Findings from this study indicated that implementation of the 2 most intensive certified health programs consistently increased the price of beef calves, and these price premiums increased over time.

Some management, marketing, and certified health initiatives have consistently increased the sale price of beef calves, and producers can increase the price of their calves by implementing these practices.

A model system for perinatal transmission of viral infections was developed and transport of infectious virus particles through fetal membranes was investigated. Viruses of different families known to cause serious intrauterine infections were selected, including relevant and model viruses: the DNA-viruses HSV-1 and -2 as well as the animal herpes viruses BHV-1 and SHV-1, the RNA-virus BVDV as a model for hepatitis C virus, HIV-1 and -2, and PPV as a model for parvovirus B19. Migration of infectious virus from the maternal to the fetal side of the membrane could be detected as early as 20 min after the start of incubation. A peak of virus migration was observed after 1-2 hr. 0.02-1% of HSV-1 and 0.03-0.2% of HSV-2 were transported from the maternal side of the membrane to the fetal side. Only 0.01% of PPV migrated to the fetal side, whereas no transport of BVDV was observed. HIV-1 (1.4%) and HIV-2 (0.8%) seemed to be transported at higher rates. The concept of an active transport of infectious virus is compatible with the kinetics of penetration of the fetal membrane. The question of whether different receptors for the individual viruses on the cellular surface account for differences in virus transport will require further investigation. The fetal membrane acts as a protective barrier for the fetus, reducing greatly infectious titers or even preventing completely penetration of virus.

Coadministration of ML BHV-1 and MH preparations interfered with the serologic response to MH leukotoxin in calves seronegative for BHV-1. Serologic response to MH leukotoxin may be substantially improved in seronegative calves when MH vaccination is delayed until after calves have received a dose of ML BHV-1 vaccine.

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