Testicular Development and Hematological Parameters of Male Broiler Breeders Under Subtropical Environment

Testicular development of male broiler breeders were studied under different environmental temperatures. A total of 48 broiler breeder males of 18 weeks of age were procured from a company. Birds were divided in 3 equal groups (A, B and C). Birds of groups A were kept at 22 to 26 degrees C in an environmentally controlled house and groups B and C were kept at 28 to 33 and 30 to 37 degrees C, respectively in open sided naturally ventilated houses. Duration of the experiment was 8 weeks. Panting was observed in birds of groups C and B. Water consumption of group C was significantly higher compared to groups A and B. Body temperature of group C remained significantly higher in comparison to other two groups throughout the experiment. Erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were significantly higher in group A compared to group C. Testes weight, volume and comb area were significantly higher in group A. Histologically, many birds in group 13 did not have spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules and necrotic cells were present along with round spermatids. In group C all the cells of spermatogenesis were present only in one bird, whereas spermatocytes and/or spermatids were seen in other birds.