In the study, 112 samples of vulvovaginal mucus of cows bearing reproductive disturbance were investigated for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. Specific media for the culture of mycoplasmas (SP-4) and ureaplasmas were used. PCR with general primers, PCR specific for Mycoplasma bovis, and nested-PCR in a single tube for Ureaplasma diversum were performed to detect DNA of the sample. Mycoplasma spp. and U. diversum were isolated in 12.5 and 25.0%, respectively. With generic PCR, positive reaction was obtained in 63.4% of the samples transported in SP-4 and 69.6% in ureaplasma medium. M. bovis was detected in 9.8% of samples and nested-PCR in a single tube for U. diversum resulted in 35.0% of positive reaction. Results demonstrated increased sensitivity of PCR methodology compared with culture technique applied to the search of microorganisms of Mycoplasma and Ureasplasma genera.
cow; Mycoplasma bovis; Ureaplasma diversum; culture; PCR