Semen quality and reproductive ability of in ovo thermal manipulated roosters at different ages

Abstract

Shanmugam, M., Vinoth, A., Rajaravindra, K.S. and Rajkumar, U. 2020. Semen quality and reproductive ability of in ovo thermal manipulated roosters at different ages. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(1): 43-45. The aim of the present study was to evaluate higher temperature exposure during incubation on rooster semen quality at different ages. Dahlem Red breeder male chicks were obtained by hatching under normal incubation temperature (37.5°C and 65% relative humidity) and elevated incubation temperature (39.5°C and 65% relative humidity) applied for three hours during 16-18th days of incubation. The two groups of chicks were reared till 72 weeks of age. Semen collected at 29, 39, 59 and 69 weeks of age was evaluated for different physical parameters. An artificial insemination trial was carried at 30 weeks of age. Environmental variables during the weeks of semen evaluation were used for calculation of temperature humidity index (THI). Results indicated that roosters hatched from higher incubation temperature did not produce semen of better quality compared to control roosters.