Abortion in laboratory animals induced by Moraxella bovis
Infection and Immunity
|May 1, 1979
Summary
Moraxella bovis injections caused abortion and embryo resorption in pregnant animals. Bacterial filtrates also induced abortion, with dose and animal species influencing the outcome.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Moraxella bovis is a bacterium known to cause various infections.
- The effects of M. bovis on pregnant animals are not fully understood.
- Investigating potential abortifacient properties of M. bovis is crucial for animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the abortifacient and toxic effects of Moraxella bovis in pregnant laboratory animals.
- To investigate the role of bacterial dose, animal species, and pregnancy stage in M. bovis-induced reproductive failure.
- To assess whether bacterial filtrates possess similar abortifacient properties.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits were injected with varying doses of live Moraxella bovis strain EPP-63(300).
- Reproductive outcomes including abortion, death, embryo resorption, and litter size were recorded.
- Bacteria-free filtrates from M. bovis cultures were prepared and administered to pregnant mice.
Main Results:
- Injections of M. bovis induced abortion, death, embryo resorption, and smaller litters in a dose-dependent manner.
- Mice experienced 100% abortion with 3 X 10(5) viable cells, while rats showed higher resorption rates but no abortions.
- Bacteria-free filtrates induced abortion in mice and guinea pigs similarly to live M. bovis, with lyophilized filtrates causing abortion without mortality.
Conclusions:
- Moraxella bovis possesses significant abortifacient properties in pregnant mammals.
- The reproductive toxicity of M. bovis is influenced by bacterial dosage, animal species, and pregnancy stage.
- M. bovis filtrates contain abortifacient components, suggesting toxins are responsible for reproductive failure.
