Massive iron overload and liver fibrosis resembling haemochromatosis in a racing pony

The Pathology of Comparative Animal Models of Human Haemochromatosis

“…Like in dogs, excessive iron storage occurs in cats of the Abyssinian and Somali breeds with hereditary PK deficiency (Kohn et al, 2000;Van Geffen et al, 2008). There are only isolated case reports of iron storage associated with hepatic fibrosis in horses (Lavoie and Teuscher, 1993;Pearson et al, 1994;McGorum et al, 1999). In an experimental study of adult horses, oral administration of excessive ferrous sulphate did not result in any clinical signs or histopathological lesions in the liver (Pearson and Andreasen, 2001).…”

“…Both of these strains of mice develop an early onset and massive iron overload in the liver, pancreas and other organs. Hepatic iron storage is primarily periportal in some strains of mice with deletion of HAMP (Nicolas et al, 2001) and primarily centrilobular in other strains of mice with the same deletion (Lesbordes-Brion et al, 2006). In both strains the spleen was the only organ tested that did not show an age-dependent increase in iron concentration.…”

“…Natural models of murine iron storage disease resembling human haemochromatosis have not been identified, but genetically engineered mice with alterations in genes involved in iron metabolism have contributed to the understanding of human haemochromatosis. The central role of hepcidin (encoded by the HAMP gene) in the systemic regulation of iron homeostasis has been identified by the incidental deletion of HAMP1 and 2 (Nicolas et al, 2001) or HAMP1 alone in mice (Lesbordes-Brion et al, 2006). Both of these strains of mice develop an early onset and massive iron overload in the liver, pancreas and other organs.…”

Increased inflammation and decreased insulin sensitivity indicate metabolic disturbances in zoo-managed compared to free-ranging black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

“…Inflammation and insulin resistance adversely influence iron metabolism in humans. Iron overload has also been documented in the horse (Lavoie and Teuscher, 1993;Pearson et al, 1994;Smith et al, 1986), and increased serum ferritin has been associated with increased serum insulin and insulin resistance (Kellon, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2012). Inflammatory molecules, such as TNFa and acute phase proteins, divert iron from red blood cells by up-regulating ferritin expression and enhancing iron sequestration in tissue (Balla et al, 2007;Hirayama et al, 1993;Yanoff et al, 2007).…”

Haemochromatosis in a Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in an Australian zoo

“…Haemochromatosis, a disease caused by excessive accumulation of haemosiderin in tissues, is a condition that affects a wide range of species, 1–4 and its significance has led to modifications of husbandry protocols for those animals. Increasing recognition of this condition in horses 5,6 and rhinoceroses 7,8 led investigators to examine their closest relatives, 9 the tapirs, for evidence of abnormal iron accumulation. A haematological survey suggested that tapirs may indeed have a predisposition to iron accumulation 10 .…”