Stunden C E, Bluhm C K, Cheng K M, Rajamahendran R
Department of Animal Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Poult Sci. 1998 Jun;77(6):882-7. doi: 10.1093/ps/77.6.882.
Testosterone profiles and semen characteristics were determined using yearling and adult captive wild-strain Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) drakes. Wild-strain Mallard hens were artificially inseminated by modifying a technique developed for domesticated poultry. In both adult and yearling drakes, there was a change in the concentration of circulating plasma testosterone during the reproductive season. Testosterone concentrations increased from basal levels in March, peaked in April, and decreased to basal levels in May. The decrease in testosterone concentration to basal level was 2 wk earlier in yearlings than in adults (P < 0.05). The decrease in testosterone concentration was associated with the onset of postnuptial molt. Semen volume (0.04 to 0.08 mL) and semen concentration (approximately 1.32 x 10(9) spermatozoa per milliliter) were not different between adult and yearling drakes (P > 0.05). Overall mean fertility for yearling and adult drakes obtained with artificial insemination was 70.4%. These results suggest that artificial insemination may be used successfully in the propagation of captive wild-strain Mallard ducks.
利用一岁龄和成年圈养野生品系绿头鸭（Anas platyrhynchos）公鸭测定睾酮水平和精液特征。通过改良一种为家鸡开发的技术，对野生品系绿头鸭母鸭进行人工授精。在成年和一岁龄公鸭中，繁殖季节期间循环血浆睾酮浓度均发生了变化。睾酮浓度从3月的基础水平开始升高，4月达到峰值，5月降至基础水平。一岁龄公鸭睾酮浓度降至基础水平的时间比成年公鸭早2周（P < 0.05）。睾酮浓度的下降与婚后换羽的开始有关。成年和一岁龄公鸭的精液体积（0.04至0.08毫升）和精液浓度（每毫升约1.32×10⁹个精子）没有差异（P > 0.05）。通过人工授精获得的一岁龄和成年公鸭的总体平均受精率为70.4%。这些结果表明，人工授精可成功用于圈养野生品系绿头鸭的繁殖。
