Since the ELISA used was validated in the western United States, it is possible that different pathogens, antigens, or both, may have stimulated a false positive response; this includes the use of footrot vaccine (Dr

Since the ELISA used was validated in the western United States, it is possible that different pathogens, antigens, or both, may have stimulated a false positive response; this includes the use of footrot vaccine (Dr. histologique pour ceux prlevs labattoir. Aucun blier ntait sropositif ou ne prsentait de lsions suggestives de cette contamination autant dans les levages que dans les abattoirs. is usually a specific Rabbit Polyclonal to GPR174 cause of epididymitis in rams (1). Although it has mainly been associated with reduced fertility in rams, contamination in ewes can result in failure to conceive, embryonic resorption, abortion, stillbirth, and NU 9056 poor newborn lambs (1). Pathological changes caused by are generally confined to the epididymides and accessory sex glands (1C3). Diagnosis of contamination in flocks is based on scrotal palpation, semen culture, serological testing, or all 3 (1,3C5). In Canada, by using serologic testing and semen culture, it was estimated that 8.6% of flocks in Alberta were infected (4). Contamination was also diagnosed in rams in a commercial sheep flock in southern Ontario in 1984, resulting in a test and cull policy for being implemented in this flock (2). In the Bas-St-Laurent region of Quebec, the disease was diagnosed in NU 9056 1986 in rams imported from New Zealand; infected rams from this flock were culled (6). To our knowledge, no study around the prevalence of contamination has been conducted in eastern Canada. This study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of infection in mature rams in commercial sheep flocks and at slaughterhouses in the Bas-St-Laurent and Estrie regions of Quebec. Ram serostatus was evaluated by using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) selected on the basis of its commercial availability and validation in North America. In addition, testes and epididymides of selected rams in flocks were palpated to detect any induration, and testes and epididymides of culled rams were examined microscopically. Materials and methods Flock survey This survey was part of a broader research project conducted in 2 regions of Quebec. Flocks with at least 60 ewes assumed to be pregnant in November 1999 were eligible to participate. Volunteer producers whose flock satisfied this criterion were enrolled until 10 flocks in the Estrie and 20 in the Bas-St-Laurent region had been obtained. Selected flocks ranged in size from 95 to 1707 (mean 408) reproductive ewes. The serological status of the flocks for was unknown and no vaccine against this bacterium had ever been used in those flocks. All mature rams to a maximum of 10 per flock were selected. In large-sized flocks, a method of random sampling, stratified for breed and NU 9056 age was used. The testes and epididymides of each ram were palpated, and a blood sample was collected by jugular venipuncture. Producers were asked if the testes of rams were routinely palpated before the mating season, on introduction of a new ram to the flock, or both, for the period from January 1999 to January 2000. Slaughterhouse survey From January to November 2000, inclusively, culled rams, to a maximum of 5 per slaughterhouse, were selected once a week for 44 wk in the Estrie region and for 30 wk in the Bas-St-Laurent region. If needed, a systematic random sampling method was used for selection. In the Bas-St-Laurent, all the rams selected were from farms of the region; in Estrie, this information was not available. A blood sample was taken from the selected rams during the exsanguination procedure. Age of rams was estimated by examining the incisor teeth. The testes and epididymides from all selected rams were.