BoHV‐1 affects abortion and progesterone in dairy cows Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV‐1) seropositivity, progesterone levels and embryo loss of 30‐day‐old pregnant dairy cows in Zagros Industrial Dairy Farm in Shahrekord: Examination and analysis

BACKGROUND: Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV‐1) is a serious disease with severe negative economic effects on the global cattle sector, especially in Iran. OBJECTIVE: This cross‐sectional study was carried out to examine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of BoHV‐1 infection with progesterone levels and embryo death in 30‐day pregnant dairy cattle at Zagros Industrial Dairy Farm in Shahrekord, Iran. METHODS: Between December 2017 to February 2018, blood samples were obtained from 60 dairy cow herds. To determine whether BoHV‐1 was present, serum samples were examined using the ELISA for serum antibodies. To find progesterone (P4) in blood, the progesterone ELISA test was used. RESULTS: 96.7 % of sera tested positive for BoHV‐1 antibodies, according to the findings. Additionally, 60.34 % of blood samples that tested positive had an experience of abortion and significantly more inseminations that resulted in pregnancy, consistent with findings from other studies conducted in Iran and other nations. CONCLUSIONS: Since this study is the first to document the risk factor for BoHV‐1 infection in Shahrekord, Iran, we could infer that the virus is extensively dispersed in this area.