Abortion In Cows Research Articles

Abortion in Japanese cows caused by Chlamydia psittaci

An outbreak of abortion in cows occuring in Nigaata Prefecture was shown to be caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Elementary bodies characteristic of Chlamydia were found in the liver of aborted fetuses and C. psittaci antigen was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. Chlamydia was isolated from the liver of aborted fetuses by the yolk sac inoculation of developing chick embryos and by the intraperitoneal inoculation of guinea pigs. Abortion occured mostly in middle or late pregnancy. Aborted fetuses showed subcutaneous edema and gelatinous infiltration, enlarged liver and spleen, and dark red pleural and ascitic fluid. Focal necrosis was shown in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Serological findings and isolation of Chlamydia from fecal specimens indicated a wide dissemination of C. psittaci among cows in the area.

Prospective Serology and Analysis in Diagnosis of Dairy Cow Abortion

A prospective serologic investigation was undertaken on 3 California dairies (herds 1, 3, and 4, as previously designated in a report on abortion surveillance) to determine if fetal loss was associated with infectious disease agents in cows. The diagnostic problem in these herds was typical of many dairies in that abortions were not discovered for several months and aborted fetuses were seldom recovered. Blood from approximately 100 pregnant cows in each herd was sampled at monthly intervals, beginning when the cows were palpated at approximately 40 days gestation. Sera were tested for antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and to the Leptospira serovars pomona, hardjo, grippotyphosa, icterohemorrhagiae, canicola, and szwajizak. Logn antibody titers were examined for an association with fetal loss, using multivariate methods of logistic regression and survival analysis. Of the 325 cows followed, 37 aborted, and no fetuses were recovered. Statistical analyses indicated that significant fetal loss was associated with high titers to L. hardjo and with low titers to L. szwajizak (herds 1 and 4) and BVDV (herd 1). Results for herd 3 revealed a connection between abortion and L. icterohemorrhagiae (P = 0.036) and L. canicola (P = 0.050) and possible vaccinal protection against abortion caused by L. grippotyphosa (P = 0.027 and 0.015). For herd 4, there was a marginally significant tendency for the first vaccination of the gestation against leptospirosis to have protected against fetal death (P = 0.077). Advantages of the diagnostic design were that it permitted comparison of titers of aborted cows with those of nonaborted cows and it considered vaccination-induced titers in analyses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of endotoxin infusion on circulating levels of eicosanoids, progesterone, cortisol, glucose and lactic acid, and abortion in pregnant cows

The effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin infusions (1.0 or 2.5 μg kg −1 over 6 h) on pregnancy were investigated in cows in the first, second and third trimester of gestation. Endotoxin increased the plasma levels of prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxane B 2 and cortisol, and decreased progesterone. The severity of the clinical signs and the magnitude of the increases in plasma PGs, thromboxane B 2 and cortisol tended to depend on the dose of endotoxin, but were independent of the gestation period. There was hyperglycemia followed by hypoglycemia and lactic acidemia. Hyperglycemia and lactic acidemia were significant only at the high dose of endotoxin. Endotoxin infusion at both doses caused a preferential mobilization of oleic acid from adipose tissue, and also had some effects on the mobilization of palmitic and stearic acids during the post-infusion period. The cows in the first trimester of gestation were more sensitive to the abortifacient effect of endotoxin than cows in the second and third trimester of gestation. The results of this study indicate that the mechanism of endotoxin-induced abortion in cows initially involves a prolonged release of PGF 2α and its subsequent stimulant effect on uterine smooth muscle contraction and luteolytic effect leading to a gradual decline in the plasma levels of progesterone. It was concluded that pregnancy terminates in the absence of an adequate level of progesterone, especially during the first trimester of gestation, when progesterone of extraluteal origin is not yet available, coupled with the PGF 2α-induced propulsive contraction of the uterus. In addition, the metabolic and circulatory failures in severe cases of endotoxemia, especially at the high dose of endotoxin, resulting either directly or indirectly via the release of various autacoids, catecholamines and cortisol, may also contribute to the termination of pregnancy at any stage of gestation.

A surveillance system for bovine abortion

A computer-based on-farm surveillance system of dairy cow abortion was presented as a means of improving diagnosis and knowledge of bovine abortion. Abortion was defined as fetal death between 42 and 260 days of gestation. Three measures of abortion were used: abortion density, estimated proportion aborting and age-specific hazard of fetal death. All three measures considered changes in the size of populations at risk due to censoring and abortion. Secular and seasonal rates and the testing of hypotheses concerning abortion were illustrated with data from seven California dairies that used on-farm computers. Potential biases and other considerations in abortion surveillance were discussed.

Serratia marcescens infection associated with early abortion in cows and buffaloes.

Serratia marcescens was isolated in pure culture from cases of septic abortion in 4 cows on one farm and 10 buffaloes on two other farms. A reddish vaginal discharge was observed after abortion in all animals and in the internal organs of the aborted fetuses. All but two of the isolates produced prodigiosin, and two of the isolates from buffaloes were atypical in that they fermented raffinose. O-serological, bacteriophage and bacteriocin typing revealed four different strains. All cows were infected by the same strain, and this strain was also isolated from the semen of a breeding bull on the same farm. In another farm a strain of serotype O 14 was isolated from 6 of 10 buffaloes, and two other distinct strains were isolated from the remainder. The strain from the cattle was sensitive to gentamicin and so were two of the buffalo isolates. The infected cows were treated with intra-uterine gentamicin and the organism disappeared from cervical mucus after 3 days. Each animal after abortion showed a raised titre of agglutinating antibody to their respective isolate. A survey of 1172 healthy buffaloes and cattle gave an incidence of 1.8% with raised titres towards S. marcescens.

The frequency of infertility and abortion in cows infected with Tritrichomonas foetus var. brisbane.

The frequency of infertility and abortion in cows infected with Tritrichomonas foetus var. brisbane.

ルテウムデポー投与による牛の習慣性流産予防試験と血中プロゲステロン値, 尿中プレグナンジオール値および尿中エストロゲン値

ルテウムデポー投与による牛の習慣性流産予防試験と血中プロゲステロン値, 尿中プレグナンジオール値および尿中エストロゲン値

Bovine besnoitiosis and its effect on the male reproductive system

Besnoitia besnoiti and several species of the genus have been reported in a variety of domestic and wild animals in many parts of the world (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Cutaneous besnoitiosis in cattle has been described as a serious skin condition characterized by painful swellings, alopecia and thickening of the skin (6). It is a chronic, debilitating and occasionally fatal disease with both cutaneous and systemic manifestations (6, 7, 8). Besnoitia cysts and lesions have been observed in the testes, epididymes and blood vessels of bulls (9). The possibility of abortion in cows and sterility in bulls with besnoitiosis has been reported (6). Spontaneous clinical besnoitiosis in cattle with accompanying systemic manifestations has not been fully documented, and the effect of scrotal besnoitiosis on spermatogenesis in bulls has not been previously reported in Nigeria. Case report : Outbreaks of babesiosis, heartwater and suspected cutaneous besnoitiosis were observed in a government farm in the Kano State of Nigeria in March, 1979. The cattle population was over 1500, consisting of exotic ( Bos taurus ) and indigenous ( Bos indicus ) breeds and their crosses. Clinical Examination : All stages of clinical besnoitiosis were initially observed in 14 bulls and 1 cow in a period of 4 months. The farm was visited bi-weekly for 1 year, during which time 58 bulls and 2 cows showed the lesions. Most of the animals affected with this disease were 3-way crosses of Australian Draughtmaster × Rahaji × Niger Azwak (DM × Rh × AZ). Table 1 summarises the distribution of clinicial cases of besnoitiosis.

Abortion in cows inoculated with Anaplasma marginale

Nine beef cows in the third trimester of pregnancy and negative for Anaplasma marginale complement fixing (CF) antibody were used in this study. Six of the nine cows were inoculated with whole blood from an anaplasma carrier animal. Three cows served as uninoculated controls. Four of six cows aborted dead, autolyzed fetuses 22 to 31 days following inoculation. One cow was euthanatized on postinoculation day 22 and a dead, autolyzed fetus was recovered. One cow delivered a live calf in which transplacental transmission of the organism was demonstrated. In a second experiment two of the remaining three uninoculated cows were inoculated with anaplasma infected blood. Parturition was induced in one cow on postinoculation day 19. The calf was delivered alive but died within one hour after birth. The second cow delivered a full term normal calf. All inoculated cows in the study developed anaplasma CF antibody following inoculation. This study confirms previous reports that anaplamosis is a cause of abortion in pregnant cows.

Mouldy Hay a Cause of Broken Wind in Horses and Abortion in Cows and Mares

Mouldy Hay a Cause of Broken Wind in Horses and Abortion in Cows and Mares

TREATMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC BRUCELLOSIS (UNDULANT FEVER)

In 1859 Marston1described a disease syndrome which he named Mediterranean or gastric fever. In 1886 Bruce2isolated an organism, which he called Micrococcus melitensis, from the spleen of a patient who was a victim of this disease. In 1897 Bang3isolated the organism which is the recognized cause of contagious abortion in cows. This organism is now called Brucella abortus. In 1914 Traum4isolated an organism which is now called Brucella suis, from the fetus of an aborting sow. Thus, three strains of Brucella now have been recognized. In 1918 Evans5suggested that these organisms were very closely related, both serologically and bacteriologically, and that Brucella abortus in all probability could infect man. In 1924 Keefer6isolated Brucella suis from a so-called case of Malta fever, and in 1925 Duncan7first isolated Brucella abortus from man. It would be impossible to state

Vibrio Fetus and Abortion in Cows

Vibrio Fetus and Abortion in Cows

The Addresses at the Medical Schools

THE first of October is the opening day of the winter session of our medical schools; and in many of them it is made the occasion of an address, given by some person of high authority. The addresses this yelar include a wide range of subjects. Mr. Handley, at the Middlesex Hospital, gave a very pleasant discourse on the “renegades of medicine,” the men who have forsaken medicine for some other profession, not without advantage to themselves and us—Keats, Goldsmith, Bridges, Huxley, Livingstone, and many more. It is a new subject, and worth working out; but we are not sure that Mr. Handley got hold of the right end of the moral. Sir William Osier at St. George's, Dr. Hunter at Charing Cross, and Prof. Sherrington at Leeds, spoke on certain problems of medical education. Sir John McFadyean, at the Royal Veterinary College, spoke on the working of the new Tuberculosis Order of the Board of Agriculture. He stated that the number of milking or dairy herds in England and Scotland free from tuberculosis was practically negligible; and he urgently advised the owners of valuable pedigree herds, as a matter of their own profit, to eradicate the disease among their animals. He also advised that contagious abortion in cows, and Johnes's disease, should be brought under the Contagious Diseases of Animals Act.

Epizootic abortion in cows and its prevention

Epizootic abortion in cows and its prevention

The Etiology of Abortion in Cows

Brucellosis is a wide spread zoonotic disease that causes abortion and infertility in mammals and leads to debilitating, febrile illness in humans. Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis are the major pathogenic species to humans. Vaccination with live attenuated B. suis strain 2 (S2) vaccine is an essential and critical component in the control of brucellosis in China. The S2 vaccine is very effective in preventing brucellosis in goats, sheep, cattle and swine. However, there are still debates outside of China whether the S2 vaccine is able to provide protection against heterologous virulent Brucella species. We investigated the residual virulence, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the S2 vaccine in BALB/c mice by determining bacteria persistence in spleen, serum antibody response, cellular immune response and protection against a heterologous virulent challenge. The S2 vaccine was of low virulence as there were no bacteria recovered in spleen four weeks post vaccination. The vaccinated mice developed Brucella-specific IgG in 2–3 weeks, and a burst production of IFN-γ at one week as well as a two-fold increase in TNF-α production. The S2 vaccine protected mice from a virulent challenge by B. melitensis M28, B. abortus 2308 and B. suis S1330, and the S2 vaccinated mice did not develop any clinical signs or tissue damage. Our study demonstrated that the S2 vaccine is of low virulence, stimulates good humoral and cellular immunity and protects animals against infection by heterologous, virulent Brucella species.

The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England

THE current number of this Journal furnishes an excellent illustration of the wide limits of agricultural science, and the varied knowledge required of its professors. There is perhaps no art or occupation which so directly requires elucidation from so many sciences; hence the varied nature of the bill of fare provided by the Journal Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society; In proof of this assertion we may take the contents of the entire volume for 1886, the second part of which lies before us. Pathology is treated of in papers upon foot-and-mouth disease; Pasteur and his work; lung parasites, by the late T. Spencer Cobbold, M.D.; and abortion in cows. Anatomy and physiology are the topics in Prof. Brown's paper upon organs of the animal body, their forms and uses. Chemistry and botany are amply represented in reports by Mr. Carruthers and Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker. Entomology in the form of papers on the recent appearance of the Hessian fly is the theme of Miss E. A. Ormerod. Social science is illustrated by Mr. H. M. Jenkins's report upon farming and agricultural training in reformatory and industrial schools, and engineering in the report of the Judges on the Exhibition of Implements at Norwich. The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Part II., 1886. (John Murray, Albemarle Street.)