Avaliação dos índices zootécnicos em vacas mestiças com Neospora caninum no sudeste da Bahia, Brasil: uma análise em um rebanho leiteiro

ABSTRACT. Santos I.A., de Magalhaes V.C.S., Costa S.C.L. & Munhoz A.D. [Zootechnical evaluation indices in crossbred cows with Neospora caninum in the Southestern Bahia, Brazil: an analysis in a dairy herd.] Avaliacao dos indices zootecnicos em vacas mesticas com Neospora caninum no sudeste da Bahia, Brasil: uma analise em um rebanho leiteiro. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 36(4):421-424, 2014. Laboratorio de Analises Clinicas Veterinarias, Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, Ilheus, BA 45662-000, Brasil. Email: munhoz@uesc.br This study aimed to evaluate the presence and indexes of miscarriage and stillborn calves in naturally exposed animals to N. caninum. In a dairy property, consisting of crossbred with a history of exposure to N. caninum, from February 2009 to May 2011. Serum samples were submitted to indirect fluorescent antibody test for N. caninum. The variables interval between births, repeat breeding, estrus postpartum, average milk yield/cow, age, number of lactations and period of service and the number of abortions and stillborn calves were examined during the period. From a total of 165 cows 29 (17.6%) were seropositive. Only the number of abortions and stillbirths during the period was significant (p ≤0.05). These results demonstrate that N. caninum is an important cause of abortion and stillborn calves in cattle, with influence on other indexes.