Research note: effects of perfluorochemical diluent additives on fertilizing capacity of turkey semen

The perfluorochemicals (PFC) have a high capacity for dissolving oxygen and carbon dioxide. Two experiments were conducted using PFC as diluent components to assess their effect on the fertilizing capacity of, and the hatchability of eggs from hens inseminated with, turkey semen stored for 30 min or 3 h. Two PFC were tested for the 30-min experiment: perfluorohexane (FC-72) and perfluorobutyltetrahydrofurane (FC-80). For the 3-h experiment, these PFC plus bis-1,2-(F-butyl)-ethene (F-44E) were studied. The PFC were emulsified with an equal volume of a standard aqueous salt diluent, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE). The BPSE alone was used as a control in both experiments. Semen was diluted 1:2 with oxygen-saturated extender and stored in closed tubes at 20 to 30 C prior to insemination. For the 30-min study, PFC diluents resulted in fertility rates comparable to (FC-72) or significantly greater than (FC-80) BPSE alone (P < or = .05). There was no significant difference in hatchability due to any semen treatment. When semen was stored for 3 h, PFC diluents resulted in comparable (FC-80) or significantly higher (F-44E and FC-72) fertility and hatchability rates. Significantly lower embryonic deaths at Day 10 of incubation were noted for all PFC diluents. These findings provide evidence that PFC emulsions are not toxic and prolong fertilizing capacity of turkey sperm during short-term storage, and suggest that providing oxygen carriers such as PFC in semen diluents may be beneficial.