Reducing Brucella melitensis-Related Abortion in Nellore Ewes Using Oral Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Abstract

Aim: An attempt was made to prevent pregnancy loss due to Brucella melitensis in 90 pregnant ewes belonging to Mr. Ramana Reddy, Ramapuram, Annamayya District, Andhra Pradesh during 2024-25. Study Design: A total of 90 pregnant ewes were included in the study from November 17, 2024, they were administered a 7-day course of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets at a dosage of 10 mg. Place and Duration of Study: Mr. Ramana Reddy Farm, Ramapuram, Annamayya District, Andhra Pradesh during 2024-25 Methodology: Brucella melitensis is the primary etiological agent of brucellosis in small domestic ruminants.   B. melitensis remains endemic and associated with an extensive negative impact on the productivity and reproductivity of flocks prevalent in most sheep-raising regions in the world. B. melitensis infection causes abortion, stillbirths and the birth of weak offspring, and occasionally epididymo-orchitis in goats and sheep. The treatment with antibiotics is costly and protracted due to the intracellular growth of the pathogen. Even after treatment, recurrence of infection is very common. Vaccination with B. melitensis is second alternative but consumes lot of state budget but calls for number of veterinary personal and the availability of the vaccine. The next best alternative is to study the efficacy of long actingsynthetic progesterone. The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progesterone hormone, was studied in 90 threatened ewes with 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 7 days orally and continuously. The infection was detected with the Rose Bengal Precipitation test and further confirmed with Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: Out of 90 treated sheep, 87 (96.6%) ewes had normal lambing.  Conclusion: The reason for the profound reduction in the abortion incidence may be due to anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-microbial effects and replenishment of inhibited progesterone, necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy.