The Corpus fibule in Sheep (Ovis ammon f. aries) – its Ontogeny and Reduction or Persistence from Fetal Age to Adulthood

The corpus fibulae (CF) in sheep is represented by a cartilaginous anlage during early embryogenesis, which may calcify and ossify with ongoing gestation and finally towards term is supposed to be replaced by a connective tissue cord called ligamentum fibulare (LF). A recent study in goat (Boos A and T Bartels, 2002), however, revealed that 58 % of the animals examined exhibited a pin‐shaped bone within the LF. This indicates that a complete transformation of the anlage of the CF to a connective tissue cord is not performed in all goats raising the question of existing parallels in sheep. Forty‐two fetuses and lower legs of 18 lambs and 100 sheep being elder than 2 years were collected at the slaughterhouse. Radiographs and macerated or enzymatically cleared and stained lower legs were assessed for the expression of a CF. In 28 of 42 fetuses (66%), 11 of 18 lambs (61%) and 48 of 100 adult sheep (48%) at least one cartilaginous – only fetal period – or osseous CF could be detected. Differences between groups were significant (Chi‐square test, P < 0.05). In 2, 3 and 15 animals, respectively, only a unilateral expression was evident. In early fetuses, the fibula either consisted of a long anlage having the length of the tibia or of a long proximal and a short distal part paralleling the tibia. In somewhat larger fetuses the CF was composed only of the proximal part or even completely lacked (crown rump length 7.5 ± 1.5 vs. 11.2 ± 2.4 and 12.2 ± 2.0 cm, respectively). Pre‐term fetuses, lambs and adult sheep were devoid of a CF (n = 5/7, 7/11 and 52/100, respectively) or exhibited a pin‐shaped bone of varying length within the LF. This osseous CF was either in close contact to the caput fibulae (n = 6 animals) – always separated by connective tissue – or located more distally. In the latter cases the centre of the osseous pin was usually situated at a level between the proximal and intermediate thirds of the tibia. Results suggest that the corpus fibulae in sheep may persist in many individuals (50%) as a pin‐shaped bone throughout life. Reference Boos, A., and T. Bartels, 2002: Ann. Anat. 184, 289–293     

β-Carotin und Follikel-Lutein-Zysten beim Rind*

Inhalt Um die mögliche ätiologische Rolle eines β-Carotinmangels für die Genese von Follikel-Lutein-Zysten des Rindes abzuklären, wurden Geschlechtsorgane und Blutproben am örtlichen Schlachthof gesammelt. Die β-Carotinkonrentrationen wurden in Petrolatherextrakten uon Blutserum- und verseiften Luteingewebeproben, die von Rindern mit solchen Zysten oder mit zyklischen Gelbkörpern stammten, photometrisch bestimmt. Die mittlere β-Carotinkonzentration im Serum von 12 zystentragenden Tieren war signifikant niedriger als bei 12 Tieren mit zyklischen Gelbkörpern (0,7 ± 0,5 us. 2,2 ± 1,4μg/ml; p ≤ 0,01). Die mittleren β-Carotinkonzentrationen im Luteingewebe progesteronproduzierender Follikel-Lutein-Zysten und Gelbkörper unterschieden sich nicht signifikant (11,7 ± 13,6 vs. 8,7 ± 10,6 μg/g; p > 0,05; n = 5, n = 6). Die β-Carotinkonrentrationen im Luteingewebe und im Blutserum von Tieren mit progesteronserernierenden Zysten und Gelbkörpern waren signifikant positiv korreliert (r = 0,61 und r = 0,81; p ≤ 0,01). Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine wichtige Bedeutung des β-Carotinmangels bei der Entstehung von Follikel-Lutein-Zysten beim Rind. Contents: β-carotene and luteinized follicular cysts in cattle To evaluate the possible etiological role of β-carotene deficiency in the genesis of luteinired follicular cysts in the bovine, genital organs and blood were obtained from the local abattoir. β-carotene concentrations were quantified photometrically in petrolether extracts of blood serum and saponified luteal tissue of dairy cattle bearing such cysts or cyclic corpora lutea. The mean serum β-carotene concentrations of 12 cyst bearing animals were significantly lower than in 12 animals having cyclic corpora lutea (0. 7 ± 0.5 us. 2.2 ± 1.4 μg/ml; p ≤ 0.01). Luteal tissue β-carotene concentrations of progesterone secreting luteinired follicular cysts and cyclic corpora lutea did not differ significantly (11.7 ± 13.6 us. 8.7 ± 10.6 μg/g; p> 0.05; n = 5, n = 6 respectively). Luteal tissue and serum β-carotene concentrations were positively correlated in animals bearing progesterone secreting cysts or corpora lutea (r = 0.61 and r = 0.81; p ≤ 0.01; respectively). Results suggest a causative role of β-carotene deficiency in the genesis of luteinired follicular cysts in cattle.