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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #83202
Title: STORAGE OF POULTRY SEMEN

Author
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie
item WISHART, G - FDA

Submitted to: Animal Reproduction Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This chapter reviews semen collection and insemination techniques in poultry, diluent requirements and methods for liquid and cryopreservation of avian sperm and highlights how preserving sperm in vitro alters sperm storage and subsequent fertility. Artificial insemination has been a critical component of reproduction in turkeys since the 1960's and is used almost exclusively for commercial flock production. Significant progress was made in developing semen diluents and preservation procedures for poultry semen, liquid storage of semen at refrigerated temperatures for up to 6 hours in turkeys and 24 hours in chickens can result in fertility levels comparable to freshly inseminated semen. Although it was the serendipitous discovery of glycerol's cryoprotective qualities in freezing chicken semen that advanced semen cryopreservation technology for all species, freezing procedures for poultry sperm are not cost effective for commercial flock production.

Technical Abstract: This chapter reviews semen collection and insemination techniques in poultry, diluent requirements and methods for liquid and cryopreservation of avian sperm and highlights how preserving sperm in vitro alters sperm storage and subsequent fertility. Artificial insemination has been a critical component of reproduction in turkeys since the 1960's and is used almost exclusively for commercial flock production. Significant progress was made in developing semen diluents and preservation procedures for poultry semen, liquid storage of semen at refrigerated temperatures for up to 6 hours in turkeys and 24 hours in chickens can result in fertility levels comparable to freshly inseminated semen. Although it was the serendipitous discovery of glycerol's cryoprotective qualities in freezing chicken semen that advanced semen cryopreservation technology for all species, freezing procedures for poultry sperm are not cost effective for commercial flock production.