Evaluation of Novel Sampling Technique for Bovine Trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas foetus)

Bovine trichomoniasis is of great concern to producers and veterinarians in the beef industry. A standard breeding soundness examination (BSE) does not usually include evaluation for venereal diseases, such as Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus), and typically goes undiagnosed and is commonly suspected during pregnancy diagnosis which reveals poor conception rates, early embryonic deaths, and extended calving seasons. Trichomoniasis can be adequately diagnosed via preputial/penile scraping; however research has exposed detection rate limitations including: sample collection methods and techniques, sample numbers, media selection and sample processing, and diagnostic laboratory modalities. [...]