ABSTRACT By estimating the genetic parameters of
various semen quality traits in Beijing-You chickens,
this study aims to elucidate the inheritance patterns
of these traits and the correlations between them to
facilitate setting up appropriate breeding strategies for
enhanced semen quality. Semen samples were collected
from 518 Beijing-You roosters at 43 wk of age from 3
selection lines related to meat flavor traits. Seven semen quality traits, consisting of semen volume, pH, and
color, and sperm viability, motility, percent deformity,
and concentration, were determined. Sizeable variations (18–24% CV) were observed for all traits, except
for semen pH. The effects of semen collection time and
origin of the chickens (line) were analyzed to optimize
the proper models for estimating genetic parameters for
each trait. The multiple-trait derivative-free restricted
maximum likelihood method was used for estimating
variance components. The results revealed that sperm