Authors : Shijun Li, Zhenhua Liang, Cui Wang, Yanping Feng, Xiuli Peng and Yanzhang Gong
Abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effect of squalene on the reproductive performance in meat-type male chicken. A total of 480 meat-type males, which were 72 weeks old with body weight of 6.0±0.5 kg were assigned randomly and equally to 4 groups in two independental experiments which represent two classic mating types AI (Artificial Insemination) and NM (Natural Mating), respectively. Each experiment contains two groups, control group and squalene-treated group in which meat-type males were fed with the supplemental squalene at a daily dose 10 mg/kg/day for 45 days. Semen data such as average collection semen volume, sperm count and egg fertile rate were collected from experiment I that was designed keeping males and females seperated and using artificial insemination as mating type. In the experiment I that designed keeping birds together in floor and using natural mating as mating type, only fertility data were collected. Also, serum testosterone levels were measured in squalene-treated, control and males no ejaculation groups. In the experiment I, the average collection semen volume is 393 μL, which is significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control group, which is 287 μL. The egg fertile rate has no significant difference between these two groups. In experiment II, the egg fertile rate of squalene treated group was significantly higher than control group (p<0.001).The serum testosterone levels of squalene treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control group. The results showed that meat-type males treated with squalene increased the serum testosterone level and semen collection volume and did not decrease egg fertile rate in AI model and also increased the egg fertile rate in natural mating model. These findings have implications that squalene has a prompt effect on reproductive performance on meat-type male chicken.
Shijun Li, Zhenhua Liang, Cui Wang, Yanping Feng, Xiuli Peng and Yanzhang Gong, 2010. Improvement of Reproduction Performance in AA+ Meat-Type Male Chicken by Feeding with Squalene. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 486-490.