Fertilizing capacity and morphology of fowl and turkey spermatozoa in hypotonic extender

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Abstract
Summary. The effects of graduated increments of hypotonic Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) on fowl and turkey sperm morphology, motility, percentage dead and fertility were examined. The morphology of fowl and turkey spermatozoa was adversely affected by decreases in BPSE osmolarity; a reduction of osmolarity of BPSE to below 200 and 140 mosmol adversely affected the fertility of fowl and turkey spermatozoa, respectively. The addition of Ficoll to the extender allowed direct observation of the effects of hypotonic BPSE on the sperm plasmalemma. Plasmalemmal swelling, due to the uptake of water, was noted initially at the midpiece. Such plasmalemmal swelling may predispose spermatozoa to further osmotic-induced damage.