The effect of continuous aeration on the fertility of fowl and Turkey semen stored above 0 °C

Abstract

1. Fowl and turkey spermatozoa were found to utilise oxygen when stored in tubes at 5 and 10 °G respectively; the storage medium becoming rapidly anaerobic. 2. This aerobic metabolism was encouraged by continuous introduction of air into the semen during storage. 3. Fertility of turkey semen stored at 10 °C for 24 h in a diluent containing glucose was increased 24‐fold by simple aeration and reached 99% of that achieved with fresh semen. 4. Fertilities of greater than 90% were also achieved with fowl semen stored aerated for 48 h at 5 °C in a diluent with or without glucose. The increased fertility on aeration was greater (2.2‐fold) with fowl semen stored in the absence of glucose.