15-keto-13-14-dihydroprostaglandin-f2alpha and Bovine-Virus-Diarrhea-Mucosal-Disease

Fourteen unvaccinated and seronegative ewes were experimentally infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus around day 60 of pregnancy. Two other groups of pregnant ewes served as control animals. The animals were followed with ultrasound scanning to study the status of the fetus and with frequent blood sampling for analysis of progesterone and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha, two hormones that could reflect the propagation of the infection. The unvaccinated ewes responded to the infection with abortion, resorption of the fetus, mummification or no changes at all. The endocrinological changes reflected in a most adequate way the pathological changes in the uterus. Detailed endocrinological studies can contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of some infectious diseases that affect reproduction.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Resorption; Fetal Viability; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Progesterone; Prostaglandins F; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Ultrasonography