Comparative Placentation
I am not aware of any immunological studies other than the search for antibodies to viruses.
15)
Pathological features
An outstanding consideration of gnu pathology is their carrier state for
the virus of malignant catarrhal fever (alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 - AHV1).
This infection has caused many problems in zoological parks (Metzler,
1991; Flach et al., 2002) and has been differentiated from the virus of
sheep association. Rossiter et al. (1983) attempted to identify the virus
from delivered placentas and suggested that it is rapidly inactivated
by sunlight. It is probable, however, that calving and the simultaneous
presence of the virus is related to infection of livestock at that time.
Neonatal diarrhea is sometimes due to rotavirus infection (Baumeister
et al., 1983). Anaplasma marginale was identified in gnus but apparently
has no pathologic sequelae (Kuttler, 1984). Boomker et al. (2000) enumerated
the parasites identified from a variety of South African ungulates. Peter
et al. (1998) infected animals with the agent causing heartwater disease
(Cowdria ruminantium) and established the importance of the tick
(Amblyomma hebraceum) in the endemic areas. In his experience with
numerous gnus at the San Diego Zoo, Griner (1983) found neonatal trauma
or malnutrition as principal causes of death, with rare infections. He
also noted that many blood vessels had irregular calcifications.
16)
Physiologic data
Watson (1976) reported on electroejaculation, semen characteristics and
preservation of semen. Basic hematologic values were provided by the study
of Peinado et al. (1999).
17)
Other resources
Numerous fibroblast cell lines of both species are available from the
"Frozen Zoo" at CRES at the San Diego Zoo by contacting Dr.
Oliver Ryder (
18)
Other remarks - What additional Information is needed?
Early stages of implantation are missing and there are no details on gestational
endocrine profiles.
Acknowledgement
The animal photographs in this chapter come from the Zoological Society
of San Diego.
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