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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Anim Sci / Microbiota of semen from stallions in Sweden identified by M...
Veterinary and animal science2020; 10; 100143; doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2020.100143

Microbiota of semen from stallions in Sweden identified by MALDI-TOF.

Abstract: Stallion semen is known to contain environmental bacteria and normal commensals, and in some cases may contain opportunistic pathogens. These bacteria may negatively influence sperm quality during storage before artificial insemination. The bacteria isolated depend on the culture conditions and method of identification; therefore, the aim of this study was to identify as many of the bacteria present in stallion semen as possible by culturing aliquots of semen under a variety of conditions. Eleven semen samples were available: five extended semen samples from one stud together with a sample of the extender, and six raw semen samples from another stud. Aliquots of semen samples were cultured on different agars and under specialized conditions; individual bacterial colonies were identified using Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Approximately 55% of the bacteria could be identified, with 20 bacterial taxa being isolated from semen samples from the five stallions on the first stud and 11 taxa from the semen samples from six stallions on the second stud. spp. were present in all samples, and spp. were present in all of the extended semen samples although they were also isolated from the extender. The number of bacteria in colony forming units per mL varied considerably among samples. Only one microbe known to be associated with equine infertility, spp., was isolated from three samples, albeit in low numbers. In conclusion, bacterial culture followed by MALDI-TOF does not identify all bacteria present in stallion semen samples. In-depth knowledge of which microbes are likely to be present is useful in determining their effects on sperm quality and, where appropriate, developing protocols for effectively controlling microbial growth.
© 2020 The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2020-10-01 PubMed ID: 33145452PubMed Central: PMC7593612DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2020.100143Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 is a study of the various bacteria present in stallion semen in Sweden, conducted to understand their effects on sperm quality using a method known as Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).

Objective of the Study

  • This research was aimed at identifying as many bacteria as possible present in stallion semen by culturing semen under different conditions. The goal is to determine any potential negative influence these bacteria might have on sperm quality, crucial in the context of storage before artificial inseparation.

Methodology

  • Eleven semen samples were used in the study. Five were extended semen samples from one stud along with a extender sample, and six were raw semen samples from another stud.
  • The researchers went ahead to culture aliquots of these semen samples on different agars and under specialized conditions.
  • Identification of individual bacterial colonies was achieved using Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), a cutting edge technology that allows for precise identification of bacteria.

Results and Findings

  • About 55% of the bacteria present in the samples were identifiable with the methods employed in this study.
  • 20 bacterial species were isolated from semen samples of the five stallions from the first stud and 11 species from semen samples of six stallions from the second stud.
  • The number of bacteria in colony-forming units per mL varied significantly among samples.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that the bacterial culture followed by MALDI-TOF technique does not identify every bacteria present in stallion semen samples.
  • The study emphasized that in-depth knowledge of the potential microbes present is crucial in understanding their effects on sperm quality and effectively designing protocols for controlling microbial growth where necessary.

Cite This Article

APA
Al-Kass Z, Eriksson E, Bagge E, Wallgren M, Morrell JM. (2020). Microbiota of semen from stallions in Sweden identified by MALDI-TOF. Vet Anim Sci, 10, 100143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2020.100143

Publication

Veterinary and animal science
ISSN: 2451-943X
NlmUniqueID: 101694897
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 100143
PII: 100143

Researcher Affiliations

Al-Kass, Ziyad
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, university of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.
Eriksson, Erik
  • Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.
Bagge, Elisabeth
  • Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.
Wallgren, Margareta
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Morrell, Jane M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors do not have any conflict of interest to declare.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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