Transcription profiling of pregnant heifers infected with high and low virulence Neospora caninum isolates.
Bovine neosporosis is caused by infection with the intracellular parasite Neospora caninum and its outcome is influenced by the virulence of the isolate, such that foetal mortality can occur in infected pregnant cows. We examined the transcriptome profiles of pregnant heifers at day 110 of gestation infected with low virulence (Nc-Spain1H) and high virulence  (Nc-Spain7) isolates to investigate the processes involved in the host responses that occur in the placentomes (caruncles and cotyledons) throughout the infection. A total of 48 samples were collected from 24 cows, separated by tissue (caruncle and cotyledon), timepoint (10 or 20 dpi), and infection (uninfected, Nc-Spain1H or Nc-Spain7 infected). 2 of the Nc-Spain7 infected samples sacrificed at 20 dpi presented foetal death.