Abstract
The objective of this study was to score reactions to artificial semen collection procedures and to develop an efficient method for gander selection in two original geese breeds. One-hundred and three Zi geese and 110 Rhin geese were used. Gander reaction scores to massage and semen quality parameters were investigated in 10 Zi and 10 Rhin ganders during a complete reproductive season. The relationships between average gander massage reaction score and semen quality were evaluated. After natural mating, egg fertility comparison between Zi ganders selected by massage reaction scores and those not subjected to selection were investigated. Ganders exhibited large variations in artificial semen collection and semen characteristics between breeds. Only 30.1% (31/103) of Zi geese and 46.3% (51/110) of Rhin geese had stable positive massage reactions with semen ejaculation (P < 0.05). Average massage reaction score, ejaculate volume, spermatozoa concentration, sperm motility and semen quality factor for single ejaculate were significantly higher in Zi than in Rhin geese. There was a high correlation between average massage reaction score and semen volume, being 0.87 for Zi geese (P < 0.05) and 0.82 for Rhin (P < 0.05), and this correlation enabled pre-selection of ganders at the beginning of the breeding season. Reproductive efficiency could be improved with massage-selected ganders in natural breeding flocks. Examination of gander massage reaction scores combined with laboratory assessment of semen quality early in the breeding season is a feasible method for predicting fertilising capability of ganders.
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