EHV-1 Infection of the Equine Male Genital Tract

Equid Herpesvirus (EHV-1) causes respiratory tract infections in horse populations world-wide. In addition, infection is associated with herd outbreaks of myeloencephalopathy and abortion following a cell-associated viremia. EHV-1 also crosses the blood-testis barrier and is shed with semen in the intact male, lasting typically for several weeks following viremia. As barrier damage is key to myeloencephalopathy and abortion, specific aims of this study were to investigate whether virus can be detected in gonads and/or accessory sex glands of intact male horses 1 month after infection, and if there is evidence of tissue pathology.
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research