Introduction
Reproductive management in turkeys is extremely labor-intensive since
artificial insemination (AI) is used exclusively for reproduction. Furthermore, if
• broiler breeders continue to increase in body weight and skeletal frame, AI may be
the only economical means to produce hatching eggs. In livestock production
systems where AI is practiced, extensive semen analysis is fundamental to sire
selection and reproductive management. However, for production of the
commercial turkey, evaluation of semen from individual toms is limited to
visualization of semen color, measurement of ejaculate volume and possibly sperm
concentration. Sire selection is not a major consideration for commercial
operations. Management practices dictate pooling of semen from 10-15 toms to
provide adequate semen volume for the large numbers of hens requiring AI on a
weekly basis. It is generally assumed that sperm in good quality semen from all
toms are equally fecund. However, paternity efficiency after pooling multiple
ejaculates has not been previously determined in the turkey. This paper will outline
why it may be important to evaluate males as individuals and how we can use
advances made in the understanding and measurement of sperm function to improve
reproductive efficiency in turkeys.