EFFECT OF DIALYSIS BEFORE STORAGE OR CRYOPRESERVATION ON FERTILIZING ABILITY OF FOWL SEMEN

Semen of broiler breeder males was collected and used for artificial i nsemination. Semen was used undiluted and diluted and both inseminated immediately after collection. Only diluted semen was used after stora ge. Half of the semen samples to be stored were first dialyzed. Storag e of fresh, diluted semen was for 4 or 24 h at 5 C or by cryopreservat ion. The Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender was used for dilution and d imethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was used as cryoprotectant. Fertilizing abilit y was determined as the percentage fertilized eggs of eggs collected f rom Day 2 to 17 after a single insemination. Dialysis had a small posi tive effect on fertilizing ability of semen stored for 4 h at 5 C, and a large positive effect on fertilizing ability of semen stored for 24 h. Dialysis before cryopreservation did not improve fertilizing abili ty. The effects of storage for 4 h were only apparent in eggs collecte d 9 or more d after insemination. Semen stored for 24 h gave reduced f ertilizing ability in the 1st wk after insemination, especially when n o dialysis was applied.