Semen dilution effects on reproductive performance in turkeys.
Abstract Interest in economizing with respect to the cost of poult production has prompted the use of semen diluents, with a view to reducing the number of toms required to inseminate a given number of turkey hens. In connection with this practice, there exists a fairly voluminous literature dealing with constituents of diluents for turkey semen; an access to this literature may be gained by beginning with Bajpai and Brown (1967). Brown (1971) referred to a study by Graham and coworkers in which semen diluted 1:2 with an insemination dose of .025 ml. gave as high fertility as undiluted semen. However, Brown (1970) found depressing effects on fertility due to dilution of semen and speculated that his results probably disagreed with those of Graham and coworkers because of such factors as season of the year, age of the breeders and frequency of insemination. The study reported here deals with the main…
Effect of Carbon Dioxide Diluents on the Fertilizing Capacity of Turkey Spermatozoa
Abstract LACK of information on a diluent containing carbon dioxide as a reversible induced Bajpai and Brown (1963a) to study the possibilities of using carbon dioxide diluents in storing turkey semen. Bajpai and Brown (1963a) reported that although the Illini Variable Temperature diluent (I.V.T.) and G-1 diluent (sodium glutamate substituted for sodium citrate in I.V.T.) containing carbon dioxide preserved turkey semen adequately in the laboratory both I.V.T. and G-1 diluent markedly inhibited the fertilizing capacity of turkey spermatozoa. However, in a subsequent study Bajpai and Brown (1963b) reported fairly good fertility (63 percent) with a glutamate diluent containing carbon dioxide and no egg yolk and poor fertility (35 percent) with a glutamate diluent containing 10 percent egg yolk by volume and no carbon dioxide. In the same year Harris et al. (1963) in a research note reported that the average fertility for turkey semen stored for six hours in a carbon …
Effects of Storage Temperature and Duration on Bioactive Concentrations in the Seed and Oil of Brassica napus (Canola)
The effects of storage temperature and duration on phytosterol, tocopherol and carotenoid concentrations are assessed in canola seed, and oil extracted using two different techniques, over a 10 month period. Increases to oxidation indices (K232, K270 and ΔK) are observed in the solvent extracted oils, and in the seed stored at 40 °C, indicating the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products. Only small decreases in the concentrations of γ-tocopherol and β-carotene are observed across the 10 month period. Phytosterol concentration decreases over time, with similar degradation rates observed in both seed and oils. α-tocopherol and lutein are well preserved up to 7 months in all samples, despite oil oxidation, and further research will be needed to identify the cause for retention of bioactives. The results indicate that in order to preserve phytosterols, tocopherols and carotenoids in seed stored in bulk for extended periods, storage temperatures should remain at or below 21 °C. Moreover, oil stored at 4 °C or −18 °C, results in high bioactive concentrations and slows the onset of oil oxidation, compared to oil stored at room temperature. 
 
Practical Applications: Industrial storage conditions have been shown to greatly influence the chemical processes that occur with canola seed and oil. However, the effects of typical storage conditions on phytosterols, tocopherols and carotenoids in canola seed and extracted oil, are not yet known. This study presents the effects of typical seed and oil storage conditions on phytosterol, tocopherol and carotenoid concentrations, whilst monitoring oxidation indices and FFA, and thus provides information to seed handlers and oil processors on storage conditions that may preserve these bioactives. Moreover, the different behaviours of bioactives are examined relative to the oil extraction technique used, and present opportunities to optimise oil extraction techniques. 
 
 
 
Time series plots for α-tocopherol concentrations in canola oil stored at different temperatures over 280 days, illustrating a difference in behaviour between the solvent extracted oil and the hand-press extracted oil.