Body weight, semen quality, and age at sperm production of hemicastrated and intact cockerels (Gallus domesticus).
Spermatozoa were found earlier in the ejaculates of hemicastrated cockerels and the mean body weight of the hemicastrates was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that of the intact cockerels. The mean values for sperm concentration/ml, and total spermatozoa in the ejaculates of the hemicastrates were significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than those of the intact cockerels. Differences existed between the hemicastrates bearing the left testis, and those bearing the right testis in respect of age at sperm production, sperm/concentration and total spermatozoa in the ejaculate.
Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
G I
GI
Onuora
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*