Reproductive performance of a cow-calf herd following a Neospora caninum-associated abortion epidemic

Can Vet J. 2001 May;42(5):355-60.

Abstract

This study examines the long-term impact of a Neospora caninum-associated abortion outbreak in a large cow-calf herd in northern Alberta. Blood samples were collected 4 times from all bred females and heifer calves born during the spring before the outbreak: (1) at the time of the outbreak, (2) the following spring, (3) the subsequent fall, and, finally, (4) the second spring after the outbreak. The samples were analyzed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for N. caninum. Calves born immediately following the outbreak were also monitored. Individual calving or abortion records were available from all cows for 2 calving seasons. All cows and heifers were pregnancy tested after the 2 subsequent breeding seasons. At the time of the abortion outbreak in 1997, 81% of all bred females and 87% of the heifer calves were serologically positive. In spring 1998, 49% of the cows and 47% of the heifer calves remained positive. In fall 1998, 48% of the remaining cows and heifers were serologically positive. After the first breeding season following the outbreak (1998), 13.5% of the heifers and 22.2% of the cows were open (not pregnant). Animals that were serologically positive in the spring were more likely to be open in the fall (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.7). No subsequent associations with increased risk of abortion, stillbirth, or nonpregnancy were identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
  • Alberta / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Cattle Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / physiopathology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Neospora* / immunology
  • Neospora* / pathogenicity
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Reproduction*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan