Uso da técnica de swim-up para a remoção do Vírus da Artrite Encefalite Caprina do sêmen de reprodutores infectados

In this study, 67 ejaculates were assessed before and after the swim-up technique in relation to semen quality and presence of CAEV. Of the 67 samples tested by Nested PCR, before swim-up 47 (70.15%) were positive for viral DNA. Furthermore, four additional samples were positive for RT-nested PCR after swim-up, which allows us to affirm that at least 76.12% (51/67) were infected before washing. However, 23.88% (16/67) of the samples did not detect the presence of CAEV. After application of the swim-up technique it was found, by Nested PCR and RT-nested PCR, that there was a significant decrease (χ² = 9.078, p <0.001) in the presence of CAEV in semen samples, once 28 of 51 positive samples were free from the virus (54.90%) for both proviral DNA and the free form of the virus. Regarding individual progressive motility (IPM) and spermatic vigor obtained before and after the swim-up technique, a significant decrease was observed in the average, being 86.42% of the IPM to 71.49% and the spermatic vigor from 4.16 for the 3.93. It is concluded that the removal of CAEV in semen has an intermittent character, and the combination of PCR and RT-nested PCR is a safe option for health certification of individual semen samples for the presence or absence of CAEV. Finally, the swim-up technique promotes a reduction in the infectivity of contaminated semen samples, and it is possible to promote the recovery of high individual progressive motility sperm and sperm vigor.