Assessing poultry semen quality

Publication date: 29/05/2023
Extent: 14 pages

Contributions by: Murray R. Bakst, formerly USDA-ARS, USA

Chapter synopsis:

This overview briefly examines some of the semen evaluation techniques and fertility determination procedures used currently on breeder farms. The later procedures were included as both provide rapid feedback on flock fertility, the best indicator of semen quality. To better understand both the rationale behind and the significance of the data gleaned from these evaluation procedures a brief overview of the fate of sperm in the oviduct after its transfer to the vagina through fertilization is presented. Also addressed were the benefits of introducing standard operating procedures to ensure precision and uniformity in performing the procedures leading to less test-to-test variability of the data within and between farms. The semen evaluation procedures were categorized into subjective and objective categories based on how the data is obtained. It was concluded that only two different objective tests should be considered to provide information on sperm fecundity.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2022.0118.05