The Effects of Regular Fluid Secretion from the Uterus of Laying Hens on the Longevity and Fertilization Ability of Fowl Sperm in the Oviduct

The aim of this study was to examine whether the secreted fluid from the uterus influences the survival and fertilization capacity of fowl sperm in the hen oviduct. Hens with either regular uterine fluid secretion or irregular uterine fluid secretion were artificially inseminated through the transfer of sperm into the uterus. Twenty-four hours after artificial insemination, 3 hens with regular uterine fluid secretion and 3 hens with irregular uterine fluid secretion were killed, and the utero-vaginal junction and infundibular sperm storage tubules were observed for the presence of sperm. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the fill rate of either the utero-vaginal junction sperm storage tubules or the infundibular sperm storage tubules between hens with regular or irregular uterine fluid secretion. However, the sperm transferred into hens with regular uterine fluid secretion had a longer lifespan and fertilization ability than the counterpart group (P<0.05). In conclusion, these study results suggest that regular fluid secretion from the hen uterus may sustain the longevity and fertilization ability of fowl sperm in the oviduct.