Abstract
Neosporosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum and its only clinical symptom in adult cows is abortion. In order to determine whether N. caninum was associated with an outbreak of abortion on a high milk production dairy farm with excellent livestock and health control standards, blood was collected from all the animals in the herd to obtain their serum and perform indirect ELISA. To this end, we followed the procedures of the HerdChek anti-Neospora caninum test kit to obtain epidemiological information about isolated estrus repetition, production, recurrent estrus, isolated abortion and recurrent abortion on the dairy farm. Relative risk and Odds ratio were calculated and all the calculations were performed using SAEG 9.1 software. Of the 111 blood samples collected, 42% tested seropositive and among the 58 lactating cows, 16 (28%) were seropositive. High milk producing cows were more vulnerable to infection by N. caninum getting to have 4.5 lower risk of infection than lower milk producing cows. It was also observed that low milk productivity is associated with protection factor. No association was observed between isolate estrus repetition and seropositive and seronegative animals as well as between the presence of recurrent estrus and positive and negative cows. Significant association was observed between isolated abortion and seropositive and seronegative animals as well as between recurrent abortion and positive and negative animals evaluated. Therefore, we conclude that neosporosis does not interfere in fertility, but this is related strictly to abortions in the herd and this problem is most evident in high milk producing dairy cows.
Highlights
Neospora caninum is an emergent protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa, which can cause reproductive problems in cows worldwide (Dubey et al, 2007)
Since in the farm was only used artificial insemination, the method of reproduction could not be evaluated as risk in the cases of abortion observed in the present study
High milk producing cows were more vulnerable to infection by N. caninum (Rr=4.5158; IC95%: 1.8290-11.1494), that is, it has 4.5 lower risk of infection than lower milk producing cows, a fact that is extremely significant in terms of infection (P=0.0011)
Summary
Neospora caninum is an emergent protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa, which can cause reproductive problems in cows worldwide (Dubey et al, 2007). This parasite is responsible for neosporosis-one of the most important diseases that cause abortions in dairy cows (Gennari, 2004; Guimarães et al, 2004; Goodswen et al, 2013). In Brazil, N. caninum has been diagnosed in aborted fetuses since 1999 and in serological surveys of cattle and dogs in different states, as well as in other domesticated and wild animals (Cerqueira-Cézar et al, 2017). In Brazil the seroprevalence of N. caninum varies with the type of cattle (beef, dairy), different regions, within region and with the type of serological tests used (Cerqueira-Cézar et al, 2017).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
