EN
The purpose of the study was to assess the health status of bulls in semen collection centers in Poland in relation to BHV1 infection. Bovine herpes virus type 1 is one of the most frequently isolated viruses in bulls semen causing vulvovaginitis in cows and balanoposthitis in bulls, bovine rhinotracheitis, conjunctivitis and miscarriages. Periodical declines in semen quality may be observed in bulls infected with BHV1 and the latter, just like other herpes viruses can cause latent lifelong infections. Latent infections are reactivated under stress conditions - shedding of the virus reappear and are periodical and irregular in time. No clinical signs are observed in latently infected bulls. BHV1 infected bulls should be considered as carriers and shedders of the virus throughout the whole period of semen collection. Many countries have set standards in their veterinary requirements for collecting bull semen in order to eliminate the spread of BHV1 infection during artificial insemination. In EU countries these requirements are included in Council Directives 88/407/EEC and 2003/ 43/EC. Poland has enforced an equivalent law in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of 27.04.2004. The results of the study confirmed that bulls in AI centers are free from BHV1 infection.