Spontaneous aorta and coronary lesions in mountain mammals. I. The Carpathian deer (Cervus elaphus)

Arterial lesions were investigated in 48 adult wild Carpathian deers (Cervus elaphus). Aortas from 36 animals and fragments from the main coronary trunks of all the animals were studied histologically and histochemically. In 44.4% of the animals the specimens studied presented gross intimal lesions in the aorta consisting histologically of fibrous plaques (especially situated in the thoracic segment) and/or intimal musculo-elastic thickenings with lipid deposits or fatty streaks (especially in the abdominal segments). In only 5 of the 48 animals the coronary arteries presented slight intimal thickenings, free of lipids. The results obtained are discussed in relation with the possible effect of natural nutrition.