title: Effect of restricted and ad libitum feeding on semen production and fertility in broiler breeder males.
abstract: 1. The effect of food restriction on the quality of semen production and fertility in broiler breeder males was studied. 2. Seventy-two Ross broiler breeder males, from 20 to 54 weeks of age, were divided into 4 groups and fed as follows: group 1 = 110 g/bird/d; group 2 = 120 g/bird/d; group 3 = 130 g/bird/d; group 4 = ad libitum. 3. Body weight, sperm quality (volume, concentration, % motility and % live cells) and fertility were measured. The birds were slaughtered at 55 weeks of age; the abdominal fat pad and testicles were weighted. 4. Groups 2 and 3 produced the highest volume of semen. The quality of semen was very similar in all the restricted groups. 5. Males fed ad libitum produced semen with the best motility and percentage of live cells. Groups 3 and 4 showed the best fertility percentage (79%) against group 1 and 2 (59 and 72% respectively).
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Zootecnica, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerolini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellagamba
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mangiagalli
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cavalchini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reniero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D015053:Zygote / Q000502:physiology