Effects of various feeding regimens on reproduction in broiler-breeder males. 1990

E A Fontana, and W D Weaver, and H P Van Krey
Department of Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0332.

A study was conducted using commercial broiler-breeder males and females maintained in all-litter pens allowed to mate naturally. Using a separate feeding arrangement, males were given a diet containing either 12% or 14% protein. Body weights were maintained at either 90% or 100% of the recommended level. Females were provided feeders with grills which denied males access to the feed, while male feeders were elevated 46 cm above the floor to deny female access to that feed. In control pens, males and females ate from the same feeders and received a breeder diet with 14% protein. Eggs produced in pens where the males and females were fed separated showed significantly higher fertility (4.2%) than eggs from control pens. No differences in percentage fertility were noted between the two dietary-protein levels or body-weight groups of males fed separately. Furthermore, no differences were measured in percentage hatch of fertile eggs among any of the treatment groups. Males in control pens showed significantly heavier body weights and breast-angle measurements starting at 32 and 40 wk of age, respectively. No treatment effect was measured for male pododermatitis. The male control birds had heavier testes weights than the males in the groups with restricted body weights. However, semen concentration was not affected. This indicates that the improved fertility was related to the size and weight of the males, not to their ability to produce semen. The reduced fertility associated with excess male body weight may be both physical and physiological in nature.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009929 Organ Size The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness. Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D011201 Poultry Diseases Diseases of birds which are raised as a source of meat or eggs for human consumption and are usually found in barnyards, hatcheries, etc. The concept is differentiated from BIRD DISEASES which is for diseases of birds not considered poultry and usually found in zoos, parks, and the wild. Disease, Poultry,Diseases, Poultry,Poultry Disease
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002645 Chickens Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA. Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004044 Dietary Proteins Proteins obtained from foods. They are the main source of the ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. Proteins, Dietary,Dietary Protein,Protein, Dietary
D004435 Eating The consumption of edible substances. Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D005260 Female Females
D005298 Fertility The capacity to conceive or to induce conception. It may refer to either the male or female. Fecundity,Below Replacement Fertility,Differential Fertility,Fecundability,Fertility Determinants,Fertility Incentives,Fertility Preferences,Fertility, Below Replacement,Marital Fertility,Natural Fertility,Subfecundity,World Fertility Survey,Determinant, Fertility,Determinants, Fertility,Fertility Determinant,Fertility Incentive,Fertility Preference,Fertility Survey, World,Fertility Surveys, World,Fertility, Differential,Fertility, Marital,Fertility, Natural,Preference, Fertility,Preferences, Fertility,Survey, World Fertility,Surveys, World Fertility,World Fertility Surveys
D005533 Foot Dermatoses Skin diseases of the foot, general or unspecified. Foot Dermatosis,Dermatoses, Foot,Dermatosis, Foot

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