title: Risk factors for bacterial contamination during boar semen collection.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of multiple factors on bacterial contamination in 213 ejaculates from four boar studs. Semen contamination by aerobic mesophiles increased in ejaculates where the preputial fluid flowed into the collection container, collection glove was dirty, preputial hair was long (>1.0 cm), the collection lasted >7 min and boars were older than 18 months. An increase in coliforms occurred when preputial fluid dripped into the collection container, collections lasted >7 min or when penis escaped during collection. Semen contamination increased when two or more factors related to hygiene (poor hygiene of the boar, dirty preputial ostium, large preputial diverticulum, long preputial hair, dirty gloves, preputial liquid trickling from the hand of the technician into the semen container and penis escaping) were present. A vigilant protocol of collection must be followed to minimize bacterial contamination, especially avoiding dripping of preputial liquid into the semen container.
authors.affiliation: Setor de Suínos da Faculdade de Veterinária da, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 CEP: 91540-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria G
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Argenti
authors.forename: Jamil E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Faccin
authors.forename: Lídia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Linck
authors.forename: Mônica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santi
authors.forename: Mari Lourdes
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Marisa R I
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wentz
authors.forename: Fernando P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Bortolozzo
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012661:Semen / Q000382:microbiology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Artificial insemination; Bacterial contamination; Boar stud; Extended porcine semen; Semen collection; Swine