Daily Sperm Production of the Domestic Fowl (Gallus domesticus) as Determined By Quantitative Testicular Histology and Homogenate Methods

Abstract

The daily spermatozoa production was studied in 20 each of sexually matured barred Plymouth Rock and Nigerian indigenous breeds of domestic fowl using both the histometric and testicular homogenate methods. The exotic cocks were significantly (p < 0.01) heavier than the locals with the respective values of 2.11 +/- 0.05 and 1.58 +/- 0.02 kg. The exotic also had larger (p < 0.01) gross testicular weight (21.58 +/- 1.46 vs. 12.56 +/- 0.91 g), paired testicular parenchymal weight (20.47 +/- 0.40 vs. 11.96 +/- 0.82 g) and paired tunica albuginea (1.11 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.60 +/- 0.11 g). The total length and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were also significantly influenced (p < 0.01) by breed. The volume percent occupied by seminiferous tubules though higher in the exotic birds showed no statistical significance. Daily sperm production obtained from histometric method was highly influenced by breed with 2.41 +/- 1.17 x 10(9) and 0.76 +/- 0.71 x 10(9) for exotic and local cocks, respectively. The daily sperm productions calculated on the basis of homogenization-resistant spermatids were 1.85 +/- 0.22 for exotic and 0.73 +/- 0.11 for locals. Although, the difference in DSP values based on both methods was not statistically significant there was a 23.24 and 3.90% loss in exotic and local birds respectively with the use of homogenization method. On the whole, the exotic cocks were twice as efficient in sperm production as the local birds.

Effect of season on structural composition of drake testes and daily spermatozoa production as determined by quantitative testicular histology

“…Quantitative histology has been used in determining daily sperm production in boars (10), rabbits (3), rats (13), goats (6), and domestic fowl (19). Information on possible seasonal variation in the breeding potential of ducks in the tropical environment is lacking.…”

“…In temperate regions, the duck has been described as a seasonal breeder, breeding only during the spring (8). In evaluating the spermatogenic efficiency of males reared under varying environmental conditions, it is essential to determine their sperm production potential (19). The environment, encompassing climatic, nutritional, and biotic factors, plays a major role in synchronizing reproductive rhythms (27).…”

Histomorphological Assessment of Spermatogenesis in African Catfish Clarias gariepinus with reference to Spermatogonial Proliferation

“…The gross structure of the testis of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus showed paired elongated lobes with the caudal region presenting ostentatious seminal vesicles [11] in contrast to other species [6] .The paraffin processed section stained with H&E showed a remarkable similarity to the testicular epithelium of vertebrates including other fish species as Tilapia [5], Atlantic cod [19], mammals [17], domestic fowl [18]. The testicular cross section was composed of two compartments, the interstitial compartment and the germinal epithelium.…”

“…Known weights of the samples of the right testis were fixed in Bouin's fixative solution for 24 h.Tissues were washed in 70% ethanol and thereafter dehydrated in increasing concentrations of ethanol, cleared in three changes of Chloroform and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections of 5mµ thick were floated and flattened in water at 40 o C, then picked with clean slides smeared with Mayer's egg albumin and stained with Hematoxilyn and eosin(H&E) [18]. Stages of spermatogenesis, cytology and cellular histometry were carried out on 20 randomly selected lobules which were observed at low magnification(X10).…”

“…Germ cell degeneration, accompanied by cellular loss, has been reported during spermatogenesis in fish [13; 3] and in domestic fowl Gallus domesticus [15]. The number of spermatids supported per Sertoli cell is a function of the cellular carrying capacity of the Sertoli cell; viz: 100 in Tilapia and guppy [16] 8-10 in rats and mice [17], and approximately 100 in the domestic fowl, Barred Plymouth Rock [18].…”