| Abstrakt: |
Many methods used in poultry breeding can be successfully used in the reproduction of wild birds, especially those kept in small isolated populations (zoos and closed, captive breeding centers) and threatened with extinction, as well as for creating an ex situ in vitro genetic reserve. The method of semen collection from turkeys and roosters published by BURROWS and QUINN in the 1930 s is now the most widely used techniques for both, domesticated (particularly Galliformes) and free living bird's reproduction. Since 2008, at the Capercaillie Breeding Center in Wisła Forestry, research has been conducting to improve the reproductive indices of capercaillie kept ex situ in vivo. Using the biotechnological methods known in poultry reproduction we developed/evaluated: 1. two methods of semen collection - dorso-abdominal massage and male stimulation by the female (using the capercaillie phantom) - with the exception of sperm concentration (432.4 x106 ml-1 using phantom vs. 614.5 x106 ml-1 with the massage), there were no significant quantitative and qualitative differences in semen quality; 2. the quality of semen collected over the entire reproductive season in subsequent years - for the purposes of artificial insemination, the most valuable ejaculates are obtained in the initial and final reproductive period, which is related to female laying period; 3. the environment for short-term semen storage (up to 24 hours at +4°C) - dilution of semen with an EK extender enriched with Se and vit. E, did not cause a significant decrease in percentage of live normal sperm, but sperm motility decreased (by 14.3%); 4. after double insemination of capercaillies with a dose of approx. 9 million of normal sperm in diluted semen, 90% of fertilized eggs were obtained; 5. two cryopreservation techniques - in straws and pellets without the use of an expensive cry-equipment - the proportion of live normal sperm in thawed semen was similar - 22.4 and 22.2%, respectively, sperm motility frozen in straws was higher than in pellets (46.3 and 27.4%, respectively), but there were no differences in sperm movement parameters; 6. after three inseminations with thawed semen (2-4 days before laying the first egg, the next two every 7 days), with a dose of about 9 million of normal sperm the 84.5% of fertilized eggs on average was obtained (from 77.8 to 91.7%). Conclusion: Applied methods of assisted reproduction allowed to increase the reproductive indices of the capercaillie and thus the number of birds intended for introduction and the economic effects of breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
