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Published on: January 19, 2014
Neuroaxonal dystrophy in Australian Merino lambs
A E Kessell1, J W Finnie, P C Blumbergs
1School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|November 8, 2011
Summary
Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) in Merino lambs causes axonal spheroids. New Australian cases show myelin loss, gliosis, and visual impairment, suggesting disrupted axonal transport.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Neurobiology
- Sheep Genetics
Background:
- Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) is a nervous system disorder characterized by axonal spheroids.
- NAD has been documented in sheep breeds across the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the second occurrence of NAD in Australian Merino lambs.
- To detail clinicopathological changes and investigate the underlying mechanisms of spheroid formation.
Main Methods:
- Clinicopathological examination of affected Merino lambs.
- Immunohistochemical analysis using markers for axonal transport.
Main Results:
- The study describes unique features in Australian Merino lambs, including myelin loss, gliosis, and visual impairment, not previously reported in ovine NAD.
- Immunohistochemistry indicated that disrupted axonal transport likely contributes to spheroid development.
Conclusions:
- This report expands the understanding of ovine NAD, highlighting novel clinicopathological findings in Australian Merino lambs.
- Disruption of axonal transport is implicated as a key factor in the pathogenesis of neuroaxonal dystrophy in sheep.
