Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility

Evaluation of semen quality is crucial for predicting fertility success in artificial insemination and eventual rooster selection within poultry breeding programs. However, the multitude of parameters obtained in semen quality analysis makes it challenging for breeders to make informed selection dec...

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Main Authors: Yunlei Li, Yanyan Sun, Aixin Ni, Hailai Hagos Tesfay, Adamu Mani Isa, Yunhe Zong, Hui Ma, Jingwei Yuan, Jilan Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1906
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author Yunlei Li
Yanyan Sun
Aixin Ni
Hailai Hagos Tesfay
Adamu Mani Isa
Yunhe Zong
Hui Ma
Jingwei Yuan
Jilan Chen
author_facet Yunlei Li
Yanyan Sun
Aixin Ni
Hailai Hagos Tesfay
Adamu Mani Isa
Yunhe Zong
Hui Ma
Jingwei Yuan
Jilan Chen
author_sort Yunlei Li
collection DOAJ
description Evaluation of semen quality is crucial for predicting fertility success in artificial insemination and eventual rooster selection within poultry breeding programs. However, the multitude of parameters obtained in semen quality analysis makes it challenging for breeders to make informed selection decisions. This study evaluated semen samples from 210 roosters in seven chicken breeds, using a computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. A multivariate approach utilizing factor analysis (FA) was applied to simplify the data. The FA condensed 14 semen quality traits into 3 factors, linearity factor, velocity factor, and quantitative factor, explaining 75.82% of the original variations. The Beijing-You breed was selected to analyze the association between fertility and these semen quality factors, and we found high correlation between fertility and quantitative (r = 0.84) and linearity (r = 0.63) factors, and low correlation with the velocity factor (r = 0.19). Based on individual factor scores, breed clustering revealed distinct profiles with Houdan, Tibetan, and White Leghorn demonstrating lower sperm counts and poor linearity. Columbian Plymouth Rock exhibited high speed with poor linearity while Beijing-You, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Plymouth Rock displayed higher sperm counts with compromised speed and linearity. This study demonstrates that FA effectively consolidates multiple semen quality traits into fewer, biologically relevant factors. These findings provide valuable insights into breed-specific reproductive characteristics and offer actionable information for optimizing breeding in poultry production.
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spelling doaj-art-63cbce3e7ce64ca79227849e544df1802025-08-20T03:50:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011513190610.3390/ani15131906Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on FertilityYunlei Li0Yanyan Sun1Aixin Ni2Hailai Hagos Tesfay3Adamu Mani Isa4Yunhe Zong5Hui Ma6Jingwei Yuan7Jilan Chen8State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaEvaluation of semen quality is crucial for predicting fertility success in artificial insemination and eventual rooster selection within poultry breeding programs. However, the multitude of parameters obtained in semen quality analysis makes it challenging for breeders to make informed selection decisions. This study evaluated semen samples from 210 roosters in seven chicken breeds, using a computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. A multivariate approach utilizing factor analysis (FA) was applied to simplify the data. The FA condensed 14 semen quality traits into 3 factors, linearity factor, velocity factor, and quantitative factor, explaining 75.82% of the original variations. The Beijing-You breed was selected to analyze the association between fertility and these semen quality factors, and we found high correlation between fertility and quantitative (r = 0.84) and linearity (r = 0.63) factors, and low correlation with the velocity factor (r = 0.19). Based on individual factor scores, breed clustering revealed distinct profiles with Houdan, Tibetan, and White Leghorn demonstrating lower sperm counts and poor linearity. Columbian Plymouth Rock exhibited high speed with poor linearity while Beijing-You, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Plymouth Rock displayed higher sperm counts with compromised speed and linearity. This study demonstrates that FA effectively consolidates multiple semen quality traits into fewer, biologically relevant factors. These findings provide valuable insights into breed-specific reproductive characteristics and offer actionable information for optimizing breeding in poultry production.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1906chickensemen qualityCASAfactor analysis
spellingShingle Yunlei Li
Yanyan Sun
Aixin Ni
Hailai Hagos Tesfay
Adamu Mani Isa
Yunhe Zong
Hui Ma
Jingwei Yuan
Jilan Chen
Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
Animals
chicken
semen quality
CASA
factor analysis
title Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
title_full Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
title_fullStr Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
title_full_unstemmed Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
title_short Factor Analysis of Semen Quality in Chicken and Its Impact on Fertility
title_sort factor analysis of semen quality in chicken and its impact on fertility
topic chicken
semen quality
CASA
factor analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1906
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AT adamumaniisa factoranalysisofsemenqualityinchickenanditsimpactonfertility
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