Clinicopathological study of canine transmissible venereal tumour in leishmaniotic dogs

Introduction : Canine transmissible venereal tumour is occasionally observed in leishmaniotic dogs, and Leishmania amastigotes can be harboured in canine transmissible venereal tumour cells. Objectives : The aim of this paper was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of the association of both diseases. Methods : Nineteen dogs affected by canine transmissible venereal tumour and canine leishmaniasis were studied retrospectively. Results : In these dogs, the tumour manifested a large size and often aggressive behaviour (42%) and no predictive sign of spontaneous regression was observed. Sporadic Leishmania amastigotes were found within the canine transmissible venereal tumour in three cases, probably transported by infected macrophages often infiltrating the tumour. A high Leishmania parasitisation of canine transmissible venereal tumour was observed in two other cases and verified by immunohistochemistry. Clinical Significance : Canine transmissible venereal tumour is a tumour of the dog able to harbour a large number of Leishmania parasites. Alternatively, the systemic disease (canine leishmaniasis) may lower the immune defence against malignancy (canine transmissible venereal tumour).     

Sertoli cell tumors associated with feminizing syndrome and spermatic cord torsion in two cryptorchid dogs

The association of cryptorchidism, functional Sertoli cell tumors, and spermatic cord torsion has been rarely reported in the literature. Two dogs were admitted for bilateral skin alopecia and weight loss. Both animals were cryptorchid and displayed a pendulous preputial sheath, prostate hypertrophy, and increased levels of circulating oestrogen. Transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained gonads. During surgery, spermatic cord torsion was also detected in the enlarged neoplastic testes of both dogs. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of Sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Complete remission of all symptoms occurred within 3 months after orchiectomy.     

Deslorelin Implants in Pre‐pubertal Female Dogs: Short‐ and Long‐Term Effects on the Genital Tract

Deslorelin acetate is a GnRH agonist used for contraception in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of pre‐pubertal female dogs with deslorelin acetate implants, to better investigate the primary stimulatory effect of the drug and the long‐term effects on the genital tract, throughout repeated treatments. Sicilian hound female dogs (24) were randomly assigned to treated group, control group 1 and control group 2. First group bitches were implanted at 4.5, 9.0 and 13.5 months and monitored clinically, ultrasonographically and endocrinologically, throughout the study period (13.5 months). Control group 1 bitches were not implanted and clinically monitored for the same period. At 18 months, the animals underwent ovariohysterectomy, thus allowing evaluation of the internal genitalia. Control group 2 bitches were ovariohysterectomized at the age of 4.5 months. The suppression of oestrus was obtained in the treated group despite the fact that the first implant caused a modest increase in plasmatic levels of 17‐beta estradiol and an evident cornification of the vaginal mucosa cells (50–80%). Estradiol and progesterone were at baseline levels for the remaining study period, in which no other oestrous manifestations were observed. The external genitalia maintained a juvenile appearance. The ovaries, ultrasonographically, showed no follicular structures and stayed the same size. At 18 months, the genital tract was still juvenile with inactive small ovaries and a thin filiform uterus. Deslorelin suppressed ovarian activity in pre‐pubertal bitches, and oestrous induction was not observed despite the presence of the primary stimulatory effect of the drug. Juvenile genitalia were an expected side effect of the treatment.     

Daily variations of plasma serotonin levels in 2-year-old horses

Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter implicated in the regulation of circadian rhythms. Synthesis and release of 5-HT are subjected to daily fluctuations, but there are no data on plasma serotonin levels in 2-year-old horses. Aim of this study was to investigate the daily variations in 5-HT levels in platelet-poor plasma from 2-year-old horses, so as to understand whether plasma 5-HT could be considered as an additional variable to assess the natural adaptability of horses to training. The research was carried out on 6 clinically healthy crossbred mares. Data showed higher levels of platelet-poor plasma 5-HT at 5 p.m. (P < 0.001) than at 1 p.m. and lower values at 5 a.m. (P < 0.001) than at 1 a.m. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant effect of sampling time (P < 0.0001) on plasma 5-HT changes. Results suggest that the increase of 5-HT levels could be related to an enhanced 5-HT output and release, and that their daily variations could be considered as an additional variable to assess the natural adaptability of horses for being trained. Tryptophan levels, the essential amino acid precursor of 5-HT, seemed to hint at slight fluctuations at regular intervals, with the highest amounts at 9 a.m. and at 9 p.m. and lowest at 1 a.m. and at 1 p.m., in agreement with data reported in adult horses. Cortisol levels showed wide fluctuations, with the highest amounts at 1 a.m. and the lowest amounts at 9.00 p.m.     

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour Parasitized by Leishmania infantum

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Uterine malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (Metaplasic carcinoma) in the cat: clinicopathologic features and proliferation indices

A homologous malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the uterus occurring in an 8-year-old Persian cat was described with regard to its clinical and pathologic features. A polypoid multinodular mass of the right uterine horn was shown by an ultrasound examination. Grossly, the right uterine horn was enlarged because of a vegetative and infiltrating tumor, grayish-white in color, that penetrated the uterine wall to the level of the perimetrium. Many metastatic nodules were found in abdominal and thoracic cavities. Histologically, the neoplasm had both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components and was diagnosed as an uterine malignant mixed Müllerian tumor. This is the fourth case reported in cats. The histologic features and proliferation rate of this tumor were similar to the corresponding human neoplasms, which occur mainly in postmenopausal women. The possible hormone dependence of the tumor is briefly discussed.