Positive Relationship of the Avian Leukosis-J Strain Virus to the Detection of Campylobacter in the Digestive Tract and Semen of Broiler Breeder Roosters

At 45 wk of age, 99 roosters housed in individual cages were tested for avian leukosis-J strain virus (ALV-J); 32 tested positive and 67 tested negative. These roosters were fed a restricted diet to maintain weight to primary breeder specifications. Individual semen and ceca samples were analyzed for presence and level of Campylobacter. Population levels of Campylobacter in semen and ceca of ALV-J individuals were 3.5 times higher than negative birds. Controlling viruses such as ALV-J may be an important part of limiting colonization of broiler breeders by organisms such as Campylobacter.