Characteristics of semen collected from gander included in the genetic resources conservation program

Abstract

Conservative breeding ex situ in vivo is one of the most popular methods of creating genetic reserves. Unfortunately, keeping animals in small closed populations leads to inbreeding which reduces their reproductive capacity. The aim of the study was to characterize the sperm quality of 6 genetic groups of geese (northern and southern breeds) kept in Poland for many generations as genetic reserve flocks. Each breed was represented by 10 randomly selected 1-yr-old ganders, semen was collected 14 times, individually from each male, and the number of positive reactions (ended with ejaculation), semen volume, sperm concentration, and morphology were assessed. The obtained results showed a significant difference between breeds and individuals of the same group, both in males’ reaction and semen quantitative and qualitative traits. From the northern breeds 193 ejaculates were obtained in total (i.e., 45.9% of all attempts), from the southern breeds 242 ejaculates (57.6%). The volume of single ejaculate varied from 0.01 mL (one drop allowing only histological smear and sperm morphology evaluation) to 0.65 mL; sperm concentration varied from 23.0 × 10 6 mL −1 to 2376.0 × 10 6 mL −1 ; the amount of total live sperm was at a similar level in all breeds (89.6%–97.7%), while live normal cells ranged between 15.2% and 67.9% depending on breed and individuals. When keeping the genetic reserves ex situ in vivo , attention should be paid to the quality of semen and males that are poor in this respect should be eliminated, in order not to lead to an excessive weakening of the reproductive capacity of the flocks covered by the genetic resources protection program.

Semen characteristics of ganders kept as genetic resources conservation programme

“…In the presented experiment, as in studies of other authors, a large breed and individual male variations in quantitative and qualitative semen traits were observed. The obtained average semen volumes (0.18–0.40 ml) are comparable with other regional goose breeds (0.16–0.41 ml, Łukaszewicz et al., 2021), but definitely lower than those of White Roman gander in Chang et al. (2016) study.…”

“…In this study we observed more positive responses to massage in all breeds compared to the results obtained in our previous studies on Polish regional goose Kartuska and Rypińska (36.4% and 44.3%), while the reactions of foreign breeds were similar to Suwalska, Kielecka, Lubelska and Podkarpacka geese (57%–58.6%) (Łukaszewicz et al., 2021). Nevertheless, in all analysed breeds, the ganders’ susceptibility to massage was much lower than of commercial line White Koluda ® (nearly 83%; Łukaszewicz & Kruszyński, 2003) or Canada goose ( Branta canadensis ; 61%; Zaik, 2013).…”

“…In Hungary, the introduced conservation programmes have contributed to the recognition of 22 goose genotypes, 68% of which are native Hungarian breed (Bódi et al., 2019), and in Slovakia, the endangered breeds include, among others, the local Slovak goose (Hanusová et al., 2017; Hrnčár et al., 2012; Mindek et al., 2014). The experiments carried out by our scientific team (Łukaszewicz et al., 2021) are also in line with the assumptions set out by FAO. Their aim is to maintain the genetic reserve of poultry species by preserving their original genotypes.…”

“…Boxes were allocated in an unheated room, with natural temperature and light environment and gravity ventilation. Every day 350–400 g of commercial food (Tasomix, Biskupice Ołoboczne, Poland) for reproductive goose flocks was provided per one male and free access to fresh, good quality water (Łukaszewicz et al., 2021).…”

From the Semen Collection Method to the Hatchlings: The Use of Cryopreserved Sperm from Pheasants Fed an Antioxidant-Enriched Diet

“…The collection method largely influences the quality of the collected semen. The ability to avoid contaminants in the semen and to minimise handling stress to the birds are two fundamental aspects of a collection technique [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Therefore, semen collection should be considered the first essential factor for the cryopreservation process and successful AIs.…”