Pathomorphological changes induced by various management conditions in Arctic foxes [Alopex lagopus]

The studies aimed to evaluate the pathomorphological changes induced by various management conditions in arctic foxes. Healthy pups aged about eight weeks were randomly assigned to two groups, 20 animals each. The foxes of the control group were housed on a farm, while the experimental group comprised of foxes raised in a confined space. Throughout the rearing period, air quality monitoring of the environment of both groups was performed. During the autumn slaughter (the experiment lasted for 7 months), sections of the liver, kidneys, lungs, ovaries, and uterus obtained from all the foxes were evaluated pathomorphologically. Pathological changes were observed in lung sections collected from the animals of the experimental group. During the air monitoring, higher concentrations of pollutants were identified in the experimental group environment.