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ANALYSIS OF SPERM MOTILITY, VELOCITY AND MORPHOMETRY OF THREE EGYPTIAN INDIGENOUS CHICKEN STRAINS

Research Authors
M. A. M. Sayed*, F. M. K. Abouelezz AND Amira A. M. Abdel-Wahab
Research Abstract

Sperm quality is a principal determinant of its fertilizing potency. The current study was conducted in an attempt to link some morphometric measures (sperm and flagellum length) and the concentrations of some ions in seminal plasma on the one hand to sperm swimming velocity on the other hand in three Egyptian local chicken strains (Dandarawi, Sharkasi and Fayoumi). Ten adult males (28 weeks old) from each strain were housed in individual cages. Semen samples were collected twice weekly for a period of 16 weeks. Some physical and chemical characteristics of semen including ejaculate volume (mL), sperm concentration, motility (%), and the concentrations of calcium, potassium, sodium and manganese in seminal plasma were measured. Sperm curve linear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL) and straightness (STR) were measured using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) software. The lengths of entire sperm, head plus mid-piece and flagellum (µm) were measured using image J software. There were no significant differences among strains in the percentages of total motile sperms and the percentages of sperms demonstrating progressive motility. Ejaculates of Dandarawi roosters had higher sperm concentration/ml (p<0.01), greater percentages of rapid swimming sperms (p<0.001) and higher values of VCL, VAP and VSL (p<0.0001) compared to those of Sharkasi and Fayomi strains. Significant differences were observed in sperm morphometry among the different strains where Dandarawi and Sharkasi had longer sperm and flagellum compared to those of Fayoumi (p<0.001). Chemical composition of seminal plasma revealed higher potassium concentrations in Sharkasi samples compared to those of Fayomi (P<0.05); while the concentrations in Dandarawi ejaculates were intermediate. In conclusion, Dandarawi sperm showed higher swimming velocity compared to both Sharkasi and Fayomi. Slower sperm velocity can be attributed to shorter flagellum and to higher potassium concentrations in seminal plasma in Fayomi and Sharkasi strains, respectively.

Research Department
Research Journal
Egypt. Poult. Sci.
Research Publisher
Research Rank
2
Research Vol
Vol (37)(IV)
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2017
Research Pages
:(1173-1185)