Fetus in fetu in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardi): histopathologic, genetic, and toxicologic analysis

Vet Pathol. 2006 Jul;43(4):541-4. doi: 10.1354/vp.43-4-541.

Abstract

A young harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardi), stranded on the coast of California, was found to have a 20-cm-diameter cranial cervical mass. Surgical excision revealed the subcutaneous mass to be covered in haired skin with multiple glabrous areas and structures resembling a jaw with tooth buds, eyelids, and a tail. The mass deformed the host pup's skull. Histologic examination revealed a complete vertebra in the tail, teeth in the jaw, and areas resembling tongue and larynx. Class 1 MHC sequences amplified by polymerase chain reaction from the mass and the host twin were identical. The mass was diagnosed as a fetus in fetu, a rare congenital anomaly in which 1 conjoined twin is completely enclosed in the body of the other twin. The host pup died, and no additional defects were found; however, blubber levels of persistent organic pollutants were high. The cause of the congenital anomaly in this pup is uncertain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / genetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fetus / abnormalities
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocytochemistry / veterinary
  • Phoca / abnormalities*
  • Phoca / embryology
  • Phoca / genetics
  • Phoca / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Twins, Conjoined / pathology*
  • Twins, Monozygotic

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • DNA