Efficiency of different diluents and dilution rates on the fertilization potential of chicken spermatozoa

Artificial Insemination (AI) has been well established to obtain better fertility than natural mating. Semen extension and preservation play a major role in AI technique. The concentrated nature of chicken semen entails dilution of semen for easy handling and storage. With the availability of a wide range of extenders, exploring various extenders and dilution rates supplement the reproductive efficiency achieved through modern AI techniques.

Pooled semen samples obtained from twenty White Leghorn breeder males were split equally into three portions, each for CARI poultry semen diluent, EK extender and Tselutin extender. At 1:2 dilution rate, the samples were subjected to sperm motility analysis from 0 to 96 h and AI was targeted at 0 and 24 h of semen collection. Fertility was assessed by candling of eggs collected from 2 to 8 days post insemination at 9th day of incubation. Further investigation of different dilution rates (1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12, 1:14, 1:16, 1:18, 1:20) on fertility of fresh semen was done using the superior diluent.

Upon analysis, sperm motility showed no significant difference among the diluents at 0 h storage while CARI poultry semen diluent showed superior motility (%) at the subsequent storage periods, followed by EK and Tselutin extender. Higher fertility (p<0.05) was expressed in the diluents of CARI and EK at 0 h storage, whereas CARI poultry semen diluent showed superior fertility pattern (p<0.05) followed by EK and least by Tselutin extender at 24 h semen storage. Further investigation of different dilution rates using CARI diluent, exhibited fertility (p<0.05) of 90% and higher at 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, followed by 1:6 and 1:8 at 2 to 6 days of fertile period.