1. This paper addresses questions concerning the role of oviducal sperm selection and storage in the relative inefficiency of turkey reproduction. 2. Before the onset of egg production, the turkey has the biological potential to store spermatozoa in its oviduct for periods up to 5 weeks; after the onset of production fewer spermatozoa are retained by the oviduct. 3. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms which regulate sperm selection and storage in the turkey oviduct is necessary to make significant advances in artificial insemination technology.

Summary. About 92% of the spermatozoa recovered after intrainfundibular inseminations of turkey hens were in the infundibulum and 6% in the magnal segments 24 h later. Of the spermatozoa recovered after intramagnal inseminations, about 67% were in the infundibulum, 26% in the magnal segments, and a total of about 8% in the isthmus, uterus, and vagina. It is suggested that spermatozoa in the infundibulum and magnum are not transported in significant numbers in an abovarian direction.