Evaluation of the presence of equine viral herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine viral herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) DNA in stallion semen using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Abstract: In the horse, the risk of excretion of two major equine pathogens (equine herpesvirus types 1 (EHV-1) and 4 (EHV-4)) in semen is unknown. The objective of our study was to assess the possible risks for the horizontal transmission of equine rhinopneumonitis herpesviruses via the semen and the effect of the viruses on stallion fertility. Samples of stallion semen (n=390) were gathered from several different sources. Examination of the semen involved the detection of viral DNA using specific PCR. The mean fertility of the stallions whose sperm tested positive for viral DNA and the mean fertility of stallions whose sperm did not contain viral DNA, were compared using the Student's t-test. EHV-4 viral DNA was not detected in any of the semen samples. EHV-1 DNA was identified in 51 of the 390 samples, (13%). One hundred and eighty-two samples came from 6 studs and there was significant difference (p<0.05) among the proportion of stallions whose semen tested positive for viral DNA from 0 to 55% between the studs. There was a significant difference (p<0.014) between the fertility of stallions whose semen tested positive for viral DNA and those whose semen was free from viral DNA. The stallions that excreted the EHV-1 virus in their semen appeared to be more fertile than the non-excretors, but this difference was in fact related to the breeding technique since higher proportion of excretors were found among those whose semen was used fresh rather than preserved by cooling or freezing. In conclusion, this study suggests that the EHV-1 virus may be transmitted via the semen at mating or by artificial insemination as demonstrated with other herpes viruses in other species.
Publication Date: 2009-03-05 PubMed ID: 19268345DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.01.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the potential risk for the transmission of equine herpes virus types 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) in stallion semen, and its effect on stallion fertility, utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction for DNA detection.
Methodology and Results
- The researchers gathered semen samples from various sources, with a total of 390 samples acquired. These samples were examined using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of viral DNA.
- EHV-4 viral DNA could not be identified in any of the semen samples. However, EHV-1 DNA was detected in 51 out of the 390 samples, which constitutes about 13% of the total samples. No significant linkage between stallion fertility and the presence of EHV-4 in semen was observed.
- For a better understanding of these findings, the scientists sourced 182 samples from 6 different studs and observed a significant difference in the proportion of stallions with semen testing positive for viral DNA. This difference, ranging from 0 to 55%, varied greatly between the studs.
Implication on Stallion Fertility
- Further, the study found a significant difference in the fertility of stallions with semen testing positive for viral DNA and those without. Stallions which excreted the EHV-1 virus were found to be more fertile than those which did not.
- It’s important to note that this increased fertility was related to the breeding technique used. A higher proportion of excretors (those with the EHV-1 virus in semen) were found among those whose semen was used fresh, rather than those whose semen was preserved by cooling or freezing. Thus, the effect of the virus on fertility may be also influenced by the breeding method.
Transmission of EHV-1
- The research paper concludes with a suggestion that the transmission of the EHV-1 virus may occur through the semen during mating or by artificial insemination. This has been demonstrated with other herpes viruses in other species too.
- This might pose heightened risks for the spread of EHV-1. However, the study does not conclusively confirm the transmission potential and effects on fertility, implying the need for further research.
Cite This Article
APA
Hebia-Fellah I, Léauté A, Fiéni F, Zientara S, Imbert-Marcille BM, Besse B, Fortier G, Pronost S, Miszczak F, Ferry B, Thorin C, Pellerin JL, Bruyas JF.
(2009).
Evaluation of the presence of equine viral herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine viral herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) DNA in stallion semen using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Theriogenology, 71(9), 1381-1389.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.01.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UPSP Sanitary Risks and Biotechnology of Reproduction, National Veterinary School, Nantes, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding / methods
- Cold Temperature
- Cryopreservation
- DNA, Viral / analysis
- Fertility
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Equid / genetics
- Horses / virology
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Semen / virology
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Petano-Duque JM, Urueña-Martinez E, Cabezas-Callejas LL, Perilla-Amaya J, Rueda-García V, Rondón-Barragán IS, Lopera-Vásquez R. Molecular and Serological Investigation of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) and Type 4 (EHV-4) in Horses In Ibagué, Tolima. Vet Med Int 2025;2025:1661949.
- Carvelli A, Nielsen SS, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L. Clinical impact, diagnosis and control of Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection in Europe. EFSA J 2022 Apr;20(4):e07230.
- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Carvelli A, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Baldinelli F, Van der Stede Y. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infection with Equine Herpesvirus-1. EFSA J 2022 Jan;20(1):e07036.
- Holz CL, Sledge DG, Kiupel M, Nelli RK, Goehring LS, Soboll Hussey G. Histopathologic Findings Following Experimental Equine Herpesvirus 1 Infection of Horses. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:59.
- Negussie H, Li Y, Tessema TS, Nauwynck HJ. Replication characteristics of equine herpesvirus 1 and equine herpesvirus 3: comparative analysis using ex vivo tissue cultures. Vet Res 2016 Jan 15;47:19.
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