This image is a cross section of a heart from a lamb with nutritional muscular dystrophy, also known as "white muscle disease," caused by vitamin E deficiency. Whitish streaks in the musculature are due to calcification following Zenker's degeneration of the muscle fibers. Vitamin E deficiency is also known as stiff lamb disease and is most common in newborn lambs or calves. The clinical signs will be evident from birth to an age of 4 to 6 weeks and the lamb can die suddenly because of degeneration of the heart muscle.

White muscle disease, lamb heart

Credit: O.H. Muth, Oregon State University

Digital Credit: Melissa Foster

Publisher: American Institute of Nutrition

Rights: Image Gallery user terms

Description: This image is a cross section of a heart from a lamb with nutritional muscular dystrophy, also known as "white muscle disease," caused by vitamin E deficiency. Whitish streaks in the musculature are due to calcification following Zenker's degeneration of the muscle fibers. Vitamin E deficiency is also known as stiff lamb disease and is most common in newborn lambs or calves. The clinical signs will be evident from birth to an age of 4 to 6 weeks and the lamb can die suddenly because of degeneration of the heart muscle.

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White muscle disease, lamb heart

Credit: O.H. Muth, Oregon State University

Digital Credit: Melissa Foster

Publisher: American Institute of Nutrition