Viruses in boar semen: detection and clinical as well as epidemiological consequences regarding disease transmission by artificial insemination

Many viruses have been reported to be present in boar semen, particularly during the viremic phase of the diseases. Some of them, such foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, swine vesicular disease virus, porcine parvovirus, picornaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, Japanese encephalitis virus, pseudorabies virus, African swine fever virus and reoviruses are of particular importance and accurate monitoring prior to and during the presence of boars in AI stations is essential. Various methods may be used to detect these viruses in the animals, or even directly in batches of semen. Cell culture, ELISA and PCR are the most accurate and widely used. Because of the high risk of dissemination of disease via AI, the absolute goal is to provide pathogen-free semen and this is feasible with the adequate measures that are discussed briefly in this paper.