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Thymic abnormalities and growth hormone deficiency in dogs
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|August 1, 1980
Summary
Inbred Weimaraner dogs with a wasting disease showed thymus abnormalities and impaired immune function. Thymosin therapy improved some pups, suggesting a link between thymus health and growth hormone metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- A wasting disease, unthriftiness, and retarded growth were observed in inbred Weimaraner dogs.
- Affected pups exhibited a small thymus gland with a notable absence of thymic cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune function and growth hormone metabolism in Weimaraner pups with a congenital wasting syndrome.
- To explore potential therapeutic interventions for the observed syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Studied a litter of eight Weimaraner pups from parents known to produce affected offspring.
- Assessed white blood cell (WBC) and gamma-globulin concentrations, antibody production to Brucella abortus.
- Evaluated lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin and plasma growth hormone response to clonidine HCl.
Main Results:
- Two pups developed a wasting syndrome and responded positively to thymosin fraction 5 therapy.
- One surviving pup showed significantly depressed lymphocyte blastogenic response.
- Affected pups exhibited abnormal thymus-dependent immune function and impaired growth hormone metabolism.
Conclusions:
- The wasting syndrome in these Weimaraner pups is associated with concurrent abnormalities in thymus-dependent immune function and growth hormone metabolism.
- The observed syndrome shares characteristics with immunodeficient dwarf mouse models, such as Ames or Snell-Bagg strains.