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Anencephaly in a german shepherd dog.
M Huisinga1, M Reinacher, S Nagel
1Institut für Veterinär-Pathologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 96, 35392 Giessen, Germany. maike.huisinga@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
Veterinary Pathology
|May 15, 2010
Summary
Anencephaly, a neural tube defect, was diagnosed in a stillborn puppy. This rare condition in canines involved a missing brain and underdeveloped cranial structures, indicating failed development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Developmental Biology
- Canine Genetics
Background:
- Anencephaly is a severe birth defect resulting from failed neural tube closure during early embryonic development.
- This condition is well-documented in humans but has not been previously reported in canine species.
Observation:
- A stillborn canine fetus at 62 days of gestation presented with a hypoplastic calvarium, flattened skull base, and shallow orbits causing exophthalmos.
- Macroscopic examination revealed a complete absence of the brain.
- Histological examination identified nerve fibers, cerebellar fragments, and ganglia within the rudimentary cranial cavity.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of mature neurons (NeuN+) and immature neurons (doublecortin+) in the rudimentary neural tissue.
- The cellular composition indicates a failure in normal brain development and differentiation processes.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of anencephaly in dogs, expanding the known spectrum of this congenital anomaly.
- Understanding the pathogenesis in canines may offer insights into neural tube defects in other species.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare developmental abnormalities in veterinary diagnostics.
