Effect of dietary energy and crude protein on semen parameters and fertility in layer breeders males

The present study was conducted to evaluate different levels of dietary energy and crude protein on semen parameters and fertility in layer breeder males. In Experiment 1, forty five Dahlem Red roosters (48 weeks age)were equally distributed and fed isocaloric diets with different levels of crude protein (CP): high energy high protein (HEHP-2950 kcal/kg ME, 16% CP), high energy low protein (HELP-2950 kcal/kg ME, 8.97% CP) and third group HELP+LM where the amino acids lysine, methionine and threonine were supplemented in the diets to be on par with HEHP diet. The experiment was conducted for seventeen weeks. In Experiment 2, forty four roosters (34 weeks age) were assigned to four groups randomly. The birds were fed with HEHP, HELP, low energy low protein (LELP2360 kcal/kg ME, 9% CP) and LELP+EM (Emulsifier-25g/100kg feed) diets for thirteen weeks. Semen parameters were evaluated at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of feeding during both the experiments. The semen from the treatment groups was inseminated in hens to study the fertility and hatchability. In Experiment 1 the treatment diets had no effect (P>0.05) on the semen parameters, fertility and hatchability. In Experiment 2 the percent abnormal sperm was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the LELP group and other semen parameters were not influenced by dietary treatments. The average fertility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the HELP group and the average hatchability was lower in the LELP group. In conclusion, reduced dietary CP level had no effect on semen and fertility parameters. Dietary energy and protein level combinations influenced the percent abnormal sperm, fertility and hatchability in layer breeder males.