Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #126082
Title: THE USE OF MOTILITY BUFFER TO IMPROVE FERTILITY AND HATCHABILITY OF EGGS IN 70 WEEK-OLD HENS

Author
item Kulkarni, Gururaj - Raj
item Bacon, Larry
item KIRBY, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Submitted to: North Central Avian Disease Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2001
Publication Date: 10/2/2001
Citation: Kulkarni, G., Bacon, L.D., Kirby, J. 2001. The use of motility buffer to improve fertility and hatchability of eggs in 70 week-old hens [abstract]. North Central Avian Disease Conference. p. 67.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To study Marek's disease, susceptible chickens are derived from a cross of inbred line 15I5 roosters and 71 hens which are maintained for an extended period of time. There is a decline in fertility and hatch with aging as well as inbreeding. A dramatic improvement in fertility and hatchability occurs in eggs produced by 50-60 week old broiler breeder hens using semen diluent and motility buffer (MB) during artificial insemination (A1) (Kulkarni et al., 1999, Poultry Sci. 78 Suppl.1:120.) This study tests the use of MB to improve the fertility and hatchability of aged inbred breeders using AI. Four weekly hatches were analyzed using cooled semen that was either treated with Minnesota extender (MnA) or MnA and MB (Froman and McLean, 1996, Poultry Sci. 75:776-784). Semen was collected and pooled from ten 70-75 week old line 1515 males, extended with MnA cooled at 4 C for 20-30 min. Sperm concentration was determined by a densimeter (Animal Reprod. Systems, Chino, CA). One hundred 70-75 week old line 71 hens were assigned to two groups of 50 hens each and were inseminated with 80 million sperm once a week for four weeks. The MB was mixed with the diluent immediately prior to each A1. Adding MB to the sperm suspension significantly improved percent hatch of eggs set (65.53+-4.30 for MnA vs 85.53+-2.07 for MnA and MB) Also the percent hatch of fertile eggs was significantly improved (67.75+-5.19 for MnA vs 84.23+-1.67 for MnA and MB) Fourteen days after the last AI, the residual fertility was 10.34% for MnA vs 15.12% for MnA and MB treated group. The data suggest that once a week AI with the addition of MB is beneficial and improved the reproductive capacity of aged inbred breeders. Further research will be conducted to study the usefulness of other diluents and buffers using AI.