Diabetes in a Japanese Black Calf with Pancreatic Islet Beta Cell Hypoplasia

Abstract

A 49-day-old Japanese Black calf presented with neurological symptoms including lethargy, confusion and occasional tremors, as well as glucosuria and ketonuria. Blood tests showed hyperglycemia, and insulin levels were markedly decreased (＜0.05 ng/ml ). Histopathology revealed that the islets were occupied by cells with round nuclei and pale, slightly acidophilic cytoplasm. Aldehyde fuchsin staining showed no positive islet granules, and immunohistochemistry with anti-insulin antibody revealed the presence of small quantities of insulin antigen in some islets. Based on these results, the calf was diagnosed with diabetes caused by islet beta cell hypoplasia.