Swayback in a blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) and a black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou).

Ataxia associated with myelopathy and low liver copper concentrations is described in a blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) and black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) from the Karoo Nature Reserve, Graaff-Reinet. This syndrome, which occurs in neonatal and delayed forms, has been described in sheep, goats, pigs and domesticated red deer, but reports in other ungulates, including antelope, are very rare and generally unconfirmed by histopathological examination. The 2 animals examined exhibited a typical pattern of Wallerian degeneration in selected tracts of the spinal cord. Many blesbok in the reserve are markedly pale in colour. Fading of the hair is also associated with copper deficiency in ungulates. High lamb mortality occurs as a result of the ataxia and threatens the survival of the blesbok herd in the reserve. Confirmation of low liver copper concentrations in affected animals offers direction towards the solution of the problem.

Ultrastructure of hepatocytes in copper-deficient Sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck).

The livers of 13 Sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) aged 4 to 9 years and suffering from copper deficiency (enzootic ataxia) were examined histologically, histochemically and by electron microscopy. In addition, the serum and liver copper concentrations, measured in three animals, were found to be low. Histologically, the hepatocytes exhibited cloudy swelling, and numerous haemosiderin deposits were seen in the hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Staining with p-dimethyl amino-benzylidene-rhodamine revealed distinctly fewer copper granules than normal. Histochemically, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine-H2O2 staining revealed increased numbers of catalase-positive granules around nuclei. Electron microscopically, "giant" and bizarre-shaped mitochondria, irregular depression of the mitochondrial membrane, and fusion of cristae were noted. Disorders of copper-containing enzymes, including cytochrome oxidase, caeruloplasmin and monoamine oxidase, may have been responsible for the mitochondrial abnormalities.

Studies on the relationship between sway disease of bactrian camels and copper status in Gansu province.

The clinical signs of camel sway disease in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu province were defined. The contents of eight minerals in soils, in forage and in the blood and hair of bactrian camels from this region were determined. The related blood indices were also measured. The concentration of molybdenum in soils and forage was 4.8 +/- 0.02 and 4.8 +/- 0.25 micrograms/g (dry matter), respectively, the copper to molybdenum ratio in the forage being only 1.3. The concentration of copper in blood and hair from the camels was 0.28 +/- 0.17 micrograms/ml and 3.50 +/- 1.00 micrograms/g, respectively. There was a hypochromic microcytic anaemia and a low level of ceruloplasmin in the blood. It is therefore suggested that sway disease of bactrian camels in this region is caused by secondary copper deficiency, mainly due to the high molybdenum content in soils and forage. The copper deficiency in the camels was aggravated during reproduction. Oral administration of copper sulphate can prevent and cure the disease.

Delayed swayback in goat kids, a study of 23 cases.

The results of a retrospective study of 23 goat kids with delayed swayback are reported. Principal clinical signs were ataxia, loss of postural control, spasticity of the hindlimbs, and muscular weakness, often progressing to permanent recumbency. Denervation of skeletal muscles was demonstrated by electromyography in 2 kids. Three kids slowly recovered during hospitalisation. Histopathological changes were characterized by degeneration of selected neuronal populations with their processes within the central and the peripheral nervous system. Affected systems included upper motor neuron, vestibular, general proprioceptive, and lower motor neuron pathways, with additional involvement of the cerebellar cortex in some animals. Our findings, including limited ultrastructural observations, support the notion that the neuraxon rather than the myelin sheath is the prime target of disease in delayed swayback. The available copper values of affected kids and their unaffected herd mates were significantly lower than those of random control goats, which provides further support for a role of copper deficiency in the aetiology of this disease in the goat.

Swayback (enzootic ataxia) in Alberta lambs.

Swayback (enzootic ataxia), a disease not previously described in Canada, occurred in newborn lambs in Alberta in 1972. Of 100 lambs born in one flock, over 60 succumbed in the enzootic. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a) gross cavitations and gelatinous lesions of the cerebral white matter in 16 of 24 (66.67%) lambs examined, b) central chromatolysis and hyalinization of neurons of the red and vestibular nuclei and reticular formation and of the lateral and ventral horns of the spinal cord, c) myelin deficiencies of the dorsolateral and sulcomarginal funiculi of the spinal cord and d) low hepatic and serum copper levels in affected lambs and low serum copper levels in the ewes. The feeding of sugar beet-(beta saccharifera) top silage to the ewes during pregnancy, lambing and lactation, and its relationship to the enzootic is discussed.