• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.53-68
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• 2004

Eggshell quality is one of the most important factors that influence hatchability. The porosity and overall quality of eggshell have a very significant effect on exchange of vital gas (carbon dioxide and oxygen) between the developing embryo and the air during incubation. Thin-shelled eggs showed the greater weight loss than do thick-shelled eggs. causing the chick to have difficulty in hatching. Thin-shelled eggs also have a much greater chance of being cracked during handling. On the other hand. thick-shelled eggs showed the higher hatchability as a result of greater fertility and lower intermediate and late embryonic mortalities. Even a small percentage improvement in the eggshell quality could result in significant saving to the breeder industry in an increasingly competitive environment. Many factors including nutrition. management practices, environmental conditions and breeding are known to be related to eggshell quality. In this review brief accounts of each factor associated with eggshell quality and hatchability were provided. We conducted three experiments to investigate the effects of dietary Ca. vitamin D3 metabolite and some bioactive materials on eggshell quality and hatching egg production. The results of our studies showed that relatively high levels of dietary Ca in combination with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol had beneficial effects on improving eggshell quality and reproductive performances in aged egg-type breeder hens. It was also suggested that the proper use of some feed additives such as isoflavon and chitosan might provide means of improving eggshell quality and reproductive performances in aged egg-type breeder hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.944-950
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• 1999

Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) was fed to one day old chicks of Gallus domesticus in the form of different concentrations (250 and 500 mg/kg feed) of potassium dichromate mixed with the feed, ad libitum, for 32 weeks. After 20 weeks of feeding, the total body weight was higher in the low dose (260 mg/kg (feed) group and lower in the high dose (500 mg/kg feed) group, as compared with the control chicks. After 32 weeks of feeding, however, the total body weight was significantly decreased in both the treated groups. Egg laying was enhanced. Fertility remained unaffected, whereas hatchability was considerably decreased after CrVI-treatment. The egg shell thickness increased significantly (13%). Cr was deposited in a dose dependent manner in the liver and lungs. Some structural derangements in liver were also noted in treated chicks. The results of this study i.e., rapid ageing, excessive Cr deposition, decreased hatchability and hepatotoxicity indicate toxic effects of CrVI.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1160-1168
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to compare morphological defects, viability, motility (MOT), fertility (F), and hatchability (H) in four Korean native chicken breeds (KNCBs), and to evaluate whether defective segments of spermatozoa are associated with MOT, F, and H. Methods: Four KNCBs, including Korean Ogye (KO), Hwangbong (HB), Hyunin Black (HH), and Hoengseong Yakdak (HY) were used. White Leghorn (WL) was used as a control. Nine cocks from each breed were randomly assigned into three groups. Semen was collected by abdominal massage method. Eosin-nigrosin staining method was used to identify live-dead spermatozoa. Different segments and specific morphological defects of spermatozoa were identified using 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylidole and MitoTracker Red CMXRos. F and H rates were evaluated following artificial insemination (AI). Results: KO had the highest MOT rate compared to HY. Viable normal sperm rates of KO and HH were high and comparable with WL. HY spermatozoa had the highest viable abnormal sperm (VAS) or morphological defect rate followed by HB. Likewise, HB spermatozoa had the highest dead sperm (dead) rate compared to KO, HY, and WL. Bent, coiled, detached, broken, and knotted were common identified specific morphological defects for all breeds. Most morphological defects were at the head and tail in all breeds. VAS showed strong negative correlation with MOT (r = -0.697) and F (r = -0.609). Similarly, defective tail was negatively correlated with MOT (r = -0.587), F (r = -0.797), and H (r = -0.448). The F and H rates of KO and WL were comparable. Conclusion: These data indicate that most identified specific morphological defects are at the head and tail. VAS and defective tail were associated with poor motility, F, and H. KNCBs showed more morphological defects than WL. Finally, these results will facilitate successful AI and semen cryopreservation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP) on serum hormone level, egg quality, semen characteristics and reproductive performance of broiler breeders fed with a maize-soybean meal based diet. Methods: Ninety six female and twenty four male CARIBRO-VISHAL broiler breeders, 38-week old, were individually caged and randomly allocated to four treatment groups (24 female breeders/treatment and 6 male breeders/treatment): an un-supplemented control (T1) and three groups with 0.0176% SSP (group T2), 0.026% SSP (group T3) and 0.0528% SSP (group T4), to have supplementary saponin at 0, 50, 75, and 150 ppm, respectively, for 42 days. Results: The results indicated that serum (p<0.001) and seminal plasma (p<0.05) testosterone level, semen volume (p<0.001), mass motility (p<0.001), and live spermatozoa count (p<0.001) was increased in groups T3 and T4 compared to T2 and control groups. Compared with control group, total sperm count was increased (p<0.001) and dead spermatozoa count was decreased (p<0.001) in SSP supplemented groups. Supplementation of SSP did not affected the quality of egg lay. Compared with control group, fertility (p<0.01) and hatchability (total eggs set and fertile eggs set) (p<0.001) were significantly improved in SSP supplemented groups with the highest improvement in T3 treatment group. Embryonic death was decreased (p<0.001) in SSP supplemented groups compared to control; lowest embryonic death was recorded in T3 treatment group. Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.026% SSP (saponin equivalent 75 ppm) improved the reproductive performance of broiler breeders.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.192-195
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• 1997

Thirty adults Desi and Khaki Campbell ducks were distributed to 6 farmers of Chakcharpur village of Mymensingh district. These ducks were subjected 3 types of mating e.g. Desi ${\times}$ Desi, Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Khaki Campbell and Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi-having 10 ducks (male : female = 1 : 4) in each mating group. Each mating group was then divided into two having 5 ducks(male : female = 1 : 4) and distributed to 2 farmers. After collecting eggs from each mating category, these were hatched by broody hens from which a total of 90 day old ducklings, 30 from each genotype were raised from birth to 90 days after the onest of laying. Although the weight of the day old chicks were similar in all genotypes (40-43 g), body weight was the highest (p <0.01) for Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi (1,543) before the onset of laying followed by Khaki Campbell (1,552 g) and Desi (1,448 g) ducks. Khaki Campbell attained maturity at an earlier (p < 0.01) age (147 days) followed by Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi, (154 days) and Desi (161 days) ducks. Khaki Campbell laid maximum (p < 0.01) number of eggs (46) compared to Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi, (30) and Desi (18) ducks 90 days after the onset of laying. However, eggs were heavier (p < 0.01) in Desi (61.9) ducks compared to other genotypes. Fertility and hatchability were also higher in Desi ducks than the other two genotypes. Mortality was also lover in Desi ducks (3.33%) followed by Khaki Campbell ${\times}$ Desi (6.66%) and Khaki Campbell (16.66%) ducks. The results presented here indicated the superiority of Desi ducks over the other two genotypes with respect to egg weight, fertility, hatchability and mortality under village condition. Pure and crossbreds, on the other hand, were heavier at sexual maturity at relatively younger age and laid more eggs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2003

Artificial insemination of cryopreserved semen is not practiced in broiler breeder industry although its benefit has been recognized for years. Thus, the present study explored the possibility of artificial insemination with cryopreserved semen in Ross broiler breeders. Sixty Ross female broiler breeders were artificially inseminated either with fresh or with cryopreserved semen pooled from five male Ross broiler breeders. On.e hundred eighty eggs were collected from each semen treatment and hatched. Fertility and hatchability of fertilized eggs collected from hens artificially inseminated with cryopreserved semen were 68.0 and 47.1％, respectively, compared to 88.3 and 87.2％ with fresh semen. Both unfertilized eggs and dead embryos during hatch were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the cryopreserved semen­treated group by approximately 2.7­ and 3.2­fold than the fresh semen­treated counterparts. the moderately low fertility and markedly low hatchability of fertilized eggs obtained from cryopreserved semen observed in this study may be of practical interests in broiler breeder industry and deserves further study.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1980

This study was carried out to investigate reasonable Period of egg production for incubation and to survey the change of sex ratio with the age as the preliminary work to make breed which can produce progeny in controlled sex ratio. The analyzed data was obtained from the record of incubations during 165-262 hys of age in White Leghorn. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. It was appeared that the fertility and hatchability were increased with the egg produced over 7 months of age. 2. It was tendency that the fertility and hatchability of the flock produced a more female chicken (40% flock) were higher than those of flock produced a more male chicken (60% flock). 3. The variation of sex ratio with the age was wider in 60% flock than in 40% flock 4. 60% flock showed heavier egg weight and body weight, in a while, 40% flock better sexual maturity and hen- housed egg production. 5. There was a negative correlation between sex ratio and henhoused egg production in 60% flock, but 40% flock appeared a positive correlation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 1986

A total of 749 Korean native Ogol fowl[Natural Monument No, 265] and 45,340 Ogol eggs were used to investigate the various performances of Ogol, I. e., fertility, hatchability, viability, body weight, and rate of egg production. The studying periods was from May, 1985 to Sept., 1986. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. The mean rates of fertility and hatchability were 82.2${\pm}$1.37(X${\pm}$S.E.) and 79.0${\pm}$1.91%, respectively. 2. The mean rates of fertility and hatchability during brooding, growing and laying periods were 90.5${\pm}$1.69, 79.9${\pm}$2.28% and 80.6${\pm}$3.06%, respectively. 3. Average body weight at hatch, at ages of 18, 24, 44 and 72 weeks were 31.5, 0.43, 1209.3${\pm}$17.29, 1646.1${\pm}$25.90, 1975.3${\pm}$40.56 and 2096.7${\pm}$40.83g, respectively. 4. The age of the first egg was 166.5${\pm}$1.69 days old. Egg weights at first egg, at ages of 44 and 72 weeks were 35.7${\pm}$0.49, 48.8${\pm}$0.47 and 502${\pm}$0.44g, respectively. The numbers of egg production age to of 44 and 72 weeks were 69.5${\pm}$3.10 and 129.3${\pm}$5.56 eggs, respectively. 5. Between body weights and age at the first egg showed lower negative correlation. Body weights at ages of 24, 44 and 72 weeks showed highly positive correlation with egg weight, but a significant negative correlation with the number if egg production to ages of 44 and 72 weeks. The age at first egg was positively correlated with egg weight at first egg, but that was negatively correlated with the number of egg production to ages of 44 and 72 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.145-156
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• 2022

The effect of paternal telomere length on reproductive performance, relationship between paternal and offspring telomere length, and association between paternal telomere length and offspring production performance were investigated in Korean native chickens. Using 22 paternal chickens and 329 offspring, the paternal reproductive performance such as fertility, embryo mortality, and hatchability, as well as the offspring production performance such as survival rate, body weight, and weight gain were analyzed. Telomere length was analyzed through quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization using lymphocytes. No significant differences were observed in fertility, embryo mortality, and hatchability between paternal chicken telomere lengths (P<0.05). These results indicate that paternal telomere length had a weak negative correlation with fertility and embryonic death rate but a weak positive correlation with hatchability. The correlation coefficient between paternal telomere length and offspring survival rate was r=0.17 (P>0.05). The group of offspring with long paternal telomeres showed relatively poor growth performance. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was estimated between paternal telomere length and offspring growth performance (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between paternal and offspring telomere lengths was r=0.075 (P>0.05). In conclusion, there was a weak association between paternal telomere length and reproductive performance, offspring survival rate, and offspring telomere length, respectively. However, paternal telomere length and offspring growth performance showed a negative relationship. Such results could be due to the re-extension of telomere length by telomere reprogramming in the early embryonic stage and the different degree of telomere shortening between individuals with increasing age after birth.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1177-1184
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• 2024

Objective: Semen cryopreservation is an effective method of preserving genetic material, particularly in native chicken breeds facing a substantial decline. In this study, we evaluated the quality of frozen/thawed rooster semen treated with different concentrations of oral administrations of black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora: KP) extract and determined its fertility. Methods: Thirty-two Thai native roosters (Pradu Hang Dum, 42 weeks old) were used in this study. The treatments were classified into four groups according to the concentration of KP extract administered to the roosters: 0, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight. The quality of fresh semen was analyzed before cryopreservation. Post-thaw sperm quality and fertility potential were determined. Also, lipid peroxidation was determined. Results: The results showed that sperm concentration and movement increased in roosters treated with 200 mg/kg of KP extract (p<0.05). The malondialdehyde (MDA) in the roosters receiving 200 mg/kg KP extract was lower than that in the other but had an insignificant difference within the KP treatment groups (p>0.05). The highest MDA levels were observed in the control group (p<0.05). The percentage of motile sperm (total motility and progressive motility) after semen thawing was higher in roosters that received 150 and 200 mg/kg KP extract than in those that received 100 mg/kg KP extract and the control (p<0.05). MDA levels decreased significantly in roosters that received 150 and 200 mg/kg KP extract than in those that received 100 mg/kg KP extract and the control (p<0.05). Fertility and hatchability were greater in the KP150 and KP200 groups than in the KP100 and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The optimal amount of KP extract influencing initial sperm quality was determined to be 200 mg/kg. However, 150 mg/kg was the optimal low dosage of KP extract administration that maintained sperm quality and fertility following semen cryopreservation.