Combination Dip and Injection of Turkey Eggs with Antibiotics to Eliminate Mycoplasma meleagridis Infection from a Primary Breeding Stock

Abstract

SUMMARY Turkey eggs from a breeder flock naturally infected with Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) were first dipped for 45 to 180 seconds into a 2-6 C solution of 750-900 ppm gentamicin sulfate (Garasol) and 250 ppm quaternary ammonium. The eggs were then injected with a combination of 0.6 mg gentamicin sulfate (Gentocin) and 2.4 mg tylosin (Tylan-200). The dipping and injection were respectively done under the temperature-differential and the bottom-end system of (BEST) methods. The dual treatment significantly reduced embryo livability and hatchability. Extensive serologic and cultural testing was conducted on turkeys hatched from the treated eggs (F-1) and their progeny (F-2). The results indicated that the procedure was successful in producing 7,500 breeder females and 750-800 selected breeder males (F-1) free of MM infection in the reproductive system. Additional data indicated that the combined method of dip-injection was more successful than the egg-injection method alone in eliminating MM. Both methods proved effective in eliminating M. synoviae infection.