Mycoplasma maculosum and Mycoplasma spumans associated with fertility disorders in dogs from a Bernese Mountain dog kennel.

Abstract

The aim of this short communication is to describe a case of subfertility and other anomalies associated with the presence of Mycoplasma spumans and Mycoplasma maculosum in a Bernese Mountain Dog kennel. After the arrival of two dogs from abroad, some fertility disorders, such as unsuccessful mating, pregnancy losses and abnormal sperm analysis results, were observed. Two consecutive samplings (vaginal swabs) of three and two bitches with problems, respectively, were performed and M. spumans and M. maculosum were identified by PCR and sequencing. After treatment for 15 days with doxycycline and 9 days with azithromycin, successful pregnancies were achieved and the results of the sperm analyses were reversed. Considering that no other infectious agents causing subfertility problems were detected and that no management measures or other medication apart from these antibiotics were applied, it was concluded that fertility problems were due to the presence of these two Mycoplasma species.