Semen production by the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). 1. Methods for collection of semen

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.

Two methods for collecting semen from male emus using an artificial cloaca (AC) have been developed. In the first method, the male mounts the female teaser and the collector effects erection and subsequent ejaculation using the AC. The second method takes advantage of the development of sexual behaviour directed towards the semen collector and semen is collected when the male mounts the collector's back. Eight of 11 males were successfully trained with teasers and 5 of the 7 males trained without teasers ejaculated successfully. The ease of training varied between birds. The use of a teaser was very valuable, as the crouching behavior of the teaser elicited mating attempts in every male. The training and collection of semen was done by one person. Both methods can be used for routine collection of semen, as they take advantage of natural stimulation and the voluntary ejaculation reflex to which the birds adapted readily.