Plasma progesterone assays in superovulated cattle

Plasma progesterone was measured in 14 normally cycling heifers and cows subjected to non-surgical recoveries of embryos. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) method was used for progesterone determination. The average progesterone concentration increased from 7.5 to 11.6 ng/ml in 8 of the animals following treatment with PMSG on day 8–12. Six animals had a decrease from 5.0 ± 2.1 to 3.9 ± 2.5 ng/ml. The overall increase was from 6.4 ± 2.7 ng/ml to 8.3 ± 4.8 ng/ ml. Prostaglandin F2a-analogue (cloprostenol) treatment resulted in a sharp decrease in plasma progesterone followed by a rapid increase to an average of 46.8 ng/ml on day 16. A high degree of variability in this peak value was observed, and it was not correlated with the number of corpora lutea. The superovulatory cycle was generally prolonged. The heat following the superovulatory treatment was silent, and a typical ovarian resting period was observed during which the progesterone concentration remained low and the ovaries small.     

Questionnaire study of canine neutering techniques taught in UK veterinary schools and those used in practice

OBJECTIVES: To gather information about the different techniques employed in general practice and to compare this with current undergraduate teaching. This would provide an insight into any areas of discrepancy and influences on technique in practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was composed and distributed to 407 practices throughout the UK, using a commercial mailing list. Fifty further questionnaires were distributed by final-year students to their foster practices and five were sent to practices on request. A second questionnaire was composed and sent to the members of staff responsible for teaching surgical neutering techniques at each of the UK veterinary schools. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 183 respondents. These were compared with seven questionnaires from university teachers. Only areas in which the teachers reached a consensus of opinion were directly compared. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Several areas of discrepancy between current teaching and techniques in practice were identified. A study of complications compared with technique would provide further information. There is a lack of published material or an evidence base in many aspects of surgical neutering to support one technique over another.     

Ethology and canine practice

The importance of the identification of the ancestral species of a domestic animal, together with a study of its behaviour, is emphasized. Practical implications of the critical period of socialization are appraised. Two examples of social behaviour, eliminative and sexual, are dealt with in some detail and clinical problems associated with sexual behaviour are discussed. The complexity of the interspecific relationship between man and the domestic dog is outlined. Brief consideration is given to the interaction between psycho-behaviour and organic disease. Hope is expressed that small animal clinicians will be stimulated to take an interest in psycho-behavioural aspects of canine practice. Résumé. L'auteur souligne l'importance de l'identification de la lignée ancestrale et de l'étude simultanée du comportement d'un animal domestique. Il discute des implications pratiques de la période ‘critique’ de la socialisation, et donne deux exemples de comportement social éliminatif et sexuel qu'il étude en détail notamment quant aux problèmes cliniques relevant du comportement sexuel. On met en évidence fa complexité des rapports entre l'espèce humaine et le chien domestique. Quelques brèves considérations sont évoquées à propos des interactions entre le psycho-comportement et les affections organiques, et on exprime l'espoir d'une stimulation de l'intérêt de la part des praticiens des petits animaux pour l'aspect psycho-comportemental de l'exercice de la médecine vétérinaire canine. Zusammenfassung. Die Bedeutung der Identifizierung der Speziesvorfahren eines Haustiers zusammen mit einer Untersuchung seines Verhaltens wird betont. Die praktischen Folgerungen aus der kritischen Periode der Vergesellschaftung werden benannt. Zwei Beispiele des Gruppenver-haltens, des eliminativen und des sexuellen, werden mit einigen Einzelheiten behandelt und klinische Probleme, die mit dem sexuellen Verhalten in Beziehung stehen, besprochen. Die Komplexität der zwischenartlichen Beziehung zwischen dem Menschen und dem domestizierten Hund wird umrissen. Die Wechselwirkung zwischen psychischem Verhalten und organischer Erkrankung wird kurz betrachtet. Es wird der Hoffnung Ausdruck gegeben, dass tierärztliche Kliniker sich angeregt fühlen, sich für die psychischen Verhaltensfragen im Zusammenhang mit der Behandlung von Hunden zu interessieren.     

First report of canine African trypanosomosis in the UK

A six-year-old neutered male Jack Russell terrier was presented two years after importation into the UK from southern Africa with severe anaemia and abdominal distension. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of hepato-splenomegaly and ascites. A diagnosis of trypanosomosis was made by blood smear examination. Shortly after admission the dog collapsed and died. PCR analysis revealed a single infection with Trypanosoma congolense savannah type. This is the first reported case of canine African trypanosomosis in Europe and suggests that chronic trypanosomosis may allow importation of the disease in apparently asymptomatic animals, even with extended quarantine periods.     

Comparative study of assays for stimulated fluid pinocytosis in canine and human neutrophils

We compared a flow cytometric assay of fluid pinocytosis in stimulated neutrophils with previously used methods, including spectrophotofluorometric assay of fluoresceinated dextran (FD) uptake and beta scintillation spectroscopic assay of radiolabeled sucrose uptake. Neutrophils from human and canine blood were stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and phorbol myristate acetate, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to quantitate uptake of FD and lucifer yellow, spectrophotometry was used to quantitate uptake of FD, and spectroscopy was used to quantitate uptake of 14C-labeled sucrose. The flow cytometric assay, using either FD or lucifer yellow, was found to be superior on the basis of maximal incremental increase observed, minimal variability within replicate experiments, and maximal sensitivity to detect early stimulation of fluid pinocytosis in neutrophils.     

Evaluation of the status of canine hydrotherapy in the UK

To establish the current status of canine hydrotherapy in the UK and to ascertain information regarding the current use of hydrotherapy, a questionnaire was sent to 152 hydrotherapy centres throughout the UK, from which 89 responded. Hydrotherapy was found to be a rapidly growing business. Stand-alone centres were in existence; however, many centres were connected to other businesses, including boarding kennels and general practice veterinary surgeries. The dogs using the facility were mainly pedigree breeds, particularly labrador retrievers (30 per cent), and the most commonly encountered conditions were rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (25 per cent), hip dysplasia (24 per cent) and osteoarthritis (18 per cent). The proportion of qualified versus unqualified staff varied between centres, highlighting a need for improved regulation of this aspect of the industry. However, all the dogs treated by the hydrotherapy centres surveyed were direct veterinary referrals, suggesting a good degree of professionalism in the field and a high regard for the benefits of hydrotherapy.     

Concentration of receptors for estradiol and progesterone in canine endometrium during estrus and diestrus

Receptors for estrogen and progesterone were measured in cytosols prepared from specimens of canine endometrium obtained at late proestrus, day 4 of estrus, day 2 of diestrus, and at 10 day intervals from days 10 through 80 of diestrus. Twenty nine adult bitches were used, with 2 to 4 dogs used at each time point. Concentrations of estradiol receptors measured in endometrial cytosols from late proestrus through day 10 of diestrus were similar (mean +/- SEM: 9.9 +/- 2.2, 10.5 +/- 1.2, 16.3 +/- 1.6, and 16.2 +/- 2.9 pmol/g of tissue at proestrus, day 4 of estrus, days 2 and 10 of diestrus, respectively). As serum concentrations of progesterone increased during early diestrus, the concentration of estradiol receptors decreased and were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower on days 30 (4.9 +/- 1.3 pmol/g of tissue) and 40 (3.7 +/- 0.6 pmol/g of tissue) of diestrus. After day 40 of diestrus, when serum concentrations of progesterone were approaching basal concentrations, the concentration of estradiol receptors increased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) higher from days 60 to 80 of diestrus (day 60, 13.4 +/- 2.9; day 70, 15.7 +/- 1.7; day 80, 19.8 +/- 2.4 pmol/g of tissue). As observed for estrogen receptors, the concentration of endometrial receptors for progesterone also gradually increased from late proestrus (4.9 +/- 1.3 pmol/g of tissue) to day 2 of diestrus (6.4 +/- 0.3 pmol/g of tissue).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of progesterone and pregnancy on canine fibrinogen values

Progesterone alone or in combination with oestrogen was given to male dogs and nonoestrous bitches by intramuscular injection. Progesterone produced a marked increase in plasma fibrinogen values. The fibrinogen response appeared to be independent of oestrogen administration. No alteration in haematocrit values, platelet count, APTT and OSPT results or the activities of coagulation factors VII, VIII and IX was observed following hormone administration. It is suggested that increased plasma progesterone concentrations may be partly responsible for the two- to three-fold increase in fibrinogen which occurs during gestation in the bitch.     

孕酮在犬子宫蓄脓发病过程中的作用

为探讨孕酮在犬子宫蓄脓发病中的作用,无菌采取健康犬与发病犬子宫角,进行常规石蜡切片、HE染色和孕酮受体的免疫组化检测(IHC);取健康犬子宫内膜上皮细胞进行原代培养。试验结果显示发病犬子宫内膜层不完整、脱落以及腺体数量增多、增大等;其子宫组织内孕酮受体阳性,并且集中分布在腺体周围;健康犬子宫组织内均未检测到孕酮受体。利用不同质量浓度的孕酮、雌激素对犬子宫内膜原代细胞进行刺激培养,发现孕酮刺激组的细胞体积明显增大。结果表明孕酮可导致内犬子宫内膜细胞病变,从而促进犬子宫蓄脓的发生。     

犬阴道肿瘤雌孕激素受体的表达

将吉林大学小动物医院2006年6月至2008年2月收治的35例犬阴道肿瘤,根据临床特征及病理学变化分为传染性性病肿瘤、阴道增生和腺泡状软组织肉瘤3种,采用免疫组化SP法检测雌二醇受体α(ER-α)和孕酮受体(PR)在肿瘤中的表达。结果表明,犬传染性性病肿瘤(Canine transmissible venereal tumor,CTVT)组织雌孕激素受体表达缺失。阴道增生雌孕激素受体的表达,发情前期上皮细胞、平滑肌细胞及内皮细胞与正常阴道组织相比阳性表达率相似,并未随发情前期血浆雌二醇水平的升高而增加。而腺泡状软组织肉瘤(Vagin alalveolar soft part sarcoma,VASPS)雌二醇受体表达为阳性,表明犬阴道腺泡状软组织肉瘤的生成、发展可能与生殖激素有关,具有激素依赖性。     

Cytoplasmic estrogen and progesterone receptors in canine endometrium during the estrous cycle

Estradiol and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were characterized and measured in cytosols from canine endometrium, using saturation and sucrose-gradient centrifugation radioassays. Both receptors were demonstrated to be steroid- and tissue-specific saturable proteins, which bound the respective steroids with high affinity (dissociation constant [Kd] approximately 10(-9)M). Serum estradiol, progesterone, and endometrial cytosol receptor concentrations and receptor-binding affinity were measured for 25 bitches from which samples were obtained at 5 stages of the estrous cycle (5 bitches each): anestrus (A), the 3rd day of proestrus (P3), the 3rd day of estrus (E3), the 12th day after onset of estrus (E12), and the 28th day after onset of estrus (E28). Mean (+/- SEM) serum estradiol concentrations were 17.0 +/- 2.2 (A), 55.4 +/- 5.0 (P3), 89.4 +/- 24.9 (E3), 41.0 +/- 5.9 (E12), and 50.6 +/- 3.9 (E28) pg/ml. Mean (+/- SEM) serum progesterone concentrations were 0.4 +/- 0.1 (A), 1.5 +/- 0.2 (P3), 17.3 +/- 7.5 (E3), 41.6 +/- 9.5 (E12), and 25.8 +/- 3.2 (E28) ng/ml. Concentrations of ER increased significantly from 1.06 pmol/g of uterus during stage A to a peak concentration of 6.18 pmol/g of uterus at E12, followed by a gradual decrease to 0.69 pmol/g of uterus by E28. The PR concentrations increased from 3.01 pmol/g of uterus in stage A to 17.32 pmol/g of uterus at P3; PR concentrations, thereafter, decreased gradually to 1.85 pmol/g of uterus by E28. Dissociation constants were significantly higher at E12 for the ER (Kd = 2.6645 X 10(-9)M) and at P3 for the PR (Kd = 5.8282 X 10(-9)M) than at the other stages examined, indicating a decrease in receptor affinity during the periods of high receptor concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in canine sebaceous gland tumours

Sebaceous gland oestrogen α (ERα) and progesterone (PR) receptor expression was examined immunohistochemically in 26 and 32 dogs respectively with sebaceous gland hyperplasia/adenomas, epitheliomas and carcinomas, and in the glands of 10 healthy controls. The mean percentage of ERα positive nuclei in control sebaceous glands was 21.31% compared with 11.5% in hyperplasia/adenoma‐type lesions, although these values were not statistically different. In sebaceous gland epitheliomas and carcinomas, positive basal cells represented 7.86% and 3.53% of neoplastic cells respectively and these mean percentages were significantly lower in epitheliomas (P < 0.024) and carcinomas (P < 0.015) than in controls. The mean percentage of PR‐positive nuclei in control sebaceous glands was 23.96%, similar to the 22.07% found in hyperplasia/adenoma‐type lesions. In sebaceous gland epitheliomas and carcinomas, positive cells were scarce and represented 13.5% and 4.06% of neoplastic cells respectively. Differences in the percentage of positive cells between normal and pathological glands reached statistical significance for carcinomas (P < 0.043). In the control group there was greater PR (P < 0.001) and ERα expression (P < 0.014) in sebaceous glands in female dogs. The PR and ERα immunoreactivity in each category of neoplastic lesions could not be analysed because sample size was too small but when all the sebaceous gland tumours were grouped and analysed, no sex difference was found. The results suggest that oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression is reduced in some canine sebaceous gland tumours. These changes may represent a contributing factor for tumour growth or simply be a consequence of tumour progression.     

Aglepristone decreases proliferation in progesterone receptor-positive canine mammary carcinomas

Background: Progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist aglepristone (RU534) has been used successfully for pregnancy termination and therapy of pyometra, vaginal tumors, and mammary hyperplasia in bitches and queens. All of these conditions share with canine mammary carcinomas the expression of PR. Objectives: To study the effect of RU534 on proliferation and apoptosis in canine mammary carcinomas in relation to PR expression. Animals: Twenty‐seven nonspayed bitches with mammary carcinomas were treated with either 2 doses of 20 mg/kg RU534 (n = 22, RU534‐treated group) or oil placebo (n = 5, control group) on days 1 and 8. Methods: Tumor samples were collected before (day 1) and after (day 15) treatment for immunohistochemistry. PR expression, proliferation index (PI), and apoptotic index (AI) were determined using antibodies against PR, Ki67, and cleaved lamin A/C antigens, respectively. The effect of treatment on these parameters was analyzed. Results: Differential expression of PR between day 1 (59.1% PR‐positive tumors) and day 15 (36.4% PR‐positive tumors) was observed in RU534‐treated tumors exclusively. After RU534 treatment, mean PI was significantly decreased in PR‐positive but unchanged in PR‐negative RU534‐treated tumors. A reduction of ≥20% in PI was found in 61.5% of RU534‐treated tumors with PR expression. Conversely, no effect on AI was observed after RU534 treatment. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Neoadjuvant RU534 treatment had PR expression‐related inhibiting effects on proliferation of canine mammary carcinoma cells.