1. Reproductive Diseases of Cattle
Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
Professor and Extension Program Leader for Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M System

2. Reproductive Diseases
Bacterial
Brucellosis (Bang’s)
Leptospirosis (Lepto)
Vibriosis (Vibrio)
Viral
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)
Protozoal
Trichomoniasis (Trich)
Neosporosis (Neospora)

3. Bovine Viral Diarrhea
(BVD)

5. BVD Infection during Pregnancy
infertility
congenital defects
repeat breeding
immune response
d 0
d 58
d 90
d 125
d 150
d 283
persistent infection
abortion, stillbirth 5

6. HOW TO MAKE A PI Susceptible pregnant female
(non-PI) infected with BVDV at
about 1½ - 4 months of gestation.
BVDV persistently infected (PI)
female becomes pregnant.
BVD Virus
BVD Virus
BVD virus from any source
Less common route (Less than 10%)
Most common route (Over 90%)
BVDV persistently infected (PI)
calf is produced.

7. Most Common Way of Transmission
Direct contact with PI cattle!

8. Diagnosis Skin biopsy Formalin fixation Immuno-histo-chemistry
No interference from maternal antibody
Only test animal once

11. Viral isolation from serum
Maternal antibody can interfere
Must repeat positives in 3 weeks
Serology
Limited use

12. Prevention Biosecurity Proper nutrition Vaccination
Pre-entry test: skin biopsy
Replacement heifers and bulls
Stocker and feeder cattle
Proper nutrition
Vaccination