A longitudinal study on the effects of maternal and offspring seropositivity for Neospora caninum on birth weight, survival, reproductive performance and abortion in the offspring

IF 1.4 Q3 PARASITOLOGY

Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.vprsr.2025.101206

Amir Abbas Mohieddini , Mohammad Mahdi Delavari , Reza Hemmati Baghbanani , Vahid Akbarinejad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known as a source of economic losses due to causing abortion in cows. Additionally, it is well-established that this parasite can be vertically transmitted from the dam to the fetus through placenta. There is, however, little and contradictory information about whether transplacental infection of the offspring during prenatal period could impair its survival and reproductive performance during postnatal period, and the current study was conducted to address this issue. To this end, seropositivity of heifer dams (n = 430) and their offspring were ascertained at the age of 12 and 3 months, respectively. Based on the serologic results, there were four categories of female offspring including: 1) seronegative offspring born to seronegative dams (n = 183), 2) seropositive offspring born to seronegative dams (n = 59), 3) seronegative offspring born to seropositive dams (n = 29), and 4) seropositive offspring born to seropositive dams (n = 30). The birth weight, survival, reproductive performance and abortion of these offspring were studied from birth to culling. Maternal seropositivity was positively associated with offspring seropositivity (P < 0.05). Birth weight did not differ among offspring in various categories (P > 0.05). Seropositive offspring born to seronegative dams and seronegative offspring born to seropositive dams had inferior cumulative reproductive performance over life as compared to seronegative offspring born to seronegative dams (P < 0.05). Seropositive offspring had greater cumulative abortion risk and shorter lifespan than seronegative offspring regardless of their maternal serologic condition (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that maternal seropositivity for N. caninum increased the risk of seropositivity in the offspring, and seropositive offspring had increased abortion risk and decreased longevity. Maternal seropositivity for N. caninum could have developmental effects on cumulative reproductive performance of the offspring that were not vertically infected.

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来源期刊

Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports Multiple-

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

7.10%

发文量

126

审稿时长

97 days

期刊介绍： Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports focuses on aspects of veterinary parasitology that are of regional concern, which is especially important in this era of climate change and the rapid and often unconstrained travel of people and animals. Relative to regions, this journal will accept papers of the highest quality dealing with all aspects of disease prevention, pathology, treatment, epidemiology, and control of parasites within the field of veterinary medicine. Also, case reports will be considered as they add to information related to local disease and its control; such papers must be concise and represent appropriate medical intervention. Papers on veterinary parasitology from wildlife species are acceptable, but only if they relate to the practice of veterinary medicine. Studies on vector-borne bacterial and viral agents are suitable, but only if the paper deals with vector transmission of these organisms to domesticated animals. Studies dealing with parasite control by means of natural products, both in vivo and in vitro, are more suited for one of the many journals that now specialize in papers of this type. However, due to the regional nature of much of this research, submissions may be considered based upon a case being made by the author(s) to the Editor. Circumstances relating to animal experimentation must meet the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals as issued by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (obtainable from: Executive Secretary C.I.O.M.S., c/o W.H.O., Via Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland).