Invasion of Ureaplasma diversum in bovine spermatozoids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ureaplasma diversum </it>has been associated with infertility in cows. In bulls, this mollicute colonizes the prepuce and distal portion of the urethra and may infect sperm cells. The aim of this study is to analyze <it>in vitro </it>interaction of <it>U. diversum </it>isolates and ATCC strains with bovine spermatozoids. The interactions were observed by confocal microscopy and the gentamycin internalization assay.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p><it>U. diversum </it>were able to adhere to and invade spermatozoids after 30 min of infection. The gentamicin resistance assay confirmed the intracellularity and survival of <it>U. diversum </it>in bovine spermatozoids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The intracellular nature of bovine ureaplasma identifies a new difficulty to control the reproductive of these animals.</p

Detecção de Mycoplasma spp. e Ureaplasma diversum em vacas com distúrbios reprodutivos

Foram utilizadas 112 amostras de muco vulvovaginal, coletados de vacas com distúrbios reprodutivos, para pesquisa de Mycoplasma e Ureaplasma. Para isolamentos, foram usados meios específicos para micoplasmas (SP-4) e para ureaplasmas. PCR genérica, PCR específica para Mycoplasma bovis e nested-PCR em tubo único para Ureaplasma diversum foram realizados com os DNAs extraídos das amostras. Mycoplasma spp. e U. diversum foram detectados em 12,5 e 25,0%, respectivamente. A PCR genérica resultou em reações positivas em 63,4% das amostras transportadas em SP-4 e em 69,6% das transportadas em meio de ureaplasma. M. bovis foi detectado, na PCR específica, em 9,8% das amostras e U. diversum, na nested-PCR, em 37,5%. Houve maior sensibilidade na metodologia da PCR quando comparada à técnica de cultivo para Mycoplasma e Ureaplasma.In the study, 112 samples of vulvovaginal mucus of cows bearing reproductive disturbance were investigated for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. Specific media for the culture of mycoplasmas (SP-4) and ureaplasmas were used. PCR with general primers, PCR specific for Mycoplasma bovis, and nested-PCR in a single tube for Ureaplasma diversum were performed to detect DNA of the sample. Mycoplasma spp. and U. diversum were isolated in 12.5 and 25.0%, respectively. With generic PCR, positive reaction was obtained in 63.4% of the samples transported in SP-4 and 69.6% in ureaplasma medium. M. bovis was detected in 9.8% of samples and nested-PCR in a single tube for U. diversum resulted in 35.0% of positive reaction. Results demonstrated increased sensitivity of PCR methodology compared with culture technique applied to the search of microorganisms of Mycoplasma and Ureasplasma genera