Osteocartilaginous metaplasia of the right atrium in male domestic sheep

Abstract

Among 53 clinically healthy male sheep with epididymitis, nine had minimal to severe firm nodular thickening of the right atrial wall at necropsy. The two most severely affected atria were about three times normal size. Histologically, the atrial masses consisted of partly mineralized cartilage nodules with lipid-filled cavities and basophilic to eosinophilic trabeculae. Further investigation failed to reveal clues as to etiopathogenesis of these lesions.