Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies and its consequences for reproductive parameters in dairy cows from Dakar-Senegal, West Africa.
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies and its effects on reproductive parameters in cows in intensive dairy herds in Dakar. Randomised blood samples were taken for serology from 196 cows in four herds with a history of sporadic abortion. All of the sera were assayed for antibodies against N. caninum, Candida guillermondii, Coxiella burnetii, and Chlamydophila sp. The associations between serostatus and reproductive parameters (abortion, number of inseminations to conception, and calving to conception interval) were assessed over a period of 5 years (2004-2008). The seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies in dairy cattle was 17.9%. The local Gobra breed and crossbreeds had higher levels of N. caninum antibodies than exotic breeds (p < 0.05). For the most recent pregnancies, seropositive cows required more inseminations to establish conception than seronegative cows (p < 0.05). The results indicate that dairy cattle from Dakar are exposed to N. caninum. Neosporosis should, therefore, be systematically considered as a cause when the calving to conception interval is prolonged.
Kamga-Waladjo
Alain Richi
AR
Inter-State School of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine of Dakar, P.O. Box 5077, Dakar, Senegal. akwar2003@yahoo.fr
Gbati
Oubri Bassa
OB
Kone
Philippe
P
Lapo
Rock Allister
RA
Chatagnon
Gérard
G
Bakou
Serge N
SN
Pangui
Louis Joseph
LJ
Diop
Papa El Hassane
Pel H
Akakpo
Justin Ayayi
JA
Tainturier
Daniel
D
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D023501:Chlamydophila / Q000276:immunology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology*; D012098:Reproduction; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal