Reproductive parameters of captive male partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens): artificial insemination versus natural service

Author(s)

Ana Karina da Silva Cavalcante

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2006-04-24

Examining board members

Valquiria Hyppolito Barnabe; Marcelo Alcindo de Barros Vaz Guimarães; Luciana Keiko Hatamoto; Regina Celia Rodrigues da Paz; Humberto Tonhati

• Advisor: Valquiria Hyppolito Barnabe

Abstract

The partridge (Rhynchotus rufescens) belongs to the tinamidae family and possesses breast muscles which are quite appreciated in high cuisine However, there is an insignificant large scale production, which could be improved using the artificial insemination (AI). The present experiment aimed to standardize semen collection and the hipoosmotic swelling test and to test dilutors, refrigeration times and insemination doses in partridges. Semen samples of 100 animals, belonging to the FCAV/UNESP/Jaboticabal, were used to describe the volume, pH, motility, vigor, concentration and morphologic alterations. Semen collections were performed in 2 stages. The first stage consisted of standardizing the technique of semen collection and of verifying the most adequate hipoosmotic medium (8 different osmolarities). In the second stage, the standardized techniques were applied; motility and vigor were evaluated in samples diluted in turkey semen extender, TCM 199, TQC and physiologic saline solution, refrigerated until 48 hours. Still in the second stage, 128 females and 32 males were allocated in groups of 5 (1 male:4 females) in the beginning of 2004-2005 reproductive season. Half of the quintets were bred using natural service (control group - CG); the other half was kept as quintets for 2 months, after which males were removed and allocated in quartets with no physical contact with the females. The females of this group were then inseminated (inseminated group ? IG) with 10, 20, 30 e 40x106sptz/ insemination dose. In the first experimental stage, 231 samples were evaluated for volume, aspect, motility, vigor, pH e sperm concentration with values averaging 23.59±1.30µl, 1.81±0.03, 73.06±1.41%, 3.06±0.08; 8±0; 5.25±0.74x109sptz/ml, respectively. Motility was positively correlated with percentage of normal cells (r=0.4; p<0.0001) and negatively correlated with the percentages of total sperm defects (r=-0.4; p<0.0001) and detached head (r=-0.4; p<0.0001). Percentage of swollen tails in the hipoosmotic solutions ranged from 73.25±3.3 a 84.52±2.21%. The solution of 100mOsm was the most adequate, being used in 81 samples, which averaged 82.0±1.38% of sperm cells with intact membrane. A positive correlation (r=0.4; p<0.0002) was found between the percentage of cells with intact membrane and motility. Neither motility or vigor were observed in samples diluted in physiologic saline solution, different for the other tested solutions. After both 24 and 48 hours of refrigeration, TCM 199 showed the highest results of motility and vigor when compared to the turkey extender and the TQC. No differences on the general reproductive indexes were found between animals from IG or CG. However, mean values of fertile eggs from CG (2.22±0.29) were lower (p<0.05) than groups inseminated with 30 (4.44±1.81) and 40x106sptz/insemination dose (3.65±1.66). Results allowed to infer that the techniques of semen collection and evaluation in partridges standardized in the present experiment may be used in a short term period for reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, which could increase the production and improve the genetic management of these animals. (AU)