Page 94 - Poultry-Punch April 2020 edition

POULTRY PUNCH ARTICLE

to natural mating where usually one l Semen samples should be free from and free from pathogens such as Avian

cockerel mates with six to ten hens transparent fluid, which is released leukosis virus (ALV), Chicken anemia
l Use of older males from outstanding from the lymph fold present in cloacal virus (CAV), Mycoplasma, Salmonella,
performers for improving the genetic region. This fluid is found rich of calcium Campylobacter and others need to be
identity of flock can be used for several ion which causes the agglutination efficiently monitored (Corrier et al., 1999;
generations. Whereas, under natural of the spermatozoa resulting into a Buhr et al., 2005; Dhama et al., 2007,
mating their useful life is limited rapid loss of fertilizing ability in fowl. 2008a; Kabir, 2010).
l Use of valuable male birds that have Thus, for AI, to maintain high fertility Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)/
been unable to mate naturally due to it is advisable not to collect semen microbes through semen: Cloaca is dual
injured in the leg contaminated with excessive amounts functions of excretion as well as transfer
l Preferential mating of birds can be of transparent fluid of gametes are served by the avian.
eliminated it leads to poor fertility l AI must be conducted with fresh semen During copulation between cock and hen,

problems. Whenever fertile eggs are as it has become easy to collect semen microbes may get directly transmitted
needed laying cages are no longer in poultry and seeing proximity of hen as because intestinal microbes can get
problems. AI solves the problem of in large breeding farms. In certain incorporated into ejaculate (Sheldon,
using colony cages with several hens instances cryopreservation of poultry 1993).
and one rooster that usually decreases semen is recommended but it may Salmonella (Salmonella Gallinarum
the fertility rate (Surai and Wishart, prove less fertile, for the purpose of this causing Fowl Typhoid and Salmonella
1996) utilization of frozen semen (Gill et al., Pullorum causing Pullorum Disease),
l It is reduced chance of transmission 1999; Foote, 2002). Salmonella causing huge mortality in
of infectious and contagious diseases, l Birds can be fasted 5-7 h before the birds transmission by semen from hen/

apart from those transmitted through scheduled AI so that there will not be cock to their progeny(Reiber et al., 1995;
semen, from tom (adult male of turkey) any fecal matter which obstructs the AI Donoghue et al., 2004; Dhama et al., 2007;

or cock to the hens as there is no l Handling of the birds should be done Kabir, 2010). These microbes present in
physical contact (Chaudhury, 1996) away from the nest to prevent breakage the semen can also cause male infertility.
l Breeding experiments can be facilitated. of eggs and also handling should be Mycoplasma meleagridis in turkeys is
Chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, gentle to prevent trauma predominantly transmitted vertically
geese and quail are used in intra- l Conditioning of wild birds is necessary from parent stock. M. iowae, mostly
species and inter-species insemination so to have a smooth AI programme spread in lay, occurs following unskillful
experiments. Reciprocal crossing of because unconditioned birds may artificial insemination. Campylobacter-
wild geese with domesticated geese struggle which will hinder the transport positive semen, could provide a route in
has been performed of sperm to the ovum addition to fecal-oral, for transmission
l Semen can be transported easily and l Immediately after AI, food item which of Campylobacter from rooster to the

at a large scale because transportation is favorite for the bird can be provided reproductive tract of hen i.e., vertical
of birds from one region to another is so as to make a conditioned reflex transmission between dam and offspring
difficult task. phenomenon (Staley et al., 2007) (Cox et al., 2002; Tomar et al., 2006).
l Prevention of vertically and sexually l One/two inseminations per week prior Diseases like avian influenza, Newcastle

transmitted diseases can be achieved in to onset of egg laying should be carried Disease (ND), duck plague and turkey
a poultry flock if properly certified and out in chicken rhinotracheitis (Pneumovirus) had also
good quality semen is used (Das et al., Pathogens/diseases transmitted during been reported in transmission through
2004) artificial insemination in birds semen (Senthilkumar et al., 2003; Dhama
l AI can serve as a good means for The faulty handling and lack of et al., 2005, 2007, 2013a). Transmission
conservation of endangered avian knowledge hygiene it leads to the semen of Chicken anaemia virus (CAV), Eastern
species (Blanco et al., 2009). As of now contamination with harmful microbes (or equine encephalitis virus and avian
there are approximately 1,308 species pathogens) which could be transferred leucosis via semen is also possible
of avian which are marked either as between the bird/hen and their progeny (Hoop, 1993; Dhama et al., 2007, 2008a).
endangered or threatened (Bird Life (Guy et al., 1995; Lombardo, 1998; Semen can also be contaminated with
International, 2013) Lierz, 2008). Moreover, the unscientific vertically transmitted microbes such as
l As far as the production of hatching management of breeder flocks kept for Egg drop syndrome-76 (EDS-76) virus,
eggs are concerned reduced libido in semen collection will be promotes the Avian encephalomyelitis (AE) virus, Avian
case of poultry birds is a costly problem Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Reovirus (ARV), Avian leukosis virus (ALV)
for which AI is practiced for overcoming For developing suitable birds for AI etc. (Smith and Fadly, 1994; Segura et al.,
such problem procedures, factors such as the health 1988; Senthilkumar et al., 2003; Dhama et
Points for successful A.I. programme parameters of the breeder/parent stock al., 2007).

94 April, 2020