Research note: A pioneering protocol for cryopreservation of grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) semen

The European population of the grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) in the natural environment is rapidly declining. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of fertilization using cryopreserved semen. The study was conducted on one-year-old birds: ten males and four females. Semen was frozen using a modified method developed for capercaillie semen. Eight artificial inseminations were performed with cryopreserved semen, with each female inseminated twice, using a mean dose of 6.1 × 10⁶ live spermatozoa. The mean fertilization rate was 25.0%, and the duration of fertility after a single insemination was two days. The results demonstrated the possibility of using cryopreserved semen in the reproduction of the grey partridge, which may be helpful for the future conservation of this species.