Detection of bacteria of the genus Campylobacter in the bovine semen used for artificial insemination

The article presents the results of molecular genetic studies of samples of cryopreserved bovine semen used for artificial insemination from Russian and foreign breeding farms, aimed at identifying the genetic material of Campylobacter of different species. Studies on the detection of C. jejuni DNA were carried out by PCR with electrophoretic detection of PCR products using the KAM-BAK test system, Campylobacter spp. and C. fetus – using LSI VetMAX™ PCR kits with realtime hybridization-fluorescence detection. The genetic material of microorganisms of the genus Campylobacter was detected by PCR in 66,9 % of the studied samples, C. fetus – in 0,7 %, C. jejuni – in 9,7 % of semen samples. For 34 randomly selected samples of semen, a study of the microbial composition was carried out using «next generation» sequencing technology (NGS). Campylobacter has been shown to be the third most common genus of bacteria in semen samples. A species of C. ureolyticus that causes gastrointestinal diseases in humans and was previously found in feces and milk of cattle has been identified in semen samples. The issues of penetration of different types of Campylobacter into semen and the impact of the presence of Campylobacter on the quality of sperm production are discussed.