Vaccination with the recombinant chimeric antigen recNcMIC3-1-R induces a non-protective Th2-type immune response in the pregnant mouse model for N. caninum infection

► Vaccination of mice with NcMIC3-1-R did not protect against fetal infection. ► NcMIC3-1-R induced Th2-immune response and IgG1 antibodies. ► In the non-pregnant mouse model, a mixed Th1/Th2 response was elicited. ► Vaccination with crude Neospora extract induced partial protection. ► Crude extract elicited a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine response.