Infertility caused by male management problems is common. Problems may be caused by an inadequate number of healthy males or because males have reduced sperm production resulting from chronic disease, inadequate feed intake, or starvation (harsh feed restriction). However, obese females may be less efficient in transporting sperm to the infundibulum, resulting in reduced fertilization of the ovum as it is released from the ovary. The male must be dominant to the females, or mating will not occur. Commercial turkey hens are inseminated artificially with semen collected from the toms and used the same day. Parthenogenesis is responsible for some infertility in turkeys. There are host sperm glands in the oviduct of females, and live sperm can be retained for 3–4 weeks. Waterfowl have a rudimentary penis, and prolapse of the penis is occasionally reported in drakes. There is no treatment.
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Disorders of the Reproductive System
Cystic Right Oviduct in Poultry
Defective or Abnormal Eggs in Poultry
Egg-Bound or Impacted Oviducts in Poultry
Egg Peritonitis in Poultry
False Layer (in Poultry)
Hypocalcemia, Sudden Death, Osteoporosis, or Cage Layer Fatigue (in Poultry)
Internal Layer (in Poultry)
Infertility in Poultry
Neoplasia of the Reproductive System in Poultry
Oophoritis and Ovary Regression in Poultry
Prolapse of the Oviduct in Poultry
Salpingitis in Poultry
Sex Reversal in Poultry
