Outbreaks of copper deficiency in ruminants in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

Five outbreaks of copper deficiency in goats and one in cattle are reported in the semiarid region of the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. In four outbreaks of delayed enzootic ataxia, the goat kids showed weakness that progressed to paralysis of the four limbs and recumbency. Head tremors were also present. In another outbreak of congenital enzootic ataxia, the kids were born with paralysis due to congenital copper deficiency. The serum copper concentrations were below the reference values. Histologically, myelin degeneration was observed mainly in the spinal cord. In one outbreak of copper deficiency in cattle, adult cows exhibited chronic diarrhea lasting 6-8 months. The cows were supplemented with parenteral copper glycinate and recovered in 20-30 days after treatment. It is concluded that due to the occurrence of copper deficiency in goats and cattle, the supplementation of this mineral is necessary in grazing ruminants in the semiarid region of Paraíba. Key words: Hypocuprosis, enzootic ataxia, swayback, diarrhea ResumoCinco surtos de deficiência de cobre em caprinos e um em bovinos são descritos na região semiárida da Paraíba. Em quatro surtos de ataxia enzoótica os cabritos mostraram, após o nascimento, fraqueza evoluindo para paralisia dos quatro membros e decúbito permanente. Tremores de cabeça também ocorreram. Em outro surto, os cabritos nasceram com paralisia devida à deficiência de cobre. Os valores séricos de cobre estavam abaixo dos valores normais. Na histologia, degeneração da mielina foi observada, principalmente na medula. Em um surto de deficiência de cobre em bovinos, vacas adultas apresentaram diarreia crônica durante 6-8 meses. As vacas foram suplementadas parenteralmente com glicinato de cobre e se recuperaram em 20-30 dias após o tratamento. Conclui-se que, em consequência da ocorrência de carência de cobre em caprinos e bovinos, a suplementação deste mineral é necessária em ruminantes em pastejo no semiárido da Paraíba.

Clinical and Hematological Profiles due to Cases of Minerals Deficiency in Local Ewes at Basra, Iraq

“…Thus, the deficiency of copper in animal diet causes damages to nerves due to its role in the synthesis of phospholipids. Ataxia also occurs due to deficient myelination in the spinal cord followed by lesion appearance in parts of the cerebral white matter and brain stem (Silva et al, 2014).…”

Degenerative axonopathy associated with copper deficiency in pigs

“…In addition to myelin degeneration observed in both swine and ruminants, chromatolysis and occasional neuronal necrosis are clinically observed in small ruminants (Santos et al 2006, Guedes et al 2007, Silva et al 2014 and are not observed in pigs, which show lesions restricted to white matter more closely surrounding the ventral and lateral funiculus of the spinal cord. The ultrastructural analysis showed that the primary lesion involve axonal degeneration, and the myelin vacuolization observed in the spinal cord represent foci of periaxonal demyelination, which is similar to findings by O'Hara & Shortridge (1966) and Guedes et al (2014).…”

“…In Brazil, neurological disorders caused by copper deficiency have been reported in bovines (Riet-Correa et al 1993), sheep (Guedes et al 2007), goats (Guedes et al 2007, Silva et al 2014) and pigs (Guedes et al 2014). This study describes the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and ultrastructural findings of neurological disease caused by copper deficiency in pigs in the Northeast region of Brazil.…”

Peripheral neuropathy in a copper-deficient goat

“…Copper deficiency has been recognized as a cause of neurologic diseases in offspring due to deficiency of this metal in their dams (SILVA et al, 2014). General clinical signs are tremors, incoordination, paralysis and death.…”

“…Overall, affected animals are in poor general condition characterized by progressive weight loss which may develop into anemia, caused by the diarrhea (SILVA et al, 2014;SOUSA et al, 2017).…”