Elimination of Mycoplasma from the Turkey Semen

The studies were carried out in a breeding turkey flock in which mycoplasma infections were detected (serologically and by isolation from semen). Trials using tylosin and enrofloxacin were carried out to limit the infection. The antibiotics were given to the birds for 5 days in therapeutic doses and to semen at concentration of 1 mg/ ml of semen. The effectiveness of such treatments was confirmed by negative results of mycoplasma isolation from semen of turkey males and from the cloaca of turkey hens. As a result, an improvement in reproductive performances was observed. Hatchability was higher by 15% and 27% after the addition of enrofloxacin and tylosin, respectively.The progeny were free of mycoplasmas. The effectiveness of the method used was confirmed during two consecutive months.