Semen

Pathogens that might be transmitted though semen

Diseases believed to be able to be transmitted in Boar Semen in medicated diluent (depending on antibiotic used)

Actinobaculum (Eubacterium) suis

Adenovirus

African Swine Fever virus

Aujeszky's Disease (Pseudorabies) virus

Brucella suis

Circovirus II and I

Classical Swine Fever virus (Hog Cholera)

Congenital tremor virus (not identified)

Cytomegalovirus

Enterovirus

Foot and Mouth Disease virus

Japanese encephalitis virus

Leptospires spp

Mycoplasma

Porcine Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome virus (not identified)

Porcine Parvovirus

Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv)

Reovirus

Swine Influenza virus

Swine vesicular disease virus

Transmissible genital papilloma virus

Raw semen contains large numbers of bacteria which include E. coli. streptococci, Klebsiella and Staphylococci spp, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Micrococci, Corynebacterium, Serratia, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Acrobacter and Bordetella.

While many diseases can be transmitted via boar semen, most of the above conditions are absent from the countires or are controlled by units biosecurity or the addition of antibiotics to the diluent. AI remains one of the safest methods of Gene Transfer

If specific requirements are necessary the use of frozen semen is advised. The semen can then be collected, the boar examined over the next 4 to 6 weeks and if negative to the specific diseases it can be assumed he was negative on the day of collection.