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Preincubation of EDTA plasma with 4mM ZnCl2 restores acidic alpha mannosidase activity, previously inhibited as a result of chelation of Zn++ by EDTA. This allows estimation of acidic alpha mannosidase activity in EDTA plasma samples, followed by granulocyte tests on those samples with low activities.

Marsupial milk has been found to be high in fats, protein and ash compared to eutherian milk. The generally low lactose content of marsupial milk and the corresponding low intestinal lactase activity of pouch young marsupials, when considered with the incidence of diarrhoea and the occasional formation of cataracts in orphan kangaroos fed on cow's milk (which has a high lactose content), suggests that a lactose-free milk be fed to orphan marsupials. Of the lactose-free milk substitutes for children now available, it is recommended that Pregestimil, Glucose Nutramigen and particularly CFI be used for very young orphan marsupial herbivores (especially kangaroos), as these are both lactose- and sucrose-free. Isomil, Prosobee and Triglyde, containing sucrose, may be suitable for older kangaroos which are also ingesting solids and brush-tailed possums of all ages. The appropriate natural diet of the orphan marsupial should be available at the time when initial solid food ingestion would occur in the natural state. It is suggested that milk substitute continue to be given until the orphan animal reaches the age where, in the natural state, it would be full independent.

Two newly-born Anglo Nubian kids with clinical evidence of a severe neurological condition were examined. Pathological examination revealed cytoplasmic vacuolation in neural tissue and in localized areas in the kidney, pancreas and lymphoid tissue. Biochemical investigations demonstrated a deficiency of beta-mannosidase in tissues and blood serum.