Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of giving a Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Viral Diarrhea, Parainfluenza-3, Respiratory Syncytial (IBR-BVD-PI3-BRS) virus vaccine on the vaccination response, the reproductive performance and the prevalence of the diseases related to these viruses. A total of 164 dairy cattle, 103 cows (1-7 lactations) and 61 heifers (13-31 months old) were divided into 2 equal groups vaccinated (VC) and non-vaccinated (NVC). The NVC group was injected with 0.9% normal saline. The vaccination reaction was observed for 3 days after administration. Blood samples were collected before vaccination and 1, 6 and 12 months after the vaccination to measure the level of IBR antibodies. No tissue reaction was found in either group. The vaccination responses (both the number of animals and antibody titers) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the VC group. Vaccination did not affect milk production during the 5 days post vaccination (p>0.05). Reproductive performances were not significantly different (p>0.05) between VC group and NVC group with days open (153.2 vs. 178.5 days), conception rate at first service (39.2 vs. 36.4 %), number of services/conception (2.3 vs. 2.6), calf mortality (7.8 vs. 10.9%) and the birth of weakly calves or neonatal calf death (3.9 vs. 6.2%). The prevalence of any disease could not be related to viral infections. The results of this study showed that the level of IBR antibody was increased as was a trend to improved reproductive performance.