Summary
Semen from 16 bulls experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was examined for virus content and its ability to produce FMD in heifers by artificial insemination.
FMDV appeared in semen of 2 bulls as early as 12 hours after inoculation and, thereafter, virus was found in 58 of 71 semen samples from 16 bulls for as long as 10 days. The highest titer in semen was 105.8 mouse LD50/ml and the titer usually was higher than in urine and sometimes higher than in blood samples taken simultaneously.
Five of 16 heifers artificially inseminated with semen from infected bulls and 5 of 10 heifers inseminated with FMDV in various diluents developed FMD. It was concluded that semen of bulls could contain FMDV prior to signs of illness and that the disease could be transmitted by artificial insemination.
The dilution and freezing techniques commonly used to preserve semen also favor survival of FMDV. The virus in semen is primarily in the fluid portion, but antiserum added to semen could not be relied upon to eliminate it. The semen of some FMD convalescent bulls apparently contains antibodies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brown, F., andB. Cartwright: Purification of the virus of foot-and-mouth disease by fluorocarbon treatment and its dissociation from neutralizing antibody. J. Immunol.85, 309–313 (1960).
Burrows, R.: Studies on the carrier state of cattle exposed to foot-and-mouth disease virus. J. Hyg. (Lond.)64, 81–90 (1966).
Cottral, G. E.: Endogenous viruses in the egg. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.55, 221–234 (1952).
Cottral, G. E., B. F. Cox, andD. E. Baldwin: The survival of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cured and uncured meat. Amer. J. vet. Res.21, 288–297 (1960).
Cottral, G. E., P. Gailiunas, H. R. Seibold, andR. Campion: Evaluation of foot-and-mouth disease experience of cattle by intramuscular challenge, virus neutralization and fluorescent antibody reactions. Proc. U.S. Livestock San. Ass.68, 360–374 (Oct. 1964).
Cottral, G. E., R. E. Patty, P. Gailiunas, andF. W. Scott: Relationship of foot-and-mouth disease virus plaque size on cell cultures to infectivity for cattle by intramuscular inoculation. Arch. ges. Virusforsch.18, 276–292 (1966).
Dziuk, P. J., E. F. Graham, J. D. Danker, G. B. Marion, andW. E. Petersen: Some observations in collection of semen from bulls, goats, boars and rams by electrical stimulation. Vet. Med.49, 455–458 (1954).
Dziuk, P. J., E. F. Graham, andW. E. Petersen: The technique of electroejaculation and its use in dairy bulls. J. dairy Sci.37, 1035–1041 (1954).
Gailiunas, P., andG. E. Cottral: The occurrence and survival of foot-and-mouth disease virus in bovine synovial fluid. Bull. Off. int. Epiz.61, 1–14 (1964).
Gierløff, B. C. H., andK. F. Jakobsen: On the survival of foot-and-mouth disease virus in frozen bovine semen. Acta vet. scand.2, 210–213 (1961).
Great Britain, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries: Fifth progress report of the foot-and-mouth disease research committee. His majesty's stationary office, London, 353–365 (1937).
Gross, L.: Oncogenic viruses. Pergamon Press, New York, N.Y. (1961).
Grunnet, N. T.: Forsøg over en eventuel udskillelse af mund-og-klovesygevirus med tyresaed fra henholdsvis angrebne vaccinerede dyr. Dansk. Maanedsskr. Dyrlaeg.61, 167–171 (1950).
Hess, W. R., H. L. Bachrach, andJ. J. Callis: Persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus in bovine kidneys and blood as related to the occurrence of antibodies. Amer. J. vet. Res.21, 1104–1108 (1960).
Hess, W. R., H. J. May, andR. E. Patty: Serial cultures of lamb testicular cells and their use in virus studies. Amer. J. vet. Res.24, 59–64 (1963).
Hirth, R. S., W. N. Plastridge, M. E. Tourtellotte, andS. W. Nielsen: Genital mycoplasmosis in cattle and man. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass.148, 277–282 (1966).
Hyslop, N. St. G.: Secretion of foot-and-mouth disease virus and antibody in the saliva of infected and immunized cattle. J. comp. Path.75, 111–117 (1965).
Mies, A., Jr.: Virus aftosa e esterilidade nos carneiros. Bol. Soc. Brasil Med. Vet.13, 219–222 (1944).
Mixner, J. P.: Processing, storing and shipping frozen bull semen. N. J. Agr. exp. Sta. Cir.573, 1–15 (1955).
Perry, E. J.: The artificial insemination of farm animals. 3rd ed. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press 1960.
Savi, P., B. Baldelli, andA. Morozzi: Présence et persistance du virus aphteux dans les viandes de porcins et de bovin et dans leurs produits dérivés. Bull. Off. int. Epiz.57, 853–890 (1962).
Scott, F. W., G. E. Cottral, andP. Gailiunas: Presence of foot-and-mouth-disease virus in the pituitary and central nervous system of experimentally infected cattle. Proc. U.S. Livestock San. Ass.69, 87–93 (1965).
Senze, A.: Pryszczyca a Plodność. (Foot-and-mouth disease and fertility.) Med. Vet. (Varsovie)9, 6–10 (1953).
Sharpless, G. R., M. C. Davies, andH. R. Cox: Antagonistic action of certain neurotropic viruses toward a lymphoid tumor in chickens with resulting immunity. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.)73, 270–275 (1950).
Stein, C. D., andL. O. Mott: Studies on congenital transmission of equine infectious anemia. Vet. Med.37, 370–377 (1942).
Stone, S. S., andP. D. DeLay: Serum and colostral antibody levels in cattle convalescent from foot-and-mouth disease: tests in calves and fetal tissue. J. Immunol.84, 458–462 (1960).
Vallée, H., andH. Carré: Sur la contagiosité de la fièvre aphteuse. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)175, 292–294 (1922).
Waldmann, O., K. Trautwein, andG. Pyl: Die Persistenz des Maul-und-Klauenseuchevirus im Körper durchgeseuchter Tiere und seine Ausscheidung. Zbl. Bakt. I. Abt. Orig.121, 19–32 (1931).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cottral, G.E., Gailiunas, P. & Cox, B.F. Foot-and-mouth disease virus in semen of bulls and its transmission by artificial insemination. Archiv f Virusforschung 23, 362–377 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242132
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242132