Asplenia and Polysplenia in Cattle

Abstract

Among 720 cattle with congenital anomalies of circulatory system, the splenic anomalies were detected in 21 cattle, including 3 cases of asplenia, 6 cases of hypoplastic spleen, 4 cases of two spleens, and 8 cases of lobated spleen. The anatomical characteristics of the present and reported cases with splenic anomalies were investigated. The viscero-atrial discordance was observed in 1 case of asplenia, 2 cases of hypoplastic spleen, and 3 cases of two spleens. The cattle with asplenia showed the anatomical characteristics similar to the human asplenia syndrome. In the cattle with hypoplastic spleen, the anomalous placement of abdominal organs, the symmetric development of asymmetric organs and the associated cardiovascular anomalies were less severe than those seen in the asplenia syndrome. The cattle with two spleens showed a tendency for association of the anomalous placement of abdominal organs and the azygos continuation of caudal vena cava. The cattle with lobated spleen showed a tendency for association of the azygos continuation of caudal vena cava.