Causes of fetal death in the Flemish cattle herd in Brazil

Abstract

Background and Aim: Flemish cattle in Brazil are on the brink of extinction and are found only in one herd in Lages, Santa Catarina State. This study aimed to uncover the reasons for the recurring abortions in the Flemish cattle herd. Materials and Methods: Seventeen Flemish fetuses underwent postmortem examinations, with samples collected for histopathology and microbiology culture tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Neospora caninum, and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) test for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from 2015 to 2020. Results: Of the 17 fetuses, N. caninum was the most common diagnosis and was found in 88% (15/17). One fetus (5.8%) had a coinfection with N. caninum and Citrobacter amalonaticus, leading to fibrinonecrotic pericarditis. All fetuses tested negative for BVDV by RT-PCR. Of the 107 dams tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay, 26 (25.2%) were anti-N. caninum seropositive, with 17 (65.4%) aborting and 5 (19.2%) having estrus repetition. Reverse transcription-PCR results showed that 9 (8.4%) of the serum samples collected from dams tested positive, which tested follow-up test 3 months later, indicating a BVDV transient infection. The factors that contributed to neosporosis included dogs’ access to pastures and improper disposal of fetal remains, which made it easier for dogs to consume them. Conclusion: This study warns the occurrence of N. caninum as a cause of reproductive disorders that can lead to abortion in the studied Flemish cattle herd. Keywords: abortion, endangered breeds, pathology, protozoan, reproductive disorders.

In vitro and in vivo embryo production efficiency in Flemish and Holstein donor females

“…Indeed, sample size limitations are common in such conditions, and in studies with native cattle breeds, as shown by others (Mastromonaco and Gonzalez-Grajales, 2020;Sunds et al, 2021). The remaining Brazilian Flemish herd is already threatened by extinction and inbreeding, and targeting available specimens to conservation programs, such as the one in France (Lauvie et al, 2008;Marian et al, 2023) and under this study, justifies efforts to better understand responses to reproductive technologies.…”

“…precocity, longevity and hardiness, with the production of milk with high fat and protein contents, and good quality meat (Thaler et al, 1996;Goetten et al, 2015). Due to the small size of the breed´s population, Flemish cattle have been targeted for conservation programs in France since late 1970s (Lauvie et al, 2008), as it is considered in risk of extinction (Marian et al, 2023). In Brazil, the breed was introduced in 1912, and currently, the remaining animals from the original group comprise a pure herd of approximately 50 animals, which has not been crossed with other breeds (Alfonzo et al, 2021).…”

Genetic analysis and characterization of reproductive control genes in Belgian and Qinchuan cattle population structure

“…However, the current endangered situation of Belgian Red Cattle has raised concerns. Lucas Marian et al showed that the Belgian Red Cattle suffers from Neisseria canis infection which may be the cause of reproductive disorders that lead to abortion in the herd [19]. The study was conducted by Lucas Marian et al We therefore focused on the signaling pathway concerning reproduction in Belgian cattle.…”