Congenital cystic disease of the liver, pancreas, and kidney in a Nubian goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

A congenital cystic disease of the liver, pancreas, and kidney was diagnosed in a 3-week-old female Nubian goat (Capra hircus). Gross and histologic features were similar to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in humans and to previous reports of juvenile polycystic disorders in several animal species. Grossly, the lesions were confined to the liver and pancreas. The liver was severely enlarged and contained multiple fluid-filled cysts of various sizes. There was tortuous ectasia of the extrahepatic bile ducts. In the pancreas, multiple small cysts were disseminated throughout the parenchyma. Histologically, there was cavernous ectasia of the intra- and extrahepatic biliary system. Dilated intrahepatic biliary channels formed a branching and anastomosing pattern throughout the hepatic parenchyma and were often bordered by fibrous connective tissue. The pancreas had dilation of intra- and interlobular ducts. Renal cortical tubules and collecting ducts were ectatic. Congenital polycystic disorder has not been documented previously in the goat.