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Rat Mesentery Angiogenesis Assay
Published on: June 18, 2011
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Splenic hemangiosarcoma in a young sprague-dawley rat.
Katsuhisa Shiraki1, Mihoko Ono, Satoru Kajikawa
1Drug Safety Research Laboratories, Astellas Pharma Inc., 1-6 Kashima 2-chome, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532-8514, Japan.
Journal of Toxicologic Pathology
|January 25, 2013
Summary
A rare hemangiosarcoma was found in a young Sprague-Dawley rat. This splenic tumor metastasized to the liver, highlighting the importance of early detection in veterinary oncology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Rodent Models
Background:
- Spontaneous tumors are uncommon in young laboratory rats.
- Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive vascular tumor typically seen in older dogs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document a rare case of spontaneous hemangiosarcoma in a juvenile Sprague-Dawley rat.
- To characterize the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of the tumor.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of spleen and liver.
- Immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, von Willebrand factor (vWF), CD34, and podoplanin.
- Electron microscopy to identify ultrastructural features.
Main Results:
- A nine-week-old rat presented with multiple splenic and hepatic nodules.
- Histopathology revealed invasive spindle- to oval-shaped cells consistent with hemangiosarcoma.
- Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for vimentin, vWF, and CD34, and negativity for podoplanin.
- Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of Weibel-Palade bodies.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a diagnosis of primary splenic hemangiosarcoma with hepatic metastasis.
- This case highlights the potential for aggressive vascular tumors in young rats.
- Early detection and understanding of tumor behavior are crucial in veterinary medicine.
