title: Adrenohepatic fusion in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).
abstract: We describe two cases of adrenohepatic fusion (AHF) in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). This condition is defined as the union of hepatic tissue with the adrenal gland with close fusion of the respective parenchymal cells and lack of a fibrous capsule between the two cell populations. AHF is believed to be a congenital anomaly caused by failure of retroperitoneal mesenchyme to stimulate capsule formation, promoting the fusion of the structures. Two male domestic ferrets had a mass adherent to the liver, comprising adrenal gland with areas of fusion between the liver parenchyma and adrenal cortex. There was no evidence of a capsule separating the hepatic and adrenal cell populations. Clinical signs related to either the liver or adrenal gland were not observed, so this was considered to be an incidental finding.
authors: Unit of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain. oquesada@becarios.ulpgc.es
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Quesada-Canales
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Suárez-Bonnet
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Ramírez
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Aguirre-Sanceledonio
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Andrada
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rivero
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Espinosa de Los Monteros
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000002:abnormalities*; D000818:Animals; D005289:Ferrets; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male
keywords: adrenal gland; adrenohepatic fusion; ferret; liver