Evaluation of Semen Characteristics of Common Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix</i>)

Semen banking and artificial insemination play an indispensable role in the propagation and preservation of germplasm. Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a small-sized game bird and facing threats in its natural habitat and can be conserved by employing assisted reproductive technologies like semen banking. For successful semen banking, it is necessary to have knowledge of the reproductive potential (semen volume, sperm motility, total sperm per ejaculation, sperm concentration, semen quality and sperm abnormalities) of the species. The present study was designed to investigate the reproductive potential of common quail. Common quail were kept individually in a 4 × 4 ft enclosure while a group of 5 females, which were utilised for male excitement, were kept in a 3 × 3 ft enclosure. Semen was collected from 10 mature males (Selection was made based on the size of proctodeal foam gland, ejaculation time and stimulation response to teaser female) collected individually after excitation by a teaser female on a daily basis. After collection, semen was evaluated for semen volume, sperm motility, total sperm per ejaculation, sperm concentration, semen quality (motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and acrosomal integrity) and sperm abnormalities of individual males. Mean semen volume (7.75 ± 0.59 μL), sperm concentration (20.105 ± 0.81) and total sperm per ejaculation (0.316 ± 0.175 10⁹/mL) were recorded. Sperm motility (74.1% ± 2.24%), viability (76.88% ± 2.155%), intact acrosome (78.69% ± 2.13%) and integrity of the plasma membrane (75.5% ± 2.261%) and semen quality factor (121.06 ± 14.23) were recorded. Semen quality factor SQF was positively correlated with volume (r = 0.824), motility (r = 0.583), plasma membrane integrity (r = 0.592), viability (r = 0.593) and acrosomal integrity (r = 0.610) (p < 0.05) while negatively correlated with total sperm per ejaculation (r = -0.208). The total percentage of abnormal sperm was (12.125% ± 6.161%) recorded. It is concluded that common quail exhibit excellent reproductive potential in terms of semen quality with a low percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. The results of semen characteristics can now be used for artificial propagation and conservation programs.