in birth fluids does not alter the infectivity of the prions. Naturally or experimentally infected does and ewes transmit the infection to the lambs, even when placentas have little PrP^SC. PrP^SC is shed at a higher percentage in sheep placentas (52-72%) than in goat placenta (5-10%) in study trials at the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Detectable PrP^SC has been reported in the feces of sheep both in the terminal and the early preclinical