BT: Abortion

Question 1

When are significant # of embryos lost after conception in dairy cattle?

Answer 1

Oocyte migration in the uterus (drops to 50%) → leading problem is endometritis (first 42 days)

Question 2

Critical samples to submit to a dx lab when investigating abortion in herds

Answer 2

Entire fetus
Fresh tissues(lung, liver, kidney, etc.)
Formalin-fixed tissues (brain, lung, heart, eyelid, etc)
Fetal fluids (abomasal, thoracic, fetal heart blood)

Question 3

Etiology of trichomoniases

Answer 3

Extracellular flagellated protozoa: tritrichomonas fetus

Question 4

CS of trichomoniasis in bulls

Answer 4

No symtoms
Older bulls = chronic carriers because of deeper preputial crypts

Question 5

CS of trichomoniasis in cows

Answer 5

Venereal infection
Early pregnancy loss (< 3m), 7-9 wks after infection
Abortion < 5 m
Local immune response (IgG1 and IgA)

Question 6

Inflammatory response in cows from trichomoniasis

Answer 6

Cervicitis, endometritis, pyometra, salpingitis

Question 7

Herd presentation of trichomoniasis

Answer 7

Poor pregnancy rate
Prolonged calving interval
↑ pyometra

Question 8

What infections/ diseases cause fetal mummification

Answer 8

Neosporosis (Neospora caninum)
BVD

Question 9

Relationship between timing of infection with BVDV and outcome of pregnancy

Answer 9

Later the infection, ↑ outcome of pregnancy =
Early: infertility, early embryonic death
Late: maybe abortion, born with abs

Question 10

Persistently infected calf

Answer 10

Infected with BVD 18-125d
Embryos maintained and born after cow infected

Question 11

Pathology of a persistenly infected calf

Answer 11

Embryos infected before immune system developed
Grows and multiply in body → shedding virus → infects other calves

Question 12

Arthrogryposis multiplex / Curly calf syndrome

Answer 12

Lethal autosomal recessive genetic defect in angus breed

Question 13

How is arthrogryposis multiplex prevented

Answer 13

Genetic testing of animals with carriers in ancestry
American Angus Association designates carries with AMC and AMF (only AMF registered)

Question 13

Outcomes of arthrogryposis multiplex

Answer 13

Permanent contracture of forelimbs and hindlimbs
Abnorm. curvature of spine
Small and lack muscle development
Cleft palate
Stillborn, die after birth

Question 14

Crooked calf syndrome

Answer 14

Produced by Lupine toxicosis (ingestion)
Acute fatal neurologic disease

Question 15

Consequences of crooked calf syndrome

Answer 15

Arthrogryposis
Scoliosis
Kyphosis
Cleft palate
Muscle atrophy