Determination of Seminal Characteristics in Turkish Aseel Roosters

Ornamental poultry is a hobby that has been of interest for centuries. The history of ornamental poultry associations in Europe dates back to the 19th century and to the Ottoman period in Turkiye. One of the most popular ornamental poultry species is Aseel roosters. Aseel roosters are indigenous of Pakistan and India, and they have been bred for competition during the Ottoman period. This study aims to determine the spermatological characteristics of Turkish Aseel roosters. In the study, 10 Aseel roosters were used, and semen was collected by the abdominal massage method twice a week. The sperm motility was estimated by a hot plate phase-contrast microscope under 400 ' magnification. The sperm concentration of each ejaculate was determined by hemocytometer and percentages of viable, dead, and abnormal spermatozoa was calculated using eosin-nigrosine staining. Acrosome membrane integrity of rooster spermatozoa were assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated peanut agglutin (FITC-PNA). Spermatozoa membrane functionality was assessed with the hypoosmotic (HOS) test. The spermatological data obtained as a result of the experiment are as follows; ejaculate volume average 308.49 +/- 12.14 mu L, spermatozoa motility 89.66 +/- 0.47%, spermatozoa concentration 2.39 +/- 0.10x109/mL, The general total morphological defect rate 17.19 +/- 0.75%, viability 85.45 +/- 0.88%, acrosome integrity rates 98.26 +/- 0.09%, and pH 7.81 +/- 0.02.