Characterization and Cryopreservation of Chicken Semen : Characterization and Cryopreservation of Chicken Semen for four South African breeds.

Chacarterization and cryopreservation of chicken semen, along with artificial insemination could make an important contribution to the poultry industry, especially regarding genetic improvement. However, suitable methods, specific to a chicken breed have to be developed for successful semen cryopreservation, due to difference between breeds. There have been continued individual variations recorded in sperm freezability, which are genetically and environmentally determined and may be related to processes that affect spermatogenesis. It is possible to distinguish groups of males within a specie or within a breed on the basis of a consistent positive response to a specific semen cryopreservation protocol. Moreover, each procedure has its own inherent particular variables, such as type of diluent, dilution rate, cooling rate, nature and percentage of cryoprotectant, freezing procedures, choice of packaging (semen straws or pellets) and thawing procedures.