Relationship of Body Fat to Fertility in Broiler Breeder Hens

Sixty-one dwarf broiler breeder hens (58 weeks of age) were utilized to examine relationships among body weight, body fat, oviduct fat, and fertility. Body weight showed a significant (P less than .05) positive relationship to percent body fat (r = +.26). The correlation coefficient between percent body fat and percent oviduct fat was +.26 (P less than .05). Body weight and percent body fat were negatively correlated with fertility; oviduct fat, however, was not significantly correlated to fertility. The adverse effect of body fat on fertility seems to involve a mechanism other than increased fat deposition in the oviduct.