An immunofluorescence test to determine the occurrence of type II collagen in muscle biopsies from cattle with rectovaginal constriction

Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.

Type II collagen occurs in the muscles of rectovaginal constriction (RVC) affected and carrier cattle but not in normal cattle. Muscle biopsies from known RVC affected and carrier cattle and normal cattle were examined for the presence of Type II collagen using affinity purified goat anti-collagen II serum in a fluorescent antibody test. Type II collagen was consistently found in RVC affected animals (22 of 23 samples score positive). Rectovaginal constriction carrier animals had variable staining for the Type II collagen (25 of 47 samples scored positive). Some positive staining was also observed in the control animals (8 of 34 samples scored positive). Because of the variable occurrence of Type II collagen, the value of fluorescent antibody staining to identify RVC carrier animals is uncertain.