Effect of collection frequency on the semen quality of broiler breeder

Abstract

1. Seven 35-week-old Hubbard broiler breeder males were subjected to three semen collection frequencies either once every 2 d (48 h), daily (24 h) or twice daily (12 h). 2. Semen characteristics including motility, volume, concentration and sperm numbers per ejaculate were determined for each ejaculate. 3. Sperm motility was unaffected by collection interval, but semen volume was lower at 12 than 24 h intervals. Sperm concentration was lower at 12 than 48 h intervals. 4. At 24 and 48 h number of sperm per collection (1·7 ± 0·2, 1·8 ± 0·2 × 109) were higher than at 12 h (1·2 ± 0·1 × 109). 5. The number of semen doses over a 6-d period increased linearly as the frequency of collection increased from once every 2 d to twice daily. 6. It is concluded that output was theoretically maximal at twice daily collection, but in practice not all cockerels may be able to maintain full performance with such a demanding regime.