Congenital chondrodysplasic dwarfism in lambs: A diferent consideration of dystocia

Abstract

In this study, we report three chondrodysplasic anomalous lambs obtained from 2 Akkaraman sheep with dystocia. According to the flock history, the incidence of congenital skeletal anomalies among lambs was 14.28 % and 11.66 % in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The same two rams had been used to obtain natural mating and no new animals had been bought into the flock over the last 5 years. Affected lambs showed typical macroscopic features of a compressed and flattened face, domed head, narrow thorax, swollen abdomen and extremely short paddle like extremities. Radiological examination of extremities of the long bones revealed that diaphyses were extremely shortened and distance between diaphysis and epiphysis was increased. Long bones such as antebrachium, humerus, tibia and femur were short and thick. Histopathologically, immature chondrocytes were present at the articular surface and defective epiphyseal plates were detected in the extremities of the bones and sternum. Persistent cartilage showed irregular strands containing groups of two or four chondrocytes localized in the basophilic matrix. In conclusion, chondrodysplasia of lambs should be added to the list of differential diagnoses of dystocia especially in inbreed sheep.