Congenital sternal ectopia cordis in a Limousin calf – a case report

Abstract

Recognition and detailed description of malformations and aberrations in domestic animals may be very useful in cognition of the problem and in creating breeding programs. The aim of this study was to describe a rare case of sternal (pectoral) ectopia cordis in a calf. A female calf of the Limousin breed born in Poland in 2011 was subjected to euthanasia because the heart was situated outside the chest. The carcass of the calf was subjected to anatomical examination in which alterations in cardiovascular system and in the structure of the sternum were observed. Cytogenetic studies were performed to find out if the karyotype of the calf was normal. Elongation of the ascending aorta was observed and the pattern of aortic branching was aberrant similarly to that found in dogs, not cattle. The systemic circulation was found to be linked to pulmonary circulation due to persisting large calibre arterial duct. Each of the ventricles had its own cardiac apex and walls of the ventricles manifested a similar width. The atria were slightly altered. A single, short and dilated blood vessel (pulmonary vein) evacuated its content to the left atrium. Pericardium formed no pericardial sac. Radiogram of the sternum demonstrated a ring-resembling shape and 12 (6 pairs) cartilaginous bars of the sternum (sternebrae). A normal female karytotype (60, XX) indicated that this malformation was not caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneuploidy). Cattle, arterial pattern, sternum, chromosomesEctopia cordis represents a developmental error involving the transposition of the heart outside the chest. Depending on the site to which displacement occurs, it is classified as cervical ectopia cordis (upper or lower ectopia), pectoral or sternal ectopia, and abdominal ectopia (Herzog and Wiedeking 1970;Shiran et al. 2010). Moreover, cases of thoracoabdominal and cervico-pectoral ectopia (Hiraga et al. 1990) were also reported.Manifestation of this developmental error has been detected in almost all livestock species (Hamali and Ashrafihelan 2010). However, vast majority of the reports of ectopia cordis concerned cattle (Wyrost and Radek 1982), and it was less frequent in horses (Hamali and Ashrafihelan 2010). Individuals affected by ectopia cordis in cattle died soon after birth or survived even several years, most frequently till maturity (Murakami et al. 1996).In this study we present a rare case of ectopia cordis of the pectoral (or sternal) type in a Limousin heifer. Materials and MethodsHeart displacement (ectopia cordis) outside the chest was described in a newborn female calf of the Limousin breed born in Poland in 2011 on a commercial farm (birth weight 34 kg). The calf was the third offspring (all three female) of the cow and the delivery, similar to the preceding ones, took place by forces of nature. The sire of the calf was one of two bulls, since a harem mating system was followed on the farm. The calf proved to be viable and healthy, with a preserved sucking reflex. The heart, situated out of the chest, manifested a...

Cervical ectopia cordis in a calf: a case report

“…Most cases of ectopic heart were reported in the Holstein Friesian breed (Hiraga and Abe 1986;Hiraga et al 1993;Schulze et al 2006;Onda et al 2011). The condition has also been reported in Angus, Shorthorn, Hereford, Guernsey, Simmental, Limousin and mixed breed animals (Hughes 1934;Bowen and Adrian 1962;Gopal et al 1986;Windberger et al 1992;Frackowiak et al 2014).…”

“…In cases of thoracic ectopic heart the heart protruded through the defect in the sternum and was not covered with skin (Kurtz and Ellery 1969;Hiraga et al 1993;Eroksuz et al 1998;Schulze et al 2006;Frackowiak et al 2014). Hiraga and Abbe (1986) observed no abnormalities in the heart itself except for a double apex in a cervical ectopia cordis case.…”