The Sperm Quality Index from Fresh Semen Predicts Chicken Semen Quality after Storage1,2

Abstract: The Sperm Quality Index (SQI) is correlated with fresh broiler breeder semen quality. Our objective was to determine if the SQI from semen prior to storage is predictive of semen quality after storage. Prior to semen dilution, sperm concentration, viability, and SQI were determined for each male’s neat semen sample. Each ejaculate was then diluted 1:1 with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and maintained at 4 C on a rotary shaker for 16 h. After semen dilution, sperm concentration, viability, and SQI were obtained at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 h. The SQI increased from 0 to 4 h of storage then decreased in a quartic fashion as storage time further increased (r =0.83). There was a linear decrease in sperm viability as storage time2 increased (r =0.87). There was a negative relationship for the SQI from fresh semen with percentage of dead2 sperm over storage period yielding correlation coefficients ranging from r =-0.88 to-0.55. Over storage, positive correlation coefficients for the SQI from fresh semen with live sperm concentration ranged from 0.47 to 0.61. There were also strong positive correlations for percentage of dead sperm and live sperm concentration from fresh semen with their respective semen characteristic at each storage period (r=0.81 to 0.97 and r=0.80 to 0.96, respectively). There was a strong positive relationship for SQI from fresh semen with the SQI over storage (r=0.88 to 0.94). In conclusion, the SQI from semen prior to storage is predictive of chicken semen quality through 16 h of storage