The Role of Improper Use of Artificial Insemination on Infertility and Abortion in Cows in Basrah Province, Iraq: Microbiological Study

Abstract

A prospective study was performed to demonstrate the infectious causes and their mode of transmission in cases of infertility and abortion in cows. There were 434 artificially inseminated cows, of which 155 (35.7%) did not conceive after several trials. Seventy cows were naturally inseminated, of which 30 (42.8%) did not conceive. Delayed oestrus after normal delivery was found in 398 (99%) of 402 cows. Many microorganisms, known to be causative agents of infertility and abortion in cows, were recovered from uterine specimens, frozen semen and instruments of artificial insemination (AI). Pasteurella aerogenes alone was isolated from a uterine culture of one aborted cow. This organism was also isolated from three samples of frozen semen and from an instrument of AI. This microorganism has not been reported previously as a causative agent of abortion or infertility.

It is concluded that the recovered pathogens could be transmitted from contaminated AI instruments or from frozen semen to healthy cows. Therefore, it is recommended to make routine culture and direct microscopical examination of semen that are used for AI and excluding or treating the infected bulls. Sterilization of AI instruments should also be performed routinely before each use.