2/3: Pregnancy failure and abortion Flashcards
(199 cards)
What % of ewes conceive after each mating?
90%
What % of ewe lambs conceive after each mating?
50%
What is the most common cause of reduced conception rates, infectious or otherwise?
Nutrition (BCS at tupping)
What day do you scan ewes for barren or number?
70
With what % accuracy can you identify barren ewes at 70 days?
100%
With what % accuracy can you identify number of lambs at 70 days?
90-95%
What is the advantage of knowing the number of lambs?
Can feed to litter
How do you see early pregnancy failure?
Increased barren rate
Why should you always investigate a single case of abortion in a bought-in ewe?
Due to EAE risk
Which abortion cases should you always investigate?
Single case of a bought-in ewe, multiple cases (over 2%), cluster of abortions
What hormones mediate stress-induced abortions in sheep vs goats?
Cortisol in sheep, PGs in goats
What are two reasons a larger litter size can increase pregnancy failure?
Placental insufficiency or toxaemia
At what point of pregnancy are more infection outbreaks?
The month before lambing
Which animals may the endemic infections be confined to?
Younger
Which lesions will show up in the placenta?
Toxoplasma, EAE, Q fever
Which lesions will show up in the foetus?
Toxoplasma, border disease, Listeria
In which infections is the ewe also ill?
Salmonella or Q fever
What is the most common cause of ovine abortion?
EAE
What causes EAE?
Chlamydia abortus
Is EAE zoonotic?
Yes
What can lambs be like in EAE?
Aborted, premature, weak live, or normal with infected membranes
What can happen to the ewe following EAE?
Retained membranes so metritis
What is a consequence of the ability of EAE to evade the immune response?
Low grade asymptomatic infection
What is the life cycle of EAE?
Specialised - intra and extracellular phase