Pathological findings of Japanese Black Cattle living in the restricted area of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, 2013–2016

Abstract

Fifty-one Japanese black cattle from four farms in the evacuation zone of the Fukushima nuclear accident were examined pathologically during the period, 2013-2016. We found no evidence of a radiation effect on pathological findings in any of these autopsy cases, although nine cases (3.7%) of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and three cases (1.2%) of goiter were diagnosed. Estimated integrating dose of external exposure in EBL cases ranged from a maximum of 1200 mSv to a minimum of 72 mSv. Clinically, five cases showed wobble, dysstasia or paralysis. Exophthalmos was observed in three cases. Macroscopically, enlarged lymph nodes, multiple irregular masses of intra-abdominal and intrapelvic adipose tissue, diffuse thickening of the abomasal submucosa with ulceration, and numerous white nodules of myocardium were observed. Histologically, neoplastic lymphoid cells were extensively proliferated and infiltrated in the lesions. Lymphoid tumor cells showed mature or large lymphoblastic appearance. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for BLA-36, CD20 and CD5, and negative for CD3. Three cases showed diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland with no mass or nodule lesion. Histologically, diffuse proliferation of follicular epithelium was observed with preservation of normal structures. There were no malignant findings such as cellular atypia or invasion to capsule.

Pathological characteristics of thyroid glands from Japanese Black Cattle living in the restricted area of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

“…Five cases exhibited wobble, paralysis, or dysstasia and three cases showed exophthalmos. For all these cases, the diagnosis was enzootic bovine leucosis (Sasaki et al, ).…”

“…A total of 241 Japanese Black cattle were raised in 4 farms in the restricted area of the Fukushima Prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. The farms were located within a 20 km radius of the FDNPP (Sasaki et al, ). Farms A, C, and D were located in the town of Namie, whereas farm B was located in Okuma.…”

“…The present study investigated the effects of radiation exposure on the Japanese Black cattle residing in the restricted area around the nuclear power plant since 2013, and to the best of our knowledge, it is the first study of its kind. Although nine cases of enzootic bovine leukosis and three of goiter have been diagnosed, pathological findings did not reveal consistent radiation effects (Sasaki et al, ). Following the accident, many calves were born in the restricted area.…”

Chronic Inflammatory and Proliferative Lesions of the Gallbladder in Aged Pigs

“…Recently, pathological research of Japanese black cattle living in the same evacuation zone revealed that there was no significant relationship between the radiation effect and incidence of tumors. 32 Thus, we expect that radiation exposure is not likely related to the tumorigenesis of the gallbladder carcinoma in pigs.…”

The effect of exposure on cattle thyroid after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

“…Sato et al detected 3678 ± 618 or 1874 ± 289 Bq/kg of radioactive cesium (total of 134 Cs and 137 Cs) in Farm A cattle thyroid (dissected in May or December 2014, respectively) 4 . Sasaki et al pathologically diagnosed that, among 66 cattle dissected in 2013–2017, there were 3 cattle with goiter and 7 cattle with atrophic thyroid without malignant findings 5 , 6 . Since there was no correlation between the level of exposure and the pathological changes, we concluded that radiation exposure is not the cause of these diseases.…”