The Effect of Semen Dilution on Morphology and Fertility of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Spermatozoa

The effect of quail semen dilution with three extenders : Lake's, Ringer's and Tyrod's on morphology and fertility trials of unstored spermatozoa was evaluated. Semen was collected twice a week by male stimulation by female method, from 60 quail males randomly divided into four groups (I-IV). Forty-eight females divided into four respective groups (A-D) were inseminated intravaginally with 10μl of fresh or 20μl of 2-folds diluted semen. Semen dilution did not affect the number of live spermatozoa in total, but the number of live, morphologically normal spermatozoa depended on the diluent. The highest number of morphologically normal spermatozoa -65.3% vs. 67.5% in fresh semen was stated in semen diluted with Lake's extender. It was significantly higher (P≤0.01) than in semen diluted with Ringer's diluent (56.2%). Egg fertility (99.2%), hatchability from set (91.2%) and fertile eggs (93.9%) in naturally mated group were significantly higher (P≤0.01) when comparing with females inseminated artificially both, with fresh and diluted semen. The highest fertility (60.1%) was obtained for spermatozoa diluted with Lake's extender, the lowest for spermatozoa treated with Ringer's solution (30.2%).