Effects of High-Temperature Treatment by Sunlight Exposure in Summer on Reproductive Functions of the Cock

Abstract

High-temperature treatments were given to the Single Comb White Leghorn cock of 15-month old kept separately in single cages by having them received direct sunlight for eight hours every day during an experimental period of 35 days in the summer of 1969. Variations of the reproductive functions of the cocks thus treated were investigated during and after the period, the results were as follows:
1) There was no remarkable decline caused by the treatment in semen properties, e. g., ejaculated volume, pH, concentration and motility of the spermatozoa, during the experimental period.
2) After testing each cock for its fertilizing ability with six hens, no ill effect attributed to the treatment was recognized.
3) At the end of the experiment, no histological change was detected in the testicular tissues.