Summary
The pathology of a recently recognised progressive disorder of myelin in mature Charolais cattle is described. Clinical signs are first noticed at 8–24 months of age and progress from slight ataxia to recumbency over a period of 1–2 years. Lesions are microscopic and restricted to the white matter of the central nervous system. They are most marked in the internal capsule, cerebellar white matter and spinal cord and consist of multiple eosinophilic plaques. Ultrastructurally the lesions are associated with the nodal region of the myelin sheath. They are composed of disordered myelin, hypertrophied and hyperplastic oligodendrocytic tongues and many small processes which originate from these. There is evidence of myelin breakdown, but this does not elicit a phagocytic response. The aetiology of this condition is not known but the nature of the pathological process suggests a basic derangement of the myelin bearing cell.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, C. W. M.: An histochemical method for the simultaneous demonstration of normal and degenerating myelin. J. Path. Bact.77, 648–650 (1959)
Baumann, N.: Modifications biochemiques des lipides myéliniques chez la souris quaking. In: Proc. VI Int. Congress Neuropath., p. 472. Paris: Masson et Cie. 1970
Blakemore, W. F., Cavanagh, J. B.: ‘Neuroaxonal dystrophy’ occurring in an experimental ‘dying back’ process in the rat. Brain92, 789–804 (1969)
Hashimoto, P. H.: Electron microscopic study on gliosome formation in postnatal development of spinal cord in the cat. J. comp. Neurol.137, 251–266 (1969)
Mathews, M. A., Duncan, D.: A quantitative study of morphological changes accompanying the initiation and progress of myelin production in the dorsal funiculus of the rat spinal cord. J. comp. Neurol.142, 1–22 (1971)
Metuzals, J.: Ultrastructure of nodes of Ranvier and their surrounding structures in the central nervous system. Z. Zellforsch.65, 719–759 (1965)
Palmer, A. C., Blakemore, W. F., Barlow, R. M., Fraser, J. A., Ogden, A. L.: Progressive ataxia of Charolais cattle associated with a myelin disorder. Vet. Rec.91, 592–594 (1972)
Peters, A., Proskauer, C. C. (1968) unpublished data quoted by Peters, A., and Vaughn, J. E. (1970). In: Morphology and development of the myelin sheath in myelination, p. 53–57. A. N. Davison and A. Peters, (eds.) Springfield: C. C. Thomas 1970
Peters, A., Vaughn, J. E.: Morphology and development of the myelin sheath in myelination, A. N. Davison and A. Peters, (eds.) Springerfield: C. C. Thomas 1970
Watanabe, I., Bingle, H. J.: Dysmyelination in ‘Quaking’ mouse electron microscopic study. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol.31, 352–369 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blakemore, W.F., Palmer, A.C. & Barlow, R.M. Progressive ataxia of Charolais cattle associated with disordered myelin. Acta Neuropathol 29, 127–138 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684771
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684771