. Nagoya, Japan, pp. 36-41.
  13. Parker, J. E., F. F. McKenzie and H. L. Kempster. 1942. Fertility in the male domestic fowl. University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin, p. 347.
  14. Froman, D. P., A. J. Feltmann, M. L. Rhoads and J. D. Kirby. 1999. Sperm mobility: a primary determinant of fertility in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). Biol. Reprod. 61:400-405.
  15. de Reviers, M. and J. B. Williams. 1984. Testis development and production of spermatoazoa in the cockerel (Gallus domesticus). In: Reproductive Biology of Poultry (Ed. F. J. Cunningham, P. E. Lake and D. Hewitt). Br. Poult. Sci. Harlow pp. 183-202.