[Causes of prenatal foal loss in Switzerland].

This research investigates the causes of prenatal foal loss in Switzerland, with a focus on infection with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV 1), and identifies EHV 1 as the most prevalent viral cause of abortion, followed by bacterial agents.

Methodology and Objectives

• The study was conducted over the foaling seasons of 1988 and 1989. The core objective to ascertain the causes of abortion in 60 foals within that period.
• Particular emphasis was laid on investigating infections with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV 1), along with other potential causes.
• The primary methods of diagnosis utilized in the research included post-mortem, histopathological, bacteriological and immunofluorescence investigation.

Key Findings

• The research findings are corroborated by similar data from other countries, confirming the prevalence of EHV 1 as a significant causative agent of abortion in foals.
• EHV 1 was identified as the most prevalent viral cause accounting for 20% of the abortions. This was followed by various bacterial agents accounting for 12%.
• Other identified causes comprised umbilical torsion, twin pregnancy, and malformations.
• However, for 18% of the cases, the extensive investigation of fetuses didn’t yield any conclusive results for the cause of abortion. This led the researchers to suggest that maternal factors might be the sole contributors to abortions in these instances.

Implications and Conclusion

• The study contributes significantly to understanding the primary causes of prenatal foal losses in Switzerland with potential applicability of the learnings to other regions.
• The key takeaway highlights the need for preventive measures against EHV 1 infections, as well as the necessity for further examination of the maternal factors contributing to unborn foal losses when no definitive cause can be found in the fetus.