Spontaneous Atherosclerosis in Free-Living Pigeons in
Mosul
Area,
Iraq
Hahfidh
I.
Al-Sadi* and Ashraf K. Abdullah
Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases,
College
of
Veterinary Medicine,
University
of
Mosul,
Mosul,
Iraq
* Corresponding author: hafidhalsadi@yahoo.com
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the prevalence
and pathology of spontaneous atherosclerosis in free – living pigeons in
Mosul,
Iraq.
A hundred apparently healthy, 1-1.5 year old both sexes pigeons of local breed
free – living used. Effects of factors such as weight, sex, age and health
status on prevalence of the condition were also studied. Prevalence of naturally
occurring atherosclerosis was 10%. Grossly, the heart was hypertrophied and of
firm consistency, aorta and coronary arteries were prominent and cordlike with
thickened walls. Microscopically, lipid – laden "foam cells" were seen
throughout the thickened tunica media and intima. Damage of the elastic lamellae
and hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells were also noted. Spontaneous
atherosclerosis occurred more frequently in old pigeons. No effect was found for
sex, weight, and health status of the pigeons on prevalence and pathology of
spontaneous atherosclerosis. It was concluded that spontaneous atherosclerosis
is fairly common in local pigeons and it occurred more commonly in old pigeons.
Sex, weight, and health status of the pigeons did not constitute risk factors
for the occurrence of spontaneous atherosclerosis.