THE INFLUENCE OF BREED AND SEASON ON SEMEN QUALITY OF COCKS.

SUMMARY The possible effect of season upon semen quality of New Hampshire (NH), White Legbonl (WL), Iraqi Brown (BR) and Iraqi Barred (BA) cocks, has been studied Results showed that the breed of cocks had a significant effect (psemen characteristics measured in this study. The NH and BA cocks showed highest semen volume, spennatozoa concentration, spermatocrit and motility. Furthennore, these breeds also showed lowest percentage of dead and abnoITnal sperm Seasonal variation in the quality of cock semen were fotrnd. Semen volume, spermatocrit, spennatozoa concentration, motility and percentages of live and normal sperm being better during cold months (December, January and February) and lowest during hot months (July, August and September).The NH and BA cocks performed better under Iraqi environment than did either WL or BR cocks.