The effect of light stimulus on Pekin ducks in the subtropics. Effect on the reproduction.
Experiments were carried out to study the effect of an extended light period (natural, gradual, and abrupt) on the semen characteristics, fertility, and hatchability of Pekin ducks. The results obtained can be summarised as follows: 1. Night feeding has no reliable effect on the semen production and characteristics in drakes. Thus, any improvement in the semen characteristics of different treated groups compared to the control may be traced back to light stimulus only. 2. Light stimulus showed a favourable effect on the semen volume and sperm motility, concentration, viability and normality during the two laying seasons. 3. Subjection of ducks to artificial light had a favourable effect on their fertility and hatchability.
D000818:Animals; D002980:Climate; D004372:Ducks / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012098:Reproduction / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013696:Temperature