Ultrastructural study of a tetratrichomonad species isolated from prepucial smegma of virgin bulls

We present observations on an unusual tetratrichomonad species isolated from preputial smegma of virgin bulls. Ultrastructural studies were performed using scanning and electron microscopy techniques. This protozoan presents four anterior flagella of unequal length and a recurrent one forming the undulating membrane. It shows one anterior nucleus, a Golgi complex, an axostyle, and a costa. The hydrogenosomes are rather elongated, seen in groups, and presenting different electron densities. Vacuoles of different sizes containing bacteria and material in process of digestion were frequently found. PCR was also used in order to compare the species herein described with other trichomonad species. The amplification products were seen only with primers TFR1 and TFR2 (specific to trichomonads), but not with TFR3 and TFR4 (specific to Tritrichomonas foetus), suggesting that although collected from the genital tract of the bull, this protist was not T. foetus. We propose that the appearance of these tetratrichomonads were probably due to the sodomy practiced among bulls. Concomitant contamination of preputial cavity with feces could explain the presence of the opportunistic organism. The observations presented here show the importance of the correct diagnostic when investigating samples obtained from the urogenital tract of cattle. We also suggest that this flagellate belongs to the species Tetratrichomonas buttreyi. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.