Genetic parameters of semen quality traits in Betong chicken (KU Line)

Abstract

Semen volume and semen quality are important factors for chicken breeders to effectively produce chicks and to reduce cost of chick production. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters of semen quality traits in Betong chicken (KU Line). Four thousand two hundred and eighty - six semen samples were collected from 286 cocks, which constituted of 1,005 birds in pedigree. Variance and covariance components were estimated using Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AI-REML) algorithm and the multiple trait analysis with repeatability animal model was applied in this study. Fixed effects were classified as feather color, age of cock and contemporary group. Random effects were additive genetic, permanent environmental effects and residual. The means of volume, mass motility, concentration and the total sperm were 0.32 ml, 4.07 score, 3,176.86 (× 106cells / ml) and 1,001.31 (× 106cells), respectively. The estimates of heritability were 0.09, 0.12, 0.04 and 0.04, respectively. The estimates of repeatability for those traits were 0.29, 0.32, 0.17 and 0.24, respectively. Genetic, permanent environmental and phenotypic correlations between mass motility and concentration (rG = 0.99, rEp = 0.66, rp = 0.30), between volume and total sperm (rG = 0.82, rEp = 0.84, rp = 0.69) were all positive. Therefore, breeding plan to improve male reproductive performances for Betong chicken (KU Line) could focus on mass motility and volume. It could be possible to genetically improve concentration and total sperm at the same time.