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Effects of age, body weight, semen collection frequency and holding duration on semen traits of broiler breeder reared under different housing systems

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Abstract

Semen traits play the vital role in determining the fertility of a broiler breeder flock; however, it can be influenced by several factors. This experiment was carried out to assess some of these factors affecting the semen. A total of 89 male birds and 960 hens of 20-week-old broiler breeder (2215 g ± 7.5%) were divided into two main groups; one was kept in cages (AIC) and another group was kept on deep litter floor (AIF), while both these groups were subjected to AI. The male birds of aforementioned groups (44 males and 480 females) were further divided into 4 sub-groups (11 males and 120 females) to execute different semen collection frequencies i.e., 2, 3, 4, and 5th days’ interval. The impact of time duration between semen collection and insemination on sperm kinematics was monitored. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of semen including sperm concentration and sperm kinematics of the collected semen was conducted through a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and ONGO machine (working on the CASA principle). Resultantly, the data revealed that the studied parameters of semen were deteriorated with the progression of age of male birds, while the group of males with standard body weight produced the best semen quantitatively and qualitatively followed by overweight particularly during the post peak phase (46–65 = 20 weeks). Although the 3rd day, semen collection frequency was found better for quality, the higher quantity of semen was achieved when males were being collected at the intervals of 4th and 5th day respectively regardless of housing systems. Significant decline in sperm kinematics was recorded with the progression of semen holding duration at the temperature of poultry farm. Furthermore, the highest contamination of E. coli, Salmonella, and Mycoplasma gallisepticum was recorded in the reproductive tract of hens and semen of the AIF group as compared to AIC. Thus, conclusion can be settled that the semen properties are significantly affected by age, body weight, and semen collection intervals in both housing systems, while sperm kinematics is being disrupted with the progression of holding duration. Although housing systems could affect the semen insignificantly, yet lesser contamination was recorded in semen and in the reproductive tract of hens of AIC.

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The authors declare that all the data and materials used in this study comply with field standards and available on demand.

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Acknowledgements

This study was part of the Ph.D. thesis of the first author. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the faculty members at Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Muhammad Shabir Shaheen, Shahid Mehmood & Sohail Ahmad

  2. Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Sadaf Aslam

  3. Directorate of Poultry Research Institute, Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Muhammad Tariq

  4. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang Campus, Jhang, Pakistan

    Yassar Abbas

  5. Institute of Continuing Education and Extension, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

    Hassan Ashfaq

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  1. Muhammad Shabir Shaheen
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Contributions

MSS conducted this study as part of his Ph.D. research work under the supervision of SM. YA, HA, and MT helped in data collection. SA helped in the statistical analysis and formatting of the manuscript. SM and SdA helped in reviewing the manuscript. All authors read and approve the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sohail Ahmad.

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All the procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, and approval was granted by the Animal Ethical Review Committee.

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Shaheen, M.S., Aslam, S., Mehmood, S. et al. Effects of age, body weight, semen collection frequency and holding duration on semen traits of broiler breeder reared under different housing systems. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03433-y

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