A complex malformation in a pig: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Congenital defects like myofibrillar dysplasia (splayleg), umbilical and inguinal hernias, cryptorchism, intersexes, and anal atresia occur relatively frequently in swine. On the other hand, some developmental anomalies like double monsters are very rare. The present paper reports a rare case of a congenital complex malformation including polymelia, duplicitas coli partialis et recti, atresia ani et fistula rectogenitalis, duplicitas corpori uteri, cervicis, vaginae et vulvae and duplicitas vesicae, urethrae et renalis. A plausible interpretation concerning the etiology is that the anomalies arose from unequal partial twinning. The pig has been healthy and inconspicuous. Although no anus was formed defecation took place via a fistula to one of the vaginas. Posture and behaviour of the pig were normal. Cytogenetic analysis of blood lymphocytes revealed no numerical or gross structural anomalies. There have been no further piglets with developmental disorders in the same litter, in a second litter of the same parents and in other twelve litters by the same boar.