title: Dermatopathy in juvenile Angus cattle due to vitamin A deficiency.
abstract: In juvenile cattle, vitamin A deficiency is reported most commonly as a neurological condition; only rarely are there dermatologic manifestations. In the current study, alopecia, severe epidermal and follicular orthokeratosis, and acanthosis due to hypovitaminosis A are reported in 2 of 32 Angus calves, with a third animal suspected. Affected animals responded to vitamin A supplementation, and no additional calves displayed signs. Vitamin A acts on skin by regulating DNA transcription in keratinocytes, reducing the number of tonofilaments and desmosomes, both involved in cell-to-cell adhesion. Hence, adequate levels of dietary vitamin A are necessary for normal keratinocyte turnover, and deficiencies result in retention of keratinized cells (orthokeratosis). The present report reminds diagnosticians to consider vitamin A deficiency in cases of orthokeratotic dermatopathy in cattle.
authors.affiliation: Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 950 East 1400 North, Logan, UT 84341, USA. tom.baldwin@usu.edu
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rood
authors.forename: E Jane
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Jeffery O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D012875:Skin Diseases, Metabolic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A