title: Use of a semen extender containing antibiotic to improve the fertility of a stallion with seminal vesiculitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: A breeding trial was conducted to determine if a semen extender containing polymixin-B sulfate would improve the fertility of a stallion with seminal vesiculitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Twenty-three mares were bred to the stallion by one of three methods: artificial insemination with raw semen (Group 1, n = 10), artificial insemination with semen mixed 1:1 with a nonfat dry skim milk/glucose extender containing 1000 units/ml polymixin-B sulfate (Group 2, n = 9), or natural service immediately following infusion of the uterus with 100 ml of the same extender (Group 3, n = 4). Artificial breedings contained a minimum insemination dose of 500 x 10(6) progressively motile spermatozoa. All mares were bred every other day while in estrus. Pregnancy status was determined by transrectal ultrasound examination 15 d after the last breeding. First-cycle pregnancy rate for Group 2 mares (78%) was greater (P < 0.01) than for Group 1 mares (10%). There was a tendency (P = 0.10) for the pregnancy rate of Group 3 mares (50%) to be greater than Group 1 mares. The use of a semen extender containing polymixin-B sulfate improved the fertility of this stallion.
authors.affiliation: Hofmann Center for Reproductive Studies New Bolton Center School of Veterinary Medicine University of Pennsylvania Kennett Square, PA 19348 USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Varner
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hurtgen
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kenney