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

Semen contamination is a detrimental factor in decreasing fertility. Seasonal changes may affect the contamination, too. 

This study was designed to detect semen contamination in ovine and caprine during different seasons. 

Six fully mature male sheep and goats were subjected to electro-ejaculator collection twice monthly from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023 (Spring, February 1, 2022-April 30, 2022; Summer, May 1, 2022, July 31, 2022; Autumn August 1, 2022, October 31, 2022; Winter November 1, 2022, January 31, 2023), for studying the seasonal effect. A total of 288 semen samples were collected from both species (36 samples from each per season). All samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. 

The results indicated that sheep semen had 4 different types of bacterial contamination with a higher number in contaminated samples than goat, which showed 5 different bacterial isolations. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in bacterial contamination with regard to different seasons. 

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.