Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Brown Swiss Calves

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Abstract
Nineteen Brown Swiss calves affected with spinal muscular atrophy were described. Weakness of the rear legs was the first sign observed at 3 ato 4 weeks of age. Terminal stages were characterized by severe muscular atrophy, quadriparesis, and sternal recumbency. Bronchopneumonia was a frequent complicating disease. Microscopic changes consisted mainly of degeneration and loss of motor neurons in the ventral horns of the spinal cord. Neurogenic atrophy of muscles was a constant finding. Electron microscopy revealed accumulation of neurofilaments of mitochondria in affected neurons. The disease shares many features with WERDNIG-HOFFMANN disease in man and the spinal muscular atrophies of other animals.