General Veterinary Pathology

GLYCOGEN OVERLOAD

• It is excessive intracellular accumulation of glycogen with derangement in glucose or glycogen metabolism. The condition is not a significant entity in animals as compared to humans. Glycogen overload may be encountered in:
  • Neutrophils in inflammation
  • Fast growing neoplastic cells
  • Necrotic areas
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Liver of young and growing animals
  • Well-fed animals
• Grossly, changes are not usually detected, but pale enlarged liver is observed in steroid induced hepatopathy.
• Microscopically, clear cytoplasmic vacuoles in the hepatocyte represent the glycogen. To demonstrate glycogen, sample should be collected immediately after death and tissue must be fixed in non-aqueous solution like alcohol to avoid loss of glycogen since the glycogen is water soluble and glycogen is converted to glucose after death. Glycogen stains red with PAS and Best’s carmine staining.