New Insights into Poultry Breeding: Advancements in Hatchability, Semen Collection and Fertility Enhancement

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Poultry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 1714

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Interests: poultry reproduction; semen preservation; artificial insemination; fertility enhancement; hatchability; genetic selection

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Interests: animal breeding; genetic improvement; reproductive biotechnology; livestock fertility; genomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on recent advancements in poultry breeding with an emphasis on improving hatchability, semen collection techniques, and fertility enhancement. Poultry production systems are continually evolving, and reproductive efficiency remains a cornerstone for optimizing productivity. This issue aims to explore novel technologies, methodologies, and strategies that enhance reproductive traits in poultry, particularly in the context of genetic selection, semen quality evaluation, cryopreservation, and hatchery management.

The scope includes original research and reviews related to artificial insemination, semen extender development, in vitro sperm evaluation, sperm cryopreservation, and genetic or nutritional strategies aimed at enhancing semen quality and fertility outcomes. Studies that bridge the gap between laboratory techniques and field applications—especially in both native and commercial poultry breeding systems—are particularly encouraged.

This Special Issue will supplement the existing literature by providing updated insights and practical approaches for improving fertility outcomes in both native and commercial poultry species.

We invite researchers, industry experts, and veterinarians to contribute their latest findings and perspectives to help drive innovation in poultry reproduction.

Dr. Vibuntita Chankitisakul
Dr. Wuttigrai Boonkum
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • poultry breeding
  • semen preservation
  • artificial insemination
  • fertility and hatchability
  • sperm cryopres-ervation
  • genetic selection
  • reproductive biotechnology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

14 pages, 457 KB  
Article
Comparative Variation and Associations Among Seminal Microbiota, Oxidative Status, and Semen Quality in Different Rooster Types
by Supakorn Authaida, Wuttigrai Boonkum, Monchai Duangjinda and Vibuntita Chankitisakul
Animals 2026, 16(9), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16091380 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 248
Abstract
This study examined the relationships among seminal bacterial composition, oxidative status, and semen quality in Thai native, crossbred, and commercial roosters. Fresh ejaculates (n = 10 per group) were evaluated for semen quality parameters—mass motility, total motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, and [...] Read more.
This study examined the relationships among seminal bacterial composition, oxidative status, and semen quality in Thai native, crossbred, and commercial roosters. Fresh ejaculates (n = 10 per group) were evaluated for semen quality parameters—mass motility, total motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, and viability and for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, as well as total bacterial load. Bacterial profiles were characterized using long-read 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Compared with commercial roosters, Thai native roosters exhibited significantly higher sperm motility and viability, along with markedly lower MDA concentrations (p < 0.05). Crossbred roosters showed intermediate values for most semen traits and oxidative indicators. Bacterial profiling revealed clear differences among rooster types in bacterial composition: commercial and crossbred roosters had higher bacterial richness and a greater prevalence of Gram-negative taxa, whereas Thai native roosters harbored lower bacterial diversity and load. Correlation analyses demonstrated that bacterial load was positively correlated with MDA concentration and negatively correlated with sperm motility and viability. These findings suggest that variation in seminal bacterial profiles, oxidative status, and semen quality is associated with differences among rooster types. The lower bacterial burden and lipid peroxidation observed in Thai native roosters may reflect greater reproductive resilience under tropical conditions, with potential implications for breeding and semen management strategies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 567 KB  
Article
Type of Extender and Equilibration Time as Factors Affecting Post-Thaw Quality Characteristics of Turkey Semen
by Sara Ataei-Nazari, Filip Benko, Tomáš Slanina, Jakub Vozaf, Michal Ďuračka, Tomáš Války, Peter Chrenek, Eva Tvrdá and Miroslava Kačániová
Animals 2025, 15(21), 3218; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15213218 - 5 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 948
Abstract
Commercial turkey breeding relies almost entirely on artificial insemination, yet avian sperm are unusually vulnerable to cooling and freezing injury. As a result, extender chemistry and processing steps, especially low-temperature equilibration, are pivotal for post-thaw performance. We evaluated how extender choice, paired with [...] Read more.
Commercial turkey breeding relies almost entirely on artificial insemination, yet avian sperm are unusually vulnerable to cooling and freezing injury. As a result, extender chemistry and processing steps, especially low-temperature equilibration, are pivotal for post-thaw performance. We evaluated how extender choice, paired with equilibration time, shapes the post-thaw quality of turkey semen. Ejaculates were diluted in Beltsville, Sperm Motility Medium (SMM), Botucrio, or Kobidil+, then equilibrated for 20 or 40 min before freezing; samples were cryostored for one month and assessed immediately after thawing. The outcomes included motility/kinematics, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and membrane potential, apoptosis/necrosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation, and bacteriological load. Overall, 20 min equilibration improved post-thaw motility and membrane integrity, and reduced DNA fragmentation and ROS. Among extenders, Beltsville delivered the best overall sperm quality. Considering the extender × time interaction, Beltsville, Botucrio, and Kobidil+ performed best at 20 min, whereas SMM performed best at 40 min. Thus, Beltsville and SMM provide strong, time-specific options for turkey semen cryopreservation—Beltsville at 20 min and SMM at 40 min. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop