Determining the priority semen characteristics and appropriate age for genetic improvement in Thai native roosters

Semen characteristics are crucial indicators of reproductive success and directly influence the production efficiency of native chickens, which play a vital role in sustainable poultry production systems in Thailand. Key semen traits, including mass movement, semen pH, semen volume, sperm viability, sperm abnormalities, and sperm concentration, are routinely evaluated to assess the reproductive performance of Thai native grandparent roosters. Improved reproductive efficiency in these chickens can lead to increased fertility rates, better hatchability, and enhanced productivity, significantly benefiting smallholder farmers and the poultry industry. To enhance the accuracy and efficiency of evaluating the genetic potential of grandparent roosters, this study aimed to compare rooster age groups, estimate genetic parameters and breeding values, and develop an optimal selection index for semen traits. A total of 3,475 test-day records of six semen traits from Thai native grandparent roosters (Pradu Hang Dum), obtained from the Khon Kaen University native chicken experimental farm, were analyzed using a multi-trait animal model with average information restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML). The heritability estimates for semen volume, mass movement, sperm concentration, sperm abnormalities, sperm viability, and semen pH across age groups were low, ranging from 0.128 to 0.161, 0.102 to 0.115, 0.101 to 0.111, 0.090 to 0.091, 0.067 to 0.083, and 0.043 to 0.057, respectively. Repeatability estimates ranged from low to moderate, between 0.119 and 0.384 for all traits and age groups. Genetic correlations among semen traits ranged from ‒0.332 to 0.580, ‒0.554 to 0.640, and ‒0.631 to 0.773 for rooster age Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Based on heritability and genetic correlations, the three most important semen traits identified were semen volume, mass movement, and sperm concentration. The study revealed a strong relationship between rooster age and semen quality, with the highest selection index values observed in the youngest age group (32-52 weeks). This finding highlights the potential for genetic improvement by implementing a selective breeding program targeting the top 10% of young roosters based on the developed selection index. Such a strategy would significantly accelerate genetic progress in semen traits, improving reproductive efficiency and boosting the economic viability of native chicken production. Furthermore, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of genetic evaluation in native chicken populations and can serve as a model for developing sustainable breeding programs for other poultry breeds under tropical conditions.