Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews 15 (2), 2004

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Reproduction in Nondomestic Birds: Physiology, Semen Collection, Arti®cial Insemination and Cryopreservation

George F. Geea, Henk Bertschingerb, Ann M. Donoghuec, Juan Blancod and John Soleyb
aUSGS, Patuxent wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD 20708
bUniversity of Pretoria, Veterinary Wildlife Unit, p/Bay XO4, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
cUSDA, ARS, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
dJunta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Centro de Estudioa de Rapaces Ib'ericas, Sevellija de la Jara, 45671 Toledo, Spain

ABSTRACT

Pioneering work by Quinn and Burrows in the late1930s led to successful artificial insemination (AI) programs in the domestic poultry industry. A variety of species specific modifications to the Quinn and Burrows massage technique madeAI possible in nondomestic birds. Massage semen collection and insemination techniques span the entire range of species from sparrows to ostriches. Also, cooperative semen collection and electroejaculation have found limited use in some nondomestic species. Artificial insemination produces good fertility, often exceeding fertility levels in naturally copulating populations. However, aviculturists should explore other ways to improve fertility before resorting to AI. Artificial insemination is labor intensive and may pose risks to nondomestic birds as well as handlers associated with capture and insemination. Semen collection and AI makes semen cryopreservation and germ plasma preservation possible. Yet, semen cryo-preservation techniques need improvement before fertility with frozen-thawed semen will equal fertility from AI with fresh semen.

Keywords: Reproduction, nondomestic birds, semen collection, arti®cial insemination, cryopreservation