Effect of congenitally acquired Neospora caninum infection on risk of abortion and subsequent abortions in dairy cattle
Thurmond, M.C.; Hietala, S.K.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 58(12): 1381-1385
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 9401685 Document Number: 476877
Objectives: To estimate the extent to which abortion risk in dairy cattle during subsequent pregnancies was associated with congenitally-acquired Neospora caninum infection and previous abortions. Animals: 468 Holstein cattle. Procedure: Newborn heifer calves were tested for evidence of congenital infection attributable to N. caninum and examined repeatedly until the completion of their second lactation for serologic status and evidence of abortion. Results: Compared with noninfected cows, congenitally infected cows had a 7.4-fold higher risk of abortion during their initial pregnancy and a 1.7-fold higher risk of aborting the first pregnancy during their first lactation. During the first pregnancy of their second lactation, congenitally infected cows that had aborted previously had a 5.6-fold higher risk of abortion, compared with cows that had not previously aborted and that were seronegative. The fetal risk period for N. caninum-associated death began sooner and extended later during the initial pregnancy, compared with subsequent pregnancies. Conclusion: Congenitally acquired N. caninum infection can cause a substantial number of abortions during the initial pregnancy of heifers, with abortion risk attributable to N. caninum decreasing in subsequent pregnancies, possibly because of selective culling. Subsequent abortions can be expected in congenitally infected cows that have aborted previously.