Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality of 31 Calves Derived from Somatic Cloning

Abstract

Background: The neonatal period is associated with high morbidity and mortality in cloned calves. Objective: To describe morbidity and mortality in cloned calves from birth to 2 years of age. Animals: Thirty-one somatic cell-derived Holstein calves delivered at a veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Medical files were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Four calves were stillborn. Five calves born alive had physical congenital defects. Twenty-three calves had an enlarged umbilical cord. Laboratory abnormalities included acidemia, respiratory acidosis, hyperlactatemia, anemia, stress leukogram, decreased total protein, albumin and globulins, and increased creatinine. Twenty-five calves survived the 1st hour of life. Among them, 11 stood without assistance within 6 hours of birth, 10 calves took longer than 6 hours to stand, and 4 never stood. Twenty-two calves suffered from anorexia. Twelve calves had complications arising from umbilical cord infections. Three calves developed idiopathic hyperthermia (>40°C). Eight calves suffered from gastrointestinal problems, including ruminal distension, abomasal ulcers, neonatal enteritis, intussusception, and abomasal displacement. Mortality between birth and 3 weeks of age was 32% (10/31). Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia included stillbirths, respiratory failure, and limb deformities. Mortality between 3 weeks and 2 years of age was 19% (4/21), with deaths in this group attributed to generalized peritonitis and complications arising from umbilical infections. Overall, mortality rate within 2 years of age was 14/31 (45%).Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Respiratory problems, limb deformities, and umbilical infections were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these cloned calves.

Pre- and postnatal heat stress abatement affects dairy calf thermoregulation and performance

“…Prenatal HT calves required more assistance to meet the minimum requirement of 4.5 L/d milk intake, thus were esophageal tube fed more often than prenatal CL calves throughout the experiment. A calf refusing to suckle and requiring esophageal tube feeding is considered anorexic, which has obvious welfare, health, and nutritional implications (Brisville et al, 2013). Esophageal feeding is a concern from a management standpoint, as the process is labor-intensive and improper technique can damage the calf larynx and esophagus (Stull and Reynolds, 2008).…”

Mitochondrial DNA Depletion in Granulosa Cell Derived Nuclear Transfer Tissues

“…The fundamental importance of mtDNA for pre-and postnatal development is clearly demonstrated by mtDNA depletion syndromes in humans that are characterized by a tissue-specific reduction in mtDNA and respiratory deficiencies that manifest in a range of phenotypes, including hydrops, tendon and limb deformities, hepatomegaly, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, muscle hypotonia, respiratory distress, and lactic acidosis (von Kleist-Retzow et al, 2003;Sarzi et al, 2007;Suomalainen and Isohanni, 2010;El-Hattab and Scaglia, 2013;Finsterer and Ahting, 2013;Nogueira et al, 2014). These mtDNA depletion phenotypes show striking similarities with and may be identical to developmental abnormalities observed after SCNT (e.g., Rhind et al, 2003;Chavatte-Palmer et al, 2004;Wells et al, 2004;Sakai et al, 2005;Brisville et al, 2013;Hill, 2014). Importantly, mouse models with mtDNA depletion have clearly demonstrated significant detrimental effects of reduced mtDNA amount on embryo survival and organogenesis (Larsson et al, 1998;Huo and Scarpulla, 2001;Hance et al, 2005).…”

Perfil bioquímico de bezerros da raça nelore, originados por meio da técnica de transferência nuclear de célula somática (TNCS) - clonagem

“… Batchelder et al (2007). em estudo com bezerros clonados da raça holandesa e hereford não observaram diferenças nos teores séricos de fósforo nas primeiras 50 horas de vida eBrisville et al (2013), em amostras colhidas nos primeiro 5 minutos de vida de 27 bezerros clonados, obtiveram teores sérico de fósforo iguais a 6,8 ± 0,6 mg/dL Moraes (2011…”

“…Após o nascimento, em animais sadios, há decréscimo dos valores séricos, devido à ação renal (EGLI;BLUM, 1998).Segundo Doornenbal, Tong e Murray (1998) animais jovens tendem a ter valores maiores, sendo esse comportamento dos teores séricos de ,39 mg/dL) do que nos bezerros do grupo controle (2,99 ± 0,59 mg/dL).Encontra-se na literatura dado semelhante apresentado porBrisville et al (2013) que observaram em amostras colhidas nos primeiro 5 minutos de vida de 27 bezerros clonados Ao comparar esses resultados com os obtidos por nós evidencia-se que a atividade da AST é menor em bezerros clonados, sendo que suas variações acompanham aquelas observadas para a CK Mendonça (2007). não observou diferença significativa entre bezerros fertilizados in vitro e in vivo para concentrações de AST.…”

“…) Batchelder et al (2007). em estudo com bezerros clonados da raça holandesa e hereford não observaram diferenças nos teores séricos de cálcio nas primeiras 50 horas de vida eBrisville et al (2013), em amostras colhidas nos primeiro 5 minutos de vida de 27 bezerros clonados, obtiveram teores sérico de cálcio iguais a 12,8 ± 0,8 mg/dL.Entre 48 e 120 horas de vida, para ambos os grupos, observou-se um aumento dos teores séricos de cálcio, a partir desse momento observa-se que os teores de cálcio diminuem progressivamente até 30 dias de vida. Segundo Doornenbal, Tong eMurray (1988) e Egli e Blum (1998) os valores de cálcio sérico apresentam redução progressiva do nascimento até seu primeiro ano de vida, pois a um grande requerimento deste mineral para ativação do metabolismo e crescimento.…”