Chicken Semen Cryopreservation and Its Impact on Reproductive Efficiency

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate fertility and hatchability rates of cryopreserved semen from the Horasi chicken ecotype, thereby completing the development of a functional semen cryopreservation protocol for this ecotype.Study Design: Factorial experiment, in a completely randomized design.Place and Duration of Study: Department of Laboratory (semen laboratory), National Artificial Insemination Centre (NAIC), between April and October 2025.Methodology: Semen was collected from Horasi cockerels using abdominal massage technique and examined for motility, viability, and morphology. Assessed semen was pooled and diluted (1:2 ratio) with specific extenders: Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) and CARI each supplemented with 4% of a specific cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethyl formamide (DMF)), and packed in 0.5 mL, and 0.25mL French straws before cryopreservation. Thawing was performed under two conditions (5oC for 100 sec, and 37oC for 30 sec), while artificial insemination was carried out using two different semen volumes (0.5mL, and 0.25mL), and frequencies (once or twice weekly).Results: All tested parameters significantly (p