Sperm production and testicular development of broiler breeder males reared on shortened growth cycles

Abstract

Primary Audience: Broiler Breeder Managers, Flock Supervisors, Researchers SUMMARYFeed restriction is an important tool used in the rearing of broiler breeders to control growth and maintain BW. Feed restriction during the growing phase typically provides 60 to 80% less feed than the birds would consume if provided feed ad libitum, resulting in a perceived animal welfare issue. Because males are typically more rigorously feed restricted than females, this is thought to be especially stressful to the growing cockerels. During this time, the reproductive systems of the males are undergoing formative stages, and improper management can have lifelong effects on their reproductive performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to rear males under feed management programs that would require less severe feed restriction while still rearing replacement breeder males to the recommended target BW of 3.060 kg at 24, 21, 18, 15, and 12 wk of age, respectively. Males were placed at 3-wk intervals so that all males were light stimulated on the same calendar date and at the same time and BW but at different ages. A total of 5 treatment groups were used, based on age of the male at light stimulation. All males were reared in the same light-controlled house at the University of Arkansas Research Farm. Males were light stimulated and testicular development, semen analysis, fertility, and mating activity were recorded for each group of males. To measure semen production, males were housed in individual cages, with 24 males from each treatment group tested. Males light stimulated at 18 wk of age had the highest semen volume (0.46 mL), followed by males light stimulated at 24 (0.31 mL), 15 (0.29 mL), 21 (0.27 mL) and 12 wk of age (0.27 mL), respectively. Sperm count per ejaculate was highest for the males light stimulated at 18 wk of age, followed by males light stimulated at 21, 24, 15, and 12 wk of age, respectively. Males that were 21 wk of age or older at the time of light stimulation responded quicker to light stimulation than did younger males.

Reproductive parameters and weight gain of roosters fed with waste oil from olive culture

“…The difference of values of sperm concentration found in this study among studies by Moyle et al (2012), Mangiagalli et al (2010), andTriques et al (2016) can be justified due to the low seminal volume found by these authors.…”

Review: Pengaruh Pakan Terhadap Kualitas Semen Ayam

“…Faktanya, selama periode pra-pubertas, perkembangan testis sangat terkait dengan jumlah dan ukuran sel Sertoli, sementara itu, perkembangan testis berkorelasi dengan jumlah sel germinal pada periode pubertas. Hal ini sesuai dengan laporan Moyle et al (2012) melaporkan bahwa peningkatan berat testis tidak diikuti dengan peningkatan produksi spermatozoa. Testis menghasilkan spermatozoa dan plasma semen menunjukkan bahwa perkembangan testis tidak hanya terkait dengan proliferasi sel Sertoli tetapi juga dengan pembentukan aktivitas spermatogenesis (Lűpold et al 2011).…”

What can PIWI-interacting RNA research learn from chickens, and vice versa?

“…Similar fertility problems are also present in the turkey industry. Although it is believed that the low fertility is associated with selection for rapid growth, broiler breeders display individual variations in sperm count and fertility (Moyle et al 2012), suggesting the potential for obtaining improved fertility by exploiting genetic diversity in the existing stock. Considering that the United States produced approximately nine billion broilers in 2017 (according to US Broiler Industry: Background Statistics and Information from USDA) at a price of $2.24 per broiler chick (according to the price on www.purelypoultry.com, March 2019), even a 1% increase in the reproductive efficiency of broiler breeders will reduce the cost of broilers by $200 million per year.…”