Fertilizing ability of turkey semen diluted with simple sugar-based extenders after cooled storage

It is now possible to store turkey semen for 4 to 24 h without appreciable loss in fertility and hatchability. Optimum conditions for 24 or 48 h storage have not been fully determined. Development of new storage media, allowing the insemination of very low numbers of spermatozoa, may provide interesting possibilities regarding the use of superior sires. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of simple sugar-based extenders (0.3 M Glucose, 0.6 M Sucrose) or Ringer + glucose solution after 24 h or 48 h of cooled storage on fertility. Standard bred bronze turkey toms 40 weeks of age were used. Semen was collected by abdominal massage twice a week throughout 4 weeks of study. Ejaculates were pooled, mixed thoroughly, and diluted to insemination dose (200 x 10) with 1) 0.3 M glucose, 2) 0.6 M sucrose, and 3) ringer + glucose solution. Diluted semen were placed in 10 ml erlenmeyer flasks. All flasks were covered with parafilm and stored in a refrigerator for 24 or 48 h at 4 C. Changes in sperm motility were determined before and after holding. Sperm stored in 0.6 M sucrose solution was not used for the inseminations because of low motility (10 % after 24 h, 0 % after 48 h). Hens were inseminated two times in the first week and once weekly with 200 x 10 viable spermatozoa for 4 weeks. The mean fertility rates for sperm stored with two extenders (0.3 M glucose and Ringer + glucose) at 4 C were: 90.9% ( 24 h, 0.3 M glucose); 79.1% ( 48 h, 0.3 M glucose); 69.8 % (24 h, Ringer + glucose); 30.9 % (48 h, Ringer + glucose); 93.8 % (control, fresh). No significant difference in fertility rates were observed between sperm stored in glucose-based extender for 24 hr and the unstored control, but differences between extenders were significant (p<0.05). Thus, glucose-based extender was beneficial and provided better conditions for cooled storage than did the others. There was no difference in hatchability of fertile eggs in the treatments. The results show that turkey semen can be stored in glucose-based extender for 24 or 48 h with a minimal loss in fertility and hatchability.