Abortion In Cows Research Articles

Transcriptomic Analysis of Metformin's Effect on Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Infection.

(1) Background: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes calf diarrhea, bovine respiratory syndrome, and cow abortion, resulting in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Owing to its persistent infection mechanism, BVDV is a major challenge in the treatment of cattle. (2) Methods: To determine how metformin (Met) inhibits the interaction between BVDV and host cells, we treated BVDV-infected cells with Met. We then performed an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of Met-treated cells infected with BVDV to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Consequently, the RNA-seq results were validated through real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). (3) Results: Our analysis revealed 3169 DEGs in the Met-treated cells (Met group) vs. the negative controls (NC group) and 2510 DEGs in the BVDV-infected cells after pretreatment with Met (MetBVDV group) vs. the BVDV-infected cells (BVDV group). The DEGs were involved in MDBK interactions during BVDV infection, as indicated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. The potential interactions of the DEGs were confirmed via a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Met treatment induced autophagy signaling activity and the expression of the autophagy-related genes ATG2A, ATG4B, ATG10, and ATG12 in BVDV-infected Met-pretreated cells. (4) Conclusions: We found that the host transcriptomic profile was affected by BVDV infection and Met pretreatment. These findings offer valuable new insights and provide support for future studies on the inhibition of BVDV replication by Met.

Identification of Brucella spp. in Aborted Fetuses by Guineapig inoculation

Abstract Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which is endemic in Bangladesh. The prevalence of bovine brucellosis in subsistence management system in Bangladesh is low. However, the prevalence of bovine brucellosis at Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF) is reported to be very high and Brucella abortus DNA has also been detected from cows’ milk of this farm. The principal manifestation of bovine brucellosis is abortion in pregnant cows, which is common at CCBDF. The role of brucellosis in abortion at CCBDF has not been ascertained. Hence, this study was undertaken to confirm Brucella spp. as the etiology of abortion in cows at CCBDF. Materials and Methods: Aborted fetal membranes and vaginal swabs from 3 cows, in which late abortion occurred, were collected aseptically from the CCBDF. The samples were initially stained with modified Zeihl-Neelsen staining method. The stain-positive samples were ground individually using a pestle and mortar, and a homogenized mixture was prepared by adding normal saline. Two milliliters of the homogenate from each sample were inoculated subcutaneously into a guinea pig. The sera of guinea pigs were collected after 3rd week of inoculation to perform rose Bengal test (RBT) and rapid antibody test (RAT). Result: Samples from two cows showed positive staining result in which numerous pink-colored coccobacilli were seen. All the sera collected were tested positive for both RBT and RAT. It is evident from this study that three of two abortions at CCBDF were due to brucellosis. Conclusion: Guineapig inoculation technique could be used as a good alternative of culture for confirming the diagnosis of brucellosis from contaminated clinical samples like placenta.

Development and Bayesian validation of a competitive inhibition ELISA for detection of antibodies against Brucella abortus in cattle

Bovine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella abortus, responsible for abortions in cows. It is endemic in low- and middle-income countries, where the brucellosis control and eradication programs are based on compulsory vaccination, detection of infected cattle through serologic assays, and culling of infected animals at slaughterhouses. The development of high sensitivity and specificity, and low-cost serologic assays guarantee their implementation in countries where the disease is endemic. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immune assay (ciELISA) to detect anti-B. abortus antibodies in sera from cattle. The developed ciELISA was validated using 2833 serum samples from dairy and beef cattle. From these, 1515 sera were from uninfected cows that belonged to free of brucellosis herds and 1318 were from infected cows that belonged positive to brucellosis herds. Sera were analyzed with the developed ciELISA, the buffer plate antigen (BPA) test, and the complement fixation test (CFT). The brucellosis status of the herds was officially established according to the country legislation and consistent for at least 5 years and was defined for each cow using the CFT as gold standard. The cutoff for the ciELISA was calculated using a ROC curve and its sensitivity and specificity were analyzed using the Bayesian Latent Class Model (BLCM) approach. The agreement among tests was calculated using the kappa (κ) value. In addition, 15 calves were vaccinated with 3 × 1010 viable cells of B. abortus Strain 19 vaccine, and the dynamics of antibodies were measured by CFT, buffered plate antigen (BPA) test, and the developed ciELISA. The obtained cutoff for ciELISA was ≥ 47 percentage of inhibition (% I), at the BLCM approach the sensitivity was 99.01 % (95 % CI: 97.55–100) and the specificity 98.74 % (95 % CI: 97.68–99.8). The κ between the ciELISA and BPA was κ = 0.88 and between the ciELISA and CFT κ = 0.95. Antibodies against B. abortus were detected in all the vaccinated calves 7 days after vaccination (AV) by the three assays, at day 135 AV all the calves were negative to CFT (15/15), 93.3 % (14/15) to ciELISA and 73.3 % (11/15) to BPA, and at day 190 AV all the calves were negative to the three assays. The developed ciELISA showed a very good performance, could detect the majority of vaccinated animals as negative after 135 days and could be used for the detection of anti-B. abortus antibodies in serum samples for the brucellosis control and eradication program.

Vaccination against nodular dermatitis in cattle as an indirect cause of abortions

Lumpy skin disease was first found in the Russian Federation in 2015. Since 2016, vaccination against lumpy skin disease has been mandatory for cattle of all age groups. In this regard, studying the effect of vaccination against lumpy skin disease on the reproductive ability of cows is relevant. One of the reasons for the decrease in the reproductive ability of cows is abortions at different stages of pregnancy. Statistical processing of abortions in Holstein cows for 2019-2022 was carried out. The first experimental group included animals, in which abortions were diagnosed in the period from the first to the sixth month after vaccination against lumpy skin disease; the second group – from the seventh to the twelfth month after vaccination. The total number of abortions during the reference period was 436. In the first experimental group, 232 abortions were diagnosed or 53.2% of all abortions, which was 6.4% more than in the second experimental group. A comparative assessment of the percentage of abortions at different stages of pregnancy indicated that in the first experimental group, abortions with a pregnancy period of less than 70 days accounted for 52.1%, which was 2.8% less than in the second experimental group, and abortions in late stages, correspondingly more by 2.8%. Thus, vaccination against lumpy skin disease may be one of the indirect causes of abortions in cows.

NOSOLOGICAL FEATURES OF INFECTIOUS ABORTIONS IN COWS

Providing the country's population with high-quality products is a priority task of modern animal husbandry. However, there are a number of problems in the industry that prevent obtaining quality products of animal origin in the required volume. The intensification of dairy farming and the increase in milk productivity of cows is often accompanied by a metabolic disorder, which reduces the body's resistance, contributing to the development of immune-deficiencies, which increase the susceptibility of animals to infectious diseases, some of which have an abortive form of manifestation and, accordingly, the consequence is a lack of offspring and potential income due to abortions. Abortion in cows should be considered not only as a gynecological problem, but also as an economic one, because animal husbandry accounts for more than 38% in the structure of gross agricultural products of the country and the lack of keeping of young animals significantly affects the development of the livestock industry. This publication is devoted to the results of the nosological profile of infectious abortions in cows on the territory of Ukraine, among which 64% of cases are infectious agents - 41.4% of bacterial origin and 22.6% of viral origin. The most frequent factors of bacterial etiology of abortions in cows are leptospira, coxiella, salmonella, mycoplasma, campylobacter, chlamydia, toxoplasma and listeria, and the most common viral ones are flavo-virus, gamma-herpesvirus and alpha-herpesvirus.

COMMON CAUSES OF ABORTION IN COWS

The aim of this study is to determine the etiology of abortion in cows. The study was conducted in the period from 2019 to 2022. 162 cases of abortion from 65 farms from 14 regions of Ukraine were investigated. The study used pathological, histological, bacteriological and molecular genetic methods. The etiologic diagnosis was established in 24.07% of cases, the probable etiologic diagnosis in 29.01%, and the diagnosis of abortion of uncertain etiology in 46.91% of cases. Abortions with a definite etiology were caused by bacteria in 30.77% of cases, viruses in 10.26%, protozoa in 28.21%, and mixed infections in 30.77%. Abortions with established probable etiology were caused by bacteria in 10.64% of cases, viruses in 25.53%, protozoa in 34.04%, and mixed infections in 29.79%. The most common infectious agents are: BHV-4 was detected in 11, N. caninum - in 9, and Coxiella burnetii - in 6 regions of the country. Zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira spp., Coxiella burnetii, Salmonella spp. Neospora caninum is the most common cause of cattle abortion. The most common pathological changes recorded were placental edema, liver irregularity, unevenly colored liver, cerebral hyperemia, multiple white streaks in skeletal muscles, gray-white foci in the liver, hemorrhages in/on internal organs, and placentitis. Also, a significant number of fetuses and/or placentas were in a state of autolysis. The main pathologic changes were encephalitis, gliosis, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, myositis, hepatitis, pneumonia, and placentitis. Pathologic and pathohistologic examination of the fetus and placenta is important for establishing the etiology of abortion.

Natural superfetation idiopathic abortion in Pasundan cattle

Abortion in cows is a condition in which the foetus is unable to survive until it is born. This paper is the first report of a case of superfetated idiopathic abortion from natural mating that occurred in primiparous Pasundan cows. The cows were initially kept in a colony pen system and mixed between young bulls (n=10) and heifers (n = 18) for two weeks after moving the cows from the livestock pen in Ciamis Regency. Pregnancy occurs because of natural mating in heifers without a known age and pregnancy history. Two months later, a primiparous Pasundan cow was observed to show symptoms of vaginal bleeding and straining, accompanied by the expulsion of a small foetus (length ~ 25 cm, foetal age ~ 120 days) several hours later and had previously experienced an abortion with a large foetus (length ~ 36 cm, foetal age ~150 days). Primiparous Pasundan cows that experienced abortion were separated into individual pens to reduce stress and for further observation. The therapy given is antibiotics and multivitamins were administered as therapeutic agents.

A Current Update on Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite, which was first identified as a cause of canine paralysis. This parasite is now recognized as an important cause of reproductive problems and abortion in cows. Prior to its first recognition in Norwegian dogs in 1984 and consequential classification as a distinct species in 1988, many N. caninum infections were misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. Neospora has a complex life cycle and transmission routes. Carnivores probably become infected by ingesting tissue cysts containing bradyzoites, and herbivores probably become infected by the ingestion of food or drinking water contaminated by N. caninum sporulated oocysts from the feces of carnivores. During pregnancy it becomes activated again, breaks out of the tissue cysts and migrates to the placenta. Infection of the placenta may lead to abortion, which would provide a source of contaminated meat for definitive hosts. In addition, the parasite may be transmitted to the foetus, which can lead to the birth of congenitally and persistently infected calves. Most reports of neosporosis outbreaks have occurred in cows that are intensively managed; thus, the incidence increases as larger cattle farms with intensive feeding practices become more common. Immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and histopathology of fetus are used for diagnosis. At present, there is no effective treatment for bovine neosporosis. Control of abortion in infected cattle depends on saving food and water sources and the grazing environment from feces of carnivores, properly discarding aborted feoutus and control of dog.

Major diseases of pregnancy and abortion in cows

The data from the literature of domestic and foreign authors indicates that reproductive pathology and infertility are often complex and multifactorial phenomena, in which veterinary specialists aim to determine the cause of its violation, as well as to prescribe effective treatment and propose preventive measures. Infertility is defined as a decrease in reproductive capacity in cows. Fertility losses in animals include all causes of pregnancy termination: embryo death, resorption, abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and stillbirth. According to various authors, the etiology is diverse and includes ineffective treatment, as well as abnormal anatomical development or function of the reproductive system. In addition, infection, invasion, and neoplasia may be involved. Miscarriage is considered a component of infertility but it is more specific in its etiology and pathogenesis. There are many potential causes of pregnancy termination, some of which are still not understood. The causes of abortion are divided into two main categories, namely, infectious and non-infectious; and the main diseases of pregnancy are divided into four groups: diseases that occur and develop in the maternal body and are related to pregnancy; diseases of the fetus and its membranes; diseases that are concomitant with pregnancy but not directly related to it; and extragenital pathology.

Comprehensive diagnosis of abortion in cattle

Abstract. Abortion is one of the most common factors that has an extremely negative eff ect on the reproductive capacity of cattle, resulting in signifi cant economic losses. Abortions can be caused by infectious and non-infectious agents. Diagnosis of abortion is a diffi cult task, since only about 40% of abortions are diagnosed as infectious, and the remaining 60% - as unknown etiology. The goal was to establish the infectious etiology of abortion using complex diagnostics. The research was carried out in the laboratories of "Center of Veterinary Diagnostics" LLC (Kyiv). The selection of samples for research was carried out in the section hall of the LLC "Center of Veterinary Diagnostics" during the autopsy. The material for the study was a fetus and a vaginal smear from an aborted cow. Abortion occurred at 4 months of pregnancy. To establish the etiology, the following research methods were used: patho-anatomical, bacteriological, histological and molecular genetic (PCR-RT). Autolysis, light gray foci ≤ 2 mm in diameter in the lungs, and multiple light gray foci ≤ 1 mm in diameter in the liver were the main pathological fi ndings. The main pathohistological changes detected were focal myocarditis, intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes, multifocal coagulation necrosis in the lungs and liver, and diff use interstitial nephritis. Bacteriological culture was negative. DNA of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) and DNA of bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4) was isolated from the examined samples of fetal tissues and vaginal smear by PCR-RT. Using a comprehensive study, infectious agents and changes characteristic of the infectious process were identifi ed. On the basis of the obtained results, the etiology of the abortion was established as co-infection of IBRV and BHV-4. Complex diagnostics provides an opportunity to establish a cause-and-eff ect relationship between the identifi ed infectious agent and pathological changes in the fetus and the etiology of abortion. The results of a set of studies provide information on the manifestation of herpesvirus co-infection and complement the existing knowledge that can be used in the diagnosis of abortions in cows. Key words: abortion, cattle, IBRV, BHV-4, coinfection, PCR-RT, pathohistology, diagnosis.

Prevalence of subclinical abortions in cows due to mycotoxicosis

The article presents data on the distribution and seasonal dynamics of subclinical abortions in cows with mycotoxin poisoning, particularly zearalenone. Subclinical abortion is a common phenomenon among cows in dairy farms and causes significant economic losses due to multiple unsuccessful inseminations, reduced animal productivity, and premature culling. The research aimed to study the seasonal fluctuations of hidden abortions in cows and the influence of the method of keeping in the conditions of feed contamination with microscopic fungi and their toxins. To diagnose hidden abortions, cows were diagnosed with the pregnancy on the 32nd day after insemination. When pregnancy was confirmed, the animals were examined for 92 days. At the same time, if the pregnancy was not confirmed, it was considered that an abortion had occurred. Seasonal fluctuations of subclinical abortions were established - the most significant number (up to 13.6 %) was diagnosed at the end of spring, associated with many animals entering the hunt after the transit period. It is also important that at that time, the number of mycotoxins in feed reached record values, which led to abortions due to toxic effects on the organs of the reproductive system in particular and the body in general. A large number of abortions (11.2 %) in the summer season was also confirmed. At the same time, animals kept free all year received a similar diet containing mycotoxins. At the same time, a concomitant negative factor was temperature shock at this time of year. This whole complex of reasons led to subclinical abortions followed by the resorption of the fetus. Sonographically, areas of reduced echogenicity of the uterus in cows after abortions were detected, which is evidence of the development of subclinical endometritis, confirmed by the uterus's heterogeneous echogenicity. In infertile animals, the presence of follicles with cavities and small yellow bodies that did not extend beyond the surface of the ovary was established sonographically. This indicates a hypofunctional state and impaired folliculogenesis and luteogenesis.

Genomic evaluation of late-term abortion in cows recorded through Dairy Herd Improvement test plans

Late-term abortions cause significant economic loss and are of great concern for dairy herds. Late-term abortions >152 d and <251 d of gestation that terminate a lactation or initiate a new lactation have long been recorded by Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI). For 24.8 million DHI lactations, the average recorded incidence of late-term abortions across all years (2001–2018) was 1.2%. However, the 1.3% incidence of abortions reported in 2012 has declined to <1.0% incidence since 2015. Small adjustments were applied to the 82 million daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), 29 million cow conception rate (CCR), and 9 million heifer conception rate (HCR) records to account for late-term abortions more accurately. Fertility credits for CCR and HCR were changed to treat the last breeding as a failure instead of success if the next calving was coded as a late-term abortion. Similarly, when computing DPR, days open is now set to the maximum value of 250 instead of the reported days open if the next reported calving is an abortion. The test of these changes showed very small changes in standard deviation and high correlations (0.997) of adjusted predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) with official PTA from about 20,000 Holstein bulls born since 2000 with >50% reliability. For late-term abortion as a trait, estimated heritability was only 0.001 and PTA had a standard deviation of only 0.1% for recent sires with high reliability (>75%). Young animal genomic PTA have near 50% reliability but range only from −0.5 to +0.4 because of the low incidence and heritability. Genetic trend was slightly favorable and late-term abortion PTA were correlated favorably by 0.27 with net merit, 0.49 with productive life, 0.33 with livability, 0.23 with CCR, 0.20 with HCR, 0.26 with DPR, −0.31 with somatic cell score, −0.24 with daughter stillbirth, and −0.26 with daughter dystocia. Thus, PTA for late-term abortions should not be needed as a separate fertility trait and instead these minor edit changes should suffice. The PTA for late-term abortions would add little value because national evaluations for current fertility traits already account for those economic losses.

Expression of IL1β Gene in the Placentas from Humans and Cows during Brucella Infection.

Brucellosis is an important contagious disease affecting most domestic and mature animals. Since the impact of IL-1β in B. abortus invasion and survival remains elusive, the current study sought to elucidate the actual roles of these potent cytokines in the modulation of the initial immune response to Brucella infection. Therefore, this study aimed to detect Brucella abortus in the placenta of aborted women and cows and estimate the expression of the interleukin 1β (IL1β) gene associated with immune response mechanisms to Brucella abortus infection. The detection of Brucella abortus was performed by Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction based AlkB gene (AlkB-PCR) in the sera and placenta samples of aborted women and cows, respectively. The overall percentage of Brucella abortus infection was 13.1% and 5% as determined by RBT and AlkB-PCR in aborted women's sera and placentas, respectively. On the other hand, the overall percentage rates of Brucella abortus infection in the sera and placentas from aborted cows were 30% and 11% as estimated by RBT and AlkB-PCR, respectively. The results of RBT demonstrated that the association between Brucella abortus and abortion in cows was statistically significant. On the other hand, it was found that the association between Brucella abortus and abortion in women was not significant. Moreover, according to the results of AlkB-based PCR, the association between Brucella abortus and abortion was statistically significant in aborted cows, while it was not significant in aborted women. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of RBT were calculated as 60.00, 53.85, and 54.55%, respectively. Moreover, positive and negative predictive values were reported as 14.33% and 91.28%, respectively. Regarding RBT for aborted cows, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the test were 81.82%, 57.78%, and 62.49%, respectively. The positive predictive value was reported as 32.08%, while the negative predictive value was reported as 92.88%. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was carried out for the evaluation of Interleukin 1 Beta (IL1β) gene expression. The qPCR result was presented as a fold change in gene expression. A significant increment of IL1β gene expression was observed in aborted women (114.905±99.661) and cows (22.454 ±18.528), compared to non-aborted women (4.953±5.564) and cows (2.033±1.845). Statistical comparison of IL1β gene expression between aborted women and cows illustrated a non-significant increment in IL1β gene expression in aborted women (114.905±99.661), compared to aborted cows (22.454 ±18.528).

Pathohistological changes in aborted foetuses of cows due to neosporosis: Evidence from Ukraine

Neosporosis is a parasitic disease characterized by abortions and the birth of weak offspring in cows. The causative agent of Neospora caninum is an obligate, protozoan parasite that belongs to the type Apicomplexa. The relevance of the study is conditioned upon the adverse impact of neosporosis on the economy of Ukraine (loss of productivity, veterinary and diagnostic costs). Furthermore, the issue of neosporosis is understudied. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to establish pathohistological changes in aborted foetuses and the foetal part of placentas and to confirm the involvement of the parasite (Neospora caninum) in cases of abortions recorded in different regions of the country. Two methods were used to investigate this problem: histological and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In aborted foetuses positive for N. caninum, the following pathohistological changes were most often detected: focal gliosis and perivascular mononuclear infiltrates in the brain; focal or diffuse mononuclear infiltration in the heart and skeletal muscles; periportal mononuclear infiltrates in the liver; focal necrosis of the mucous membrane and mononuclear infiltration in the foetal part of the placenta. Changes were less often detected in the lungs – mononuclear infiltration of the interstitium and diffuse lymphocytic alveolitis, and in the kidneys – diffuse interstitial mononuclear infiltration. No changes were found in the spleen. Neospore-like cysts were found in one out of twelve foetuses. Lesions established of foetal organs and placentas are inherent in neosporosis. The results of histological studies substantially complement the data of other authors, confirm the involvement of N. caninum in the occurrence of abortions in cows in certain regions of Ukraine, and also represent practical value for the diagnosis and control of neosporosis in cattle

Genomic Prediction for Abortion in Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryPregnancy losses in dairy cattle result in impaired animal health and welfare, as well as economic losses due to increased culling, reduced milk production, calf losses, and increased reproductive costs, among others. Advances in the last few decades have allowed the dairy industry to make significant progress in reproductive efficiency, but pregnancy losses continue to be an unresolved problem. The origin of abortions can be infectious disease, metabolic disorders, heat stress, and a genetic predisposition among many others. We have developed genomic predictions (Z_Abort) to identify Holstein dairy cows with a greater risk of abortion. This allows dairy producers and veterinarians to select more productive and profitable cows. The objectives of the study were to (1) describe the development of the genomic predictions for cow abortions in lactating Holstein dairy cattle based on producer-recorded data and ssGBLUP methodology and (2) evaluate the efficacy of genomic predictions for cow abortions in commercial herds of US Holstein cows using data from herds that do not contribute phenotypic information to the evaluation. The results of the present study show that the genomic predictions for cow abortion trait (Z_Abort) can effectively predict the risk of abortion of lactating Holstein dairy cows and, hence, allow genetic selection towards healthier and more profitable cows.Abortion in dairy cattle causes great economic losses due to reduced animal health, increase in culling rates, reduction in calf production, and milk yield, among others. Although the etiology of abortions can be of various origins, previous research has shown a genetic component. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the development of the genomic prediction for cow abortions in lactating Holstein dairy cattle based on producer-recorded data and ssGBLUP methodology and (2) evaluate the efficacy of genomic predictions for cow abortions in commercial herds of US Holstein cows using data from herds that do not contribute phenotypic information to the evaluation. We hypothesized that cows with greater genomic predictions for cow abortions (Z_Abort STA) would have a reduced incidence of abortion. Phenotypic data on abortions, pedigree, and genotypes were collected directly from commercial dairy producers upon obtaining their permission. Abortion was defined as the loss of a confirmed pregnancy after 42 and prior to 260 days of gestation, treated as a binary outcome (0, 1), and analyzed using a threshold model. Data from a different subset of animals were used to test the efficacy of the prediction. The additive genetic variance for the cow abortion trait (Z_Abort) was 0.1235 and heritability was 0.0773. For all animals with genotypes (n = 1,662,251), mean reliability was 42%, and genomic predicted transmitting abilities (gPTAs) ranged from −8.8 to 12.4. Z_Abort had a positive correlation with cow and calf health traits and reproductive traits, and a negative correlation with production traits. Z_Abort effectively identified cows with a greater or lesser risk of abortion (16.6% vs. 11.0% for the worst and best genomics groups, respectively; p < 0.0001). The inclusion of cow abortion genomic predictions in a multi-trait selection index would allow dairy producers and consultants to reduce the incidence of abortion and to select high-producing, healthier, and more profitable cows.

Investigation of an Autochthonous Outbreak of Bovine Besnoitiosis in Northwestern Sicily.

Bovine besnoitiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Besnoitia besnoiti, leading to infertility in bulls and abortions in cows. In Italy, it is considered an emerging disease, recently introduced by the importation of animals from Spain and France. In the last decade, many outbreaks have been reported and confirmed in native cattle, mostly in northern and central Italy. This study reports on an autochthonous outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in two nearby farms located in northwestern Sicily. A 15-month-old Limousine bull born on the farm showed typical clinical signs of the chronic disease phase, such as edema of the scrotum with subsequent hyperkeratosis associated with eschars and thickening of the skin. A histopathological examination revealed the presence of Besnoitia tissue cysts containing bradyzoites in the eyes, tendons, testicles, dermis, and nictitating membrane. A serological investigation using a commercial ELISA kit revealed a high seroprevalence of the antibody anti-B. besnoiti (79.2% for the farms in this study). Clinical disease showed low prevalence (1.5%) despite the high seroprevalence of specific antibodies in the herd, confirming that bovine besnoitiosis is an emergent endemic pathogen in Sicily, but its clinical behavior still remains sporadic.

Human cases of Bang disease

The microbe that causes epidemic abortion in cows and other domestic animals (goats, sheep, pigs), since its discovery by Bang and Stribolt in 1896, has long been considered pathogenic only for animals and non-pathogenic for humans; and only after the works of Kiefer (1924) and Gabby (1928) it was, with no doubt, established that this microbe is pathogenic for humans. The first managed to obtain a blood culture of this microbe from the blood of one patient with an unclear prolonged febrile illness, and the second managed to prove its pathogenicity for humans on the basis of experiments with vaccinations.

Mycotic, fungal, abortion in cows, ewes, and sows

This datasheet on mycotic, fungal, abortion in cows, ewes, and sows covers Identity, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis.

Использование перевиваемых культур клеток ПТ-80 и КСТ для постановки реакции нейтрализации на обнаружение антител к вирусу вирусной диареи крупного рогатого скота

The flavivirus family (from Lat. flavus – yellow) represents a significant group of viruses circulating among vertebrates and insects, consists of three genera, one of which is the genus Pestivirus (classical swine fever virus, viral diarrhea (BVD) of cattle, borderline sheep disease, etc.). Viral diarrhea of cattle is a widespread infection in the world, and It is one of the most difficult economic problems in animal husbandry. The clinical picture of BVD is diverse: respiratory organ damage, fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, enteritis, immunosuppression, the virus passes through the placenta, which leads to the birth of persistently infected calves, abortions in cows at all stages of pregnancy are noted, fetal mummification, producing bulls can be virus carriers and secrete the virus with sperm. For serodiagnostics of viral diarrhea of cattle in laboratory practice, ELISA (enzyme immunoassay), RNGA (indirect hemagglutination reaction), PH (neutralization reaction) are used - the gold standard of diagnostics. The PH method is universal and makes it possible to detect the level of virus neutralizing antibodies for making a retrospective diagnosis, evaluating animals for virus transmission and confirming well-being. The PH method is unique and is the only correct one in assessing the effectiveness of vaccines, since only when it is used, the level of virus neutralizing (protective) antibodies protecting animals from direct infection is revealed. The aim of our research was to formulate a neutralization reaction to the detection of antibodies to the bovine viral diarrhea virus using transplanted cultures of PT-80 and KST cells.

The incidence of Neospora caninum in dairy cows with abortion and infertility problems

The contribution of animal husbandry to the national economy cannot be ignored. The causes of infertility are various and complex. Economic losses are increasing in dairy cattle breeding due to infectious and non-infectious causes. The percentage of abortion due to infectious agents is not fully known, but infectious agents lie in about 90% of the cases whose etiology can be determined. Neospora caninum is considered to be one of the most important abortion factors of cattle. Although, this protozoa is always ignored. It causes abortion in cows. In this study, it was aimed to detect N. caninum from the blood serum obtained from 137 dairy cattle brought to Aksaray University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine between 2017-2019 and suffering from abortion and infertility problems. For serological diagnosis, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) test was performed. As a result, N. caninum agent was detected in 37.22 % (51/137) of the samples that belong to cattle with abortion and infertility problems. It was concluded that economic loss due to infertility in dairy cattle and protozoa, which are one of the infection factors, should be given importance.