Overview of Turkey Semen Storage: Focus on Cryopreservation – A Review

• Published in: Annals of animal science 2016-10, Vol.16 (4), p.961-974
• Main Authors: Iaffaldano, Nicolaia, Di Iorio, Michele, Cerolini, Silvia, Manchisi, Angelo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cryopreservation; fertility; semen quality; semen storage; turkey semen
• ISSN: 2300-8733; 1642-3402; 2300-8733
• DOI: 10.1515/aoas-2016-0026

This review updates the current state of technologies available for turkey semen storage (hypothermic- liquid storage and cryopreservation), with special attention paid to cryopreservation. Liquid semen can be stored for up to 24 or 48 h at temperatures around 5°C, while cryopreservation allows long-term storage at -196°C. The possibility of using frozen turkey semen for artificial insemination (AI) would have practical benefits for turkey production. Reported fertility rates in response to AI using frozen/thawed semen range from 15.8 to 84.3%. Unsatisfactory fertility may be attributed to an inability of turkey spermatozoa to successfully survive the freezing/thawing process, and this, along with the high variability observed, makes this technique unacceptable for commercial breeding programs. There is therefore a need to standardize the whole freezing and thawing process to improve the post-thaw quality of turkey semen and minimize variability in results. Finding an efficient freezing protocol for turkey semen will allow for the creation of a sperm cryobank, improving current prospects for the commercial use of frozen turkey semen and also for the long-term conservation of the genetic diversity of this bird.