Detection of Bacterial and Fungal Contaminants of the Imported Semen Straws Used for Cows

Abstract

    The study was conducted to detect the presence of bacterial and fungal contamination in imported semen straws used for Artificial Insemination (AI) in cows and antibiotic sensitivity test for those isolates. For this purpose, a total of 118 imported semen straws from local markets in Baghdad and some veterinarian clinics from December  2011 to February 2012 transported directly to the laboratories of Unit of Zoonotic Diseases (College of Veterinary Medicine / Baghdad University) frozen in liquid nitrogen (-196 ºC), the cultured on brain and heart broth and Sabouraud dextrose broth with routine biochemical tests, as well as antibiotic sensitivity test was done using 11 antibiotics. The results revealed isolation of Bacillus subtilis 34 isolates (28.81%), Staphylococcus aureus 27 (22.88%), and E. coli 13 (11.07%), also mixed infection was registered B. subtilis + S. aureus found in 9 straws (7.63%) and B. subtilis + E. coli in 3 straws (2.54%). The results of antibiotic sensitivity showed resistant strains of S. aureus against most antibiotics used, while B. subtilis and E. coli showed intermediate sensitivity to many antibiotics. In general, all isolates were sensitive to Azithromycin and Ceftriaxone. Fungal isolation showed Penicillium 16 isolates (13.65%), Aspergillus 7 isolates (5.93%), Alternaria 4 (3.39%), and Cladosporium only 2 isolates (1.69%). It could be concluded that there was a need to use a dose of Azithromycin to get rid of contamination and using of hygienic precautions in artificial insemination and using of disinfectants for sterilization of instruments and tools to avoid contamination.