The influence of a genetic change in egg production, body weight, fertility or response to cold stress on semen yield in the turkey. Poultry Sci

ABSTRACT Egg production and semen yield, sperm concentration and total sperm per ejaculate were positively associated in a line (E) selected for increased egg production. Semen yield was decreased in a line (F) selected for increased 16-week body weight in comparison to a randombred control population (RBC). The effect may be attributable to decreased egg production in this line, as another line (I), developed from the same RBC, which exhibited genetic increases in body weight but no reduction in egg production, did not differ significantly in semen yield from the RBC. Genetic increases in body weight reduced sperm concentration and total sperm per ejaculate. Genetic changes in average clutch length, total days lost from broodiness, fertility, and response to cold stress did not have a major influence on semen production in the turkey