Association between the presence of serum antibodies against Neospora spp. and fetal loss in equines.

The research investigates the relationship between the presence of serum antibodies against Neospora spp. in horses and possible pregnancy failures, revealing a positive association between late stages reproductive disorders in mares and Neospora spp. infection.

Study Design

• The study used serum samples from horses presented for laboratory testing of antibodies related to Equine Herpesvirus-1 and Equine Infectious Anemia Virus.
• The samples for equine infectious anemia testing were obtained from both healthy horses and those associated with the detection of antibodies for the Equine Herpesvirus-1 from mares displaying late clinical signs of reproductive disorders and from males in close proximity with these mares.

Detection of Neospora spp. Infection

• To detect the presence of Neospora spp. infection, an immunofluorescent antibody test was applied.
• A significant titer, or concentration, of 50 was considered indicative of the presence of the Neospora spp. antibodies.

Findings

• Out of the 483 problem mares, 15.1% (73 specimens) reacted and another 5.8% (19 out of 325 specimens) were seropositive in the group of healthy horses.
• The results indicate a significant association (p-value less than 0.001) between late-stage reproductive disorders in mares and infection with protozoa in the Neospora genus. A p-value of less than 0.05 is generally accepted in the scientific community as statistically significant.

Implications of the Study

• The findings suggest that the role played by coccidia – a subclass of microscopic, spore-forming, single-celled obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the apicomplexan class Conoidasida – in the origins of reproductive disorders in horses, particularly those from the Neospora genus, needs further investigation.