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

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2026) | Viewed by 3915

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Editors

Dr. Vibuntita Chankitisakul

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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

Dr. Wuttigrai Boonkum

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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

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Keywords

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

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 453 KB

Open AccessArticle

Protective Effects of Ginseng Extract Against Oxidative Stress in Chilled Rooster Semen: Implications for Sperm Quality and Fertility

by Ruthaiporn Ratchamak, Khanitta Pengmeesri and Eakapol Wangkahart

Animals 2026, 16(13), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16131960 - 25 Jun 2026

Viewed by 371

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a primary driver of sperm deterioration during chilled storage of poultry semen, and identifying effective natural antioxidant supplements for semen extenders is an important practical goal for poultry reproductive management. This study evaluated the protective effects of ginseng extract (Panax ginseng) supplementation on sperm viability, motility, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant defense, and fertility in chilled Leung Hang Kao rooster semen. Pooled semen was diluted in IGGKPh extender supplemented with ginseng extract at 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 mg/mL and stored at 5 °C for 0, 24, and 48 h. Sperm viability, total motility, progressive motility, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and fertility following artificial insemination were evaluated at each time point. All ginseng-supplemented groups showed significantly lower MDA concentrations and higher GPx activity than the unsupplemented control throughout storage. At 48 h, total motility and progressive motility were highest in the 2 and 3 mg/mL groups, while T-AOC was best maintained in the 1 and 2 mg/mL groups. CAT activity did not differ significantly among groups at 48 h (p = 0.2498). Fertility was significantly higher in the 1 and 2 mg/mL groups than in the control after 24 and 48 h of storage, and the alignment between T-AOC and fertility across storage time points indicated that overall antioxidant buffering capacity was a stronger determinant of fertilizing competence than individual enzyme activities or MDA concentration alone. Concentrations of 3–4 mg/mL, despite producing lower MDA at 48 h, did not confer superior fertility outcomes, suggesting a hormetic dose–response relationship. Based on integrated evidence from sperm quality, antioxidant status, and in vivo fertility, ginseng extract supplementation at 1–2 mg/mL is recommended as the most suitable range for preserving chilled Leung Hang Kao rooster semen and may represent a practical natural antioxidant strategy for Thai native poultry breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Poultry Breeding: Advancements in Hatchability, Semen Collection and Fertility Enhancement)

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19 pages, 17799 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transgenerational Epigenetic Effect of Cryopreservation of F0 Rooster Sperm (Gallus gallus domesticus) on microRNA-Regulation and Histological Parameters of the Reproductive System of F1 Offspring

by Anastasiya Ivershina, Yuliya Silyukova, Elena Fedorova, Elena Chugunova, Irina Mirzakaeva, Anna Modina and Olga Stanishevskaya

Animals 2026, 16(11), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111723 - 4 Jun 2026

Viewed by 672

Abstract

Sperm cryopreservation is an integral part of gene pool conservation programs for local poultry breeds. It is known that cryostress can cause significant changes in the expression profiles of microRNAs and their target genes—key players in spermatogenesis—in Gallus gallus domesticus. However, the transmission of these changes across generations remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transgenerational epigenetic effects of rooster sperm cryopreservation on molecular genetics and histological parameters in the gonads of offspring (F1) during the embryonic (10 days) and postnatal (1 day) periods. The analysis included a comprehensive histomorphometric analysis of the gonads and a quantitative assessment of the expression of microRNAs (gga-miR-6701-3p, gga-miR-301a-5p) and their target genes (DMRT1, TGFB2), using qRT-PCR. Histological analysis of the gonads of 10-day-old embryos revealed early morphological abnormalities in the F1 (n = 10) offspring obtained from frozen–thawed semen (experimental group). It was found that day-old F1 chicks (n = 17) obtained from frozen semen had testes with a significantly reduced number of seminiferous tubules (−36%, p < 0.05) with an increased diameter (+22%, p < 0.05) and an increased number of undifferentiated gonocytes (+53%, p < 0.001) compared to chicks obtained from native semen (control group, n = 20). A decrease in the expression of DMRT1 and TGFB2 in the gonads of embryos (−48% and −29%, respectively, p < 0.05) and day-old chicks (−12% and −43%, p < 0.001 for TGFB2) was found, accompanied by an inversion of microRNA dynamics: miR-6701-3p was decreased and miR-301a-5p was increased. The obtained data provide important evidence of transgenerational effects in birds and contribute to the search for solutions to problems associated with maintaining sperm quality after cryopreservation, and indicate that cryopreservation does not simply reduce the level of molecular activity, but disrupts the ontogenetic regulatory program embedded in the genome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Poultry Breeding: Advancements in Hatchability, Semen Collection and Fertility Enhancement)

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14 pages, 457 KB

Open AccessArticle

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1013

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Poultry Breeding: Advancements in Hatchability, Semen Collection and Fertility Enhancement)

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15 pages, 567 KB

Open AccessArticle

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 2 | Viewed by 1152

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 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

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Poultry Breeding: Advancements in Hatchability, Semen Collection and Fertility Enhancement)

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