The influence of wheat dehydration-induced proteins on the function of turkey spermatozoa after twenty-four-hour in vitro storage

Germplasm and Gamete Physiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. annie@lpsi.barc.usda.gov

Dehydration-induced proteins and other osmo-protectants enable plants to survive dehydration stress. The object of this study was to determine whether dehydration-induced proteins from wheat seeds could protect turkey sperm and improve survival and function after liquid storage. A partially purified heat-soluble protein extract was isolated from dry, mature wheat seed embryos and added to semen diluent. Hens were inseminated with either fresh or semen stored 24 h at 5 C and fertility and hatchability data collected. The addition of 10% wheat protein extract to semen stored 24 h at 5 C improved fertility and hatchability of eggs over semen stored in diluent alone (P < 0.05). The heat-soluble proteins isolated from wheat seed embryos are capable of protecting turkey sperm during in vitro storage and could potentially improve long-term storage of sperm from other species.