Semen Quality Characteristics and Seasonality in Different Varieties of Male Guinea Fowl

Semen characteristics and seasonal reproductive behaviour of male guinea fowl (pearl, lavender and white varieties) were investigated. Thirty healthy (free from any disease/infection) adult male and females from each variety of guinea fowl of same hatch with nearly similar body weight were taken randomly. Semen volume was observed nearly similar in pearl (0.055±0.003 ml) and lavender (0.051±0.003 ml) whereas less (P<0.05) in white variety. No significant difference was observed in sperm motility and live counts among the varieties. Higher number of dead sperm was observed in white variety linked with higher (P<0.05) number of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Sperm concentration was revealed inferior (P<0.05) in white variety (3.05±0.17x109 cells/ml) with poor fertility (73.33± 5.15%) than other varieties. Fertility rates were superior (P<0.05) using AI technique rather than natural mating. Hatchability was found higher in pearl and lavender than white. In another study, effect of seasonality on testes was investigated. Irrespective of seasons, the left testicular weight was slightly more than right. Testicular weight constitutes 0.23 to 0.28 % of the total body weight. In all the varieties, nearly 7 to 9 times higher testicular weight was noticed in breeding (long days) than non-breeding (short days) season. Similarly, serum testosterone profile was recorded higher (P<0.05) in breeding season. Therefore, a positive relationship of testicular weight with testosterone in breeding and non-breeding season was observed. The results of this study would be useful in designing the strategies for breaking the seasonality in guinea fowl so that reproductive efficiency of this bird can be enhanced throughout the year.