Showing papers on "White Muscle Disease published in 1989"

Studies on serum selenium and tocopherol in white muscle disease of foal.

Abstract: In order to clarify the cause of white muscle disease (W.M.D.) in foals, tocopherol and selenium concentrations in serum and glutathione peroxidase activities in blood were measured. Examination was made on the samples from horses affected with W.M.D., the foal kept with them in the same stable, the foals kept in the stables without affected foals, and respective mares. The heavy-breed horses in Fukuoka prefecture and Tokachi district were also examined for comparison. Serum tocopherol levels of these foals were normal because after intake of colostrum. Mares of affected foals showed lower tocopherol levels than other examined mares (p less than 0.01). Serum selenium levels of all foals were below 65 ppb, showing deficient levels. The mares of affected foals had lower selenium levels than other mares (p less than 0.01). There was a good correlation between serum selenium concentration and blood glutathione peroxidase activity (r = 0.81). Selenium levels in the liver of affected foals were lower than the foals which succumbed with other diseases. Diet supplied in the stables with affected foals showed low alpha-tocopherol and selenium contents. These findings suggest that W.M.D. in foals is attributed to nutritional muscular dystrophy caused by tocopherol and selenium deficiency of their mares in late gestation period.

Studies on serum tocopherol and selenium levels and blood glutathione peroxidase activities in lambs with white muscle disease.

Abstract: For the investigation of the cause of white muscle disease (WMD), tocopherol (Toc) and selenium (Se) levels and blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were examined using lambs with WMD and their ewes. Serum Se levels of 4 lambs with WMD were low under 30 ppb, lambs showing very low levels below 15 ppb. The serum Se level was correlated with blood GSH-Px activity showing remarkably low activities in the lambs with WMD. Se contents in the organs of lambs with WMD were lower than those of control lambs, and particularly liver Se contents were deficient levels below 50 ppb. Serum Toc levels were normal, but alpha-Toc contents in organs showed very low levels, especially in the liver. The serum Toc and Se levels and blood GSH-Px activities of their ewes and other sheep kept in the same farm revealed similar results to those of lambs with WMD. Feedstuffs supplied on the farm showed the deficient level of the Se content below 50 ppb and a very low level of alpha-Toc. It was concluded that WMD of lambs in Hokkaido was nutritional muscular dystrophy resulted from deficiencies of Toc and Se to their ewes.

Clinical and Clinicopathological Observations of White Muscle Disease in Heavy Breed Foals

Abstract: Clinicopathological findings of white muscle disease in three heavy breed foals, in the Tokachi district of Hokkaido were examined. The foals showed the clinical signs of recumbency, difficulty in sucking, tachycardia and tachypnea within one day of birth and then died within 2 days of their onset. Pathological examination revealed severe mydegeneration of the skeletal muscle, tongue and diaphragm, but the myocardium was not affected. Serum enzyme activities (GOT,CPK,LDH) increased markedly. The levels of serum selenium of affected foals and their mares were markedly low, below 65ppb, while tocopherol levels were normal. However, in organs of affected foals there existed very low concentrations of selenium and tocopherol. Selenium content in feedstuffs was deficient at levels below 50ppb in dry matter, and tocopherol levels in most of the samples were also below 3 mg/100g in dry matter. It was considered that white muscle disease in the heavy breed foals was caused by selenium and tocopherol deficiency of their mares. ―J. Jpn. Vet. Med. Assoc., 42, 615•`619 (1989).

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity as an indicator of selenium status in an intensively-managed beef herd.

Abstract: A survey of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was undertaken in a herd of crossbred cattle after 3 cases of white muscle disease had been diagnosed. All animals examined, appeared to be deficient in selenium, relative to control animals sampled. Oral administration of sodium selenite or sodium biselenite was followed within 30 d by an increase in erythrocyte GPx activity. Despite an apparent improvement in the selenium status of cows after supplementation with selenium, no difference was seen in the conception rate after artificial insemination.