Aim: To evaluate the characteristics of semen produced by one- and two-years old White Italian ganders during the entire reproductive season, in order to clarify whether the young ganders are responsible for a low fertility rate in young geese. Methods: Males were kept individually in cages under natural light. Semen was collected by dorso-abdominal massage three times a week and routine examination was performed. Results: The mean ejaculate volume (2.1 and 1.6 mL, respectively) and sperm concentration (323 and 281106/mL, respectively) in one-year-old ganders were higher than those of two-year-old ones. The percentages viable spermatozoa of one- and two-year-old ganders were similar (91.4 and 92.3%, respectively), but the percentage of normally formed viable spermatozoa was significantly higher in the older ganders than in the younger (47.8 and 42.9%, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion: The semina from one- or two-year-old Ganders were similar in regard to volume, sperm density and sperm motility, but the percentage of normally formed viable spermatozoa, which is critical for fertilization, was significantly higher in the older ganders. It appears that the ganders are responsible for the low fertility rate in young geese.

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