Use of computer-assisted semen analysis for evaluation of Rosy-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) semen collected in different periods of the year

The seminal characteristics of the Rosy-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) were analyzed, both in and out of season, using a computer-aided sperm analyzer. Avian semen collection and artificial insemination techniques have great potential for captive breeding programs, and computer-aided sperm analyzer allows an objective and quantitative assessment of sperm motility and kinetics. Although Agapornis roseicollis is a largely diffuse species, its seminal parameters have never been fully investigated. Using the massage technique, 38 ejaculates were collected in the breeding season, and 6 ejaculates were collected outside of the breeding season. Semen color, volume, degree of contamination, spermatozoa concentration, total and progressive motility, and kinetics parameters were recorded. Seasonal significant differences were found in the ejaculate volume (1.6 ± 0.6 and 1.1 ± 0.2 μL in and out season, respectively, P < 0.01) and spermatozoa concentration (7194.0 ± 6735.1 × 106 and 327.5 ± 314.0 × 106 spermatozoa/mL, P < 0.01); among the motility parameters, only beat cross frequency, indicating the frequency of flagellar beats, was significantly higher out of the reproductive season (29.8 ± 2.6 vs. 24.5 ± 3.8 Hz, P < 0.01). There was very large individual variation in semen characteristics that could qualify a male as a potentially good or bad semen donor for future assisted reproduction in captivity.