title: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV): epidemiologic concerns relative to semen and embryos.
abstract: Artificial insemination and embryo transfer are used commonly in cattle production and exchange of germplasm between populations of cattle. If properly monitored, assisted reproductive techniques can be used to prevent the spread of infectious agents. However, these techniques potentially represent unnatural routes for transmission of diseases. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is broadly distributed among the world's populations of cattle. Fluids, gametes and somatic cells from infected animals are likely contaminated with the virus. Thus, use of semen or embryos from infected animals could result in spread of BVDV. This paper provides an overview of the risks of transmitting this virus by AI or production and transfer of embryos and summarizes the precautions needed to prevent such transmissions of disease from occurring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA. waldrja@vetmed.auburn.edu
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gard
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Givens
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stringfellow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001912:Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D002417:Cattle; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D001908:Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000662:veterinary