The possible role of bovine herpesvirus type‐4 infection in cow infertility

Abstract

Experimental and field studies have proven that the bovine herpesvirus type-4 (BHV-4) infection leads to various reproductive system problems. In this study, the role of BHV-4 infection in repeat breeding was investigated serologically. Eighty-four samples were obtained from repeat-breeding diagnosed cows in two organized dairy herds; an equal number of healthy cows were sampled from the same farms. The rest of the samples (105) were obtained from reproductively normal cows that were breeding in 18 small enterprises as a control group. The seropositivity proportion in repeat-breeding diagnosed cows was found to be significantly higher (69% (58/84)) than other cows (44% (37/84)) on the same farms. The lowest antibody positivity value for BHV-4 was detected as 24.7% (26/105) in the samples from family-type small farms. The odds ratio (OR) value was calculated as 2.834 in repeat-breeding diagnosed and healthy cows on the same farms, while 6.778 was determined in cows with and without reproductive problems on organized farms compared to small farms. As a result, the BHV-4 infection can be considered one of the reasons for repeat breeding besides other reproductive disorders.

Impact of Bovine Herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) on Reproduction

“…The presumptive implication of BoHV‐4 in reproductive disorders is based on epidemiological observations, especially a higher seroprevalence in groups of animals affected by metritis, abortion and/or infertility than in healthy females (Naeem et al., ; Bilge Dagalp et al., ; Gür and Dogan, ). For example, Bilge Dagalp et al.…”

Detection of bovine herpesvirus type 4 antibodies and bovine lymphotropic herpesvirus in New Zealand dairy cows

“…A relationship has been found by other researchers between serological evidence of BoHV-4 infection and both infertility and abortion (Czaplicki and Thiry 1998;Gür and Dogan 2010); however, the aim of the current study was not to investigate the role of BoHV-4 in metritis in New Zealand cows as samples were collected as part of an investigation on clinical metritis. Nonetheless, analyses were undertaken to assess the association between cows being positive or negative on the BoHV-4 antibody ELISA and potential explanatory variables, i.e.…”

“…A number of reports have indicated that cattle seropositive for BoHV-4 are more likely to have reproduction problems (Czaplicki and Thiry 1998;Frazier et al 2001;Gür and Dogan 2010); but, to date, the presence of antibodies to BoHV-4 in New Zealand cattle has not been documented. In the current study, serum samples were obtained from cows with metritis to maximise the chance of detecting BoHV-4 antibodies in New Zealand dairy cows.…”

“…BoHV-4 is the type species in the genus of Rhadinovirus, subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae (McGeoch et al 2005). Aborting cows and repeat breeding cows have a higher probability (OR = 1.9 and 2.8, respectively) of being seropositive for BoHV-4 than those without these conditions (Czaplicki and Thiry 1998;Gür and Dogan 2010). In vitro, the virus has been shown to be trophic for bovine endometrial and stromal cells and to induce cytopathic effects (Donofrio et al 2007).…”

Co‐infection with Bovine Herpesvirus 4 and Histophilus somni Significantly Extends the Service Period in Dairy Cattle with Purulent Vaginal Discharge

“…BoHV‐4 might has effect on infertility, by extending the service period, as 69% of repeat breeder cows (3–14 AIs) showed BoHV‐4 seropositivity, vs 44% of cows with 1–2 AIs (Gür and Dogan ). Seropositivity was also linked to longer service period from calving to conception (Kale et al.…”