Abstract

DUTRA, F; ROMERO, A; QUINTEROS, C  and  KELLY, L. MSUD (Maple Syrup Urine Disease) in Polled Hereford and Polled Hereford x Shorthorn crosses in calves in Uruguay. Veterinaria (Montev.) [online]. 2015, vol.51, n.200, pp.2-2. ISSN 0376-4362.

Summary Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) was diagnosed in Polled Hereford and Polled Hereford x Shorthorn calves from three commercial herds in the East Region of Uruguay. Three calves (2.3%) were affected in a purebred Polled Hereford herd in August 2004, 5 (4.1%) in a purebred polled Hereford cows in September 2006, and 7 (3.8%) in a Polled Hereford x Shorthorn herd in August 2008. All three herds were bred with Uruguayan Polled Hereford bulls. Affected calves were normal at birth but after weaning developed a severe neurologic condition characterized clinically by extensor spasms, depression, opisthotonos and inability to stand, dying within 3-5 days of birth. The principal histopathologic change in 3 affected calves was diffuse, severe, status spongiosus throughout the white matter of the cerebellum, cerebrum, mesencephalus and medulla oblongata, and less so in spinal cord. Spongiosis was due to edema of myelin sheaths. Myelin deficits or neuronal death were not found. Blood samples from 1 bull and 5 cows (37.5%) from herd 2, and 1 bull, 2 cows (28.5%) and the affected calf from herd 3, were identified as carriers for the MSUD 248C→T mutation. The mutation seems to be widespread in Polled Hereford herds in Uruguay.

Keywords : Maple Syrup Urine Disease; Bovine; Polle Hereford; Shorthorn; status spongiosus.

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