1990 Volume 43 Issue 7 Pages 503-506
Arteriosclerosis was noted in 18, 3-to 6-month-old, fattening pigs and 13, 3-to 8-year-old, breeding pigs. In all cases, autopsy indicated rough intimal surface of the abdominal aorta and its bifarcation.
The arteriosclerotic lesions were histologically characterized by cellular and fibrous thickening of the aortic intima which was comprised mainly of proliferated smooth muscle cells and fibrous elements. Intimal thickening incleased with age of the animals but no athero-sclerotic lesions could be found in any of the pigs. Hyaline deposition was found in the intimal thickening of young fattening pigs and aging breeding pigs. Histochemical analysis of the hyaline substance indicated a protein containing neutral mucopolysaccharide to be present, indicating a possible metabolic disorder of glycoprotein in intimal smooth muscle cells. The vascular lesions in the animals appeared due to high-protein and high-energy food provided to the pigs in excessive amount.