Page 93 - Poultry-Punch April 2020 edition

POULTRY PUNCH ARTICLE

domestic animals which can be trained Semen has to get be however damage to the phallic as
easily to mount a dummy and ejaculate, well as cloacal regions due to additional
birds are tricky especially wild birds which diluted with suitable cloacal strokes thereby contributing to
are usually in flight. The usual methods diluents in order to: semen contamination (Malecki et al.,
followed for collection of semen from 2008). For investigation of the physical
birds are as follows: (i) Increase semen as well as biochemical characteristics of
l Co-operative approach: As the name volume, (ii) Increase the semen of broiler chicken attempts
implies this technique needs co- have been made. Abdominal message
operation from the donor birds which in number of birds method has been used for collection
can be achieved by an external stimulus inseminated by per unit of semen of certain indigenous poultry
which are of behavioral, for example birds like Kadaknath (Shinde et al.,
voice, nest, food (Hamerstrom, 1970). volume of semen and 2012)
The lead point of this technique is that (iii) Finally, it prolongs Semen dilution: After collection semen,
there is no stress and injury free on the dilution of semen is done to prevent
the bird as there is no bird handling the sperm survival for the spermatozoa start losing integrity as
involved. The major advantage of this both short and long results reduced fertility. Within 30-45 min
technique is that the quality of semen is of collection it is useful to dilute semen with
good without contaminants like feaces term preservation of appropriate diluents used. The excellent
and urine. However, the quantity of semen in vitro. Semen levels of fertility with chicken as well as
the semen obtained will be less which turkey semen in vitro for 24 h or more. The
is the drawback of this technique. with proper diluents volume of semen is increased by dilution
The co-operative approach technique would be economically thereby helping to retain integrity of cells
showed promising results with artificial and buffering the detrimental effects that
vagina in case of Muscovy ducks viable and effective use to arise on storage. Ideal extenders
(Gvaryahu et al., 1984), Emu (Malecki for insemination in and their careful handling are required
et al., 1997) and with female dummy in in general if semen need to be stored
case of Houbara bustard (Jalme et al., birds. Using the semen (Koohpar et al., 2010). Semen has to get
1994), quail (Chelmonska et al., 2008) diluents, the services of diluted with suitable diluents in order to:
and ostrich. Uses of dummy or teaser (i) Increase semen volume, (ii) Increase in
females require a special mention in a superior male can be number of birds inseminated by per unit
this regard (Rybnik et al., 2007) volume of semen and (iii) Finally, it prolongs
l Electro-ejaculation: This technique used maximally by the the sperm survival for both short and long
is commonly employed for ducks AI technique. Hence, the term preservation of semen in vitro. Semen
and geese, psittacines and pigeons. major objective of the with proper diluents would be economically
Anaesthesia is a mandatory in this viable and effective for insemination
technique and contamination with diluent is to improve the in birds. Using the semen diluents, the
urine is a major drawback (Harrison and reproductive efficiency services of a superior male can be used
Wasmund, 1983; Betzen, 1985; Samour maximally by the AI technique. Hence, the
et al., 1985) of cock and to reduce major objective of the diluent is to improve
l Abdominal massage technique: This is the cost of AI. However, the reproductive efficiency of cock and to
the mostly widely accepted and used reduce the cost of AI. However, variations
technique technique (Burrows and variations exist exist between the males of different breeds/
Quinn, 1935) which is yet a non invasive between the males of species of fowl with respect to the physico-
method (Howell and Bartholomew, biochemical characteristics and fertilizing
1952; Birkhead et al., 1995). In chickens different breeds/species ability of their spermatozoa. Hence, it is not
and turkeys it involves massaging of the of fowl with respect to possible to develop a master semen diluent
cloacal region in order to achieve phallic for all the avian species. This necessitates
tumescence (Burrows and Quinn, the physico-biochemical breed/species specific semen diluents for
1935). Properly restrained donors are characteristics and avian species for short term preservation
stroked gently in the back region behind (Mohan et al., 2011).
the wings which stimulates most males fertilizing ability of their Advantages of artificial insemination in
with phallic engorgement at which state spermatozoa. birds:
the cloaca can be squeezed to collect l A increase in mating ratio utilizing
the semen (Cooper, 1977). There may appropriate semen diluents compared

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