Metabolism-related and cytokine-related gene expression and pancreatic pathology of a Japanese Black breeding cow with severe fat necrosis

Abstract

　A 63-month-old, Japanese black breeding cow at 223 days of gestation was presented for chief complaints of anorexia and mild straining. At initial presentation, the tail was raised, and frequent, small amounts of muddy diarrhea were observed. On rectal examination, a hard mass was palpated at about 25 cm cranial to the anus, and rectal stricture to the size of one finger was also noted. From the symptoms and rectal examination findings, fat necrosis was suspected. Isoprothiolane was administered for 1 month. At 283 day of gestation, the cow exhibited signs of labor pains and had veterinarian-assisted vaginal delivery. Post-calving, the cow continued to have anorexia and dyschezia but nursed the calf successfully. Approximately 3 months after calving, the calf was weaned, and the cow was culled due to poor prognosis.

　Necropsy revealed a white-yellow, saponified necrotic fat mass （15 cm × 30 cm） surrounding the rectum. Two other necrotic fatty masses（about 15 cm × 15 cm） were also noted in the mesentery of the spiral colon. In the pancreas, no macroscopic lesions were present, but extensive fat infiltration was noted within the parenchyma by histological examination. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ and TNF-α were higher in the abdominal fat necrotic lesions compared to the normal adipose tissue, indicating an inflammatory process and suppressed adipocyte hypertrophy.