Biomaterial Database

Serum vitamin B12 and methylmalonic acid determinations in the diagnosis of cobalt deficiency in pregnant ewes. 1990

G E Fisher, and A MacPherson

West of Scotland College (for Agricultural, Horticultural and Food Studies), Dumfries.

Serum vitamin B12 and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations were used to monitor the development of cobalt (Co) deficiency and repletion from the deficient state in housed pregnant hill sheep. Serum MMA concentrations were less variable and provided a more accurate diagnosis of Co deficiency than serum vitamin B12. This was particularly the case for subclinical disease. However, unlike serum MMA, concentrations of the vitamin in serum could be used prognostically. The most precise diagnosis was provided by serum vitamin B12 and MMA data used in conjunction, but where one technique is to be used, serum MMA determinations are preferred.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008314	Malonates	Derivatives of malonic acid (the structural formula CH2(COOH)2), including its salts and esters.
D008764	Methylmalonic Acid	A malonic acid derivative which is a vital intermediate in the metabolism of fat and protein. Abnormalities in methylmalonic acid metabolism lead to methylmalonic aciduria. This metabolic disease is attributed to a block in the enzymatic conversion of methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA.	Acid, Methylmalonic
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248	Pregnancy Complications	Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases.	Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011379	Prognosis	A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations.	Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D003035	Cobalt	A trace element that is a component of vitamin B12. It has the atomic symbol Co, atomic number 27, and atomic weight 58.93. It is used in nuclear weapons, alloys, and pigments. Deficiency in animals leads to anemia; its excess in humans can lead to erythrocytosis.	Cobalt-59,Cobalt 59
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012756	Sheep	Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS.	Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012757	Sheep Diseases	Diseases of domestic and mountain sheep of the genus Ovis.	Ovine Diseases,Disease, Ovine,Disease, Sheep,Diseases, Ovine,Diseases, Sheep,Ovine Disease,Sheep Disease