The effect of sperm mobility phenotype on fertility persistence in layer and broiler hens

Abstract

Domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) were studied to identify accurate predictors of potential fertility in two lines of broiler breeder males along with fertility persistency in layer and broiler hens. Sixty-four Hy-Line layer and thirty-seven broiler breeder hens were AI with identical amounts of high or low mobility sperm from FG males. Morphological measurements were taken to determine relationships of these with semen volume, concentration, and mobility. We hypothesized that 1) semen quality would decline as males aged, 2) morphology would be positively correlated with semen quality, and 3) females AI with high mobility sperm would have a longer duration of fertility. Results revealed a significant age*line interaction for semen volume (p=0.0307), sperm concentration (p=0.0003), and sperm mobility (p=0.0405). Morphological measurements were correlated with different semen parameters in both lines. Fertility was positively correlated with semen quality. Sperm mobility influenced fertility in layer hens but not in broiler breeders.