Sire and Dam Effects on Fertility, Inner Periv- Itelline Membrane Sperm Binding and Embryonic Survival of Turkeys Selected for Increased Egg Production or Body Effect of Vitamin E on Fertility after Artificial Insemination with Liquid-stored Turkey Spermatozoa

s of papers 47 and a mid-production period (12-16 wks of production). The SP hole distribution indicated that 85% of hens had between 21 and 100 holes. Depending on the sire, the data exhibited differences due to hen or hen by period interactions. These results indicated that eggs from hens inseminated with semen from the same sire had significantly different numbers of IPVL SP holes. This suggests that the hen can influence sperm binding and hydrolysis of the IPVL. Hens that have an increased ability for IPVL hydrolysis were suggested from the data to increase hatchability. Furthermore, the hen by period interaction demonstrated that not all hens experienced a change in SP holes as they aged. Due to reduced numbers of eggs available from individuals, hens in the upper (HI) third of the flock were pooled and hens in the lower (LO) third of the flock were pooled, as determined by IPVL holes, to analyze SP hole relationship with embryo viability. No differences in fertility or wk 1 mortality were detected between HI and LO hens, but HI hens had higher hatchability and lower wk 4 embryonic mortality as compared to LO hens. It was concluded that hens could influence the relationship among IPVL SP holes and hatchability.