Antibodies against Salmonella is associated with reduced reproductive success in female alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

Abstract

Microbial infections that affect reproduction are poorly studied in wildlife because reproductive disorders usually go unnoticed. However, such infections are a major concern in domestic ungulates, which raises the question of their influence on reproductive success and population dynamics of wild ungulates. Three bacterial abortive infections are frequent in domestic ruminants: salmonellosis caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis, enzootic abortion caused by Chlamydophila abortus , and Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii . They induce abortions and neonatal mortality in sheep ( Ovis aries L., 1758), goat ( Capra hircus L., 1758), and cattle ( Bos taurus L., 1758). However, little information is known about these bacteria in wild ungulates, particularly in mountain ungulates that may share alpine pastures with infected domestic ruminants. We investigated the relationship between female serological status against Salmonella, Chlamydophila, and Coxiella and her reproductive success. From 1986 to 2003, the reproductive and serological statuses of 125 female chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra (L., 1758)) aged 2–10 years were available. Reproductive success was the lowest for 2-year-old females and for females born at the highest density. Moreover, we showed for the first time in a wild ungulate population that females with high titer in antibodies against Salmonella experienced a decrease in their reproductive success. Titers in antibodies against Chlamydophila and Coxiella were not related to the reproductive success of female chamois.