Publications by authors named "Ben W Wileman"
Article Synopsis
- Weekly artificial insemination (AI) affects stress levels and immune responses in turkey hens throughout their laying cycle, with notable differences observed between hens inseminated with semen and those given only an extender.
- The study found that semen-inseminated hens had higher stress markers and increased numbers of specific immune cells (like CD3+ T cells) in their reproductive tract by the end of the laying cycle, indicating altered immune activity.
- Overall, the research highlights that the presence of sperm during AI influences the immune response in the oviduct, suggesting potential avenues for improving reproductive performance in turkey breeding through immune modulation.
The study of reproductive function in turkey hens has been difficult due to the lack of a reliable, representative in vitro model for investigating profound physiological aspects. This article presents a protocol to establish turkey oviductal organoids, including steps for isolating turkey oviduct epithelial cells followed by seeding and maintaining 3D organoid cultures. We also detail procedures for organoid fixation for histological analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArtificial insemination is a standard practice in the turkey breeder industry to ensure the production of fertile eggs. Even though hens are inseminated on a weekly basis, their fertility tends to decline after a few weeks of production. Avian species have a specialized structures called sperm storage tubules (SSTs), located in the uterovaginal junction (UVJ) of the oviduct.
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