J Vet Sci.  2008 Dec;9(4):429-431. 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.4.429.

Diprosopus, craniorachischisis, arthrogryposis, and other associated anomalies in a stillborn lamb

• Kacr C
• Ozcan K
• Takci I
• Gurbulak K
• Ozen H
• Karaman M

• KMID: 1104921
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2008.9.4.429

Abstract

Congenital malformations with multiple anomalies have been described infrequently in the veterinary literature. A stillborn male crossbred lamb with diprosopus, craniorachischisis, and arthrogryposis was examined macroscopically and histopathologically in this study. The left head was smaller than the right head. Micrencephaly, agnathia, and a rudimentary tongue, which was adherent to the palate, were present in the left head. Micrencephaly, brachygnathia superior, and cleft palate were present in the right head. Cerebellar agenesis and spinal cord hypoplasia were observed. The cerebrums and the spinal cord were covered with a tapering membranous structure. Neural and dermal tissues were noted to intervene upon microscopic examination of this structure. Disorganization of neurons was observed in both cerebrums, though it was more severe in the left one. This case demonstrates many congenital defects occurring together in a lamb.

Keyword

arthrogryposis; craniorachischisis; diprosopus; lamb

MeSH Terms

Animals
Congenital Abnormalities/pathology/*veterinary
Male
Sheep
Sheep Diseases/*congenital/pathology
Stillbirth

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Frontal view of the diprosopic lamb. (B) Craniorachischisis. A tapering membranous structure covering the spinal cord (arrows). (C) Agnathia in the left head. Skin covering the presumptive location of the lower jaw (arrow). (D) A rudimentary tongue, which is adherent to the palate, in the left head (arrow). (E) Dorsal view of the lamb's vertebral column. Severe deformation in the vertebral column. Scoliosis in the thoracal vertebrae (arrow). (F) Lateral radiograph of the lamb. Kyphosis in the cervical, thoracal, and lumbar vertebrae (arrows). (G) Microscopic view of disorganization in the left brain. Fibrous tissue in the brain (arrow). Masson's trichrome. Scale bar = 56 µm. (H) Intervention of the neural (N) and dermal (D) tissues under the membranous structure. Masson's trichrome. Scale bar = 140 µm.

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