title: Reproductive failure experimentally induced in sows via artificial insemination with semen spiked with porcine circovirus type 2.
abstract: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with reproductive failure in female pigs. However, the association of PCV2-positive semen in the pathogenesis has not been elucidated. The objectives of this study were to determine whether semen spiked with PCV2 causes infection in PCV2-naïve, mature female pigs and whether delivery of PCV2 via artificial insemination causes reproductive failure or fetal infection. Nine sows were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 3 sows each and artificially inseminated with PCV2 DNA-negative semen (group 1), PCV2 DNA-negative semen spiked with PCV2a (group 2), or PCV2b (group 3). All sows in groups 2 and 3 developed PCV2 viremia 7 to 14 days after insemination. None of the group 2 sows became pregnant, whereas all group 3 sows (3/3) farrowed at the expected date. At parturition, presuckle serum samples were collected, and live-born piglets, stillborn fetuses, and mummified fetuses were necropsied. All live-born piglets (n = 8) in group 3 were PCV2 viremic at birth. Stillborn fetuses (n = 2) had gross lesions of congestive heart failure. Mummified fetuses (n = 25) varied in crown-rump length from 7 to 27 cm, indicating fetal death between 42 and 105 days of gestation. PCV2 antigen was detected in the myocardium by immunohistochemistry of 7/8 (88%) live-born piglets, 2/2 (100%) of the stillborn fetuses, and 25/25 (100%) of the mummified fetuses. In addition, 4/25 mummified fetuses had PCV2 antigen associated with smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. The results of this study indicate that intrauterine administration of PCV2 causes reproductive failure in naïve sows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Madson
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramamoorthy
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: X J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Opriessnig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018173:Circoviridae Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D017925:Circovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000662:veterinary*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*