The Relationship between Neonatal Lamb Mortality and Toxoplasmosis

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the relationship between neonatal lamb mortality and toxoplasmosis. The study was carried out in a sheep farm that declared the death of lambs. Brood ewes (N= 50) were included into the study and they were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 25 sheep whose lambs had died, and the second group consisted of 25 sheep whose lambs were alive. Blood samples were collected from the two groups and the blood sera were obtained. The sera were examined with the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test for the antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Of the 50 blood sera examined, 29 (58%) were positive for T. gondii, 20 (80%) of which were from the sheep whose lambs had died. On the other hand, only 9 (36%) of 25 blood sera from the sheep with healthy lambs were found to be positive. The frequency of T. gondii infestation was statistically evaluated by chi-square test and the difference between the two groups was found to be significant. (p<0.05). The results of the study showed that toxoplasmosis can play an important role in lamb mortality.