Investigation of Chlamydiaceae in semen and cauda epididymidis and seroprevalence of Chlamydophila abortus in breeding bulls

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-52-2

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Volume 52

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Karlsson AC
Alenius S
Björkman C
Persson Y
Englund S

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Karlsson AC
Alenius S
Björkman C
Persson Y
Englund S
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Investigation of Chlamydiaceae in semen and cauda epididymidis and seroprevalence of Chlamydophila abortus in breeding bulls

Ann-Charlotte Karlsson¹^,2 , Stefan Alenius¹ , Camilla Björkman¹ , Ylva Persson³ and Stina Englund⁴

¹Division of Ruminant Medicine and Veterinary Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

²Department of Animal Health, Section for Farm Animal Health and Welfare, National Veterinary Institute, Pb 750 Sentrum, N-0106 Oslo, Norway

³Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, Section of Farm animals, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden

⁴Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, Section of Antibiotics, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden

author email corresponding author email

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2010, 52:2doi:10.1186/1751-0147-52-2


Published:	13 January 2010

Abstract

Background

Reproductive disorders associated with chlamydial infection have been reported worldwide in cattle and there are indications of potential venereal transmission.

Methods

Semen samples from 21 dairy bulls and cauda epididymidis tissue samples from 43 beef bulls were analysed for chlamydial agent by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) including an internal amplification control (mimic). Additionally, presence of antibodies against Chlamydophila (Cp.) abortus among the bulls was investigated with the commercial Pourquier^®ELISA Cp. abortus serum verification kit.

Results

No chlamydial agent was detected by PCR in either the semen samples or in the tissue samples. Additionally, no antibodies against Cp. abortus were detected.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Cp. abortus is very rare, or absent in Swedish bulls and thus the risk for venereal transmission of chlamydial infection through their semen is low. However, because Chlamydophila spp. infection rates seem to differ throughout the world, it is essential to clarify the relative importance of transmission of the infection through semen on cattle fertility.