Nephrocalcinosis in Fish – Gross pathology

Figure 1. Gross appearance of nephrocalcinosis. The kidney is swollen and grey with an irregular surface and white mineral deposits in the ureters.

Nephrocalcinosis (or urolithiasis) in fish is a chronic inflammatory condition of unknown aetiology in which calcium and other minerals precipitate as hydroxyapatite within the distal renal tubules and collecting ducts. The disease usually records low mortality and although food conversion efficiency is probably impaired, the major concern about the condition centres round a reduction in carcase quality at slaughter. In severe cases, the muscle dorsal to the kidney may also be affected. There are some predisposing factors for this condition like high levels of carbon...

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