The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on some productive aspects in a Sardinian sheep flock from Italy.

The effects of ovine lentivirus infection on the fat, protein and lactose concentrations on the somatic cell counts in ewes' milk, on milk production and on the birth weight and growth of lambs were studied in a flock of Sardinian sheep from central Italy. Data on 61 lactations of ewes positive to both the agargel immunodiffusion test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared with those on 46 lactations of seronegative ewes. Confounders such as parity, age, lactation length, litter size, and the sex of the lambs were considered. None of these traits seemed to be negatively influenced by the infection.