White Leghorn hens were artificially inseminated at 13 and 16 hours with differently treated frozen semen stored over different periods. Lake's diluent with 11 per cent glycerol was effective for prolonged cryopreservation of fowl semen. The Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) with 4 per cent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) combination gave best total hatchability. Gentamicin supplementation is essential to improve the semen quality, fertility and hatchability. For optimal semen quality, fertility, hatchability, economy and simplicity the semen should be diluted 1:4, using modified BPSE with 4 per cent DMSO and gentamicin, stored upto 60 days and inseminated at 16 hours. Lake's diluent with 4 per cent DMSO and gentamicin could also be tried with equal efficiency and economy.
Cryopreservation, spermatozoa, insemination, fertility
