The experiment was carried out to evaluate which is the best the diet energy level diet for male broiler breeders of cutting Cobb 500 and the influence of the presence of the crest on parameters such as body weight, semen volume, sperm cell concentration and fertility. Were used 32 roosters for 22 to 44 weeks of age, they were randomly assigned to cages equipped with feeders and drinkers type gutter. The experimental design was entirely casualized in a factorial scheme 2x2 two comb conditions (with and without crest) and two levels of metabolizable energy (2600 and 2800kcal kg-1). There was four treatments with eight replications, with one bird per experimental unit. At week 24th began collecting data for statistical analysis, when merging the week weighing the birds to the collection of semen, which was collected through the American method and count of sperm cells, The dilution of semen-based formaldehyde buffered saline and then reading in a Neubauer chamber. We assessed male fertility through artificial insemination of six females per treatment, twice weekly with 0.05mL of semen per female. Eggs were collected four times a day, identified, disinfected and incubated in the same conditions. After 21 of incubation, eggs not hatched were broken and macroscopically examined to calculate the fertility. The energy levels studied revealed no significant difference in body weight and volume of semen of roosters during the experimental period. Since cutting the crest reduced body weight and fertility of 9.5% and 24% respectively in relation to birds crested whole. In the weeks 29th, 35th, 37th and 43th there was a higher concentration of sperm cells in birds fed the diet with 2600kcal kg-1. It is concluded that the level of 2600kcal kg-1 is sufficient to meet the reproductive parameters of roosters and the presence of the crest is needed to maintaining high fertility in 42 and 43 weeks of age birds.
nutrition; crest; breeders of cutting; fertility
