This study examines the effect of the presence
of hens on sperm variables in Black Barred Andaluza
roosters (which respond well to the massage
technique). Between 8 and 22 weeks of age, roosters
(n = 60) were housed separate from hens in straw litter
pens (4 birds/m2). Two groups of roosters were
then formed to study the effect of hen presence on
sperm variables at 36 weeks of age. The first group
(n = 11 roosters) was housed with hens (n = 55;
sex ratio 1:5), while the second (n = 27 roosters)
was again housed separate from hens. Twenty four
sperm pools were obtained over 12 weeks (12 pools
from each group, each pool produced by mixing semen
from 11 males) for analysis. Compared to the
no-female-contact group, the roosters living with hens
showed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced percentages
of non-progressive motile sperm and slow sperm, and
significantly increased VCL and VSL values; they also
showed trends (P < 0.1) towards increased progressive
motility and a higher percentage of rapid sperm.
The presence of hens had no significant effect on the
number of spermatozoa per ejaculate or sperm concentration.
Positive correlations were recorded between
VSL and VCL, and between both of these and progressive
motility, and the percentage of rapid sperm.
In addition, both VSL and VCL correlated negatively
with non-progressive motility and the percentage of
slow sperm. These results indicate that rooster sperm
quality, but not quantity, improves in the presence of
hens.