Multiple ocular coloboma (MOC) in snow leopards (Panthera uncia) Clinical report, pedigree analysis, chromosome investigations and serum protein studies

Abstract

A unique retinocolobomatous syndrome, the multiple ocular coloboma (MOC) is described in sixteen snow leopards belonging to the Helsinki Zoo pedigree. MOC has been diagnosed in snow leopards from four other zoos in the world. The same syndrome has been reported in the domestic cat, but is not known in any other species. Multidisciplinary investigations have not been able to explain the causes of MOC. MOC is an example of a hitherto unknown type of familial malformations where the available evidence strongly points to nongenetic maternal influences or some external factor affecting all the fetuses in the same way.