Managing Bovine Trichomoniasis in the Female

Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the extracellular protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus, an obligate parasite of the reproductive tract of cattle. Infections in cows cause endometritis, cervicitis, vaginitis which may result in early embryonic death, abortion, pyometra, fetal maceration, or infertility. The major economic losses associated with T. foetus are due to: 1) reduced calf crop due to early embryonic loss or abortion, 2) reduced weaning weight due to delayed conception, and 3) culling and replacement of infected cattle. Due to the inability to use efficacious drugs, such as the nitromidazoles, for control and prevention of T. foetus infections in food animals, most control efforts have targeted identification and elimination of positive bulls, systemic immunization of cows and bulls, and management strategies to prevent introduction of the organism into the herd. This paper will review trichomoniasis in the female and discuss pathogenesis of disease, transmission, consequences of infection, immunity, diagnostic techniques, and control and prevention strategies. [...]