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Mechanisms linking bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection with infertility in cattle

Oguejiofor, C F; Thomas, C J; Cheng, Z R; Wathes, D C

Authors

C F Oguejiofor

C J Thomas

Z R Cheng

D C Wathes



Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important infectious disease agent that causes significant reproductive and economic losses in the cattle industry worldwide. Although BVDV infection is known to cause poor fertility in cattle, a greater part of the underlying mechanisms particularly associated with early reproductive losses are not clearly understood. Previous studies reported viral compromise of reproductive function in infected bulls. In females, BVDV infection is thought to be capable of killing the oocyte, embryo or fetus directly, or to induce lesions that result in fetal abortion or malformation. BVDV infections may also induce immune dysfunction, and predispose cattle to other diseases that cause poor health and fertility. Other reports also suggested BVDV-induced disruption of the reproductive endocrine system, and a disruption of leukocyte and cytokine functions in the reproductive organs. More recent studies have provided evidence of viral-induced suppression of endometrial innate immunity that may predispose to uterine disease. Furthermore, there is new evidence that BVDV may potentially disrupt the maternal recognition of pregnancy or the immune protection of the conceptus. This review brings together the previous reports with the more recent findings, and attempts to explain some of the mechanisms linking this important virus to infertility in cattle.

Citation

Oguejiofor, C. F., Thomas, C. J., Cheng, Z. R., & Wathes, D. C. (2019). Mechanisms linking bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection with infertility in cattle. Animal Health Research Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252319000057

Journal Article Type Review
Acceptance Date Jul 8, 2019
Publication Date Sep 9, 2019
Deposit Date Sep 13, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Animal Health Research Reviews
Print ISSN 1466-2523
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252319000057
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1380546

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