J. Appl. Poult. Res.
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J APPL POULT RES 2006. 15:280-286
© 2006 Poultry Science Association
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Research Reports

Application of the Sperm Mobility Assay to Primary Broiler Breeder Stock

D. P. Froman1

Department of Animal Sciences, 112 Withycombe Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331

Correspondence: 1 Corresponding author: David.Froman{at}oregonstate.edu

A new quantitative trait affecting male fertility was discovered in the 1990s. The term sperm mobility denotes the net movement of a sperm cell population against resistance at body temperature. Even though sperm cells are self-propelled DNA delivery vehicles, their self-propulsive nature is neither uniform among sperm within an ejaculate nor among males within flocks. Such variation is evident when semen quality is evaluated by sperm penetration of an Accudenz solution, hence the term sperm mobility assay. It is noteworthy that populations showing modest variation with respect to semen volume or sperm concentration often show considerable variation with respect to sperm mobility. Likewise, it is noteworthy that broiler breeder fertility is a function of sperm mobility phenotype when hens are inseminated artificially. This article outlines the following: 1) a series of experiments in which the sensitivity of the commercial sperm mobility assay was improved using semen donors from lines of chickens selected for either low or high sperm mobility and 2) the application of the improved technique to pedigree broiler breeders. Male fertility is subject to genetic selection when sperm mobility is the selection criterion. Therefore, sperm mobility may be a useful trait for improving broiler breeder reproductive efficiency.

Key Words: broiler breeder • chicken • fertility • semen quality • sperm






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