title: A case of conjoined twins (thoraco-omphalopygopagus tribrachius tetrapus) in lamb.
abstract: Nearly completed conjoined or fused symmetrical twins are generally called diplopagus. Sheep conjoined twins have been reported less than cow. An apparently female conjoined twin lambs was examined based on external and internal features. In radiology, two vertebral columns and two pairs of the ribs were seen. Only two heads and two necks were separated (thoraco-omphalopygopagus). There were three forelimbs (tribrachius), one of which grew on dorsal region as a notomelus. Teat buds of the monsters differed in number. Only one lamb had umbilicus, including one umbilical vein, and two umbilical arteries locating besides one urinary bladder. This lamb had also one uterus. Two-separated alimentary tracts were observed in a common abdomen. Common thorax and abdominal cavities were separated by a diaphragm. There were two esophageal hiatuses, and two caval foramina but only one aortic hiatus. Two pairs of lungs and two unequal and connected hearts in a common pericardium were observed. Abnormality of the circulatory system might have caused the death of the twins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran;
authors.forename: Yazdan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mazaheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran;
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nourinezhad
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran;
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran;
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaksary Mahabady
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran;
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ghadiri
authors.affiliation: Private Veterinary Practitioner, Shushtar, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lombeshkon
keywords: Conjoined twins; Diplopagus; Notomelus; Sheep; Tribrachius