The effect of continuous aeration on the fertility of fowl and turkey semen stored above 0 degrees C.

1. Fowl and turkey spermatozoa were found to utilise oxygen when stored in tubes at 5 and 10 degrees C respectively; the storage medium becoming rapidly anaerobic. 2. This aerobic metabolism was encouraged by continuous introduction of air into the semen during storage. 3. Fertility of turkey semen stored at 10 degrees C for 24 h in diluent containing glucose was increased 2.4-fold by simple aeration and reached 99% of that achieved with fresh semen. 4. Fertilities of greater than 90% were also achieved with fowl semen stored for 48 h at 5 degrees C in a diluent with or without glucose. The increased fertility on aeration was greater (2.2-fold) with fowl semen stored in the absence of glucose.