Effect of marbofloxacin on mycoplasma carrier state and sperm quality in goat bucks

Adverse effects of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin on the fertility of Saanen bucks

This study aimed to determine the adverse effects of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin application on the fertility of Saanen bucks. For this purpose, twenty-four bucks were divided into three groups. Group I (control group) received only 5 ml of 0.9% NaCl for 7 days, group II was given a single dose of 20 mg/kg oxytetracycline and group III was given at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg per day for 7 days intramuscularly. Serum and semen samples were collected from the bucks at post-treatment 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days and examined spermatological parameters (quantity, motility, density, abnormal sperm ratio, and live-dead sperm ratio), serum testosterone levels (with ELISA) and sperm DNA parameters (with Comet assay). The results showed no change in sperm volume, abnormal sperm rate, and dead-live sperm ratio in group II and III following oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin administration. However, a decrease in sperm density, sperm motility, mass activity, and testosterone levels, and an increase in sperm DNA damage were detected. These spermatological parameters (density, motility, mass activity) and testosterone levels were less decreased and sperm DNA damage was less increased in group II than group III. The greater damage in group III may be attributed to the longer duration of enrofloxacin administration compared to oxytetracycline and the effect of enrofloxacin on DNA. The results obtained from this study suggest that usage of oxytetracycline and especially enrofloxacin should be restricted and antibiotics with fewer side effects on sperm should be preferred in Saanen bucks during the reproduction period.

Contagious agalactia due to Mycoplasma spp. in small dairy ruminants: epidemiology and prospects for diagnosis and control

Contagious agalactia (CA) is a serious disease of small dairy ruminants that has a substantial economic impact on the goat and sheep milk industries. The main aetiological agent of the disease is Mycoplasma agalactiae, although other species, such as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum and Mycoplasma putrefaciens, are pathogenic in goats. There are two clinical-epidemiological states of CA in sheep and goats; herds and flocks may exhibit outbreaks of CA or may be chronically infected, the latter with a high incidence of subclinical mastitis and only occasional clinical cases. The complex epidemiology of CA is related to the genetic characteristics and mechanisms of molecular variation of the Mycoplasma spp. involved, along with presence of CA-mycoplasmas in wild ruminant species. In goats, the situation is particularly complex and asymptomatic carriers have been detected in chronically infected herds. The coexistence of other non-pathogenic mycoplasmas in the herd further complicates the diagnosis of CA and the design of efficient strategies to control the disease. Routes of infection, such as the venereal route, may be involved in the establishment of chronic infection in herds. Current challenges include the need for improved diagnostic methods for detection of chronic and subclinical infections and for the design of more efficient vaccines.