Comparison of G-banded chromosomes from clinically normal lambs and lambs affected with ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (spider syndrome)

Lymphocytes from 5 clinically normal lambs and 5 lambs affected with ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (spider syndrome) were cultured, G-banded, and karyotyped. Fifty metaphase karyotypes and one heterogram were evaluated for chromosome number and morphologic features. All lambs had normal diploid (2n) chromosome numbers of 54,XX or 54,XY, and there were no apparent differences in the morphologic features of the chromosomes.     

Entropion in newborn lambs

The Entropion in newborn lambs could be proved so far in 8 sheep-breeds and 7 cross-breeds out of 33 flocks in the Federal Republic of Germany. In our patients the Entropion was found at the lower eyelid only. The owners of the animals often mistake the Entropion for an ophthalmia. An early diagnosis and an early beginning of the therapy keep the expenditure of treatment small and shorten the period of treatment; therefore examination is commendable within a short time after birth. Female lambs get clearly more often affected than male ones (Gynecotropia). In small pure-bred flocks with only one breeding-ram (and also in breeds with a limited population) the percentage of suffering lambs is higher than in large and crossed flocks with several rams and in large populations (except the breed "Heidschnucke"). In agreement with the literature it must be supposed that different genes are responsible for the Entropion. The selection of ill animals and those which are suspected of transmitting the disposition is evidently appropriate to lower the number of attacks of illness within a population considerably. All 47 affected eyes of 32 lambs were treated. Low degrees of Entropion were healed by repeated manual eversion plus application of antibiotic eye-ointment. In middle and high degrees of Entropion the application of Michel-wound-clamps on 23 of 26 eyes was successful; antibiotic eye-ointment was applied here, too; additionally these lambs prophylactically got 2000 I.U. of Tetanus-antitoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma erythropoietin in newborn lambs

In the present study early postnatal changes in erythropoietin (Epo) level and hemoglobin concentration in 8 lambs were examined. Plasma Epo was estimated by a monoclonal enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA), developed for human Epo. In all the lambs, except one, Epo was low, or undetectable, immediately after birth. Within 6-12 h after birth, a marked increase in plasma Epo was found in 4 of the lambs. Within 3-7 days after birth, Epo was back to low levels. In the lamb with high Epo levels at birth, drastic decreases were observed during the next 6 h. There was no obvious correlation between the hemoglobin concentrations and the changes in plasma Epo.     

Observations on watery mouth in newborn lambs

Clinical data were collected from 102 cases of watery mouth in newborn lambs, and blood samples were taken from 23 of the lambs for the estimation of glucose and gamma globulin. Most cases (80%) occurred in the first 72 h of life and castration of ram lambs with rubber rings at 12 to 24 h of age appeared to be one predisposing factor. Swelling of the abdomen, probably due to an accumulation of gas in the gut, was commonly observed. There was no relation between susceptibility to watery mouth and the plasma levels of either glucose or immunoglobulin G but low plasma glucose levels were found in the lambs which died. These results suggest 1) that the incidence of watery mouth might be reduced by delaying castration, 2) that watery mouth is associated with impaired gut motility and 3) that the prevention of starvation would help to reduce mortality to a minimum.     

A lower motor neuron disease in newborn Romney lambs

AIM: To determine the cause and nature of a disease in newborn New Zealand Romney lambs characterised by progressive weakness and premature death. METHODS: Affected lambs were examined clinically, humanely killed and submitted to necropsy. Selected fonmalin-fixed tissues were examined histologically. Data on the parentage of the lambs were collected. RESULTS: The principle lesions found were degeneration and loss of neurons in ventral horns of the spinal cord and brain stem and Wallerian degeneration of motor nerves and denervation atrophy of skeletal muscles fibres. CONCLUSION: The lesions are those of a lower motor neuron disease which appeared to have a genetic cause.     

Skeletal deformities associated with nutritional congenital rickets in newborn lambs

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A group of 545 pregnant rising 2-year-old Coopdale ewes on a Southland sheep farm were grazed over winter on a fodder beet (Beta vulgaris) crop. Subsequently, 45 out of approximately 750 lambs were born with a variety of skeletal deformities, including shortened limbs, varus and valgus angular limb deformities, palmar grade stance and cranial bowing of the carpus. Analysis of the crop showed the fodder beet contained a low percentage of phosphorus. In addition, 60 out of 460 rising 2-year-old ewes that had been grazed on the fodder beet crop as 1-year-olds had incisor abnormalities and malocclusion.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Two affected lambs (1-day-old and 3-days-old) with representative clinical signs examined postmortem were found to have markedly enlarged costochondral junctions, and noticeably enlarged long bone metaphyses. In addition, one lamb had a dense band of metaphyseal sclerosis beneath the physes of all long bones examined. Histopathological findings included small islands and columns of chondrocytes and eosinophilic cartilage matrix present in the metaphysis. Metaphyseal trabeculae were disorganised and often lined by accumulations of pale pink osteoid; similar pale pink osteoid was also present in the cortices. Unerupted molar teeth in the affected lambs lacked a layer of enamel, and the dentine was irregular with globular basophilia.

DIAGNOSIS: The gross and histopathological lesions were consistent with a diagnosis of rickets.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nutritional congenital rickets has not been previously diagnosed in sheep, but is a recognised disease of human infants with vitamin D deficient mothers. The rickets in affected lambs was most likely associated with phosphorus deficiency as a result of the pregnant ewes grazing fodder beet during gestation. While vitamin D deficiency was not definitively ruled out in these cases, practitioners are alerted to the possible effects of feeding phosphorus-deficient fodder beet to ewes for long periods during gestation and to 1-year-old sheep during important growth periods.