Microphthalmia in Texel lambs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an outbreak of congenital microphthalmia in Texel lambs in New Zealand.


METHODS
Affected eyes were fixed in 10% formol saline, processed routinely for histopathology and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Holme's silver and haematoxylin with and without luxol fast blue, and luxol fast blue alone.


RESULTS
Macroscopically, the globes and optic nerves were hypoplastic. Histologically, all embryonic components of the eye were present, but the lens, ciliary body, iris and retina were dysplastic. Axons of the hypoplastic optic nerve were poorly myelinated.


CONCLUSIONS
Congenital microphthalmia occurs in Texel sheep in New Zealand, and is likely inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
Roe
W D
WD
Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
West
D M
DM
Walshe
M T
MT
Jolly
R D
RD