Ovine toxoplasmosis: seroconversion during pregnancy and lamb birth rate in Uruguayan sheep flocks. 1995

E Savio, and A Nieto
Laboratorio de Inmunología Regional Norte Sede Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay.

Specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were analyzed by latex agglutination during the 5 months of pregnancy in the serum of sheep from two flocks in the Uruguayan north-west: one flock (79 sheep) kept under an intensive management system and the other (494 sheep) kept under an extensive management system. Titers obtained using the latex test correlated with those obtained by indirect immunofluorescence. Pregnancy was confirmed by laparoscopy in all sheep from the smaller flock and by determination of serum progesterone levels in the seroconverted sheep from the larger flock. The percentage of sheep originally exhibiting significant serum levels of anti-T. gondii antibodies (13.9% in the smaller flock and 28.5% in the larger one) as well as the observed levels of seroconversion (22.8% and 7.7%, respectively), indicated a high prevalence of this infection in the north-west of Uruguay. In addition, birth rates of seroconverted sheep in the larger flock were significantly different from those of non-seroconverted animals. These results, although preliminary, suggest that Toxoplasma infection would produce considerable economic losses in extensive ovine production in Uruguay.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007841 Latex Fixation Tests Passive agglutination tests in which antigen is adsorbed onto latex particles which then clump in the presence of antibody specific for the adsorbed antigen. (From Stedman, 26th ed) Latex Agglutination Tests,Agglutination Test, Latex,Agglutination Tests, Latex,Fixation Test, Latex,Fixation Tests, Latex,Latex Agglutination Test,Latex Fixation Test,Test, Latex Agglutination,Test, Latex Fixation,Tests, Latex Agglutination,Tests, Latex Fixation
D008098 Litter Size The number of offspring produced at one birth by a viviparous animal. Litter Sizes,Size, Litter,Sizes, Litter
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011258 Pregnancy Tests Tests to determine whether or not an individual is pregnant. Pregnancy Test,Test, Pregnancy,Tests, Pregnancy
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000822 Animal Husbandry The science of breeding, feeding and care of domestic animals; includes housing and nutrition. Animal Husbandries,Husbandries, Animal,Husbandry, Animal
D000831 Animals, Newborn Refers to animals in the period of time just after birth. Animals, Neonatal,Animal, Neonatal,Animal, Newborn,Neonatal Animal,Neonatal Animals,Newborn Animal,Newborn Animals
D000913 Antibodies, Protozoan Immunoglobulins produced in a response to PROTOZOAN ANTIGENS. Protozoan Antibodies
D012756 Sheep Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS. Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli

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