Premium
Effect of Semen Extender and Density Gradient Centrifugation on the Motility and Fertility of Turkey Spermatozoa
Author(s) -
Morrell JM,
Persson B,
Tjellström H,
Laessker A,
Nilsson H,
Danilova M,
Holmes PV
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2005.00620.x
Subject(s) - extender , semen , artificial insemination , semen extender , andrology , insemination , semen cryopreservation , semen collection , biology , sperm , sperm motility , sperm bank , zoology , cryopreservation , chemistry , medicine , genetics , embryo , pregnancy , organic chemistry , polyurethane
Contents In the absence of commercially viable methods for cryopreserving turkey spermatozoa, new processing methods are required to extend the functional life of stored turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The present study evaluates the efficacy of a new extender (Turkey Semen Extend) and investigates the use of density gradient centrifugation in processing turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The new extender is compared with two commercially available turkey semen extenders, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl. Turkey spermatozoa in Turkey Semen Extend were still motile 20 h after collection, representing a considerable improvement over the other semen extenders (40%, 0% and 8% for Turkey Semen Extend, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl, respectively). A field trial on a commercial turkey farm showed improved fertilization rates following insemination of turkey hens with semen extended in Turkey Semen Extend (89.7%) compared with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (86.9%). This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Processing on a density gradient, optimized for turkey spermatozoa, also increased sperm survival (50% gradient‐prepared spermatozoa still motile after 18 h compared with <10% non‐processed spermatozoa). Preliminary studies indicate that gradient preparation of spermatozoa may aid survival during cryopreservation.