CONSERVATION OF GERM PLASM FROM BISON INFECTED WITH BRUCELLA-ABORTUS

Reproductive procedures for cattle were adapted to American bison (Bis on bison) to evaluate the potential preservation of germ plasm from bi son infected with Brucella abortus without transmission of the pathoge n to the recipient or offspring. Typo of four experimentally inoculate d bison bulls excreted B. abortus in the semen. Four healthy calves we re produced from non-infected, un-vaccinated bison cows by natural bre eding with a bison bull excreting B. abortus in the semen. There was n o seroconversion of the cows or their calves. Two culture negative bis on calves were produced by superovulation of infected bison donor cows followed by artificial insemination and embryo transfer without trans mitting B. abortus to recipient Cows or calves. These limited data ind icate that embryo manipulatory procedures and natural breeding in biso n may facilitate preservation of valuable germ plasm from infected bis on while reducing the risk of transmission of B. abortus to recipients and progeny.