RESUMO A presente revisão objetivou apresentar os principais aspectos relacionados à infecção causada pelo vírus da língua azul em ovinos. A língua azul é uma doença viral, infecciosa e não contagiosa, causada por um vírus (BTV) do gênero Orbivírus, transmitida por meio de vetores hematófagos do gênero Culicoides a ruminantes domésticos e selvagens, principalmente aos ovinos, a espécie mais susceptível. A infecção ocorre de forma endêmica, associada a condições climáticas com elevada temperatura e umidade. As perdas econômicas estão ligadas diretamente à morte, ao abortamento, à perda de peso, à perda na produção de leite e carne, e, indiretamente, devido à restrição na exportação de animais e seus subprodutos. O estudo conclui que a língua azul está disseminada mundialmente e persiste, provavelmente, devido ao clima quente e úmido que propicia a proliferação de Culicoides sp., sendo necessário adotar medidas que diminuam os fatores de risco associados à infecção pelo vírus.

ABSTRACT The present review aims to show the main aspects related to bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in sheep. The bluetongue (BT) is a viral, infectious, and non-contagious disease caused by a virus (BTV) of the Orbivirus genus, transmited by a hematophagous vector of the Culicoides genus, to domestic and wild ruminants, mainly to sheep, the most susceptible species. It is caused by the association of endemic with climate conditions, with high temperatures and humidity. Economic loss is directly linked to death, abortion, weight loss, loss of milk, and meat production, and, indirectly, to the restriction on the export of animals and their by-products. The study concludes that the BTV is worldwidely spread, and probably persists due to the warm and humid climate that leads to the proliferation of Culicoides sp., being necessary to adopt measures that reduce the risk factors associated to the BTV infection.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of ewes subjected to a short-term protocol for estrus induction using 1 mg of Norgestomet during the non-breeding season in Brazil. A total of 84 ewes were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 42 per group). Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) containing 330 mg progesterone was inserted into the vagina in the first 42 ewes, and for the other 42 ewes in the second group, 1 mg of Norgestomet was placed subcutaneously in the convex surface of the ear. Implants and devices were removed in both groups on day 6. Following the removal of implants and devices, 10 mg of PGF2α and 300 IU of eCG were injected in all the ewes. After 48 h of application, three fertile rams were added to the herd. Ewes and rams were kept together for four days. Rams were removed on day 12, and after 42 days, pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound scanning. Short-term protocols using either an intravaginal device or ear implant were similarly effective to estrus induction (95.23 vs. 92.85%), and all ewes from both groups had estrus manifestation within 72 h after implant removal (72±9 h). In addition, no significant difference in pregnancy rate was observed between ewes treated with the intravaginal device and ear implant protocols (52.38 vs. 57.14%). These results suggest that 1 mg of Norgestomet is a good alternative for short-term protocols for estrus induction/synchronization during the non-breeding season in ewes. It is possible to replace the progesterone-releasing intravaginal device by the ear implant and obtain the same reproductive effectiveness in ewes.