14) Immunology
I know of no relevant studies.
15) Pathological features
Iverson et al. (1982) reported that around 18% of a captive herd of springbok died within 2 weeks of birth from polycystic renal disease which was combined with cystic dilatation of the bile ducts. They inferred an autosomal recessive disorder and suggested this to be a valuable experimental animal. Skinner (1971) reported a bilaterally cryptorchid ram. Numerous parasites have afflicted the springbok. Thus, Boomker et al. (2000) recorded various helminths; Horak et al. (1992) found only few ticks in springbok surveyed 48 springbok and identified several worms, and Horak et al. (1982) isolated helminthes, ixodid ticks and various lice from springbok. Later (Horak et al., 1991) again isolated ticks and several worms. Chlamydiosis was diagnosed in a young springbok on a farm with many neonatal deaths (v.d. Lugt & Kriek, 1988). Griner (1983) found coccidiosis in a springbok and discussed the 20% perinatal mortality of the San Diego Zoo.
In February 2009 we saw an abnormal pregnancy that raises several interesting points: This gestation was in the first trimester and terminated after the dam had been gored three days earlier and thus lost the ability to use the right hind limb. The springbok presumably became septic and the lymph nodes were hugely enlarged. The fetus was severely edematous, recently dead and the placenta had markedly abnormal features.
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This opened uterus shows the edematous fetus and peripheral cotyledonary calcifications. |
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The edematous and hemorrhagic fetus with short umbilical cord.
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This photograph shows the peripheral calcium deposits at the edges of cotyledons. |
The female fetus weighed 237 g, was 17 cm long in CR length and had a 6 cm umbilical cord. The fetus and placenta were confined to the left uterine horn, and approximately 50 cotyledons were identified (aside from numerous tiny possible future cotyledons). Remarkably, there was a white (apparently calcific) rim around each cotyledon. Microscopically, the unusual feature is that the placental villous tissue was very well preserved (albeit somewhat edematous) and that the calcifications were totally confined to the chorionic membrane.
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One implanted cotyledon with calcified regions confined to the chorionic membrane. |
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The villous tissue is well preserved but the chorionic membrane has deposits of calcifications. |
It is highly unlikely that the areas of calcification were causally linked to either fetal demise or its hydrops when the villous tissue was so normal in appearance. True, there was debris in the villous capillaries, but the surface fetal blood vessels contained live blood and they were not involved in the calcifications. There was none of the subchorionic pigmentation but many trophoblast cells had pigmented cytoplasm. In addition, there was no inflammatory reaction anywhere, the endocervix had mucus-secreting glands and the presence of Barr bodies ruled out X-monosomy.
16) Physiologic data
Jacobson (1983) provided data on immobilization (ketamine) and serum/hematologic values as well. Van Rijswijk & Vorster (1995) presented their findings of a study on adrenal mass and zonation of male and female springbok during different periods of the year. Males have larger adrenals and the “stress” of the dry season apparently enlarges the glands and widens the zona fasciculata. Blood and brain temperatures were studied by Mitchell et al. (1997) in free-living springbok during the hot day and cold night. Milk composition was studied by v. Zyl & Wehmeyer (1970).
17) Other resources
Several strains of fibroblast are available from CRES at the San Diego Zoo by contacting Dr. Oliver Ryder at oryder@ucsd.edu .
18) Other remarks – What additional Information is needed?
Early stages of placentation are not accessible to me; an implanted placenta and data on the length of the umbilical cord would be useful to have. The recent experience with an implanted placenta, measurements of cord and earlier development were added under pathologic features.
Acknowledgement
The animal photograph in this chapter comes from the South African Online Travel Guide.
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