Transmission of enzootic Bovine Leukosis Infection

The aim of the study was to examine the transmission of Bovine Leukosis from cows to their progeny in natural conditions. The infection was, controlled, by different diagnostic method in the mother's sera, whole blood and leukocytes as well as in the sera; whole blood, leukocytes and selected organs of calves. The study examined 9 dairy cows having positive results of ID, ELISA; syncytial test,and nested PCR. Three positive,: results of the above diagnostic tests were obtained in 16-18 month old calves originating from BLV infected cows. The BLV infected calves with positive test results of whole blood and lymphocytes (no 3, 6, 9) also gave positive results in: the selected organs tested by nested-PCR. In effect, the DNA viral was found in the kidney, liver, spleen, cord muscle and mesenteric lymphonode of the calves. The proviral DNA of BLV was also detected in the organs in one of the control calves; however, this DNA was not found in whole blood and isolated lymphocytes.