Factors associated with the determination of antibiotic activity in bovine semen.

Rosaramicin, an agent shown to be effective in vitro against ureaplasma of bovine origin was tested as an additive to bovine semen extender. Although some reduction in semen quality occurred it was still deemed satisfactory for use. In a test involving 41 cows inseminated once at estrus with rosaramicin-treated semen (162 mcg/mL) the nonreturn rate was 24% compared to a calculated average for this semen of 63% (n = 3310). The effect of centrifugation, time and temperature was examined in vitro using a combination of 150 mcg of lincomycin, 300 mcg of spectinomycin and 450 mcg of tylosin against ten strains of bovine ureaplasma. This combination has ureaplasmacidal activity and is suggested as an additive to semen extenders for the control of ureaplasma.