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Experimentally Induced Muscular Dystrophy: Blood Creatine Levels and Histopathological Changes in Dystrophic Rabbits¹

Department of Animal Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

Sixteen male California rabbits were divided into 4 lots of 4 each and fed semipurified rations known to produce muscular dystrophy. Lots 1, 2 and 4 were deficient in vitamin E, potassium and choline, respectively. Triethyl choline was added to the diet of lot 3. Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture and whole blood creatine levels were determined. Correlation coefficients between blood creatine and time were 0.90, 0.74, 0.89 and 0.75 for lots 1 through 4, respectively. These data indicate that blood levels of creatine may be used to indicate the presence of muscular dystrophy. Considering the ease of sample collection and analysis and its high degree of accuracy, it is a very applicable method.

The most severe muscular degeneration occurred in lot 1. In lots 2 and 4 the skeletal muscles degenerated moderately and in lot 4 a slight cardiac degeneration was observed.

² Conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science. Present address: Department of Animal Husbandry, Florida A. & M. University, Tallahassee.

Manuscript received 22 June 1960.