Detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 in bull semen by PCR

The results of PCR were compared with the results of virus isolation test. 44 bovine semen samples were tested. The presence of BHV 1 was demonstrated with the virus isolation test in 6 samples of semen. PCR with external primers detected BHV 1 in 8 samples, while in nested PCR positive amplification was observed in 21 samples. The sensitivity of PCR with external primers and nested PCR were 0.6 and 0.06 of TCID₅₀ respectively.