Physiological Characteristics of Turkey Semen

ARTIFICIAL insemination in breeding turkeys holds possibilities for reducing the cost of poults, and thus making the industry more efficient. Since 1936, when Quinn and Burrows described a simple and satisfactory method for collecting semen, the way has been open to extensive work in this field. Artificial insemination in turkeys has certain possible advantages over natural mating. The service, for example, of a good tom may be greatly extended; fertility may be increased; and, the transportation of viable semen samples in synthetic diluents over great distances may be possible. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The seminal fluids of domestic animals apparently vary qualitatively and quantitatively. All of the seminal fluids that have been studied, however, contain sizeable amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorides and phosphates. On this basis, a buffered solution, containing the above cations and anions, was prepared. This solution with proper concentrations of salts furnishes a well buffered isotonic …