Invasion of <it>Ureaplasma diversum </it>in bovine spermatozoids

• Main Authors: Timenetsky Jorge, Assumpção Mayra EO, Machado-Santelli Gláucia M, Marques Lucas, Cortez Beatriz A, Oliveira Rosângela C, Yamaguti Maurício, Buzinhani Melissa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-10-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: <it>Ureaplasma diversum</it>; bovine spermatozoid; invasion; confocal microscopy
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/455

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ureaplasma diversum </it>has been associated with infertility in cows. In bulls, this mollicute colonizes the prepuce and distal portion of the urethra and may infect sperm cells. The aim of this study is to analyze <it>in vitro </it>interaction of <it>U. diversum </it>isolates and ATCC strains with bovine spermatozoids. The interactions were observed by confocal microscopy and the gentamycin internalization assay.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p><it>U. diversum </it>were able to adhere to and invade spermatozoids after 30 min of infection. The gentamicin resistance assay confirmed the intracellularity and survival of <it>U. diversum </it>in bovine spermatozoids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The intracellular nature of bovine ureaplasma identifies a new difficulty to control the reproductive of these animals.</p>