Peripheral neuropathy in a copper-deficient goat

Abstract

This report aimed to describe a case of peripheral neuropathy in a copper-deficient goat, and highlights the clinical, and pathological features of the disease. The goat had low body score, hyporexia, alopecia, achromotrichia, left hindlimb protraction, paralysis with dragging of digit and difficulty to stand up and microcytic normochromic anemia. Copper concentration in serum was markedly lower (2.0µmol L-1) whereas the iron serum content was significantly increased (51.0µmol L-1). The main gross alteration was the reduction of the quadriceps vastus laterallis muscle volume. Histologically, there was atrophy of the quadriceps vastus laterallis muscle and presence of satellite cells, infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and replacement of the fibers by connective tissue. In the femoral nerve, there was axonal degeneration with myelin sheath expansion and presence of vacuoles, usually in chains and containing axonal debris or macrophages. Clinical, laboratorial and pathologic findings are consistent with peripheral neuropathy due to a severy copper deficiency.

Copper deficiency in dairy goats and kids

“…Enzootic ataxia in kids was also a frequent finding. Most reports of copper deficiency in Brazil have been describing late ataxia in ruminants (Mendonça & Riet-Correa 2022), but there are only few reports describing severe pictures of copper deficiency in adult goats as we are describing here (Almeida et al 2017, Sousa et al 2017).…”

“…For example, iron-induced hypocupremia in cattle may be asymptomatic, whereas hypocupremia of equal severity induced by molybdenum is remarkable (Phillippo et al 1987). Previously we described a clinical picture in hypocupremic adult goats mainly consisting of ataxia, laryngeal paralysis, severe achromotrichia (Sousa et al 2017), and monoparesis of the hindlimb (Almeida et al 2017). Other clinical signs included apathy, emaciation, pallor of mucous membranes, mucous nasal secretion, dyspnea, diffuse alopecia and torpor (Almeida et al 2017, Sousa et al 2017).…”

“…Previously we described a clinical picture in hypocupremic adult goats mainly consisting of ataxia, laryngeal paralysis, severe achromotrichia (Sousa et al 2017), and monoparesis of the hindlimb (Almeida et al 2017). Other clinical signs included apathy, emaciation, pallor of mucous membranes, mucous nasal secretion, dyspnea, diffuse alopecia and torpor (Almeida et al 2017, Sousa et al 2017). In the herds investigated, we did not observe anestrum, embryo resorption, and retained placenta in the postpartum period.…”

“…"Brisket disease" (Tokarnia et al 1989), a disease whose low manganese and cobalt values are found in the liver of cattle, is suspected to be caused by elevated iron (Tokarnia et al 1999). Cases of "snoring disease" (laryngeal neuropathy) and limb paralysis, both conditions associated with severe copper deficiency due to iron overload have been reported in goats (Almeida et al 2017, Sousa et al 2017.…”

Small Ruminants and Its Use in Regenerative Medicine: Recent Works and Future Perspectives

“…Some genetic mechanisms associated with the maintenance of myelin in mammals have also been discovered using non-transgenic goats [ 66 ]. The neurotoxic effects and peripheral neuropathy due to copper deficiency are also well described in the goat, which can be used as a model for the same clinical entity identified in man [ 67 ]. Finally, other groups also described the peripheral neuropathic effect associated with the consumption of Coyotillo fruit, a phenomenon that has also been recorded in man [ 68 , 69 ].…”