J. Appl. Poult. Res.
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J APPL POULT RES 2001. 10:1-4
© 2001 Poultry Science Association
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Research Reports

Assessing the Effect of Mating Ratio on Broiler Breeder Performance by Qualifying Sperm:Egg Interaction

R. C. Hazary, H. J. Staines and G. J. Wishart

Avian Reproduction Group, University of Abertay Dundee, Bell Street, Dundee, Scotland DD1 1HG; Phone: 44 (0)1382 308000; Fax: 44 (0) 1382 308877

Correspondence: H. J. Staines

Trials to compare mating ratios are important for optimizing the breeding efficiency of broiler breeder flocks. However, the parameter that is normally used for such omparisons-'fertility' of all eggs or a sample of eggs from the flock-is a rather coarse tool for discriminating the interplay of mate choice and mating frequency, which results from different male:female ratios. In this pilotstudy, we have shown that the number of holes hydrolyzed by spermatozoa in the inner perivitelline layer over the germinal disc in samples of 40 eggs is better than measures of flock or sample fertility for discriminating between pairs of flocks with different proportions of males. For example, the median number of holes made by spermatozoa in the perivitelline layer of samples of eggs can be doubled in flocks with 9.5 versus 9.0 males per 100 females, which shows that flock fertility increases less than 1%. The perivitelline hole assay also provides an indication of the distribution of spermatozoa among hens, which is the fundamental parameter for assessing the dynamics of mating efficiency under different male:female ratios. The number of spermatozoa transferred to, and their distribution among, hens then defines flock 'fertility. '

Key Words: Broiler breeder • fertility • mating ratios • sperm:egg interaction






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