Fertility and hatchability results with fowl spermatozoa stored in fresh and freeze‐dried diluent

Synopsis

Semen obtained from Rhode Island Red males was stored for 3 and 24 h in fresh and freeze‐dried diluent. Fertility and hatchability of eggs laid from the 2nd to 8th d inclusive after a single insemination was tested with hens of proven fertility. The fertilising power of diluted semen after storage did not differ significantly from the undiluted control, but the hatchability of the fertile eggs was significantly reduced after 24 h storage in the freeze‐dried diluent.