BACTERIAL ENDOTOXEMIA AND REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS IN RUMINANTS

Endotoxemia in cattle and small ruminants induces a series of events t hat lead to a well-recognized clinical syndrome. The reproductive func tion can also be seriously affected, ranging from infertility to abort ion. Mechanisms involved in infertility range from hormonal alteration s, shortening of the estrous cycle length, and alteration of uterine t ube motility. In pregnant animals, endotoxemia can have embryotoxic or abortifacient effects depending on the species involved and the timin g of exposure.