Joseph P. Quinn

Bio: Joseph P. Quinn is an academic researcher from United States Department of Agriculture. The author has contributed to research in topics: Plumage & Artificial insemination. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 20 publications receiving 209 citations.

Species Variation in Osmotic, Cryoprotectant, and Cooling Rate Tolerance in Poultry, Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon Spermatozoa

Abstract: Potential factors influencing spermatozoa survival to cryopreservation and thawing were analyzed across a range of the following avian species: domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus), domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Studies focused on spermatozoa tolerance to the following: 1) osmotic stress, 2) different extracellular concentrations of the cryoprotectant dimethylacetamide (DMA), 3) equilibration times of 1 versus 4 h, 4) equilibration temperature of 4 versus 218C, and 5) rapid versus slow cooling before cryopreservation and standard thawing. Sperm viability was assessed with the live/dead stain (SYBR-14/propidium iodine). Sperm viability at osmolalities $800 mOsm was higher (P , 0.05) in raptor than poultry semen. Return to isotonicity after exposure to hypertonicity (3000 mOsm) decreased (P , 0.05) number of viable spermatozoa in chicken, turkey, and golden and Bonelli’s eagle spermatozoa but not in imperial eagle or peregrine falcon spermatozoa. Differences were found in spermatozoa resistance to hypotonic conditions, with eagle species demonstrating the most tolerance. Semen, equilibrated fo r1h( 48C) in diluent containing DMA ($2.06 M), experienced decreased (P , 0.05) spermatozoa survival in all species, except the golden eagle and peregrine falcon. Number of surviving spermatozoa diminished progressively with increasing DMA concentrations in all species. Increased equilibration temperature (from 4 to 218C) markedly reduced (P , 0.05) spermatozoa survival in all species except the Bonelli’s eagle and turkey. Rapid cooling was detrimental (P , 0.05) to spermatozoa from all species except the imperial eagle and the chicken. These results demonstrate that avian spermatozoa differ remarkably in response to osmotic changes, DMA concentrations, equilibration time, temperature, and survival after fast or slow freezing. These differences emphasize the need for species-specific studies in the development and enhancement of assisted breeding for poultry and endangered species. male sexual function, seasonal reproduction, sperm, sperm motility and transport

Behavioral Aspects of Sperm Competition in Birds

Abstract: Publisher Summary The chapter discusses a review of sperm competition and behavioral adaptations to sperm competition in birds. Sperm competition is the competition between spermatozoa of different males to fertilize the eggs of a single female. The main emphasis in this chapter is on monogamy, extrapair copulations (EPCs), and associated behaviors, although sperm competition within other avian mating systems is also discussed. Four factors are known to influence the probability of extrapair paternity: (1) the timing and success of copulation— that is, sperm transfer by different males, (2) the relative numbers of copulations by different males, (3) the duration of sperm storage, and (4) sperm precedence. Extrapair paternity can be detected using genetic markers of two main types: those that are continuous variables (e.g., morphological characters) and those that are discontinuous variables (e.g., plumage color, enzyme polymorphisms). The chapter also discusses case studies on magpie ( pica pica ), common guillemot ( utria aalge ), swallow ( Hirundo rustica ), ringdove ( Barbary dove, Streptopelia risoria ), and indigo bunting ( Passerina cyanea ).

Genomic Regions Associated with Dermal Hyperpigmentation, Polydactyly and Other Morphological Traits in the Silkie Chicken

Abstract: The Silkie chicken has been a model of melanoctye precursor and neural crest cell migration and proliferation in the developing embryo due to its extensive hyperpigmentation of dermal and connective tissues. Although previous studies have focused on the distribution and structure of the Silkie's pigment or the general mechanisms by which this phenotype presents itself, the causal genetic variants have not been identified. Classical breeding experiments have determined this trait to be controlled by 2 interacting genes, the sex-linked inhibitor of dermal melanin (Id) and autosomal fibromelanosis (Fm) genes. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-trait association analysis was used to detect genomic regions showing significant association with these pigmentation genes in 2 chicken mapping populations designed to segregate independently for Id and Fm. The SNP showing the highest association with Id was located at 72.3 Mb on chromosome Z and 10.3-13.1 Mb on chromosome 20 showed the highest association with Fm. Prior to this study, the linkage group to which Fm belonged was unknown. Although the primary focus of this study was to identify loci contributing to dermal pigmentation in the Silkie chicken, loci associated with various other morphological traits segregating in these populations were also detected. A single SNP in a highly conserved cis-regulatory region of Sonic Hedgehog was significantly associated with polydactyly (Po). Genomic regions in association with silkie feathering or hookless (h), feathered legs (Pti), vulture hock (V), rose comb (R), and duplex comb (D) were also identified.