Motility of Rooster Spermatozoa under Different Thawing Conditions

In this study, to increase the survival rate of frozen/thaw rooster semen, standard protocols of semen thawing procedures were tested by computer-assisted sperm assay (CASA). We tested 4 different thawing protocols for frozen semen, 5°C for 2 min, 35°C for 30 s, 54°C for 13 s, and 70°C for 7 s. The pooled semen from 5 to 8 Ogye rooster line was diluted in the HS-1 diluent and frozen in 8% methylacetamide (MA) in liquid nitrogen vapors. To determine standard thawing method, straws were plunged into different temperatures and times. The resulting motilities were recorded by the CASA system. The results of this study showed that the best viability of the spermatozoa was shown by exposure at 5 °C for 2 min. Moreover, the longevity test of thawed sperm at 5°C for 2 min also supported the higher viability under low temperature preservation of 17°C for 1 hr. Further research is needed to increase the motility of thawed rooster semen for field application. In addition, the in vivo tests for different rooster lines are also needed for the establishment of avian genetic resource bank.