Performance of bovine viral diarrhea virus in the reproductive tract of swine males

Abstract

Transmission of Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) may be viable by reproductive route in ruminants, similar to several viral diseases of high importance in animal production already described. However, no information on the performance of BVDV in the reproductive tract of males is known. Despite studies on the impact of BVDV infection on pigs are scarce, it is clear that in ruminants this virus can cause several problems.The present study aims to identify the importance of boar in BVDV transmission, evaluating the presence of BVDV in semen, the effect on sperm cells, the presentation of lesions in the testicular structures, as well as the virus transmission capacity by artificial insemination. For the experimental infection, six boars will be used in a 90 days evaluation, assessing 45 days of the control phase and 45 days of the inoculated phase. Samples of semen and blood will be collected every four days. To evidenciate the BVDV transmission by semen, eight sows proven to be free from BVDV will be inseminated, being four sowsby semen from an infected boar sheding at the time of collection and four sows with artificially contaminated semen.Two sows will be the negative control group, which will be inseminated with BVDV-free semen. Gestation will be assessed by means of blood collections every four days until the 60th day of gestation.Blood and semen will be tested by RT-PCR, blood serum tested by virus neutralization, male testis fragments evaluated by histology and immunohistochemistryand sperm evaluation of semen will also be performed. (AU)