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Summary.

Significant breed differences were observed in semen characteristics of Sudani, Dumyati, Rouen and Pekin drakes when semen was collected by the massage method. Semen volume ranged from 0·18 cc for the Sudani to 0·32 cc for the Pekin; motility ranged from a rating of 6 for the Dumyati to 8 for the Sudani; the live sperm percentage ranged from 78 % for the Dumyati to 88 % for the Rouen; the incidence of total abnormalities ranged from 12·6% for the Pekin to 22·7 % for the Dumyati; and the assessment of sexual activity ranged from 73 % successful trials for the Sudani to 96 % for the Pekin. Pekin drakes gave semen containing the highest sperm numbers (5·85 millions per mm³, 1,870 million per ejaculate, 1,560 million live spermatozoa per ejaculate and 1,640 million normal spermatozoa per ejaculate) and the Dumyati drakes gave semen containing the lowest sperm numbers (2·10 million per mm³, 420 million per ejaculate, 327 million live spermatozoa per ejaculate and 325 million normal spermatozoa per ejaculate).

Summary.

Two oviducts and one left ovary were observed in a 6-month-old Pekin duck, which also had a heavier ovary and endocrine organs than those of normal single oviduct ducks.

Summary.

Semen samples were collected from ten Bronze and ten Beltsville Small White turkeys by the massage method without milking the copulatory organ. The birds were kept under natural conditions at Giza, Egypt (lat. 30°N). Four collections were tested each month throughout 1 year. The collections of alternate weeks were used for studying the physical and chemical characteristics respectively. The largest volumes of semen were produced between March and October, and the smallest between November and February. The best semen quality was recorded between November and April, and the poorest between May and August. A sharp decline in all semen characteristics occurred during May. If the causes of this decline can be avoided, the time of obtaining best semen qualities is prolonged. The semen production of Beltsville Small White turkeys was better than that of the Bronze breed. Wide seasonal variations in types of sperm abnormality were observed.

Seminal fructose and vitamin C were high between November and April, and low from May to August. Semen quality was directly related to levels of seminal fructose and vitamin C. Slight seasonal and monthly variations were observed in inorganic phosphate levels. The rate of fructose metabolism by the spermatozoa was high during the first hour and decreased consistently thereafter. The large quantity of carbon dioxide produced during the first hour depressed sperm viability.