Distribution of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigens and pathological changes in testes, seminal vesicles, and prepuce of culled boars

Abstract

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a swine pathogen causing porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD). The interaction between PCV2 and boar’s reproductive organs is of interest. It has been shown that PCV2 could be shedded via semen and the virus might use the boar’s reproductive organs as reservoir. Moreover, PCV2 could induce in reproductive organ is not known. In the present study, we determined the prevalence of PCV2 in boar’s reproductive organs. The antigen distribution in boar’s reproductive organs was also characterized. Testes, seminal vesicles, and prepuces were collected from 59 culled. Thirteen boars contained PCV2 DNA in the reproductive organs. PCV2 antigen distribution study revealed that the prevalence of PCV2 antigen was highest in the testis (76.9%), followed by the prepuce (38.5%), and then the seminal vesicle (30.8%). The testis showed significantly higher prevalence than the seminal vesicle (p < 0.05). Various cell types, including Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and germinal epithelial cells, showed positive signal of PCV2 antigen. However, these findings were not related with testicular degeneration. In the seminal vesicles, the antigen was found only in the glandular epithelial cells. In the prepuces, the antigen was detected in lymphocytes in the mucosal lymphoid follicles with lymphoid depletion. This is the first time that PCV2 antigen was identified in boar’s prepuces. Our study provided knowledge of PCV2 antigen distribution in boar’s reproductive organs indicating an impact of these organs for PCV2 spreading via semen.