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Investigation of copper and its possible role in abortions and stillbirths in two herds of Alaskan muskoxen Intern Project: James McLean Supervisor: J. E. Blake Supporting Agencies: U.S.Department of Agriculture; The Wildlife Clinic and the International Department, Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Arctic Biology An increased incidence of abortions and stillbirths have been reported in a herd of captive muskoxen in Palmer, Alaska. Preliminary analysis of tissue and blood from some of these cases has identified low copper levels in the affected individuals. Tissue samples, serology, histopathology, virology, bacteriology and toxicology have been collected from animals in the Palmer herd and similar collections are available from muskoxen at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS) in Fairbanks. To understand the etiology of the abortions and stillbirths this project will undertake the following: a) compile and review the tissues, serology, histopathology and diagnostic reports related to abortions and stillbirths b) compare the findings from Palmer animals with similar cases from LARS and with healthy muskoxen and c) specifically investigate the potential link between copper and abortions. |
