Lesions in Bovine Progressive Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (“Weaver”) of Brown Swiss Cattle

Abstract

Gross changes and other necropsy findings in 36 purebred Brown Swiss cattle affected with bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy were nonspecific. Primary microscopic lesions were confined to the central nervous system, specifically the white matter of the spinal cord, axons in some brainstem nuclei, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex. Spinal cord lesions involved only the white matter and consisted of axonal degeneration, loss of axons and myelin, and status spongiosus. Axonal degeneration was characterized by swelling and fragmentation of the axoplasm or formation of large, discontinuous swellings referred to as spheroids. Lesions were qualitatively similar at all levels, but quantitatively dissimilar in the same funiculi at different levels. Both ascending and descending fibers were involved but correlation to specific fasciculi was not evident. Lesions always were most severe in thoracic spinal cord segments. Little or no astroglial response, no inflammatory response, and no involvement of gray matter were observed in the spinal cord. Cerebellar lesions were limited to selective degeneration and loss of Purkinje cells and occasional swelling of Purkinje cell axons (torpedos) in the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex. Brainstem lesions were inconsistent and limited to occasional axonal swelling in brainstem nuclei. The pathogenesis of bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy is unknown and possible mechanisms were discussed. The disease exhibits a familial pattern in Brown Swiss cattle and may be hereditary. Extraneural lesions were considered secondary to central nervous system lesions.