Congenital hepatic fibrosis in an aborted calf

Abstract

Summary An aborted female Holstein foetus with marked generalized anasarca was referred to the Excellence Centre for Ruminant Abortion and Neonatal Mortality, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. On postmortem examination, red-tinged ascites, pale and firm liver with extreme irregularity and numerous round to oval slightly raised foci on the capsular surface were seen. Histological examination revealed widespread fibrosis, linkage of periportal areas to the central vein region and proliferation of bile ductules forming a branching network within the fibrous tissue. The lesion was diagnosed as congenital hepatic fibrosis. Key words: Aborted calf, Liver, Congenital fibrosis Introduction Congenital hepatic fibrosis is a disorder of biliary system development histologically characterized by diffuse periportal to bridging fibrosis with numerous small often-irregular bile ducts and reduction in the number of portal vein branches, first described by Kerr et al . (1961). This condition has been reported, rarely, in some veterinary species such as horses (Haechler