Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #237096

Title: MAXIMIZING THE FERTILITY POTENTIAL OF TURKEY SEMEN

Author
item Long, Julie

Submitted to: Midwest Poultry Federation Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2009
Publication Date: 3/19/2009
Citation: Long, J.A. 2009. MAXIMIZING THE FERTILITY POTENTIAL OF TURKEY SEMEN. Midwest Poultry Federation Proceedings. CD Rom Format pp. 6-12.

Interpretive Summary: Small improvements during the course of semen collection, handling and insemination will maximize the fertility potential of toms. Quality control and accurate record keeping throughout the process are often overlooked as a source of improvement. The potential exists in today’s breeder operations to more effectively utilize toms through sire selection, lower semen doses and decreased insemination frequency.

Technical Abstract: Turkeys are the only commercial poultry species completely dependent upon artificial insemination for fertile egg production. Although time and labor-intensive, artificial insemination has proven to be a key strategy for achieving rapid genetic improvements in economically important traits such as growth rate and feed efficiency. The practice of artificial insemination also has resulted in more efficient utilization of the male by increasing the ratio of toms to hens, where diluted semen from one parent-stock tom can be inseminated into10 or more hens. One benefit of artificial insemination that has not been fully realized by the industry is maximizing the fertility potential of turkey semen. In this paper we explore ways to improve fertility potential through semen evaluation, semen handling and artificial insemination practices.