High prevalence of mycoplasmas in the genital tract of asymptomatic stallions in Austria.
Abstract: Mycoplasma equigenitalium and M. subdolum have been implicated in genital disorders and infertility of horses. The reported cytopathic effects of M. equigenitalium observed in vitro underscore its potential pathogenic role in reproductive dysfunction in mares. This study was initiated to determine the prevalence of mycoplasmas in the genital tract of stallions in relationship to age, clinical signs, geographic location and semen quality. For this purpose the mycoplasma flora of the genital tract of 116 stallions of the Noric breed was determined by isolation and colony immunoblotting and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Of 438 swabs from the genital tract, pre-ejaculatory fluid and semen samples, 352 (80%) samples were positive by PCR and 125 (29%) were positive by culture. Mycoplasmas were isolated predominantly from the fossa glandis and urethra and less frequently from the penis shaft and from semen. M. equigenitalium (89 isolates) and M. subdolum (70 isolates) were the predominant species identified. M. equirhinis and M. felis were detected in 27 and 8 samples, respectively. Comparison of these isolations with clinical signs, semen quality, and age of the stallions revealed no significant correlation. However, geographical location of the stallion significantly correlated with mycoplasma detection. These results suggest that mycoplasmas are present as commensals in the genital tract of stallions. Thus, clinically healthy stallions may present a permanent reservoir for infection of mares via venereal transmission.
Publication Date: 2002-05-30 PubMed ID: 12034540DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(02)00043-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the presence and implications of mycoplasmas, responsible for reproductive disorders in horses, in the genital tract of stallions in Austria.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of mycoplasmas, specifically Mycoplasma equigenitalium and M. subdolum, in the genital tract of stallions and its correlation with stallion’s age, clinical symptoms, geographic location, and semen quality.
- The focus of inquiry was on the Noric breed of stallions, with a sample size of 116 stallions.
- A total of 438 swabs were collected from different regions of the stallions’ genital tract, pre-ejaculatory fluid, and semen samples.
- The research team employed two methods to detect mycoplasmas – isolation with colony immunoblotting and PCR assays.
Results
- Out of 438 samples, 80% (352 samples) were PCR positive, and 29% (125 samples) were culture positive for mycoplasmas.
- The highest occurrence of mycoplasmas was in the fossa glandis and urethra, while fewer instances were found in the penis shaft and semen.
- Two species, M. equigenitalium (89 instances) and M. subdolum (70 instances), were dominant.
- Additionally, M. equirhinis and M. felis were identified in 27 and 8 samples, respectively.
- Analyzing the correlations, the researchers found no significant link between the presence of mycoplasmas and the stallions’ age, clinical symptoms, or semen quality.
- However, a strong correlation was found between the geographic location of the stallion and detection of mycoplasmas.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that mycoplasmas, especially M. equigenitalium and M. subdolum, are prevalently found in the genital tract of the examined stallions, potentially acting as commensals.
- Even though these stallions showed no symptoms, their potential for venereal transmission could make them a consistent infection reservoir for mares.
- The location-based correlation suggests further investigation may be needed into the environment or local practices that may influence the significant presence of mycoplasmas.
Cite This Article
APA
Spergser J, Aurich C, Aurich JE, Rosengarten R.
(2002).
High prevalence of mycoplasmas in the genital tract of asymptomatic stallions in Austria.
Vet Microbiol, 87(2), 119-129.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1135(02)00043-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Bacteriology, Mycology and Hygiene, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. joachim.spergser@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Austria / epidemiology
- DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- Female
- Genitalia, Male / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Immunoblotting / veterinary
- Male
- Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / veterinary
- Mycoplasma / genetics
- Mycoplasma / isolation & purification
- Mycoplasma Infections / epidemiology
- Mycoplasma Infections / microbiology
- Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Semen / cytology
- Semen / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Hashem YM, Mousa WS, Abdeen EE, Abdelkhalek HM, Nooruzzaman M, El-Askary A, Ismail KA, Megahed AM, Abdeen A, Soliman EA, Wareth G. Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Mycoplasma Species, Pasteurella multocida, and Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Calves with Respiratory Manifestations. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 27;12(3).
- Al-Kass Z, Eriksson E, Bagge E, Wallgren M, Morrell JM. Bacteria detected in the genital tract, semen or pre-ejaculatory fluid of Swedish stallions from 2007 to 2017. Acta Vet Scand 2019 May 30;61(1):25.
- Vega-Orellana O, Poveda JB, Rosales RS, Bradbury JM, Poveda CG, Mederos-Iriarte LE, Tavío MM, Ramírez AS. Comparison of different NAT assays for the detection of microorganisms belonging to the class Mollicutes. BMC Vet Res 2017 Jun 24;13(1):195.
- Nehra K, Rana R, Viswas KN, Arun TR, Singh VP, Singh AP, Prabhu SN. Isolation and molecular identification of Mycoplasma equigenitalium from equine genital tracts in northern India. Iran J Vet Res 2015 Spring;16(2):176-81.
- Zeugswetter F, Hittmair KM, de Arespacochaga AG, Shibly S, Spergser J. Erosive polyarthritis associated with Mycoplasma gateae in a cat. J Feline Med Surg 2007 Jun;9(3):226-31.
- Editors T. EAVLD 2024 - 7(th) Congress of the European Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. Ital J Food Saf 2024 Nov 12;13(4):13488.
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