SEROLOGICAL EVALUATION FOR Neospora caninum IN FARMS WITH DAIRY CATTLE SHOWING REPRODUCTIVE ALTERATIONS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of dairy cattle seropositive to Neospora caninum and investigates their association with the reproductive problems. Serum samples were obtained from 94 cows from 19 farms located in the middle region of the Southwest of Paraná and data were collected regarding the reproductive efficiency. Indirect immunofluorescence reaction for the detection of N. caninum were applied and used the chi-square and Fisher exact test to analyze the results. Of the total samples, it was obtained a prevalence of 24%, with 23 positive animals. The antibody titers ranged from 25 to 400. Among the positive animals, 61% had reproductive problems. The main reproductive problem presented by the female bovine positive was the return to estrus, followed by abortion, showing that the bovine neosporosis has implications for the reproductive parameters in dairy cattle with great economic impact on the creation.