Case of Chondrodysplasia in a Holstein Calf

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 20 - 23, 30.06.2025

Kübra Asena Terim Kapakin , Esra Manavoğlu Kirman , Serkan Yıldırım , Armagan Çolak

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15755483

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe, from a pathomorphological perspective, a case of chondrodysplasia observed in a newborn Holstein calf. According to the anamnesis, the first remarkable finding in the calf, which was delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of our faculty, was that its joints fractured easily during birth. Multiple anomalies were observed in the calf at birth. Macroscopic examination revealed that the body of the calf was short, and the skull was disproportionately large. It was also observed that both the front and hind legs were short and that the calf had arthrogryposis, scoliosis of the vertebrae, and herniation in the umbilical region. Upon opening the thoracic cavity, it was noted that the ribs and sternum were not fully developed and that the vertebrae were curved. Additionally, the trachea was found to be smaller and more curved than normal, and the bronchial structures of the lungs were absent. When the skull was opened, hydrocephalus was observed. The most striking finding was that all bone and cartilage tissues of the body were soft and fragile. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for 48 hours and decalcified using 36.8% formic acid and 6.8% sodium formate for histopathological examinations. They were then embedded in paraffin blocks following a routine tissue processing procedure. Sections of 4–5 µm thickness were taken with a microtome, stained with haematoxylin-eosin (H&E), and examined under a light microscope. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative and hypertrophic chondrocytes as well as incomplete vascularization in the affected region.

Keywords

: Calf , Chondrodysplasia , Histopathology

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