38. Bacterial and Virological Examination of Semen

What is the significance of bacterial examination in semen?

Bacterial examination of semen is important to assess the presence of pathogens or contaminants that may affect fertility or transmit diseases. Fresh semen should not contain bacteria, but stored samples are prone to contamination from various sources

What are some common bacterial pathogens that can be found in bovine semen?

Brucella abortus, Campylobacter foetus veneralis (Vibriosis), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

What are some common bacterial pathogens that can be found in equine semen?

Haemophilus equigenitalis

What are some common bacterial pathogens that can be found in sheep semen?

Brucella ovis, B. melitensis, Actinobacillus seminis, Bacillus necrophorus

What are some common bacterial pathogens that can be found in swine semen?

Brucella suis, Staphylococcus aureus

What are some common bacterial pathogens that can be found in canine semen?

Brucella canis

How is bacterial examination of semen conducted?

Bacterial examination can be challenging as culture media used for bacterial growth tend to be overgrown by saprophytic bacteria present in semen. Culture and serological testing are commonly used methods for detecting bacterial pathogens.

What is the purpose of virologic examination of semen?

Virologic examination of semen is performed to identify viral pathogens that may be present and can potentially impact fertility or transmit diseases. It helps in assessing the viral status of the semen sample.

What are some common viral pathogens that can be found in bovine semen?

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis-Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis (IBR-IPV), epivag virus, papilloma virus

What are some common viral pathogens that can be found in equine semen?

Equine herpesvirus 3

What are some common non-venereal viral pathogens?

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Bovine Virus Diarrhoea-Mucosal Disease (BVD-MD) virus, blue tongue virus, pox viruses, swine vesicular disease virus, parvovirus, picornavirus

How is virologic examination of semen performed?

serological testing (PCR, ELISA)