title: [Congenital white muscle disease in a Belgian blue calf].
abstract: In this case report about white muscle disease (WMD) in a Belgian Blue herd, the disease is described both as an individual and as a herd problem. Aetiology, diagnosis, and therapy of WMD are discussed. WMD is a disease of animals with muscle damage due to the presence of free radicals. Unsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane are transformed into a radical form in a chain reaction: a fatty acid next to the fatty acid radical can be transformed into another free radical. In healthy animal the chain reaction is stopped by anti-oxidants such as vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase. WMD can occur when more free radicals are produced than the available anti-oxidants can deal with. The disease occurs in calves, lambs, and foals.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling Gezondheidszorg Herkauwers, Hoofdafdeling Gezondheidszorg Landbouwhuisdieren, Faculteit der Diergeneeskunde, Universiteit Utrecht, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht.
authors.forename: S C L
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: van Winden
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuiper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014912:White Muscle Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium