Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus species isolates from buck semen and their effect on semen quality

Abstract

Objective: Buck reproductive health is the key for breeding and production of quality semen. To assess the health of breeding bucks, in this study, we detected the presence of Staphylococcus spp in semen. Staphylococcus aureus is a common commensal and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria and is also a cause of many diseases in animals. Besides this, it can also deteriorate the semen quality. Materials and Methods: In this study, we collected 48 semen ejaculates from healthy bucks of three breeds, namely, Jamunapari, Barbari, and Jakhrana to assess the presence of Staphylococcus spp. Besides bacteriological study, the semen was also assessed for semen quality parameters in infected as well as in non-infected semen samples. Results and Conclusion: The semen quality was significantly deteriorated with Staphylococcus infection. The bacterial infection was initially confirmed as Staphylococcus spp. based on the Gram’s staining and growth on Mannitol salt agar. Based on this preliminary bacteriological analysis, 52.08% (n = 25) of the samples were found positive for Staphylococcus spp. from the total 48 buck semen ejaculates belonging to three different goat breeds. The isolates were confirmed based on the basis of multiplex PCR and the species identified were S. aureus, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus simulans directly in the buck semen. By this study, it is evident that semen can get contamination from a buck which has the presence of staphylococcus in the reproductive tract and semen quality is adversely affected. Hence, it is important to ensure the health and hygiene of the bucks maintained for semen production for artificial insemination.