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Infection of the Conceptus With African Swine Fever Virus Following Artificial Insemination in Sows: A Pathological
Julia Sehl-Ewert1, Virginia Friedrichs2, Sandra Blome2
1Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493, Germany, fli.de.
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
|June 30, 2026
Summary
African swine fever virus (ASFV) can infect developing fetuses via artificial insemination, leading to systemic infection and embryonic loss. This study reveals complex transmission dynamics and identifies infected cell types in early gestation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Reproductive Biology
- Virology
Background:
- African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a significant threat to swine populations.
- Recent findings indicate ASFV transmission through artificial insemination (AI) with contaminated semen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological consequences of ASFV infection on the conceptus.
- To assess the potential for vertical transmission of ASFV in early gestation.
- To characterize the distribution and cellular tropism of ASFV within the conceptus and maternal reproductive tract.
Main Methods:
- Experimental insemination of gilts with ASFV-contaminated semen.
- Clinical monitoring, virological analysis, gross and histopathology.
- Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (RNAscope) for viral detection and cell phenotyping.
Main Results:
- ASFV infection of conceptuses was confirmed, demonstrating vertical transmission potential.
- Widespread viral distribution and systemic infection were observed in fetal tissues.
- Heterogeneous infection patterns, uterine alterations, and embryonic loss were noted.
- ASFV antigen was detected in various maternal reproductive compartments.
- Infected fetal cells included macrophage subsets (CD163+, Iba-1+) and others with undefined phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- ASFV can infect and systematically infect the conceptus, supporting vertical transmission.
- Infection dynamics at the feto-maternal interface are complex and temporally/spatially distinct.
- ASFV exhibits a broad, incompletely defined cellular tropism in fetal tissues.
- Further research is needed on ASFV transmission routes and fetal target cells in early gestation.
