Spermatozoa Concentration in Three Varieties of Turkeys

Abstract THE production of spermatozoa in the domestic turkey is rapidly becoming an important economic characteristic, especially with the continuing widespread use of artificial insemination in breeding operations for this species. Spermatozoa concentration of turkey semen has been determined by numerous workers, including Parker (1946), Carson et al. (1955), Lorenz et al. (1955), Kosin and Wheeler (1956), McCartney (1956) and McCartney et al. (1958). Although the reports of these investigators suggest that there may be strain and varietal differences for this characteristic in the turkey, no comparative studies have been undertaken by any one investigator to determine if differences do actually exist among varieties of turkey for spermatozoa concentration. In general, spermatozoa concentration values appear to be higher for Bronze and Large White turkeys and lower for Small White turkeys. Since these three major varieties of turkeys apparently differ somewhat in their ability to fertilize eggs, it seemed highly desirable to …