Melanosis

• Melanosis is an abnormal accumulation of melanin (a dark pigment) in various organs including the kidneys, heart, lungs and liver.
• Discolouration of the liver tends to occur in certain regions, and this may be associated with the local grazing diet of the sheep.
• Affected livers are not compromised functionally; the sheep are normal.
• Organs affected are trimmed for aesthetic reasons at slaughter.
• Not a preventable disease.

MLA - review summary of melanosis (black livers) in sheep