Bovine mycotic abortion: some epidemiological aspects

Records from 898 cases of bovine mycotic abortion occurring over the five years 1969 to 1974 in South Wales were examined with particular reference to incidence and climate. Mean incidence was lowest in September and highest in January and February. Annual incidence of Aspergillus-type infection decreased but that of Mucortype did not alter significantly. Most abortions occurred during the last trimester of pregnancy. The abortion rate for cattle fed hay in cowsheds was extremely high compared with that for other management systems. No correlation could be detected between total rainfall or number of raindays in June and September and mycotic abortions occurring over the succeeding 12 months. Fungal abortion was followed by pregnancy in most cases where subsequent breeding performance was known.