Effective removal of equine arteritis virus from stallion semen.
BACKGROUND
A method of removing equine arteritis virus (EAV) from equine semen used for artificial insemination is urgently needed. Recent medical studies suggest that a double semen processing technique of density gradient centrifugation followed by a 'swim-up' can provide virus-free sperm preparations for assisted reproduction.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of the double semen processing technique to obtain virus-free sperm preparations from stallion semen containing EAV.


METHODS
Aliquots of an ejaculate from an uninfected stallion were spiked with virus and processed by the double processing technique. The sperm preparations were tested by PCR for the presence of EAV. The procedure was repeated using an ejaculate from a known shedding stallion, testing processed and unprocessed aliquots by PCR and virus isolation.


RESULTS
Virus-free sperm preparations were obtained using the double sperm processing technique. The 'swim-up' step is apparently required to ensure complete virus removal.


CONCLUSIONS
The double semen processing technique is potentially a useful and simple tool for the removal of EAV from the semen of shedding stallions.


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of density gradient centrifugation and 'swim-up' in protocols for the processing of semen for artificial insemination could help prevent the transmission of viral diseases carried in semen, such as EAV.
Morrell
J M
JM
Diagnostic Virology Unit, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK.
Geraghty
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D018174:Arterivirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D007240:Equartevirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006736:Horses; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D017201:Virus Shedding
D012367:RNA, Viral