Chapter 5

Male and female reproductive systems

This chapter begins with a description of the male and female reproductive systems followed by a
section on sex determination. A good knowledge of the anatomy of these systems has allowed the development
of a unique technique for semen collection and insemination adapted specifically to geese (see section on
Artificial Insemination). This is slightly different from the technique used for most other avian species, e.g.
Gallus gallus.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Epididymis
Testicles

Kidney (left)
Vas deferens

Ureter

Rectum

Cloaca
Seminal vesicle

Spermatic duct

Penis

FIGURE 12. Reproductive organs of the gander (Source: Pénichon, 1990)

The reproductive system of the gander consists of three distinct parts:

The testicles
There are two bean-shaped testicles inside the body cavity which produce both spermatozoa and male
hormones. They are highly vascularized and change in size and position according to whether the gander is
sexually active or not. The age of sexual maturity for ganders is directly related to their lighting programme.
However, spermatozoa production does not usually begin until the ganders are at least 30 weeks of age. From
the testicles the spermatozoa move to the epididymis.
18 Male and female reproductive systems

The vas deferens

These (there are two) follow the urethras and transport the spermatozoa from the testicles and the
epididymis to the copulatory organ. Their apparent length is 15 cm, but they have numerous bends and twists
and in fact measure more than 30 cm. The vas deferenes are the location of spermatozoa maturation and storage.
They terminate at the seminal vesicles located in the cloaca wall.

The copulative organ

Contrary to the rooster, Gallus gallus, the copulatory organ of the gander is very well developed. It is
invaginated, spiral-like and is about 15 cm in length. A spermatic furrow runs along the entire length of the
organ and transports the semen after ejaculation.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Ovarian follicles

Ovaries

Infundibulum

Central ligament of the oviduct

Oviduct
Kidney (left)
Isthmus

Egg formation in the oviduct

Ureter

Rectum
Vagina
Ureter opening
Opening of oviduct
Cloaca

FIGURE 13. Reproductive organs of the goose (Source: Pénichon, 1990)

Like most other birds, the female goose possesses a unique reproductive system located on the left side
of its abdomen. The functions of the reproductive system are to produce, fertilise and mature the oocyte.

Once copulation or insemination has taken place, the oviduct plays a role in spermatozoa storage. When
a mature oocyte is released on an ovulated yolk, it is picked up by the infundibulum where fertilisation occurs.
The egg white or albumen is then secreted primarily in the magnum. The egg then moves to the isthmus where
the shell membranes are formed. In the uterus or shell gland, water and the thin albumen are added and the shell
is formed. The vagina has a muscular component that helps to expel the egg through the cloaca.

SEX DETERMINATION

When selecting geese for breeding, the sex of each goose must be determined. With breeds such as the
Pilgrim which are autosexing by feather colour (adult males are white and adult females are grey), this is simple.
For Chinese breeds of geese, the sexes are readily identifiable by the size of their knob, with those of mature
males being larger, more prominent and associated with a larger head. Most strains of Embden and some strains
of White Italian can be sexed by down colour as goslings, since the males are lighter in colour than the females.
 Goose production 19

After a few weeks of age, these sex differences in down colour disappear, so sex identification of individual
goslings must be done at hatching.

Most other breeds of geese lack distinctive secondary sex characteristics and therefore to sex geese of
these breeds it is necessary to examine their sex organs. However, even though geese can be sexed by
examination of their sex organs, either as gosling or as adults, it is recommended that they be sexed as goslings
at hatching. When this is done, a good system of identification is required (see Geese Identification) to ensure
that individual geese can be identified throughout their life. The sexing of goslings at hatching also allows for
the disposal of surplus males, not required for breeding, at market age. It is recommended that one male be kept
for every three females to ensure there are enough males to make up breeder groups with a ratio of one male to
four or five females.

Vent sexing of day old goslings is not difficult and a little practice will make the sexing of day-old
goslings a fairly easy task. Figure 14 shows how to hold a gosling, which is the same way to hold a duckling,
so as to expose its reproductive organs. This process of exposing reproductive organs should take place under
a strong light in order to better identify the sex organ. Figure 15 shows the male and female reproductive
organs of goslings much enlarged.

fingers

first finger
thumb

right thumb and first finger pressed

tightly together over vent and then
parted slowly so that the vent is fully
left hand holding as above extended and exposed

first finger of right hand

penis (absent in female)
pink coloured cloaca

left thumb right thumb

edge of vent

FIGURE 14. Method of holding day-old goslings to expose their reproductive organs
(Source: Hunter & Scholes)
20 Male and female reproductive systems

CLOACA PENIS CLOACA GENITAL

FOLDS FOLDS EMINENCE
EVERTED EVERTED

FIGURE 15. Male (left) and female (right) reproductive organs of day-old goslings (much enlarged)
(Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food)

If geese are to be sexed as adults, the recommended procedure is that each goose be caught, lifted by
its neck and laid on its back, either on a table or over the operator’s bent knee, with the tail pointed away
from the operator as shown in Figure 16.

FIGURE 16. Method of holding adult geese for sexing

(Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food)
 Goose production 21

The tail portion of the bird should be out over the edge of the table or over the operator’s knee so it can
be bent downwards easily. The operator then inserts his/her index finger (sometimes it helps to have a little
Vaseline on it) into the cloaca about 1.0 to 1.5 cm and moves it around in a circular manner several times to
enlarge and relax the sphincter muscle which closes the opening. Next, pressure is applied both directly below
and to the side of the vent in order to expose the sex organ as shown in Figure 17. In some birds the male organ
is somewhat difficult to unsheathe, particularly if the birds are either immature or not in semen production. For
this reason an inexperienced sexer can easily mistake a male for a female if, after slight pressure, the phallus is
not exposed. Only the presence of a female genital eminence will positively identify a female.

CLOACA GENITAL
CLOACA EMINENCE
FOLDS
EVERTED

FIGURE 17. Exposed reproductive organs of mature male (left) and female (right)
(Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food)