Comparative Examination of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) Behaviour Responses and Semen Quality to Two Methods of Semen Collection

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) is very helpful in solving the reproductive and biodiversity problems observed in small, closed avian populations. The successful production of fertilized eggs using AI is dependent on the collection of good quality semen. Two methods of male sexual stimulation and semen collection from captive kept capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.), one of the most seriously endangered grouse species in Europe, are compared in this study. Ejaculates were obtained either with the use of a dummy female or by the dorso-abdominal massage method. Differences in the individual responses of the males to the two methods of semen collection as well as in their semen quality were noted. Only sperm concentration (432.4 x 106 mL-1 with dummy female and 614.5 x 106 mL-1 for massage method) was significantly affected by capercaillie stimulation method. Sperm motility and morphology were not affected (P≥0.05). Thus, for semen collection from captive kept capercaillie both methods can be used successfully. The dummy female can be an alternative to dorso-abdominal massage method, commonly used for semen collection from domesticated bird species.

Method matters: Experimental evidence for shorter avian sperm in faecal compared to abdominal massage samples

“…[ 65 , 70 – 73 ]). Consequently, if sperm length varies within males according to method (see also [ 29 , 74 ] highlighting qualitative sperm differences), earlier results that did not take methodological differences into account might have made an interpretation of results more difficult. We encourage other scientists working in avian sperm biology to replicate our approach to test its generality in other species.…”

Sperm quality and quantity evolve through different selective processes in the Phasianidae

“…The blue peafowl Pavo cristatus and the western capercaillie Tetrao urogallus were the only exceptions, with ejaculates collected using teaser females. Although these two techniques may yield slightly different sperm quantities (e.g., Coturnix japonica : 14.8 vs. 18.7 × 10 6 sperm 69,70 ; T. urogallus : 49.2 vs. 39.3 × 10 6 sperm 71 ), such deviations seem negligible compared to the over 100-fold greater variation across species. A more widespread source of intraspecific variance is general within- and between-male variation in ejaculate quantity and quality, combined with possible sampling variation, even though such variation is expected to introduce random error rather than a systematic bias across the phylogeny.…”

Raptors bred in captivity: semen characteristics and assisted reproduction outcome in goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

“…AI increases fertility rates and the number of offspring obtained from specific individuals. It improves genetic exchange between populations without the need for transferring live animals, and it has helped establish gene banks in the form of frozen semen ( Łukaszewicz, Kowalczyk & Rzońca, 2015 ; Villaverde-Morcillo et al, 2015 ).…”