Caracterização da ovinocultura e ocorrência de epididimite infecciosa em ovinos da região médio norte de Mato Grosso

Abstract

Despite the large growth of sheep industry on Mato Grosso state, there is a lack of information about production systems and the occurrence of diseases as sheep infectious epididymitis. This study aimed characterize production systems, determine prevalence of anti-Brucella ovis antibodies, occurrence of clinical epididymitis and presence of B. ovis, Actinobacillus seminis and Histophilus somni, the main causes of ovine infectious epididymitis, on middle northern region of Mato Grosso. They were applied 40 questionnaires on properties with sheep production to characterize production systems. The antibodies anti-B. ovis prevalence were estimated by Agar Gel immunodiffusion, ate least 10% of the animals in 24 herds of studied region, including rams, that were submitted to clinical evaluation, and semen and urine collection. The presence of inflammatory infiltrate in semen were estimated by smear stained with quick Panotic kit. The presence of agents was identificated bacterial isolation and multiplex PCR on semen and urine samples. By questionnaires was identified prevalence of herds with fewer than 100 animals, semi-extensive farming, focused on meat production for family consumption. Of flocks, 52.5% do not receive technical assistance and 95.0% cited the occurrence at least one common disease. The B. ovis prevalence was 54.2% for flocks and 6.2% for animals. There were identified 16.9% of rams with clinical signs and 75.0% the presence of inflammatory infiltrate in ejaculate, characteristic of epididymitis. By combining applied diagnosis methods, 36.1% of rams were positive for A. seminis, 7.2% for B. ovis, and 2.4% for H. somni. Poor health management and lack of technical assistance favor occurrence of diseases, resulting on reduction of herd productivity and economic losses for producers. The detection of agents and occurrence of characteristic changes indicate the occurrence of infectious epididymitis in herds of studied region.