Comparative Study of Bacterial Contamination in Local Iraqi Sheep and Goats Semen

Background: Semen contamination is a detrimental factor in decreasing fertility. Seasonal changes may affect the contamination, too. Objectives: This study was designed to detect semen contamination in ovine and caprine during different seasons. Methods: Six fully mature male sheep and goats were subjected to electro-ejaculator collection twice monthly from February ۱, ۲۰۲۲, to January ۳۱, ۲۰۲۳ (Spring, February ۱, ۲۰۲۲-April ۳۰, ۲۰۲۲; Summer, May ۱, ۲۰۲۲, July ۳۱, ۲۰۲۲; Autumn August ۱, ۲۰۲۲, October ۳۱, ۲۰۲۲; Winter November ۱, ۲۰۲۲, January ۳۱, ۲۰۲۳), for studying the seasonal effect. A total of ۲۸۸ semen samples were collected from both species (۳۶ samples from each per season). All samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. Results: The results indicated that sheep semen had ۴ different types of bacterial contamination with a higher number in contaminated samples than goat, which showed ۵ different bacterial isolations. There were no significant differences (P>۰.۰۵) in bacterial contamination with regard to different seasons. Conclusion: Different seasons appear not to affect bacterial contamination of semen in sheep and goats. Meanwhile, isolating all bacteria types was considered normal flora in both small ruminant species.

Keywords:

sheep , Goat , Semen , bacterial contamination , seasonal