EFFECTS OF DILUENTS, AGE OF SEMEN AND INSEMINATION DOSES ON VIABILITY AND FERTILITY OF TURKEY

An investigation was conducted with a total of one hundred and fifty
(150) semen samples collected randomly from six (6) toms and one thousand
three hundred and fifty eggs (1350) from forty-five (45) hens to evaluate the
effect of diluents, age of semen and insemination doses on viability and fertility
of turkey semen preserved at ambient temperature. Results of the work revealed
that the semen qualities of those toms used for the work were not statistically
different (P>0.05). The rate of semen survival per hour shows that in diluent
(DIII) containing coconut milk a highly significant difference (P<0.01) in rates
of survival of sperm during the 8 hour period was observed. Other diluents
preserved sperm for a reasonable period of time, diluent (D0) lasted for 4 hrs,
DI lasted for 5 hrs whereas DII also sustained survival of sperm for above 6
hrs before the sharp decline. The level of fertility recorded in all the diluents
using different dosages showed that diluent D0 containing 0.2ml recorded the
highest yield.

The overall result in this case showed a highly significant
difference (P<0.01). In the aspect of hatchability, diluent DI produced the
highest number of chicks valued 63.48+8.27% .Significantly higher (P<0.01)
hatch of fertile eggs and eggs set was obtained from hens inseminated with
semen diluted in DIII than other diluents. From the work, it is evident that
metabolizable substrates containing coconut milk and other diluents used
proved efficient. The results show that careful improvement and utilization of
those local and affordable diluents would enhance turkey semen preservation
and artificial insemination practice in our local environment.