Chicken and Turkey Oviductal pH at Known Times Postoviposition

Abstract

Broiler-type chickens and turkeys were killed 2 to 10 min, 8 to 12 hr, and 18 to 22 hr postoviposition (PO), and pH values were determined in each oviductal segment. In the broiler-type chicken, significant pH differences were observed in the fimbria (from 7.28 at 2 to 10 min PO to 7.41 at 8 to 12 hr PO), distal infundibulum (from 7.02 at 2 to 10 min PO to 7.21 at 8 to 12 hr PO), uterovaginal junction (UVJ) (from 6.92 at 18 to 22 hr PO to 7.18 at 8 to 12 hr PO), and midvagina (from 7.15 at 2 to 10 min PO to 7.51 at 8 to 12 hr PO). In the turkey, significant pH differences were observed in the isthmus (from 6.01 at 2 to 10 min PO to 6.81 at 18 to 22 hr PO), uterus (from 6.77 at 2 to 10 min PO to 7.03 at 8 to 12 hr PO), UVJ (from 6.93 at 2 to 10 min PO to 7.24 at 8 to 12 hr PO) and everted vagina (from 6.95 at 8 to 12 hr and 18 to 22 hr PO to 7.30 at 2 to 10 min PO). It is not known at this time if the small range in pH found between the same oviductal segments at different times PO influence oviductal sperm metabolism, motility, or fertilizing capacity.