Detecting reproductive system abnormalities of broiler breeder roosters at different ages.
The objective of this study was to detect the reasons of rooster's fertility decrease at 50 weeks of age. Therefore, the reproductive system of broiler breeder roosters was laparoscopic, macroscopic and histopathology evaluated, and a comparison of the anatomical aspect with the sperm analysis and birds' age was realized. Cobb roosters (n = 59) were distributed into two groups (30 and 50 weeks). Evaluations were performed with laparoscopy, macroscopy and histopathology, and seminal quality, blood serum testosterone concentration and weight were also determined. The old roosters presented smaller testicle size, higher intensity epididymal lithiasis and lower testicle sperm production, compared to the young roosters. The use of the endoscope could easily distinguish a normal-sized testicle than an atrophic one. Four old roosters with severe testicular atrophy did not show spermatogenesis, although three still had sperm in the ejaculate. This would falsely indicate a wrong diagnosis of normal fertility before the testicular atrophy took place. In conclusion, in addition to the weight increase with age, the testicular atrophy and impairment of sperm production seemed to be the main reason to the decrease in the rooster's fertility at 50 weeks of age. Therefore, the use of the laparoscopy as a way to detect the roosters with testicular atrophy before 50 weeks of age and their removal from them flock could be useful as a diagnostic tool to prevent the birds' fertility loss.
Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
M A
MA
Lagares
Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
R
R
Ecco
Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Nrs
N
Martins
Department of Animal Science, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Ljc
L
Lara
Department of Animal Science, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Jsr
J
Rocha
Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Dar
D
Vilela
Department of Animal Science, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
V M
VM
Barbosa
Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
P F
PF
Mantovani
Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Jfv
J
Braga
Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
I S
IS
Preis
Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
V A
VA
Gheller
Department of Animal Science, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
P C
PC
Cardeal
Department of Animal Science, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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NC
Baião
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000662:veterinary; D010535:Laparoscopy; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone