Effective removal of equine arteritis virus from stallion semen.
Abstract: A method of removing equine arteritis virus (EAV) from equine semen used for artificial insemination is urgently needed. Recent medical studies suggest that a double semen processing technique of density gradient centrifugation followed by a 'swim-up' can provide virus-free sperm preparations for assisted reproduction. Objective: To investigate the use of the double semen processing technique to obtain virus-free sperm preparations from stallion semen containing EAV. Methods: Aliquots of an ejaculate from an uninfected stallion were spiked with virus and processed by the double processing technique. The sperm preparations were tested by PCR for the presence of EAV. The procedure was repeated using an ejaculate from a known shedding stallion, testing processed and unprocessed aliquots by PCR and virus isolation. Results: Virus-free sperm preparations were obtained using the double sperm processing technique. The 'swim-up' step is apparently required to ensure complete virus removal. Conclusions: The double semen processing technique is potentially a useful and simple tool for the removal of EAV from the semen of shedding stallions. Conclusions: The inclusion of density gradient centrifugation and 'swim-up' in protocols for the processing of semen for artificial insemination could help prevent the transmission of viral diseases carried in semen, such as EAV.
Publication Date: 2006-05-19 PubMed ID: 16706276DOI: 10.2746/042516406776866444Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Assisted Reproductive Techniques
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Treatment
- Equid Semen
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Equine Viral Arteritis
- In Vitro Research
- Infectious Disease
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Reproduction
- Semen Analysis
- Semen Preservation
- Sperm
- Stallion
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Virology
- Virus
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses the successful implementation of a double semen processing technique to effectively remove and prevent the transmission of equine arteritis virus (EAV) from stallion semen used in artificial insemination.
Objective
The purpose of the study was to determine if a double processing technique could extract EAV from stallion semen. Given the urgency to control the spread of EAV via artificial insemination, the researchers analyzed the effectiveness of a two-step procedure involving density gradient centrifugation and a ‘swim-up’ process.
Methods
- The team began by extracting aliquots from an uninfected stallion’s ejaculate, which they infused with the virus before processing it through the double technique procedure.
- They evaluated the resultant sperm preparations via PCR analysis to detect the presence of EAV.
- The researchers repeated the procedure using an ejaculate from a stallion known to be shedding EAV. They tested both the processed and unprocessed aliquots using PCR and virus isolation.
Results
The double semen processing technique successfully yielded virus-free sperm. In particular, the second step in the process, known as the ‘swim-up’, was instrumental in ensuring total virus removal.
Conclusions
According to the results, the double processing technique offers a promising and relatively simple solution for removing EAV from the semen of shedding stallions. By incorporating the density gradient centrifugation and ‘swim-up’ procedure in semen processing protocols for artificial insemination, it could significantly help in preventing the transmission of semen-borne viral diseases such as EAV.
Cite This Article
APA
Morrell JM, Geraghty RM.
(2006).
Effective removal of equine arteritis virus from stallion semen.
Equine Vet J, 38(3), 224-229.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406776866444 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Diagnostic Virology Unit, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arterivirus Infections / prevention & control
- Arterivirus Infections / transmission
- Arterivirus Infections / veterinary
- Arterivirus Infections / virology
- Equartevirus / isolation & purification
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- RNA, Viral / analysis
- Semen / virology
- Specimen Handling / methods
- Specimen Handling / veterinary
- Virus Shedding
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
- de Oliveira RA, Alonso MA, Fonte JS, Fernandes CB. Equine ICSI: an update on semen perspective. Anim Reprod 2024;21(4):e20240015.
- Orsolini MF, Meyers SA, Dini P. An Update on Semen Physiology, Technologies, and Selection Techniques for the Advancement of In Vitro Equine Embryo Production: Section II. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 20;11(11).
- van Wienen M, Johannisson A, Wallgren M, Parlevliet J, Morrell JM. Single layer centrifugation with androcoll-p can be scaled-up to process larger volumes of boar semen. ISRN Vet Sci 2011;2011:548385.
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