Researchers Find CWD Proteins in Deer Semen

In research with potential implications for cervid breeders and wild herds, scientists have detected the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in semen and sexual tissues of prion-infected whitetail deer bucks. The team of researchers, from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Colorado State University and USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services published their findings in a report titled “In Vitro detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) prions in semen and reproductive tissues of white tailed deer bucks (Odocoileus virginianus),” in the online journal PLOS ONE. Previous studies have shown that infected animals can shed CWD prions into the environment through urine, feces and saliva. The researchers note that progressive accumulation of prions in the environment by shedding, carcasses decomposition and other tissue sources over time, coupled with the prion’s environmental persistence and resistance to degradation “make a compelling argument as to the role of the environment contamination in CWD transmission in both natural and captive settings.” They suspect though, that other mechanisms are involved, including sporadic CWD cases, translocation of the infectious agent by scavengers, vertical transmission from mother to offspring, and potentially, transmission through sexual contact...MORE