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Effect of Semen Quality on Fertility in Turkeys1
295
RESEARCH NOTES
EFFECT OF SEMEN QUALITY ON FERTILITY IN TURKEYS 1 K. I. BROWN* AND E. F. GRAHAM Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 (Received for publication November 12, 1970)
PROCEDURE
One hundred sixty males were placed on 14 hours of light on March 1. After three weeks on the stimulatory light regime, the semen from each male was collected by aspiration into 2 ml. of Pipes-Tris buffer (Table 1) in a 5 ml. ampule. The ampule was capped and immediately placed in crushed ice. At the time of collection the semen quality was visually rated 1-3 with 3 being the highest quality. This was a subjective rating based on the appearance of the semen (i.e., color, density, volume) as it was collected. At 4 to 6 hours after collection, the percent progressive motility of each sample was estimated. Estimates of motility were made by placing a drop of diluted semen warmed to 38°C. on a slide, covered with a cover slip and placed on a microscope. The motility was determined by means of a television camera on the microscope, the picture being observed on a 14 inch television screen. The value of each semen sam1 Scientific Journal Series, Paper No. 7393, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101. * Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
TABLE 1.—Composition of extenders used to study the effect of semen qualityj>n fertility in turkeys MTGA Gra. /liter Na 2 HP0 4 KH 2 P0 4 NaHCOs NaH 2 P0 4 MgS0 4 -7H 2 0 NaCl KC1 CaCl2 Dextrose Tris 1 Tricine2 Threonine Pipes3
1.185 0.260 0.450 0.320 0.500 3.350 2.200 0.500 2.000 1.670 22.000 0.010
—
Pipes-Tris Gm./Hter
2.00 8.50 42.00
pH = 7.0 OP = adjusted to 325 m Osm. 1 Tris(hydroxymethy])aminomethane. 2 N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl glycine. 3 Piperazine-N-N'-bis-p-ethane sulfonic acid).
pie was obtained by averaging the independent estimates of three people. The males were divided into high, medium and low groups showing an average motility of 65.1, 41.6 and 13.8%, respectively. Semen from high, medium and low males was used to inseminate 800, 1600 and 800 hens, respectively, for a 14-week period. Pooled semen samples were extended 1:2 with the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Buffer (MTGA) (Table 1), with 0.025 ml. inseminated at 10-day intervals. The eggs were set in a commercial hatchery and candled at 10 days to determine fertility. Semen evaluation was made again after 14 weeks (Mot 2 and Vis 2) and correlations made with the evaluations made at the beginning (Mot 1 and Vis 1). The data was subjected to Chi square analysis and simple correlation analysis (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
Estimation of progressive motility of individual male turkeys from commercial flocks range from 1 to 80% with approximately 40% of the samples being rated below 40% motile. It is postulated that the poor quality semen from this large number of males may adversely affect fertility. The fertility trial reported here was designed to test this hypothesis.
296
RESEARCH NOTES
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Vis 1 (r = 0.38); between Mot 2 and Vis 2 (r = 0.43); between Mot 1 and Mot 2 (r = 0.50); and between Vis 1 and Vis 2 (r = 0.44). This indicates that a visual rating alone at the time of semen selection may result in significant improvement in fertility. The data are not in agreement with McCartney (1956) in which he reported there was no correlation between percent progressive motility and fertility. The explanation for this disagreement may be twofold. First, McCartney collected undiluted semen, diluted a very small amount in isotonic saline and estimated motility soon after collection. We collected semen directly into 2 ml. of buffer, cooled to ice water temperature and estimated progessive motility 4 to 6 hours later. It may be that the ability of spermatozoa to remain motile after dilution and storage may be more closely related to fertilizing capacity than under the conditions employed by McCartney. Secondly, McCartney inseminated with undiluted semen, whereas in this study the semen was extended 1:2.
100-
SUMMARY ^\#
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4 0
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HIGH QUALITY MED. QUALITY
30-
LOW QUALITY
201
0
I 2
I 4
I I 6 8 WEEKS
I 10
I 12
I 14
FIG. 1. Effect of semen quality on fertility.
Turkey toms were placed into high, medium and low semen quality groups at the beginning of the breeding season. Semen quality was assessed by visual observations as well as motility ratings assigned to cooled semen samples at 4-6 hours after collection. A highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in fertility for the subsequent 14-week insemination period was observed with high quality semen toms having an average fertility of 86.5%, the medium group toms 81.5% and the low semen quality group 72.4%. Significant correlations (P < 0.01) were also found between motility ratings and visual (color, density, volume) ratings so that visual ratings alone at the time of collection may be useful for se-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
The fertility for the entire 14 weeks was 86.5, 81.5 and 72.4% for the high, medium and low groups, respectively. These differences were highly significant ( P < . 0 1 ) . There was no significant difference between groups on hatchability of fertile eggs. In Figure 1, percent fertility is plotted against weeks in production. The fertility the first week for the low group was 30% vs. 72% for the high group. The subsequent improvement of the low group may be partially explained by the fact that at the end of the production period the motilities exhibited by the high, medium and low males were 43.0, 33.5 and 23.3%, respectively. Therefore, the wide differences between the groups narrowed by the end of the season. These data suggest that selecting the males at 4-week periods throughout the season may result in a further improvement in fertility. All correlations between semen quality tests were highly significant (P < .01). They were as follows: between Mot 1 and
297
RESEARCH NOTES
lecting high quality semen toms for insemination. REFERENCES McCartney, M. G., 1956. Relation between semen
quality and fertilizing ability of White Holland turkeys. Poultry Sci. 35 : 137-141. Steel, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and Procedures of Statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF EGG WEIGHT TO HATCHABILITY OF COTURNIX EGGS1
(Received for publication November 13, 1970)
This report relates size to hatchability of Coturnix eggs. Two trials were run with breeders in their 8th month of production and one trial with breeders in their first month. After gathering from mass-mated pens consisting of 30 females and 10 males, the eggs were weighed individually and sorted into half gram classes. Pre-incubation storage was at approximately 14.0°C. Eggs were set at weekly intervals in Jamesway 252 trays modified with holders as described by Wilson et al. (1961). Holders were wrapped in two layers of cheesecloth to slow air movement. This practice stems from the results of Romanoff (1938) who found that Bobwhite quail eggs need slower air movement than pheasant eggs. Eggs were turned mechanically every two hours for 14 days, at which time they were trsansferred to hatching baskets. At the end of the hatch all unhatched eggs were opened, and infertile or broken eggs recorded. Throughout the incubation period the incubator was operated at 37.5°C. dry bulb. Relative humidity was maintained at 61% for 14 days after which it was raised ' T h e investigation reported in this paper (No. 70-5-91) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with the approval of the Director.
TABLE 1.—Effect of egg weight on hatchability {Combined trials old breeders) Weight classes grams
Number Fertile percent eggs
Number strong chicks
Fertile
Hatch, Percent Total
6.1-6.5 6.6-7.0 7.1-7.5 7.6-8.0 8.1-8.5 8.6-9.0 9.1-9.5 9.6-10.0 10.1-10.5 10.6-U.0
54 102 188 442 543 712 560 441 144 80
33.33 36.27 52.66 65.38 60.77 62.36 55.54 65.99 69.44 58.75
2 9 41 125 159 186 161 186 72 32
11.11 24.32 41.41 43.25 48.18 41.89 51.77 63.92 72.00 68.08
3.70 8.82 21.81 28.28 29.28 26.12 28.75 42.18 50.00 40.00
Total
3266
60.20
973
49.49
29.79
to 70%. These procedures follow closely the recommendations of Hinshaw et al. (1969). Hatching results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 is a composite of trials with old breeders while Table 2 gives the results for young breeders. The overall results confirm the observations of Woodard et al. (196S) that hatchability is lower in eggs from the older breeders. In general, these results agree with the results on chicken eggs reported by Landauer (1951) and those on turkey eggs reported by Insko et al. (1943). Eggs weighing less than 7.1 grams showed a definite and significant (P < 0.001) drop in hatchability of fertile eggs. Fertile eggs weighing from 9.1 to 11.0 grams hatched better than the average of all fertile eggs. There were indications of
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
W. M. INSKO, JR., D. W. MACLAURY, JOHN J. BEGIN AND THOMAS H. JOHNSON Animal Sciences Department, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
RESEARCH NOTES
EFFECT OF SEMEN QUALITY ON FERTILITY IN TURKEYS 1 K. I. BROWN* AND E. F. GRAHAM Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 (Received for publication November 12, 1970)
PROCEDURE
One hundred sixty males were placed on 14 hours of light on March 1. After three weeks on the stimulatory light regime, the semen from each male was collected by aspiration into 2 ml. of Pipes-Tris buffer (Table 1) in a 5 ml. ampule. The ampule was capped and immediately placed in crushed ice. At the time of collection the semen quality was visually rated 1-3 with 3 being the highest quality. This was a subjective rating based on the appearance of the semen (i.e., color, density, volume) as it was collected. At 4 to 6 hours after collection, the percent progressive motility of each sample was estimated. Estimates of motility were made by placing a drop of diluted semen warmed to 38°C. on a slide, covered with a cover slip and placed on a microscope. The motility was determined by means of a television camera on the microscope, the picture being observed on a 14 inch television screen. The value of each semen sam1 Scientific Journal Series, Paper No. 7393, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101. * Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
TABLE 1.—Composition of extenders used to study the effect of semen qualityj>n fertility in turkeys MTGA Gra. /liter Na 2 HP0 4 KH 2 P0 4 NaHCOs NaH 2 P0 4 MgS0 4 -7H 2 0 NaCl KC1 CaCl2 Dextrose Tris 1 Tricine2 Threonine Pipes3
1.185 0.260 0.450 0.320 0.500 3.350 2.200 0.500 2.000 1.670 22.000 0.010
—
Pipes-Tris Gm./Hter
2.00 8.50 42.00
pH = 7.0 OP = adjusted to 325 m Osm. 1 Tris(hydroxymethy])aminomethane. 2 N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl glycine. 3 Piperazine-N-N'-bis-p-ethane sulfonic acid).
pie was obtained by averaging the independent estimates of three people. The males were divided into high, medium and low groups showing an average motility of 65.1, 41.6 and 13.8%, respectively. Semen from high, medium and low males was used to inseminate 800, 1600 and 800 hens, respectively, for a 14-week period. Pooled semen samples were extended 1:2 with the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Buffer (MTGA) (Table 1), with 0.025 ml. inseminated at 10-day intervals. The eggs were set in a commercial hatchery and candled at 10 days to determine fertility. Semen evaluation was made again after 14 weeks (Mot 2 and Vis 2) and correlations made with the evaluations made at the beginning (Mot 1 and Vis 1). The data was subjected to Chi square analysis and simple correlation analysis (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
Estimation of progressive motility of individual male turkeys from commercial flocks range from 1 to 80% with approximately 40% of the samples being rated below 40% motile. It is postulated that the poor quality semen from this large number of males may adversely affect fertility. The fertility trial reported here was designed to test this hypothesis.
296
RESEARCH NOTES
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Vis 1 (r = 0.38); between Mot 2 and Vis 2 (r = 0.43); between Mot 1 and Mot 2 (r = 0.50); and between Vis 1 and Vis 2 (r = 0.44). This indicates that a visual rating alone at the time of semen selection may result in significant improvement in fertility. The data are not in agreement with McCartney (1956) in which he reported there was no correlation between percent progressive motility and fertility. The explanation for this disagreement may be twofold. First, McCartney collected undiluted semen, diluted a very small amount in isotonic saline and estimated motility soon after collection. We collected semen directly into 2 ml. of buffer, cooled to ice water temperature and estimated progessive motility 4 to 6 hours later. It may be that the ability of spermatozoa to remain motile after dilution and storage may be more closely related to fertilizing capacity than under the conditions employed by McCartney. Secondly, McCartney inseminated with undiluted semen, whereas in this study the semen was extended 1:2.
100-
SUMMARY ^\#
70-
/
/
Z 60 -
f
I-
i
"50-
/
4 0
.
/
.*
A
V
/
£
*
-.•••*,&*/
/
HIGH QUALITY MED. QUALITY
30-
LOW QUALITY
201
0
I 2
I 4
I I 6 8 WEEKS
I 10
I 12
I 14
FIG. 1. Effect of semen quality on fertility.
Turkey toms were placed into high, medium and low semen quality groups at the beginning of the breeding season. Semen quality was assessed by visual observations as well as motility ratings assigned to cooled semen samples at 4-6 hours after collection. A highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in fertility for the subsequent 14-week insemination period was observed with high quality semen toms having an average fertility of 86.5%, the medium group toms 81.5% and the low semen quality group 72.4%. Significant correlations (P < 0.01) were also found between motility ratings and visual (color, density, volume) ratings so that visual ratings alone at the time of collection may be useful for se-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
The fertility for the entire 14 weeks was 86.5, 81.5 and 72.4% for the high, medium and low groups, respectively. These differences were highly significant ( P < . 0 1 ) . There was no significant difference between groups on hatchability of fertile eggs. In Figure 1, percent fertility is plotted against weeks in production. The fertility the first week for the low group was 30% vs. 72% for the high group. The subsequent improvement of the low group may be partially explained by the fact that at the end of the production period the motilities exhibited by the high, medium and low males were 43.0, 33.5 and 23.3%, respectively. Therefore, the wide differences between the groups narrowed by the end of the season. These data suggest that selecting the males at 4-week periods throughout the season may result in a further improvement in fertility. All correlations between semen quality tests were highly significant (P < .01). They were as follows: between Mot 1 and
297
RESEARCH NOTES
lecting high quality semen toms for insemination. REFERENCES McCartney, M. G., 1956. Relation between semen
quality and fertilizing ability of White Holland turkeys. Poultry Sci. 35 : 137-141. Steel, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and Procedures of Statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF EGG WEIGHT TO HATCHABILITY OF COTURNIX EGGS1
(Received for publication November 13, 1970)
This report relates size to hatchability of Coturnix eggs. Two trials were run with breeders in their 8th month of production and one trial with breeders in their first month. After gathering from mass-mated pens consisting of 30 females and 10 males, the eggs were weighed individually and sorted into half gram classes. Pre-incubation storage was at approximately 14.0°C. Eggs were set at weekly intervals in Jamesway 252 trays modified with holders as described by Wilson et al. (1961). Holders were wrapped in two layers of cheesecloth to slow air movement. This practice stems from the results of Romanoff (1938) who found that Bobwhite quail eggs need slower air movement than pheasant eggs. Eggs were turned mechanically every two hours for 14 days, at which time they were trsansferred to hatching baskets. At the end of the hatch all unhatched eggs were opened, and infertile or broken eggs recorded. Throughout the incubation period the incubator was operated at 37.5°C. dry bulb. Relative humidity was maintained at 61% for 14 days after which it was raised ' T h e investigation reported in this paper (No. 70-5-91) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with the approval of the Director.
TABLE 1.—Effect of egg weight on hatchability {Combined trials old breeders) Weight classes grams
Number Fertile percent eggs
Number strong chicks
Fertile
Hatch, Percent Total
6.1-6.5 6.6-7.0 7.1-7.5 7.6-8.0 8.1-8.5 8.6-9.0 9.1-9.5 9.6-10.0 10.1-10.5 10.6-U.0
54 102 188 442 543 712 560 441 144 80
33.33 36.27 52.66 65.38 60.77 62.36 55.54 65.99 69.44 58.75
2 9 41 125 159 186 161 186 72 32
11.11 24.32 41.41 43.25 48.18 41.89 51.77 63.92 72.00 68.08
3.70 8.82 21.81 28.28 29.28 26.12 28.75 42.18 50.00 40.00
Total
3266
60.20
973
49.49
29.79
to 70%. These procedures follow closely the recommendations of Hinshaw et al. (1969). Hatching results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 is a composite of trials with old breeders while Table 2 gives the results for young breeders. The overall results confirm the observations of Woodard et al. (196S) that hatchability is lower in eggs from the older breeders. In general, these results agree with the results on chicken eggs reported by Landauer (1951) and those on turkey eggs reported by Insko et al. (1943). Eggs weighing less than 7.1 grams showed a definite and significant (P < 0.001) drop in hatchability of fertile eggs. Fertile eggs weighing from 9.1 to 11.0 grams hatched better than the average of all fertile eggs. There were indications of
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 26, 2015
W. M. INSKO, JR., D. W. MACLAURY, JOHN J. BEGIN AND THOMAS H. JOHNSON Animal Sciences Department, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington, Kentucky 40506