Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls

C. Kemel; M. Salamone; H. Van Loo; C. Latour; S. Vandeputte; J. Callens; M. Hostens; G. Opsomer

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.013

Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls

C. Kemel^*
, M. Salamone
, H. Van Loo
, C. Latour
, S. Vandeputte
, J. Callens
, M. Hostens
, G. Opsomer

^*Corresponding author for this work

FAH Sustainable Ruminant Health

Ghent University
KU Leuven
Inoveo SCRLFS
Animal Health Care Flanders

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion, perinatal mortality, and subfertility in cattle worldwide. Despite the presence of the DNA of the parasite in semen of infected bulls, the effect on semen quality has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a natural Neospora caninum infection on fresh and frozen semen quality parameters in Belgian Blue bulls. Two hundred and fourteen bulls were serologically screened with an indirect ELISA-test specific for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, every two months during one year. In addition to serological screening, semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The following semen quality parameters were assessed: ejaculate volume, concentration, total motility of fresh semen samples, as well as morphology, total and progressive motility for frozen/thawed semen samples. Bulls were semen sampled throughout the whole year, but only semen samples of bulls that had six consecutive positive or negative ELISA-test results were included in our dataset (n = 98). Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. In these models the explanatory variables were defined as: age, barn location, mean Temperature Humidity Index (THI) during sperm production (14–42 days before sampling), maximum daily THI at collection, season of sperm production, season at collection and the Neospora caninum antibody test results. Initially, individual explanatory variables were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select explanatory variables to build a multivariable model, where the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models. The present study reveals an overall apparent seroprevalence of Neospora caninum of 9,2% in the study population. No significant associations were detected between natural neosporosis, substantiated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that Neospora caninum seropositive bulls do not have lower semen quality parameters compared with seronegative bulls.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	10-15
Number of pages	6
Journal	Theriogenology
Volume	191
Early online date	31 Jul 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.013
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank AWE (AWE, Ciney, Belgium) group for providing the dataset and technical assistance. Funding for this work was provided by the ‘Veepeiler” project (DGZ, Belgium). Authors also cordially thank Rebecca Nelson (ECBHM-resident at the Nottingham University) for carefully revising the manuscript.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Inc.

Funding

The authors thank AWE (AWE, Ciney, Belgium) group for providing the dataset and technical assistance. Funding for this work was provided by the ‘Veepeiler” project (DGZ, Belgium). Authors also cordially thank Rebecca Nelson (ECBHM-resident at the Nottingham University) for carefully revising the manuscript.

Keywords

Belgian Blue bulls
Neospora caninum
Semen quality parameters

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10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.013

1-s2.0-S0093691X22002783-mainFinal published version, 477 KBLicence: Taverne

Cite this

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title = "Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls",

abstract = "Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion, perinatal mortality, and subfertility in cattle worldwide. Despite the presence of the DNA of the parasite in semen of infected bulls, the effect on semen quality has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a natural Neospora caninum infection on fresh and frozen semen quality parameters in Belgian Blue bulls. Two hundred and fourteen bulls were serologically screened with an indirect ELISA-test specific for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, every two months during one year. In addition to serological screening, semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The following semen quality parameters were assessed: ejaculate volume, concentration, total motility of fresh semen samples, as well as morphology, total and progressive motility for frozen/thawed semen samples. Bulls were semen sampled throughout the whole year, but only semen samples of bulls that had six consecutive positive or negative ELISA-test results were included in our dataset (n = 98). Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. In these models the explanatory variables were defined as: age, barn location, mean Temperature Humidity Index (THI) during sperm production (14–42 days before sampling), maximum daily THI at collection, season of sperm production, season at collection and the Neospora caninum antibody test results. Initially, individual explanatory variables were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select explanatory variables to build a multivariable model, where the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models. The present study reveals an overall apparent seroprevalence of Neospora caninum of 9,2\% in the study population. No significant associations were detected between natural neosporosis, substantiated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that Neospora caninum seropositive bulls do not have lower semen quality parameters compared with seronegative bulls.",

keywords = "Belgian Blue bulls, Neospora caninum, Semen quality parameters",

author = "C. Kemel and M. Salamone and \{Van Loo\}, H. and C. Latour and S. Vandeputte and J. Callens and M. Hostens and G. Opsomer",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank AWE (AWE, Ciney, Belgium) group for providing the dataset and technical assistance. Funding for this work was provided by the {\textquoteleft}Veepeiler” project (DGZ, Belgium). Authors also cordially thank Rebecca Nelson (ECBHM-resident at the Nottingham University) for carefully revising the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Elsevier Inc.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.013",

language = "English",

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AU - Kemel, C.

AU - Salamone, M.

AU - Van Loo, H.

AU - Latour, C.

AU - Vandeputte, S.

AU - Callens, J.

AU - Hostens, M.

AU - Opsomer, G.

N1 - Funding Information: The authors thank AWE (AWE, Ciney, Belgium) group for providing the dataset and technical assistance. Funding for this work was provided by the ‘Veepeiler” project (DGZ, Belgium). Authors also cordially thank Rebecca Nelson (ECBHM-resident at the Nottingham University) for carefully revising the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

PY - 2022/10/1

Y1 - 2022/10/1

N2 - Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion, perinatal mortality, and subfertility in cattle worldwide. Despite the presence of the DNA of the parasite in semen of infected bulls, the effect on semen quality has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a natural Neospora caninum infection on fresh and frozen semen quality parameters in Belgian Blue bulls. Two hundred and fourteen bulls were serologically screened with an indirect ELISA-test specific for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, every two months during one year. In addition to serological screening, semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The following semen quality parameters were assessed: ejaculate volume, concentration, total motility of fresh semen samples, as well as morphology, total and progressive motility for frozen/thawed semen samples. Bulls were semen sampled throughout the whole year, but only semen samples of bulls that had six consecutive positive or negative ELISA-test results were included in our dataset (n = 98). Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. In these models the explanatory variables were defined as: age, barn location, mean Temperature Humidity Index (THI) during sperm production (14–42 days before sampling), maximum daily THI at collection, season of sperm production, season at collection and the Neospora caninum antibody test results. Initially, individual explanatory variables were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select explanatory variables to build a multivariable model, where the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models. The present study reveals an overall apparent seroprevalence of Neospora caninum of 9,2% in the study population. No significant associations were detected between natural neosporosis, substantiated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that Neospora caninum seropositive bulls do not have lower semen quality parameters compared with seronegative bulls.

AB - Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion, perinatal mortality, and subfertility in cattle worldwide. Despite the presence of the DNA of the parasite in semen of infected bulls, the effect on semen quality has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a natural Neospora caninum infection on fresh and frozen semen quality parameters in Belgian Blue bulls. Two hundred and fourteen bulls were serologically screened with an indirect ELISA-test specific for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies, every two months during one year. In addition to serological screening, semen was collected twice weekly using an artificial vagina. The following semen quality parameters were assessed: ejaculate volume, concentration, total motility of fresh semen samples, as well as morphology, total and progressive motility for frozen/thawed semen samples. Bulls were semen sampled throughout the whole year, but only semen samples of bulls that had six consecutive positive or negative ELISA-test results were included in our dataset (n = 98). Generalized linear and binomial mixed models were used for statistical analysis of each outcome variable. In these models the explanatory variables were defined as: age, barn location, mean Temperature Humidity Index (THI) during sperm production (14–42 days before sampling), maximum daily THI at collection, season of sperm production, season at collection and the Neospora caninum antibody test results. Initially, individual explanatory variables were tested in univariable models for each outcome variable. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values were used to select explanatory variables to build a multivariable model, where the Neospora caninum test result was forced in all models. The present study reveals an overall apparent seroprevalence of Neospora caninum of 9,2% in the study population. No significant associations were detected between natural neosporosis, substantiated by ELISA-antibody levels, and any of our tested outcome variables on fresh and frozen/thawed semen samples. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that Neospora caninum seropositive bulls do not have lower semen quality parameters compared with seronegative bulls.

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KW - Neospora caninum

KW - Semen quality parameters

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AN - SCOPUS:85135538672

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SP - 10

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JO - Theriogenology

JF - Theriogenology

ER -

Unaffected semen quality parameters in Neospora caninum seropositive Belgian Blue bulls

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

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