To evaluate transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected ewes, blood samples were collected from 55 pregnant ewes and their offspring, before ingestion of colostrum. From 16 offspring of positive ewes and nine offspring from negative ewes, blood samples were obtained after 48 h and 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after birth. T. gondii antibodies were detected in serum samples using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64). Four of the 30 positive ewes (13.3 %) had offspring positive for T. gondii before ingesting colostrum (vertical transmission). The colostrum antibody titers decreased every week, and only 20 % (2/10) of the lambs in continued to present detectable antibody titers until day 56 after birth. Therefore, vertical transmission of T. gondii in lambs was indication of occur and is an important route for transferring and maintaining the agent in sheep herds in the Brazilian semiarid region.

为了评估弓形虫在自然感染母羊中的胎盘传播，在摄入初乳之前，从55头怀孕母羊及其后代中采集了血样。在出生后48 h和7、14、21、28、35、42、49和56天后，从16头母羊的后代和9头母羊的后代中采集血液。使用间接荧光抗体测试（IFAT≥64）在血清样品中检测到弓形虫。30株阳性母羊中有4株（13.3％）的后代对刚地弓形虫呈阳性摄入初乳（垂直传播）之前。初乳抗体滴度每周减少一次，直到出生后第56天，只有20％（2/10）的羔羊继续呈现可检测的抗体滴度。因此，刚地弓形虫在羔羊中的垂直传播是发生这种情况的标志，并且是在巴西半干旱地区绵羊群中传播和维持该病原体的重要途径。