Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and classification of the hepatic lesions of sheep in abattoir of Kirkuk province in north of Iraq, the pathological lesions of liver was investigated on the sheep slaughtered in slaughter house during May 2010 depending on the gross and microscopical appearance. The results of this research represent the percentage of hepatic lesions which are 20.9%, out of 363 sheep that were examined randomly. The lesions that found are frequent and varied with different percentages. The gross pathologic lesions include parasitic infection in 26.3% percent. While the single and diffuse abscesses are about 22.3%. The congestions reach about 30.2%. Also enlarged pale liver observed and focal area of necrosis have been registered 10.5% respectively for each. Microscopically the most lesions that were observed are fibrosis with infiltration of inflammatory cells (Monocytes) which reach 39.4% percent. Followed by vacuolar degenerations and congestion of the central vein with sinusoids 34.21% respectively. The hydatid cyst were found reach about 26.31% percentage. Necrotic foci were recorded with infiltration of inflammatory cells (Monocytes) 25%.The percentage presence of various liver abscesses 22.36% while the percentage of coagulative necrosis which have been observed was 19.73%. Also the prevascular cuffing of the central vein reported in this hepatic lesions with proportion reach 15.87%. Fatty change recorded in 10.5% percentage and finally the dilatation of sinusoid observed in 9.21% of lesions. The conclusion of this study confirmed that sheep which slaughtered in slaughter house of Kirkuk province which clinically looks healthy, had hepatic lesions in a percentage of 20.9%