Scanning electron microscope studies of turkey semen.
Turkey spermatozoa were examined morphologically with the aid of a Cambridge Stereoscan electron microscope. Mean dimensions, in micra, of normal spermatozoa were: acrosome, 1.8; nucleus, 9.1; midpiece, 4.8; tail, 61.0; total length 76.7. The maximum diameter of the head at its widest was 0.8 microns. There was an increase in abnormal spermatozoa in yellowish semen, with coiling being the most prevalent abnormality. The spherical-shaped cells with granular appearance, also present in yellowish semen, were ascertained to be large macrophages. Occasionally, macrophages filled with phagocytized sperm cells were evident. Hens inseminated with yellowish semen had 57.6 percent fertility compared to 92.1 percent for hens inseminated with control semen.
D000177:Acrosome / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D005298:Fertility; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014422:Turkeys / Q000033:anatomy & histology*