Pathogens and Pregnancy Failure in Domestic Animals

Infection is a major cause of pregnancy failure in eutherian mammals. While late term abortion is often the most overt symptom of pregnancy failure, subclinical infections can compromise pregnancy throughout its course from conception through to parturition. Reproductive pathogens are diverse, and can be either viral, bacterial, fungal or protozoan. They may act directly as primary pathogens or opportunistic infections compromising the materno-fetal unit. However, while these infections are diverse in their origin and their modes of action, their negative effects on pregnancy directly and negatively impact upon not only animal welfare, but also in the case of farm livestock compromising sustainability and leading to significant economic losses.

The aim of this Research Topic in Frontiers in Veterinary Science is to gather the most recent advances related to the impacts of infection upon pregnancy. Therefore, the scope of the collection includes molecular, microbiological, and epidemiological studies into pathogens, which have a potentially negative impact upon all aspects of pregnancy including conception, implantation, and placentation through to successful parturition. Reviews and Original Research Articles are sought; however, while we are welcoming articles across a range of disciplines, we are not looking for case reports.