Chondrodystrophy in calves associated with manganese deficiency

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Animal Genetics
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Congenital chondrodystrophy presents as a severe developmental disorder affecting cartilage formation.
• This condition leads to significant skeletal abnormalities in affected newborns.
• Previous cases have been linked to genetic factors or nutritional deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a severe congenital chondrodystrophy outbreak in Charolais calves.
• To investigate the potential causes, including histological and nutritional factors.
• To characterize the ultrastructural and biochemical changes in cartilage.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of 32 affected Charolais calves.
• Histological and ultrastructural analysis of cartilage.
• Biochemical analysis of manganese levels in affected calf liver.
• Evaluation of the dams' diet during gestation.

Main Results:

• Calves exhibited shortened limbs and enlarged joints.
• Histology revealed poor cartilage maturation, rarefied matrix, chondrocyte degeneration, and reduced mucopolysaccharide content.
• Ultrastructural examination showed disorganized fibers and chondrocyte vacuolation.
• Low liver manganese levels were detected in affected calves, correlating with low-manganese maternal diets (apple pulp, corn silage).

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a manganese deficiency as a likely cause of this chondrodystrophy outbreak.
• Maternal diet during gestation plays a critical role in fetal skeletal development.
• Further research into manganese requirements for pregnant cattle is warranted.