Bovine trichomoniasis overview and testing

Abstract

Bovine trichomoniasis, caused by Tritrichomonas foetus, is a venereal disease of cattle, resulting in infertility, pregnancy losses, abortion and delayed calving seasons. The disease has global distribution, with greater prevalence in areas in which natural service is the primary means of reproduction. When ar­tificial insemination, with appropriate hygiene practices, is im­plemented, as well as aggressive testing and culling of positive bulls, control and eradication of the disease is possible. Addi­tionally, minimizing co-mingling of animals with unknown sta­tus through herd additions or on public grazing lands will help decrease the likelihood of introduction into negative herds, and contribute significantly to the decrease in prevalence in the local region. Testing methods have improved over the last 100 years; however, proper sample collection and handling are still paramount to gaining true positive results in infected bulls.