title: Neonatal morbidity and mortality of 31 calves derived from somatic cloning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The neonatal period is associated with high morbidity and mortality in cloned calves.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe morbidity and mortality in cloned calves from birth to 2 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one somatic cell-derived Holstein calves delivered at a veterinary teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical files were retrospectively analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four calves were stillborn. Five calves born alive had physical congenital defects. Twenty-three calves had an enlarged umbilical cord. Laboratory abnormalities included acidemia, respiratory acidosis, hyperlactatemia, anemia, stress leukogram, decreased total protein, albumin and globulins, and increased creatinine. Twenty-five calves survived the 1st hour of life. Among them, 11 stood without assistance within 6 hours of birth, 10 calves took longer than 6 hours to stand, and 4 never stood. Twenty-two calves suffered from anorexia. Twelve calves had complications arising from umbilical cord infections. Three calves developed idiopathic hyperthermia (>40°C). Eight calves suffered from gastrointestinal problems, including ruminal distension, abomasal ulcers, neonatal enteritis, intussusception, and abomasal displacement. Mortality between birth and 3 weeks of age was 32% (10/31). Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia included stillbirths, respiratory failure, and limb deformities. Mortality between 3 weeks and 2 years of age was 19% (4/21), with deaths in this group attributed to generalized peritonitis and complications arising from umbilical infections. Overall, mortality rate within 2 years of age was 14/31 (45%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory problems, limb deformities, and umbilical infections were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these cloned calves.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Hospital Coeur-de-Lotbinière, Laurier-Station, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: A-C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Brisville
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fecteau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desrochers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorval
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buczinski
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hélie
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blondin
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000662:veterinary*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000002:abnormalities
keywords: Hyperthermia; Physical congenital defect; Umbilical infection