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Subject: giraffe


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   Crawford, M. A.\ Budowski, P.\ Drury, P.\ Ghebremeskel, K.\ Harbige,
          L.\ Leighfield, M.\ Phylactos, A.\ Williams, G.
          The nutritional contribution to bovine spongiform
          encephalopathy.
          Nutrition and Health , 1991 , Vol. 7 , No. 2 , pp. 61-68 , En ,
          27 ref.
          The Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, Hackney
          Hospital, Homerton High Street, London, UK.
          Evidence that changes in source of protein from plant to animal
          alters the membrane fatty acid composition of ruminant tissue
          is presented by comparing zoo giraffe with the same species
          from their natural habitat. The membrane changes seen are
          similar to those used experimentally to make animals
          susceptible to basic brain protein and encephalomalacia.
          Similar membrane responses have been noted in cattle. Use of
          animal protein and increased nitrogen in cattle feeds would
          lead to a relative deficiency of essential fatty acids in the
          cell membranes and hence reduced membrane stability. By analogy
          with crazy chick disease (nutritional encephalomalacia) and
          experimental encephalomyelitis in rats, the possibility that
          the changes in animals feeds would have depleted cattle tissue
          membranes and made them susceptible to bovine spongiform
          encephalopathy is discussed. The assumption being made is that
          the principle of a requirement of essential fatty acids for
          neural integrity and immune system function would apply to
          cattle as well as to other species.

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