Histopathological background data of the systemic organs of CLAWN miniature swine with coronary artery stent implantation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify potential changes that could occur during histological evaluations of CLAWN miniature swine, with potential consequences for subsequent experiments. The systemic organs from male and female CLAWN miniature swine (16.3–42.3 months old) that had been used in long-term studies of coronary stent implantation were examined histologically. Commonly observed histopathological findings were testicular/epididymal atrophy, cyst-like follicles in the ovaries, hemosiderin deposition in the spleen, lipofuscin deposition in the proximal tubular epithelia and presence of eosinophilic globules in the Bowman’s space and the lumen of the proximal tubules in the kidneys, and cellular infiltration in several organs, including the eyelids, respiratory organs, and digestive tract. However, none of these changes were serious enough to indicate a significant impact on research. In conclusion, this study identified CLAWN miniature swine as a suitable animal model for various experiments.

Pathology of African Swine Fever in Reproductive Organs of Mature Breeding Boars

“…However, when evaluating pathogen-related changes, it is crucial to distinguish background lesions in respective organs. According to one study, testicular tubular and epididymal atrophy can occur with increasing age in miniature pigs [ 27 ]. Although those lesions have been insufficiently documented in conventional domestic swine breeds so far, the herein-described lesions should be interpreted with caution at this point due to the low number of animals examined.…”