Bovine viral diarrhea virus: its effects on estradiol, progesterone and prostaglandin secretion in the cow.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a major cattle pathogen responsible for a spectrum of symptoms, including reproductive failure. This study was designed to establish the effects of BVDV infection on estradiol, progesterone and PGF2alpha secretion in the cow. Seven BVDV-free cows were challenged with non-cytopathogenic BVDV (strain Pe 515: 5x10(6) tissue culture infected dose50) so that peak viremia occurred during the initial phase of luteal development in a synchronized estrous cycle. Ovulation was also synchronized in 7 sham-infected animals. Within 2 wk of inoculation, viremia, leukopenia and serum neutralizing antibodies were recorded in all of the BVDV-infected cows but not the sham-infected animals. Between Day 4 and Day 9 post estrus the BVDV-infected cows had significantly (P<0.01) lower plasma estradiol levels than the sham-infected animals. However, the BVDV infection did not alter rectal temperatures, plasma progesterone concentrations or PGF2alpha secretion 17, 18 and 19 d post estrus. These data highlight a potential causal link between BVDV viremia, endocrine dysfunction and poor fertility in the cow.
Fray
M D
MD
Institute for Animal Health, Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Mann
G E
GE
Clarke
M C
MC
Charleston
B
B
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001912:Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002417:Cattle; D001908:Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D015237:Dinoprost