Prostatic Perfusion in the Dog Using Contrast-Enhanced Doppler Ultrasound

Ultrasonography has become the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of the prostate gland in the dog. Unfortunately, despite providing excellent images, it may be difficult to differentiate the common canine prostatic diseases with ultrasound because many have a similar ultrasonographic appearance. Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to monitor and characterise the normal perfusion pattern and perfusion dynamics of the canine prostate gland when using a micro bubble contrast agent. In all contrast studies, the prostatic artery, entered the prostate gland on the dorso-lateral surface then tunnelled into the prostatic capsule and branched into many small parenchymal arteries which were directed medially towards the urethra to supply the body of the prostate gland. The flow of the contrast medium into the prostatic parenchyma was visible after 15 s. During the wash-in phase, there was an homogenous enhancement of the prostatic parenchyma. During the wash-out phase, an homogenous decrease of the echogenicity was visible in all cases.     

Assessment of Vascular Perfusion Kinetics Using Contrast‐enhanced Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Prostatic Disease in Dogs

Vascular perfusion was assessed in 10 dogs without prostatic abnormalities and 26 dogs with prostatic disease using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound. The time to reach peak contrast intensity (TTP) and peak perfusion intensity (PPI) were measured, and histological biopsies were collected from each dog. Biopsies confirmed normal prostate (n = 10), benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 11), mixed benign pathology (n = 9), prostatitis (n = 1), prostatic malignancy [adenocarcinoma (n = 4); leiomyosarcoma (n = 1)]. In normal dogs, mean PPI was 16.8% ± 5.8 SD, and mean TTP was 33.6 ± 6.4 s. Benign conditions overall were not statistically different from normal dogs (p > 0.05); for benign prostatic hyperplasia, mean PPI was 16.9 ± 3.8%, and mean TTP was 26.2 ± 5.8 s; for mixed benign pathology mean PPI was 14.8 ± 7.8%, and mean TTP was 31.9 ± 9.7 s; for prostatitis, PPI was 14.2%, and TTP was 25.9 s. The malignant conditions overall had perfusion values that differed from the normal dogs (p < 0.05), although evaluation of the data for individual malignancies did not demonstrate a consistent trend; for adenocarcinomas, the PPI was numerically higher with a mean of 23.7 ± 1.9%, and the mean TTP was 26.9 ± 4.8 s, whilst for the dog with leiomyosarcoma values were numerically lower with a PPI of 14.1% and TTP of 41.3 s. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound appears to offer some ability to document differences in perfusion that may differentiate between malignant and benign lesions, although studies with larger numbers of animals are required to confirm this contention.     

Expression of Endothelin‐1 and Endothelin Receptor A in Canine Ovarian Tumours

Ovarian tumours have a low incidence in bitch. Endothelin (ET‐1) and endothelin A receptor (ET‐A) are overexpressed in human ovarian cancer. Twenty canine ovarian tumours and five normal samples were first evaluated by western blotting and then immunohistochemically for ET‐1 and ET‐A expression. Seventeen out of twenty tumours were ET‐1 positive. Eight out of twenty tumours were ET‐A immunohistochemically positive. At molecular level both proteins were proven to be expressed in normal as well as in tumour samples. Our results show that ET‐1 and ET‐A are overexpressed in canine ovarian tumours, suggesting a potential role of these two molecules in canine ovarian carcinogenesis.     

Metastasising Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Testis: A Case Report in the Dog

Veterinary Research Communications -     

The Ductus Epididymis of the Alpaca: Immunohistochemical and Lectin Histochemical Study

Our objective was to characterize epithelial cells lining the epididymal duct (caput, corpus, cauda) of the alpaca using AE1/AE3 cytokeratin antibodies and a battery of different lectins: Con-A, UEA-I, LTA WGA, GSA-II, GSA-IB4, SBA, PNA, ECA, DBA, MAL-II and SNA. Sialidase digestion and deglycosylation pre-treatments were also employed. The principal cells (PCs) along the epididymis showed differences in immunostaining patterns toward keratin antibodies. Lectin histochemistry demonstrated variations in the content and distribution of glycosidic residues of glycoconjugates in different epididymal regions. In particular, staining of the Golgi zone in the epithelial PCs was interpreted as evidence for synthesis and secretion of O- and N-linked oligosaccharides. In the caput, the apical mitochondria-rich cells contained mainly β-GalNAc, subterminal α-GalNAc, α-Gal and Neu5Ac α2,3Gal residues. Conversely, in the corpus they were particularly rich in α-GalNac and β-Gal-(1–3)- d -GalNAc linked to sialic acid moieties. Basal cells mainly expressed β-GalNAc and α-Gal in the caput, α-Gal in the corpus and α-Fuc and β-GalNAc in the cauda. The differences in immunostaining patterns and in lectin histochemistry in the alpaca epididymis reported in this investigation seem to be related to regional differences in function.     

Equine Testicular Lesions Related to Invasion by Nematodes

Nematodes of the genuses Strongylus and Setaria are able to erratically migrate to the equine testis and provoke characteristic inflammatory changes. Moreover, the presence of living parasites in scrotal testes is a scarce finding in which only the tracts and related lesions may be observed. In a 20-year experience of equine testes observed in abattoirs, 13 cases of atypical inflammatory lesions in scrotal testes were collected. On opening of the vaginal cavity, hydrocele was consistantly observed, and the Morgagni's appendix was enlarged, prominent, and reddish. Large, elongated, or irregular prominent red to yellow areas were visible on the testicular or epididymal serosa. Edematous enlargement of the epididymal head or tail was occasionally observed. In two cases, the described lesions were detected together with nematodes of the species Setaria equina, free and viable or encapsulated in the visceral and parietal layers of the tunica vaginalis, confirming the hypothesized cause. Histologically, the serosal lesions were interpreted as parasitic tracts, characterized by hemorrhage and leukocyte infiltrates in recent lesions or by granulation tissue with numerous macrophages in elderly ones. In the latter, areas of squamous metaplasia could be observed in the appendix testis and in the epididymal duct. Associated microscopic lesions included diffuse periorchitis, lymphocytic interstitial orchitis with mild to severe degeneration of seminiferous tubules, and vasculitis, epididymitis, and sperm granuloma.     

In vitro effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on Leydig cells of adult alpaca (Lama pacos) testis: GnRH receptor immunolocalization, testosterone and prostaglandin synthesis, and cyclooxygenase activities

The main objective of this study was to examine the modulatory in vitro effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on isolated Leydig cells of adult alpaca (Lama pacos) testis. We first evaluated the presence of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) and cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and COX2 in alpaca testis. We then studied the in vitro effects of buserelin (GnRH analogue), antide (GnRH antagonist), and buserelin plus antide or inhibitor of phospholipase C (compound 48/80) and COXs (acetylsalicylic acid) on the production of testosterone, PGE(2), and PGF(2α) and on the enzymatic activities of COX1 and COX2. Immunoreactivity for GnRHR was detected in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and in the acrosomal region of spermatids. COX1 and COX2 immunosignals were noted in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the GnRHR and COX1 presence in alpaca testis. The in vitro experiments showed that buserelin alone increased (P < 0.01) and antide and buserelin plus acetylsalicylic acid decreased (P < 0.01) testosterone and PGF(2α) production and COX1 activity, whereas antide and compound 48/80 counteracted buserelin effects. Prostaglandin E(2) production and COX2 activity were not affected by buserelin or antide. These data suggest that GnRH directly up-regulates testosterone production in Leydig cells of adult alpaca testis with a postreceptorial mechanism that involves PLC, COX1, and PGF(2α).