title: Detection of feline immunodeficiency virus in semen from seropositive domestic cats (Felis catus).
abstract: Electroejaculates from experimentally infected domestic cats were evaluated for the presence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Virus was isolated from cell-free seminal plasma and seminal cells by cocultivation with a feline interleukin-2-dependent CD4+ T-cell line, in which productive infection was demonstrated by syncytium formation and FIV gag p26 antigen secretion. In addition, an 868-bp segment of the FIV gag provirus gene was identified in cocultured cells by PCR and Southern analysis. A 582-bp fragment of the FIV gag provirus genome was detected by nested PCR and Southern analysis in nonfractionated seminal cells and in sperm purified by a swim-up procedure. This is the first report describing the detection of replication-competent FIV in cell-free and cell-associated forms in domestic cat semen.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015750:Genes, gag; D015726:Giant Cells; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011533:Proviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral