Evaluation of Egg Yolk Plasma as Replacement for Whole Egg Yolk in Chicken Semen Extender

Abstract

Poultry semen has high spermatozoa concentration and needs to be extended (diluted) for efficientartificial insemination; extenders containing egg yolk often have various limitations to their use. Thisstudy assessed chicken egg yolk plasma (EYP) as replacement for chicken whole egg yolk (EY) insemen extenders. The preservative potential under room and cold storage and its influence on fertilityand hatchability in breeder chicken flock was also assessed. Ten broiler breeder cocks and onehundred hens were used for the study. Semen ejaculates from the cocks were pooled and divided intofive portions. One portion each was extended with egg yolk plasma (EYP); phosphate buffer saline(PBS); egg yolk (EY) +PBS or EYP +PBS while the fifth unextended portion termed fresh undilutedsemen (FUS) served as the control. The ratio of EYP and EY to PBS was 1:4. The semen sampleswere evaluated at 1, 2 and 3 hours after extension under room temperature and at 24, 48 and 72 hoursafter cold storage (4℃). The hens were inseminated with the freshly extended semen or with coldpreserved semen, each for three weeks. Fertility and hatchability of the eggs were recorded on 18thand 21st day, respectively post setting. At room and cold storage temperatures, the quality parametersof the semen significantly reduced as the holding time increased. The EYP groups had the highestspermatozoa motility of 55.33% at 72 hours of cold storage. Freshly extended semen with EYP+ PBShad higher quality and fertilizing potentials which resulted in increased egg fertility (87.49%) andhatchability (84.95%). Cold preserved EYP + PBS semen resulted in significantly higher fertility(75.66%) and hatchability (90.90%). It was concluded that egg yolk plasma could convenientlyreplace whole egg yolk in chicken semen extender resulting in improved sperm viability and egghatchability.