Antibiotics and their alternatives in Artificial Breeding in livestock

Abstract

Antibiotics are mandatory components of semen extenders for the control of bacterial contamination and growth. The increasing rate of worldwide resistance to conventional antibiotics in semen preservation media requires the development of new antimicrobial alternatives. This review provides an update on this topic and also highlights the improvement of hygiene in Artificial Insemination centers in order to prevent the development of bacterial resistance. Ideas are shared on future diagnostic tools for bacterial contamination in Artificial Breeding. Finally, new methods to remove or reduce bacteria in semen will be discussed.

Keywords: Animal breeding; Antibiotics; Artificial insemination; Bacterial resistance; Hygiene; Sperm quality.