Mohammed Ansam Khalid - Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

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.

sheep, Goat, Semen, bacterial contamination, seasonal