PROTECTION OF THE BOVINE FETUS FROM BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS BY MEANS OF A NEW INACTIVATED VACCINE

A model is described for the validation of vaccines designed to protec t the bovine fetus from bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), The fetop athic nature of the challenge strain of virus was confirmed and the me thod used to test a commercial vaccine (Bovidec) developed from a Comp ton prototype, Heifers were vaccinated two or three times about the ti me of impregnation and challenged when they were between 25 and 80 day s of gestation, There was no evidence of a viraemia in the heifers aft er the challenge, or of infection with BVDV of 13 liveborn calves or t wo aborted fetuses.