An abattoir survey and pathologic study of abdominal fat necrosis on Korean indigenous cattle

도축 한우의 복강내 지방괴사증 발생과 병리조직학적 연구

The bovine fat necrosis is often seen as an incidental lesion in the adipose tissues of the abdominal cavity. Most of affected animals, however, have been detected at the slaughter house or routine necropsy. The purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence and distribution of abdominal fat necrosis in Korean native cattle, and its pathologic features. Postmortem inspection at an Chonju abattoir during a three-month period in 1997 detected at necrosis lesions in 67(6.6%) of the 1,012 animals received for slaughter. The occurrence was mainly in alimentary tracts and perirenal. Both sexes were affected, but the lesion were predominantly occurred in female. Gross lesions were white or yellowish in color and formed hard lumps irregular in shape ranging from small nodules to large solid masses. On the cut surface, lesions were occasionally seen chalky calcified granules and some of the lesions contained oil-like fluid. The surface of irregular shaped masses constricted kidneys and intestinal loops. Microscopically, the masses were encapsulated by thickened fibrous tissue, which infiltrated deeply and divided them into many irregular lobules. Initial lesions presented mild inflammatory cell and fibrous proliferation. It became fibroplasia in progressive lesions and resembled chronic lesion, eventhough no grossly apparent inflammatory reaction. The hard consistency of masses, due to fibroplasia, can compress the intestines, urinary organs, and reproductive organs.