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Published on: January 7, 2014
Bilateral ovarian teratoma in a free-living Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)
U Hofle1, J Vicente, C Gortazar
1National Institute for Research on Game Biology, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain. uhofle@irec.uclm.es
Case History:
A 8.5 x 5.7 x 5 cm irregularly shaped mass was detected in the location of the left ovary of a 9-year-old Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) hind shot during a hunting drive.
Pathological Findings:
On the cut surface, the mass consisted of numerous fluid- or keratin-filled inter-communicating cysts, separated by connective tissue containing solid nodules of dark-coloured foci and hairy skin. The right ovary was of normal size, but contained a 1.5 cm mass of hairy skin and spongy structures. Histologically, the large mass comprised differentiated structures such as cartilage, fibrous connective tissue, smooth muscle, stratified squamous keratinised epithelium, cuboidal multi-layered and respiratory epithelium, clusters of pigment-laden cells, hair follicles, nervous tissue and glandular structures. The hind had a grossly and microscopically normal uterus that contained a 449.5 g female fetus.
Diagnosis:
Bilateral mature ovarian teratomas.
Clinical Relevance:
This case describes the first known description of an ovarian teratoma in a free-living red deer. The tumour had unique features, such as bilateral presence and concurrency with a normal pregnancy.
