Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5375-9597

Advisor

Smith, David R.

Committee Member

King, E. Heath

Committee Member

Thoresen, Merrilee

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 2 Years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Veterinary and Biomedical Science (Population Medicine)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department

Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine

Abstract

Tritrichomonas foetus, an extracellular protozoan parasite, causes reproductive inefficiency in cow-calf herds when transmitted from the asymptomatic bull host to the cow during coitus. The potential economic impact of T. foetus on the beef cattle industry has led many states to adopt regulations regarding testing, movement, and the culling of infected bulls. A RT-rtPCR offers advantages over other diagnostic modalities, including: 1) it can be performed utilizing smegma samples collected in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without culture enrichment, 2) has reported improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and 3) has a reported lower limit of detection (LOD). However, veterinarians do not regularly stock PBS. This work aims to determine if 0.9% physiologic saline, a fluid media readily available to veterinarians, is noninferior to PBS as a collection and transport media for T. foetus RT-rtPCR. Further, this work investigates the clinical interpretation and performance of the RT-rtPCR near the LOD.

Sponsorship (Optional)

Funded by USDA ARS NACA #58-0200-0-002, MSU-CVM House Officer Grant

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