Clinicopathological Phenotype of Autosomal Recessive Cholesterol Deficiency in Holstein Cattle

Mock, T.; Mehinagic, K.; Menzi, F.; Studer, E.; Oevermann, A.; Stoffel, M.H.; Drögemüller, C.; Meylan, M.; Regenscheit, N.

The physical examination of the 5 calves revealed a slightly reduced general condition. The calves were severely emaciated with normal appetite (Fig 1) . The weight of the affected animals and of healthy Holstein cattle at the same age is shown in detail in Table 2 . Examination of the digestive system revealed normal activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and percussion and succession auscultation were negative in both flanks. The feces had a yellow to olive-green color, normal smell, and, at variable intervals over an observation period of up to 14 days, a fecal consistency which changed between soft (normal) and liquid (intermittent diarrhea). In addition, the feces of calf no. 1 contained undigested fibers (>2 cm in length). Examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems showed no abnormalities. The calves' gait was normal. The blood concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were distinctly below the values obtained from the 5 healthy control calves and from 5 calves affected with diseases other than diarrhea (Table 1) . No abnormalities were detected in the CBC and chemistry profiles performed for 3 calves. A moderate amount of acanthocytes was observed in the blood smear of calf no. 2. Calf no. 3 showed a slight anemia with a hematocrit of 17% (norm: 19-34%) and a low selenium concentration (47 lg/L, norm: >50 lg/L). Coprological examinations revealed the presence of few Eimeria bovis oocysts in calf no. 1 and Cryptosporidium parvum in calf no. 2. All calves tested negative for BVDV, rotavirus, and coronavirus, and bacterial cultures for E. coli and Salmonella spp. were also negative.