​Evaluation of Various Biochemical Parameters in the Serum and Tissues of Lambs with White Muscle Disease

Background: In this study, the effects of White Muscle Disease (WMD) on certain blood parameters, MDA and GSH levels in liver and thyroid tissues and the thyroid hormones were investigated in sheep. Methods: Sixteen lambs (8 with WMD, 8 controls) of similar age, 3 to 50 days old, selected from the same region were used in the study. Blood samples were taken from all animals. One ml Vitamin E + Se were injected (I/M) to the lambs with WMD and blood and tissue samples were collected after the treatment as well. The serum Ca, P, T3, T4, albumin, globulin, total protein, glutathione (GSH) values were analyzed by an auto-analyzer. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH amounts of the liver and thyroid tissues were also determined. Result: The low Ca ion amount in lambs with WMD was found to have increased after injections of vitamin E + Se. P levels followed the same pattern. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels increased after treatment. It was determined that there was a decrease in T3 levels and an increase in T4 levels in patient lamb sera. The levels of GSH in both the liver and thyroid tissues were found to have decreased and statistical significance (at what level) was only found for the liver GSH levels. MDA levels in the hepatic and thyroid tissues were found to have slightly increased in the WMD group. In conclusion, serum differences in Ca, P, albumin, globulin, total protein, T3, T4, GSH, GSH and MDA levels were statistically significant between the groups.

Ultrasonography of the Cardiopulmonary System in Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

This article reviews the normal cardiac chamber appearance and quantitative dimensions in healthy dromedary camels. Besides, it shows results of ultrasonography of the lungs and pleura and its dimensions in camels. First part of the review deals with technique of echocardiography of the normal camel heart and cardiac dimensions, echocardiographic protocol and the results of the right and left parasternal ultrasonograms. It also reviews the minimum, maximum, mean values, standard deviations and coefficient of variation for the internal echocardiographic measurements in healthy camels. Second part of this review article deals with pulmonary ultrasonography and its technique and ultrasonographic finding in healthy camels. It also reviews the measurements for the dorsal and the ventral lung borders and the resulting dorsoventral dimensions of the right and left lungs. Both first and second parts are then followed by practical application of cardiopulmonary ultrasonography in camel medicine. This section shows in order the ultrasonographic findings in camels with white muscle disease (Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency), chronic pneumonia and pleuropneumonia in diseased camels.

Selenium-sulphur effects on the chemical composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Verko)

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, and the ability of some crops to accumulate Se is crucial for human and animal nutrition and health. Se deficiency can cause white muscle disease characterized by muscle weakness, heart failure, unthriftiness, and death in livestock. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sulphur (S) on Se concentration in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Verko) as a nonhyperaccumulator plant. Alfalfa plants grown in the field were treated foliarly with 3 g Se ha−1 solutions of selenate, 3 g S ha−1 sulphate, and both. The concentration of Se in both the leaves and stems of plants was similar in the control and S-treated plants. Se concentration in plants treated with S was undetectable, as expected. S was shown to enhance Se accumulation in alfalfa. Furthermore, although foliar Se + S spray increased biomass, photosynthetic pigments decreased peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde content. Overall, results suggested that foliar Se + S spray can be applied as a biofortification to improve alfalfa plants with appropriate amounts of Se and better nutritional as well as functional quality.

White muscle disease in three selenium deficient beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay

ABSTRACT: White muscle disease (WMD), nutritional myodegeneration or enzootic muscular dystrophy, is a nutritional condition associated with selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in ruminants. These elements are constituents of the major body antioxidant systems. Depletion of selenium results in oxidative damage to cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, resulting in myodegeneration and myonecrosis, typical lesions of WMD. Selenium deficiency is common in South America, but WMD is underreported. This research describes clinical, biochemical and pathological findings in two episodes of WMD associated with selenium deficiency in beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay with concurrent copper deficiency in one of them, which resulted in spontaneous calf mortality. Further studies are necessary to estimate the true incidence and economic impact of clinical and subclinical mineral deficiencies in livestock production systems in the southern cone of South America.

Retinol, α-Tocopherol and Vitamin D3 in White MuscleDisease

Vitamins are essential for the health of all living organisms. Vitamins E, A, D and K are known as fat-soluble vitamins, and deprivation of vitamin E causes various disorders, especially in the reproduction and cardiovascular systems and in muscle functions. Vitamin A, on the other hand, has roles in various biological functions – like eyesight – and the growth, reproduction and differentiation of epithelial cells. Vitamin A deficiency leads to the keratinization of the epithelium, and disorders related to the metaplasies of the genital and genitourinary systems. Conversely, vitamin D is defined as a pro-hormone and is responsible for Cahomeostasis, and thus indirectly affects the bone metabolism, bone structure, and cellular and neural functions of Ca. White muscle disease (WMD) can occur in newborn lambs, but is more commonly seen in lambs of up to 3 months of age. In this study, 30 lambs of 3 to 50-days-old from different flocks diagnosed with White Muscle Disease (WMD) were selected as research material, while the control group consisted of 8 healthy lambs. With the aim of clarifying the cause of WMD, serum fat-soluble vitamins, retinol, α-tocopherol and vitamin D3 levels were determined in 16 lambs. Gluteal and heart musclet issue samples also were taken from 30 lambs with WMD. The vitamin levels of the samples were analysed by HPLC. The levels of serum α-tocopherol, retinols, and vitamin D3 were foundto be low in the diseased animals, but only retinol (p<0.001) and α-tocopherol (p<0.0011) level differences were statistically relevant. Macroscopically, Zenker’s necrosis was determined in the heart muscles of 17 lambs, and in the gluteal and chest muscles of 6 lambs. 7 lambs displayed necrosis in both their heart and in gluteal muscles. The samples were analyzed microscopically to reach similar findings: swollen homogeneous pink muscles, pycnotic nuclei, and hyperaemic and haemorrhagic blood vessels in gluteal, chest and heart muscles. Hyaline degeneration and Zenker's necrosis, dystrophic regions in necrotic areas, cc was detected as a severe disease in lambs at an early stage of life with advanced degeneration in different muscle tissues. Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins was also detected in the sick animals. Control group lambs had higher levels of α tocopherol and retinol (p<0.001) compared to the sick lambs. .

Retinol, α-tocopherol and vitamin D3 in White MuscleDisease

Vitamins are essential for the health of all living organisms. Vitamins E, A, D and K are known as fat-soluble vitamins, and deprivation of vitamin E causes various disorders, especially in the reproduction and cardiovascular systems and in muscle functions. Vitamin A, on the other hand, has roles in various biological functions – like eyesight – and the growth, reproduction and differentiation of epithelial cells. Vitamin A deficiency leads to the keratinization of the epithelium, and disorders related to the metaplasies of the genital and genitourinary systems. Conversely, vitamin D is defined as a pro-hormone and is responsible for Cahomeostasis, and thus indirectly affects the bone metabolism, bone structure, and cellular and neural functions of Ca. White muscle disease (WMD) can occur in newborn lambs, but is more commonly seen in lambs of up to 3 months of age. In this study, 30 lambs of 3 to 50-days-old from different flocks diagnosed with White Muscle Disease (WMD) were selected as research material, while the control group consisted of 8 healthy lambs. With the aim of clarifying the cause of WMD, serum fat-soluble vitamins, retinol, α-tocopherol and vitamin D3 levels were determined in 16 lambs. Gluteal and heart musclet issue samples also were taken from 30 lambs with WMD. The vitamin levels of the samples were analysed by HPLC. The levels of serum α-tocopherol, retinols, and vitamin D3 were foundto be low in the diseased animals, but only retinol (p<0.001) and α-tocopherol (p<0.0011) level differences were statistically relevant. Macroscopically, Zenker’s necrosis was determined in the heart muscles of 17 lambs, and in the gluteal and chest muscles of 6 lambs. 7 lambs displayed necrosis in both their heart and in gluteal muscles. The samples were analyzed microscopically to reach similar findings: swollen homogeneous pink muscles, pycnotic nuclei, and hyperaemic and haemorrhagic blood vessels in gluteal, chest and heart muscles. Hyaline degeneration and Zenker's necrosis, dystrophic regions in necrotic areas, cc was detected as a severe disease in lambs at an early stage of life with advanced degeneration in different muscle tissues. Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins was also detected in the sick animals. Control group lambs had higher levels of α tocopherol and retinol (p<0.001) compared to the sick lambs. .