Experimental infection of bulls with Akabane virus.

Eight bulls were inoculated with Akabane virus and the clinical effects, development of viraemia and serological response to infection were followed. In addition semen was collected regularly from each bull both before and after inoculation. The bulls had a viraemia which occurred between days 2 and 9 after inoculation and which lasted for three to five days. Virus neutralising antibodies were detected in the serum of all bulls by days 7 to 10. Semen samples were tested for virus by inoculation of tissue cultures and by subcutaneous injection of susceptible cattle. Akabane virus was not detected in the semen using either method. The semen was usually of a standard acceptable for artificial breeding. The results of this study suggest that Akabane virus infection of the bull would not affect reproduction.