Antibodies to Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis in Adult Goats from a Naturally Infected Herd

Serum samples taken in 3 successive years (1977, 1978 and 1979) from adult dairy goats (Norwegian breed) originating from 1 herd were examined for antibodies to Gorynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Both bacterial agglutination test (BAT) and hemolysis inhibition test (HIT) were used. The proportion of seropositive goats increased 10–12 % during the investigation period. In 1979 all animals were seropositive to BAT and about 95 % had antihemolysins in their sera. Twenty-two of the 23 one-year old goats recruited to the herd in 1978 were seropositive. The average age-specific titres increased up to the age of 3 years, and subsequently decreased for goats aged 4–7 years. Caseous lymphadenitis is thus regarded as a chronic infection. The effect of age on the titre values was significant at the 5 % level in 1977 and 1978 when HIT was used and in 1978 when BAT was used. During the investigation period the same 36 and 40 goats were examined every year by BAT and HIT, respectively. Intermediate to high correlations between titre values for the same goats from year to year were found. Both BAT and HIT are suitable for sero-epidemiological investigations concerning infection with G. pseudotuberculosis in goats.     

Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Goats III.

Serological examinations for Gorynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in-fection were carried out in 14 known positive herds and in 1 herd that had beeni recently established through purchase of animals from different herds. Serum samples were collected sequentially on up to 4 occasions from animals during their first year of life. In most herds, these animals were examined clinically for superficial swellings once or twice during the same period. The adult goats in 8 infected herds were examined both clinically and serologically. Age distribution was similar in each of these herds. All serum samples were examined for antibodies against Gorynebac-terium pseudotuberculosis in both the bacterial agglutination test (BAT) and the hemolysis inhibition test (HIT). The proportion of kids which were seropositive in both tests de-creased to zero at 4 months of age. At the age of 11–12 months, the proportion of seropositive animals was about 50 % in the BAT and 30 % in the HIT. When examined when housed for the winter at the age of about 8 months (mean age), the prevalence of animals with superficial swellings was 7 %. At the age of about 1 year (mean age), 29 % of the examined animals had such lesions. In the recently established herd, only a few of the yearlings were seropositive. Titre values in BAT and HIT increased until 6 years of age. Anti-body titre values were significantly lower in yearlings than in older goats in both tests, P < 0.005. No significant difference in the propor-tion of goats with superficial swellings was seen at the different ages.     

Lack of risk of transmission of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) after an appropriate embryo transfer procedure

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that embryo transfer can be used to produce CAEV-free kids from CAEV-infected biological mothers when appropriate procedure is implemented. Twenty-eight goats that had tested positive for CAEV using PCR on vaginal secretions were used as embryo donors. Embryos with intact-ZP were selected and washed 10 times; they were then frozen and used for transfer into CAEV-free recipient goats. Nineteen of the 49 recipient goats gave birth, producing a total of 23 kids. Three blood samples were taken from each recipient goat, 10 days before, during, and 10 days after parturition; these were tested for CAEV antibodies using ELISA and for CAEV proviral DNA using PCR. The mothers were then euthanized. Tissue samples were taken from the lungs, udder, and retromammary and prescapular lymph nodes. The kids were separated from their mothers at birth. Seven of them died. At 4 months of age, 16 kids were subjected to drug-induced immunosuppression. Blood samples were taken every month from birth to 4 months of age; samples were then taken on days 15, 21, and 28 after the start of the immunosuppressive treatment. The kids were then euthanized and tissue samples taken from the carpal synovial membrane, lung tissue, prescapular lymph nodes, inguinal and retromammary lymph nodes, and uterus. All samples from the 19 recipient goats and 23 kids were found to be negative for CAEV antibodies and/or CAEV proviral DNA. Under acute conditions for infection this study clearly demonstrates that embryo transfer can be safely used to produce CAEV-free neonates from infected CAEV donors.     

Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Goats VII.

Six castrated male kids from 2 herds free from caseous lymphadenitis, were inoculated subcutaneously with about 1 million colony forming units of a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strain isolated from goat. The animals exhibited a febrile response and marked inflammatory reaction at the inoculation site during the first days after infection. Post mortem examination carried out 2 months after inoculation revealed abscesses in the regional lymph node (Inn. subiliaci) of all animals, in 3 of which lesions also appeared in other lymph nodes. The antibody titre (mean value) in the bacterial agglutination test peaked during the first 2 weeks following inoculation, while the titre in the hemolysis inhibition test began to rise from 2–3 weeks after the infection and continued to increase during the rest of the investigation period (9 weeks after inoculation). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels decreased significantly after inoculation, and remained below the preinfection levels for 2 weeks. A significant leucocytosis was also seen during the same period. The present investigation indicates that subcutaneous inoculation with C. pseudotuberculosis might be a suitable challenge system to study the efficacy of vaccines against caseous lymphadenitis in goats.     

Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Goats I.

The bacterial agglutination test (BAT) and the hemolysis inhibition test (HIT) were employed and evaluated. The threshold value between positive and negative antibody titres in BAT and HIT was determined on the basis of titration results for sera from 25 adult goats infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuber-culosis (positive), and sera from 25 adult goats from a herd in which caseous lymphadenitis did not occur (negative). Antibody titres were expressed as logio to the reciprocal value of the highest positive serum dilution in both tests. Positive titre (T) in BAT was stipulated as T ≥ 2.1 and in HIT as T > 0.6. The sensitivity and specificity was 0.96 in both tests in the material used. Twenty-three of the 25 goats infected with G. pseudotuberculosis were positive in both BAT and HIT. The reproducibility in both tests was described by the use of correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation. The values were estimated using duplicate determination of titres of 155 serum samples. Correlation coefficients were 0.87 for BAT and 0.95 for HIT. Coef-ficients of variation were 26.4 % for BAT and 14.1 % for HIT. The coefficient of variation was related to titres. It was highest for BAT at low titres. It was concluded that both tests can be used for seroepidemio-logical investigations of C. pseudotuberculosis infection in goats.     

Study on Passive Immunity:time of Vaccination in Kids Born to Goats Vaccinated Against Peste des petits ruminants

In this study,the decay of maternal peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV) antibodies in kids born to goats vaccinated with Asian lineage IV PPR vaccine and the efficacy of passive immunity against PPRV was assessed to determine the appropriate period for vaccination in kids.Serum samples collected from kids born to vaccinated,unvaccinated and infected goats at different time intervals were tested by PPR competitive ELISA and serum neutralization test(SNT).Maternal antibodies in kids were detectable up to 6 months with a decline trend from the third month onwards and receded below the protective level by the fourth month.The kid with an SN titre of 1:8 at the time of immunization showed significant PPRV specific antibody response(percentage inhibition of 76;SN titers >1:16),when tested on 21 day post-vaccination and was completely protected from infection upon virulent PPRV challenge.Similarly,the kid with 1:8 SN titers was completely protected from PPR infection on active challenge.Therefore,PPR vaccination is recommended in kids,aged 4 months and born to immunized or exposed goats.This could be a suitable period to avoid window of susceptibility in kids to PPRV and the effort to eliminate PPR infection from susceptible populations.     

Study on passive immunity: Time of vaccination in kids born to goats vaccinated against Peste des petits ruminants

In this study, the decay of maternal peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) antibodies in kids born to goats vaccinated with Asian lineage IV PPR vaccine and the efficacy of passive immunity against PPRV was assessed to determine the appropriate period for vaccination in kids. Serum samples collected from kids born to vaccinated, unvaccinated and infected goats at different time intervals were tested by PPR competitive ELISA and serum neutralization test (SNT). Maternal antibodies in kids were detectable up to 6 months with a decline trend from the third month onwards and receded below the protective level by the fourth month. The kid with an SN titre of 1:8 at the time of immunization showed significant PPRV specific antibody response (percentage inhibition of 76; SN titers >1:16), when tested on 21 day post-vaccination and was completely protected from infection upon virulent PPRV challenge. Similarly, the kid with 1:8 SN titers was completely protected from PPR infection on active challenge. Therefore, PPR vaccination is recommended in kids, aged 4 months and born to immunized or exposed goats. This could be a suitable period to avoid window of susceptibility in kids to PPRV and the effort to eliminate PPR infection from susceptible populations.     

Q Fever in Pregnant Goats: Pathogenesis and Excretion of Coxiella burnetii

Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes Q fever. Infected pregnant goats are a major source of human infection. However, the tissue dissemination and excretion pathway of the pathogen in goats are still poorly understood. To better understand Q fever pathogenesis, we inoculated groups of pregnant goats via the intranasal route with a recent Dutch outbreak C. burnetii isolate. Tissue dissemination and excretion of the pathogen were followed for up to 95 days after parturition. Goats were successfully infected via the intranasal route. PCR and immunohistochemistry showed strong tropism of C. burnetii towards the placenta at two to four weeks after inoculation. Bacterial replication seemed to occur predominantly in the trophoblasts of the placenta and not in other organs of goats and kids. The amount of C. burnetii DNA in the organs of goats and kids increased towards parturition. After parturition it decreased to undetectable levels: after 81 days post-parturition in goats and after 28 days post-parturition in kids. Infected goats gave birth to live or dead kids. High numbers of C. burnetii were excreted during abortion, but also during parturition of liveborn kids. C. burnetii was not detected in faeces or vaginal mucus before parturition. Our results are the first to demonstrate that pregnant goats can be infected via the intranasal route. C. burnetii has a strong tropism for the trophoblasts of the placenta and is not excreted before parturition; pathogen excretion occurs during birth of dead as well as healthy animals. Besides abortions, normal deliveries in C. burnetii-infected goats should be considered as a major zoonotic risk for Q fever in humans.     

Effect of protein or energy restriction during late gestation on hormonal and metabolic status in pregnant goats and postnatal male offspring

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal protein or energy restriction on hormonal and metabolic status of pregnant goats during late gestation and their postnatal male kids. Forty-five pregnant goats were fed a control (CON), 40% protein-restricted (PR) or 40% energy-restricted (ER) diet from 90 days of gestation until parturition. Plasma of mothers (90, 125 and 145 days of gestation) and kids (6 weeks of age) were sampled to determine metabolites and hormones. Glucose concentration for pregnant goats subjected to PR or ER was less (P<0.001) than that of CON goats at 125 and 145 days of gestation. However, plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was greater (P<0.01) at 125 and 145 days for PR and ER than CON. Protein restriction increased (P<0.01) maternal cortisol concentration by 145 days of gestation, and ER decreased (P<0.01) maternal insulin concentration at 125 days of gestation. Moreover, maternal amino acid (AA) concentrations were affected by nutritional restriction, with greater (P<0.05) total AA (TAA) and nonessential AA (NEAA) for PR goats but less (P<0.05) TAA and NEAA for ER goats at 125 days of gestation. After 6 weeks of nutritional recovery, plasma concentrations of most metabolic and hormonal parameters in restricted kids were similar to CON kids, except for reduced (P<0.05) insulin concentration in ER, and reduced (P<0.05) Asp concentration in PR and ER kids. These results provide information on potential metabolic mechanisms responsible for fetal programming.     

Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Goats VI.

Twelve kids, 5 1/2 months old, were inoculated intravenously with about 1 million colony forming units of a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strain isolated from goat. Nine of the animals had antibodies against the organism in the bacterial agglutination test and/or the hemolysis inhibition test before they were inoculated. Four kids developed acute toxemia and died 2–5 days after the inoculation. Three of these animals were negative in both the bacterial agglutination test and the hemolysis inhibition test, while the fourth was positive in the bacterial agglutination test only. Post mortem examination revealed severe icterus, anemia, hemoglobinuria and acute pneumonia with microabscess formation in 3 of the kids that died. Eight animals, all with antibodies against C. pseudotuberculosis, developed acute illness but survived the inoculation. These animals were sacrificed and examined post mortem 1 month after the experimental infection, and abscesses were demonstrated in internal organs in all cases. It is concluded that intravenous inoculation with C. pseudotuberculosis is not a suitable challenge system to study the prophylactic efficacy of vaccines against caseous lymphadenitis in goats.     

Clinical and Serological Response after Experimental Inoculation with Babesia Divergens of Newborn Calves with and without Maternal Antibodies

The influence of maternal antibodies on clinical and serological response after experimental inoculation with Babesia divergens of newborn calves was studied. Five calves, born to dams seropositive for B.divergens, (Group 1) had specific maternal antibodies when tested 12 h after their first feeding of colostrum. At that point they were inoculated i.v. with B.divergens infected erythrocytes. Five other calves, born to dams seronegative for B.divergens, (Group 2) had no Babesia specific maternal antibodies when inoculated at the same age. Babesia divergens organisms were demonstrated in blood smears from calves in both groups at some point 5 to 10 days p.i. All calves in both groups had B.divergens specific IgM antibodies at 7 to 17 days p.i. as shown by a modified IF-test. Specific IgG antibodies, transferred by colostrum, were found in all calves of Group 1 before inoculation of B.divergens. The IgG titre of these animals increased by a doubling dilution step at 11–25 days p.i. Among calves of Group 2 specific IgG antibodies were found at first between day 9 and 15 p.i. Both IgM and IgG antibody titres had to be investigated since demonstrated IgG antibodies can originate both from maternally transferred antibodies and from actively produced antibodies after an infection. There was no difference in clinical parameters; parasitaemia, PCV, Hb, and rectal temperature between the groups. This experiment gives evidence that there can be a resistance to bovine babesiosis in newborn calves independent of maternal antibodies.     

The Effect of Various Forms of Selenium Supplied to Pregnant Goats on the Levels of Selenium in the Body of Their Kids at the Time of Weaning

The aim of this trial was to compare the effect of long-term supplementation of goats with different forms of selenium on body reserves of selenium in their kids at the time of weaning. Thirty-three pregnant goats were divided into five groups. Group C was control while the other four groups were supplemented with selenium (Se) for 6 weeks before parturition (0.3 mg/goat/day) and after parturition (0.9 mg/goat/day). Group “Se-I” received sodium selenite and three other groups received organic forms: “Se-L,” lactate–protein complex; “Se-P,” Se-proteinate; and “Se-Y,” Se-yeast. The kids were weaned at 3 months of age and samples of tissues (liver, pancreas, myocardium, lungs, kidneys, spleen, thigh, tongue, and diaphragm) were taken after slaughtering. The long-term supplementation of goats with Se influenced Se concentration in all examined tissues of kids. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) were found between the control and all experimental groups, except for the renal cortex and pancreas (Se-I). The average increase of Se concentration in overall examined tissues in comparison with the control (100%) was as follows: Se-Y, 192%; Se-P, 167%; Se-L, 161%; Se-I, 144%. The highest efficiency was found in the group supplemented with Se-yeast with a high content of selenomethionine, also the other two organic forms of Se were more efficient than the inorganic form.     

The long-term effect of active immunization against inhibin in goats

This experiment addresses the long-term effect of active immunization of goats against a recombinant ovine inhibin α subunit (roIHN-α). In late anestrus 100 μg of roINH-α was administered to 40 pluriparous Boer goat does, followed, 4 weeks later, by a booster injection. Weekly blood samples were drawn to monitor the inhibin binding capacity with the aid of a radio-tracer binding assay. From the onset until 48 h after the end of each estrus, follicular development and ovulation rate were monitored at 24 h intervals by transrectal ultrasonography. Beginning in August and continuing into January, does were mated at every other estrus, and submitted to transcervical embryo collection. Seven months after the first immunization, the does were mated again and permitted to carry to term. All immunized does produced inhibin antibodies, an elevated titre being first detected 2 weeks after primary immunization. Maximum titres were reached after 6 weeks, i.e. 2 weeks after the booster injection. Thereafter, in the course of the following 32 weeks, the titre subsided gradually. The does started cycling by mid-August. At that stage the average number of follicles more than 4 mm in diameter, ovulations and total embryos and ova recovered were 14.7 (±2.3), 5.3 (±0.7) and 4.4 (±1.0), respectively. A steady decline followed and in January the corresponding means were: 5.2 (±0.6) follicles, 3.1 (±0.6) ovulations and 1.2 (±0.4) embryos and ova recovered. When mated toward the end of the breeding season, 85% of the does became pregnant to the first mating and 73% went to term. Healthy kids were born, the average litter size being 2.2 (±0.1). In conclusion, immunization of goats against a recombinant inhibin α-subunit proved to be a practicable means of producing embryos for transfer purposes. After about half a year, when the inhibin antibody titre has subsided, it is possible to return the does to the breeding flock without risking complications with normal breeding activity.     

Retardation of pubertal development by prenatal long days in goat kids born in autumn.

Goat kids born in spring attain sexual maturity during the first autumn after birth in temperate regions, at about 30 weeks of age. This study observed sexual development in autumn-born kids and the influence of late-summer, prenatal light treatment on onset of puberty. The breeding season of 14 female British Saanen dairy goats was artificially advanced by 4 months, using a treatment of long days during the winter followed by melatonin treatment in spring. Five goats were treated with a photoperiod of 20 h light:4 h dark (lights on 04.00 h) for 62.1 +/- 1.4 days (mean +/- SEM, n = 5) prepartum (14 August to 15 October). The remaining nine goats were kept under a natural photoperiod: 20 kids from these mothers were followed, five males and five females from each group. Testicular development was assessed by means of weekly measurement of scrotal circumference. Blood samples were taken once a week from all kids from 4 weeks of age for 5 months. Plasma was assayed for progesterone in females and testosterone in males. Autumn-born female kids initiated oestrous cyclicity in January, at a mean age of 12.8 +/- 0.8 weeks. Puberty onset was significantly delayed (P less than 0.03, unpaired Student's t test) in females exposed to 20 h light:4 h dark in utero and occurred at a mean age of 16.5 +/- 1.4 weeks. Testicular development was significantly delayed and plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in autumn-born male kids that experienced 20 h light:4 h dark in utero than in kids from mothers in a natural photoperiod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of a reputed immunostimulant on the innate immune system of goat kids

Forty newborn Majorera goats were randomly assigned to one of two groups. On the first day of life, the kids were fed atomized colostrum. The kids were subsequently fed a milk replacer (16% w/v) twice a day. The experimental group received two intramuscular doses of a reputed immunostimulant composed of a Propionibacterium acnes extract, Ochrobactrum intermedium lipopolysaccharides, and Proclin^® at 10 and 40 days of age, whereas, the control group received two doses of saline solution. Blood samples were collected weekly from kids age 10 to 66 days postpartum to measure the total and differential white blood cell counts, the plasma IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, and the activities of the total and the alternative complement systems. The white blood cell and the differential cell counts were the same for both groups. No statistical differences were found for the plasma IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations. Complement system activity was undetectable in both groups. Summarizing, the reputed immunostimulant did not affect the immune system of goats. Thus, veterinarians should carefully consider whether it is prudent to recommended this kind of product, because while it increases farmers’ expenses it apparently does not improve the state of the innate immune system of the neonatal goat.     

Immunity to equine herpesvirus 1 infection in foals during the first year of life.

A band of 23 pregnant mares on a Thoroughbred breeding farm all had serum virus-neutralizing antibody titres to equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). Antibody was not transferred to their foals in utero. All foals received antibody from colostrum and developed antibody titres similar to their dams. The serum virus-neutralizing antibody titres were observed in 10 of these foals for 1 year. Decay of passive immunity occurred at the rate of 3.25 two-fold dilutions in 100 days and reached zero at the mean time of 180 days. The foals were exposed to EHV-1 twice. Foals with a geometric mean titre of 1 : 25 experienced infection and a rise of titre, while those with a geometric mean titre of 1 : 76 resisted infection.     

Persistence of influenza serum antibodies in humans following immunization with a bivalent A/Victoria and A/New Jersey vaccine.

The persistence of serum antibodies 1 year after immunization with a bivalent vaccine containing recombinant viruses that were antigenically identical with A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) and A/New Jersey/8/76 (Hsw1N1) viruses was measured in 128 persons aged 18 to 65 years. Serum samples were tested with the hemagglutination inhibition assay against the two vaccine antigens and against A/Texas/1/77 (H3N2) and A/USSR/90/77 (H1N1) viruses. Prior to vaccination 56% and 79% of the participants had been found to be seronegative to A/Victoria and A/New Jersey antigens respectively; the geometric mean antibody titres were low (1:5 to 1:11) except in persons aged 51 to 65 years, whose mean titre of antibody to the A/New Jersey antigen was 1:23, and persons aged 26 to 35 years, whose mean titre of antibody to the A/USSR antigen was 1:25. By 3 weeks after vaccination 85% of the seronegative persons had a fourfold or greater rise in titres of antibodies to the viruses in the vaccine, and 70% had a fourfold increase in titre of antibody to the A/Texas antigen. Of the persons aged 26 to 35 years (seronegative and seropositive) 68% had a fourfold or greater increase in titre of antibody to the A/USSR antigen. There was no change in the mean titres of 19 unvaccinated control subjects during the observation period. At 6 and 12 months after vaccination the titres of antibodies to the A/Victoria and A/New Jersey antigens had declined moderately in all age groups from those observed 3 weeks after vaccination. The rate of decline was similar for the various antibodies except that to the A/USSR antigen in persons 26 to 35 years of age, in whom the decline was much slower.     

Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Goats IV.

Adult animals from 2 herds were examined clinically and serologically, 5 (Herd A) and 4 (Herd B) times during the same period of 3% years. Serum samples were examined for antibodies against Gorynebac-terium pseudotuberculosis using the bacterial agglutination test (BAT) and the hemolysis inhibition test (HIT). The results of the first examination showed that no animal in Herd A was seropositive, while in Herd B 1 animal showed a high positive titre in BAT. The prevalence of animals with superficial swellings was then 2 % in Herd A and 4 % in Herd B. In both herds, the prevalence of animals with superficial swellings and seropositive reactions increased during the following 1–2 yeairs. About 30 % of animals had superficial lesions and close to 100 % were seropositive. The proportion, of animals with superficial swellings and seropositive reactions was almost constant on subsequent examinations. In some of the animals, superficial swellings were found during 2 or more of the examinations, a few animals having such lesions at the same site on both or all occasions. Animals in Herd A became infected through grazing together with goats from infected herds. Caseous lymphadenitis was introduced into Herd B by animals obtained from infected herds.     

Differential effects of undernutrition during pregnancy on the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and on the establishment of mutual recognition

We investigated whether undernutrition during the second half of pregnancy impaired the behaviour of does and their kids at parturition and early mutual recognition. Twenty-two control and 22 underfed mixed-breed, multiparous dairy goats were used, together with their respective kids (control, n = 31: nine singles, 16 twins and six triplets; underfed, n = 32: 11 singles, 18 twins and three triplets). Undernutrition involved limiting protein and energy intake at 70% of the nutritional requirements for maintenance and foetal growth from day 70 of pregnancy until birth. The behaviour of mothers and their two first-born kids was observed for 90 min from the birth of each kid. Maternal olfactory recognition of the kid was assessed at 4 h post partum by testing selective nursing behaviour. Non-olfactory recognition was assessed at 8 h in a two-choice test excluding olfactory cues. In kids, preference for the mother was assessed in a two-choice test at either 12 or 24 h post partum. Bodyweight of does and kids were lower in the underfed group up to 2 weeks post partum. At parturition, licking, maternal bleating frequency and latency to nursing did not differ between nutritional groups. Control kids were faster than underfed kids to stand, search for and reach the udder, but underfed kids bleated more and tended to spend more time at the udder. Both control and underfed does accepted their own kid and rejected the alien in the selectivity test at 4 h. In contrast, at 8 h post partum, only control goats showed a significant preference for their own kid in the non-olfactory recognition test. Both control and underfed kids showed a preference for their own mother at 12 and 24 h and undernutrition during pregnancy had little influence on the performance of kids. However, 12 h-old underfed kids tended to be less active than control kids and visited their own mothers less than control kids. There were no significant correlations between the behaviour of the mother or of the kid at parturition and their performance in the discrimination tests. Overall, undernutrition in the second half of pregnancy appears to be more detrimental for the behaviour of the mother than for the kid. Furthermore, it has more impact on the establishment of maternal non-olfactory recognition than on maternal care at parturition or the establishment of maternal selectivity.     

Serological Investigation of Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection in Sheep–Correlation between the Hemolysis Inhibition Test and the ELISA Test

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis causes caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats. The animals may be infected without showing clinical symptoms. Several serotests have therefore been employed to detect infected animals. Shen et al (1982) performed an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against the organism using cell wall antigens. Maki et al (1985) found that the toxin of the bacterium was a better antigen for assessing infection in the ELISA test. They reported that the antitoxin ELISA appeared to be as sensitive as the antihemolysin inhibition test (Zaki 1968).