Experimental infection reveals transmission of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) from tilapia broodstock to their reproductive organs and fertilized eggs

Abstract

Early developmental stages of tilapia, including fertilized eggs were tested positive for TiLV in a previous study. We, therefore, hypothesized that infected broodstock is able to pass the virus to their reproductive organs and then to the fertilized eggs. In order to prove this hypothesis, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock were experimentally infected with TiLV by intramuscular injection and non-infected broodstock were used as control group. This study aims to investigate whether experimentally infected broodstock can pass the virus to their reproductive organs, eggs and sperm as well as in vitro fertilized eggs. This study suggests that TiLV caused systemic infection in tilapia broodstock and that the virus is capable to circulate into the reproductive organs of both male and female via the blood circulatory system.