Obstetrics and Genital Diseases

ASSIGNMENT: Non-infectious causes of abortion

SUBMITTED TO: Dr. Ghulam Hussain Dilbar sb.

SUBMITTED BY: 05,30,36

PROGRAM: DVM (7th Semester)

The Islamia University Of Bahawalpur

Non-infectious Causes of Abortion
Abortion in cattle:

Non-infectious causes of abortion in cows can include various factors such as:
1. Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate nutrition, particularly during critical stages of
pregnancy, can lead to abortion.Like vitamin A,C,E, calcium,selenium and iodine cause
stillbirth and weak calves. Complex processes are involved in the nutrient exchange of feto-
maternal axis and it is difficult to find out which nutrient deficiency causes abortion.
2. Toxins and : Ingestion of toxic plants can cause abortion.
 Plants with Abortifacient Properties: Certain plants like locoweed causes vasoconstriction
and pine needles cause premature parturation. Theycontain compounds that are toxic to
cows and can lead to abortion.
 Nitrates: High levels of nitrates in feed, often due to excessive fertilizer use or drought-
stressed plants, can lead to abortion. Hypoxic stress due to nitrate poisoning results in
cortisol release and subsequently leads to abortion.

3. Stress: High levels of stress due to transportation, extreme weather, or overcrowding can
trigger abortion. Stress exerts its effect by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis which results in activating ACTH and release of corticoids.
4. Genetic Abnormalities: Fetal genetic issues can result in spontaneous abortion. These defects
which may not cause a change in the phenotypes of the fetus probably result in abortion because
of the inability of the fetus to develop properly in the uterine environment.

5. Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal disturbances in the cow can interfere with pregnancy
maintenance.

6. Trauma or Injury: Physical trauma or rupture of amniotic vesicle or fetal heart or fetal blood
vessels take place then it may cause abortion the cow can lead to abortion.

7. Reproductive Disorders: Conditions like uterine torsion and twin pregrancy can contribute to
abortion.

8. Mycotoxins: Ingesting feed contaminated with mycotoxins, produced by molds, can cause
abortion. Zearalenone and ergot alkaloids are known to have abortifacient effect. Negative
effects of ergot alkaloids that have been observed in mares include stillbirths, reduced pregnancy
rate, abortions, prolonged gestation, poor mammary gland development, prolonged uterine
involution, placental and fetal abnormalities, obstructed labor, low prolactin and colostrum
production and agalactia . Zearalenone has estogenic activity and have capability to induce
abortion, reduce semen quality and do reproductive failure.

10. Heat Stress: Excessive heat stress during pregnancy can increase the risk of abortion.
Heat stress affects the reproductive performance of livestock reproductive tract, through
hormonal imbalance, decreased oocyte quality, poor semen quality, decreased embryo
development and survival. Heat stress causes embryonic death by the interfering with protein
synthesis, oxidative cell damage, reduction in successful pregnancy recognition and expression
of stress-related genes associated with apoptosis. Cattle and buffalo embryos are sensitive to
maternal heat stress during the first 2 weeks of gestation.

Reference: Non Infectious Causes of Abortion in Livestock Animals - A Review - Scientific

Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: (PDF) Non Infectious Causes of Abortion in Livestock
Animals - A Review (researchgate.net)