Hepatic lipidosis associated with cobalt deficiency in Omani goats

Livers from 36 of 684 (5.3%) apparently healthy goats examined at an abatto ir in the greater Muscat area of Oman exhibited gross pathological findings characterized by extremely pale, friable, fatty livers encompassing the en tire organ. Histopathologically, diffuse hepatic lipidosis and occasional b ile duct proliferation were observed. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diasta se-resistant pigment was observed in the macrophages lining the sinusoids. These histopathological lesions were consistent with those characteristic o f ovine white liver disease. Cobalt analysis revealed that normal livers ha d six times more cobalt and a 3-fold less fat content than those measured i n the fatty livers. This is the first report of an association between coba lt deficiency and hepatic lipidosis in Omani goats.