A field study of the effects of a monovalent Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strain hardjobovis vaccine administered with oxytetracycline on reproductive performance in beef cattle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether vaccination with a monovalent Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strain hardjobovis vaccine coupled with parenteral long-acting oxytetracycline treatment would improve the reproductive performance of beef cows.


METHODS
Randomized controlled field trial.


METHODS
1,446 Angus-cross beef cows in 8 locations.


METHODS
Cows were given 2 doses, 4 weeks apart, of vaccine (treatment; n=741) or placebo (control; 705). Cows in the treatment group were also given a single dose of a long-acting oxytetracycline formulation (20 mg/kg [9.1 mg/lb], SC) at the time of booster vaccination. Estrus synchronization was performed, followed by fixed-time artificial insemination; bulls were introduced 14 days after insemination. Serum and urine samples were obtained on a random subset of cows (n=194) for detection of serologic titers and leptospiruria, and locations were categorized as positive or negative for leptospirosis on the basis of detection of leptospiruric cows.


RESULTS
No differences in pregnancy and calving rates between treatment and control groups were detected. Pregnancy rate following artificial insemination was lower among cows in locations positive for leptospirosis than among cows in locations negative for leptospirosis; however, overall pregnancy rate, calving rate following artificial insemination, and overall calving rate did not differ between groups when cows were grouped on the basis of location leptospirosis status.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that under the conditions of the present study, administration of a monovalent Leptospira vaccine in conjunction with systemic administration of oxytetracycline did not significantly improve reproductive performance of beef cows.
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Ramanathan
R
Kasimanickam
William D
WD
Whittier
Jonathan C
JC
Collins
John F
JF
Currin
Bom
B
Inman
John B
JB
Hall
Kevin D
KD
Pelzer
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D007919:Leptospira; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D010118:Oxytetracycline