Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-rvbq7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-15T01:39:41.390Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Development of diluents for domestic fowl semen*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

S.M. Bootwalla
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
R.D. Miles
Affiliation:
Department of Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
Get access

Abstract

Semen diluents are presently being used both for short- and long-term storage of domestic fowl semen. They are being developed to improve the reproductive efficiency of males and to lower the cost of artificial insemination. The development of semen diluents began with the use of simple NaCl solutions. Now, more complex diluents containing different osmotic regulators, energy sources, buffers and chelating agents are on the market. The discovery of cryoprotectants, such as glycerol and dimethylsulphoxide, has facilitated the preservation of chicken semen indefinitely at −196°C. The diluents which have been developed for short-term storage of semen are currently being used commercially wherever the technique of artificial insemination is being used seriously, especially in the turkey industry. Even though diluents for long-term semen storage are now available, their commercial application is not yet feasible.

This paper reviews the development of the various diluents which has resulted in the ability to preserve domestic fowl semen for short and long periods. Also discussed are some of the research data that have been collected on the viscosity of semen and semen diluents and what effects this has on semen quality.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, T.E. and Bobr, L.W. (1955) The fertility of fowl spermatozoa in glycerol diluents after intrauterine insemination. Poultry Science 34: 11671169CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bootwalla, S.M. and Froman, D.P. (1988) Effect of extender viscosity on the insemination dose for chickens. Poultry Science 67: 12181221CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clark, C.E. and Shaffner, C.S. (1960) The fertilizing capacity of frozen chicken sperm and the influence of related in vitro processes. Poultry Science 39: 12131220CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lake, P.E. (1960) Studies on the dilution and storage of fowl semen. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 1: 3035Google Scholar
Lake, P.E. and McIndoe, W.M. (1959) The glutamic acid and creatine content of plasma. Biochemical Journal 17: 303306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lake, P.E. and Ravie, O. (1979) Effect on fertility of storing fowl semen for 24 h at 5°C in fluids of different pH. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 57: 149155Google Scholar
Lake, P.E. and Ravie, O. (1980) Storage of fowl semen for different periods above 0°C. Proceedings of 9th International Congress on Animal Production and Artificial Insemination, Madrid 5: 113116Google Scholar
Lake, P.E., Ravie, O. and McAdam, J. (1981) Preservation of fowl semen in liquid nitrogen: application to breeding programs. British Poultry Science 22: 7177Google Scholar
Lake, P.E. and Stewart, J.M. (1978) Preservation of fowl semen in liquid nitrogen – an improved method. British Poultry Science 19: 187194CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mann, T. (1964) The Biochemistry of Semen and of the Male Reproductive Tract. John Wiley and Sons, New YorkGoogle Scholar
Ogasawara, F.X. and Ernst, R.A. (1970) Effects of three semen extenders on reproduction of turkeys. California Agriculture August: 15.Google Scholar
Phillips, P.H. and Lardy, H.A. (1940) A yolk buffer pabulum for the preservation of bull semen. Journal of Dairy Science 23: 399403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Polge, C., Smith, A.U. and Parkes, A.S. (1949) Revival of spermatozoa after vitrification and dehydration at low temperatures. Nature 164: 666CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rikmenspoel, R. (1957) Photoelectric and cinematographic measurements of the ‘motility’ of bull sperm cells. Proefschrift, University of Utrecht, The NetherlandsGoogle Scholar
Roberts, I.F. and McKenzie, F.F. (1943) Interrelationshps of semen characters and effect of frequency of ejaculation on semen production in young beef bulls. Journal of Animal Science 2: 360Google Scholar
Schindler, H., Weinstein, S., Moses, E. and Gabriel, I. (1955) The effect of various diluents and storage times on the fertilizing capacity of cock semen. Poultry Science 34: 11131117Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J. (1974) Observations on the washing of turkey spermatozoa. 15th World's Poultry Congress, New Orleans, 391–392Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J. (1976) Studies on the fertility of frozen fowl semen. Proceedings of 8th International Congress on Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Krakow, Poland 4: 10781082Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J. (1977) A new poultry semen extender. 1. Effect of extension on the fertility of chicken semen. Poultry Science 56: 14431446Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J. (1978) A new poultry semen extender. 3. Effect of storage conditions on the fertilizing capacity of chicken semen stored at 5°C. Poultry Science 57: 285289CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sexton, T.J. (1983) Maximizing the utilization of the male breeder: a review. Poultry Science 62: 17001710Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J. and Fewlass, T.A. (1978) A new poultry semen extender. 2. Effects of the diluent components on the fertilizing capacity of chicken semen stored at 5°C. Poultry Science 57: 277284Google Scholar
Sexton, T.J., Jacobs, L.A. and McDaniel, G.R. (1980) A new poultry semen extender. 4. Effect of antibacterials in the control of bacterial contamination in chicken semen. Poultry Science 59: 274281Google Scholar
SzumowskiPar, S. Par, S. (1948) Etudes sur quelques propriétés physiques du sperme de taureau. Recueil de Médecin Vétérinaire 124: 124136Google Scholar
Van Tienhoven, A. and Steel, R.G.D. (1957) The effect of different diluents and dilution rates on fertilizing capacity of turkey semen. Poultry Science 36: 473479Google Scholar
Van Wambeke, V.F. (1967) Storage of fowl spermatozoa. 1. Preliminary results with new diluents. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 13: 571575Google Scholar
Watanabe, M. (1967) Studies on deep freezing preservation of chicken semen. Journal of Fac. Fish and Animal Husbandry. Hiroshima University 7: 923Google Scholar
Watanabe, M. (1972) Fertility of fowl semen frozen for two years. Proceedings of 7th International Congress on Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Munich 2: 16851689Google Scholar
Wilcox, F.H. and Shaffner, C.S. (1958) The effect of diluent handling methods and added fructose on the fertilizing ability of chicken spermatozoa after storage. Poultry Science 37: 13531356Google Scholar
Wishart, G.J. (1985) Quantitation of the fertilizing ability of fresh compared with frozen and thawed fowl spermatozoa. British Poultry Science 26: 375380CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wishart, G.J. and Palmer, F.H. (1986) The effect of cryopreservation at – 196°C on the viability of fowl and turkey spermatoza assessed in vitro. Animal Reproduction Science 10: 317324Google Scholar