Clinical and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in bitches: A retrospective study.

A retrospective study was carried out to investigate incidence, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in a population of dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Perugia (Italy) and Anicura Tyrus Veterinary Clinic (Terni, Italy). The period of study ranged from January 2005 to December 2021. A total of 1910 dogs were affected by neoplasia but only 35 of them (1.8%), of different breeds and ages, were found to have ovarian tumours. Ultrasound of the ovaries was performed based on clinical signs; the diagnosis was achieved after ultrasound findings prompted ovariohysterectomy and ovarian pathologic evaluation In our study, the age of bitches affected by ovarian neoplasia ranged from 3 to 20 years (mean 9.6 ± 3.8). The histopathological findings of ovarian masses identified 16 granulosa cell tumours (GCT) (46%), 7 adenomas (20%), 5 adenocarcinomas (14%), 2 teratomas (6%), 1 leiomyoma (3%), 1 luteoma (3%), 1 tecoma (3%), 1 dysgerminoma (3%), and 1 haemangiosarcoma (3%). In particular, with respect to clinical signs, 69% of bitches showed abnormalities of estrus cycle (short interestral interval, persistent estrus, prolonged interestral interval). The other main clinical signs included abdominal distention, palpable abdominal mass, vulvovaginal discharge, polyuria/polydipsia, mammary masses. When present, the laboratory abnormalities were slight anemia and leucocytosis with neutrophilia. The tumours were ultrasonographically classified as mainly solid: 12/35 (34%) (1 adenoma, 4 adenocarcinomas, 1 dysgerminoma, 1 haemangiosarcoma, 1 leyomioma, 1 luteoma, 1 GCT, 1 tecoma, 1 teratoma); solid with cystic component 13/35 (37%) (9 GCT, 2 Adenomas, 1 adenocarcinoma, 1 teratoma); and mainly cystic 10/35 (29%) (6 GCTs, 4 adenomas). In our study, the ultrasound examination allowed us to suspect ovarian neoplasia in asymptomatic subjects referred for breeding management or for preventive health check. On the basis of our data, we proposed to perform a complete periodic examination of the reproductive system once a year from 6 years. Nevertheless, the presence of ovarian neoplasms found in young subjects, during breeding management, suggest including routine ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract.

Advanced mare age impairs the ability of in vitro-matured oocytes to correctly align chromosomes on the metaphase plate.

BACKGROUND: Advanced mare age is associated with declining fertility and an increased risk of early pregnancy loss. Compromised oocyte quality is probably the primary reason for reduced fertility, but the defects predisposing to embryonic death are unknown. In women, advanced age predisposes to chromosome segregation errors during meiosis, which lead to embryonic aneuploidy and a heightened risk of miscarriage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of advanced mare age on chromosome alignment and meiotic spindle morphology in in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes. STUDY DESIGN: Morphometric and morphological analysis. METHODS: To investigate differences in spindle organisation and chromosome alignment between young and old mares, oocytes collected from slaughtered mares were divided into two groups depending on mare age (young, ≤14 years and old, ≥16 years), IVM and stained to visualise chromatin and alpha-tubulin. Spindle morphology, morphometry and chromosome (mis)alignment were evaluated by confocal microscopy and 3D image analysis. RESULTS: Oocytes from old mares showed a higher incidence of chromosome misalignment (47.4% vs. 4.5%; P<0.001) and a thicker metaphase plate (mean ± s.d.: 5.8 ± 1.0 µm vs. 4.9 ± 0.9 µm; P = 0.04) than oocytes from young mares. Although no differences in spindle morphometry were detected between old and young mares, an increased major spindle axis length was associated with chromosome misalignment (mean ± s.d.: 25.3 ± 6.1 µm vs. 20.8 ± 3.3 µm; P = 0.01) irrespective of age. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The oocytes were IVM and may not exactly reflect chromosome misalignment in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced mare age predisposes to chromosome misalignment on the metaphase II spindle of IVM oocytes. The compromised ability to correctly align chromosomes presumably predisposes to aneuploidy in resulting embryos and thereby contributes to the age-related decline in fertility and increased incidence of early pregnancy loss. The Summary is available in Portuguese - see Supporting Information.

The stress response of Ragusano donkey (Equus asinus) to different semen collection techniques.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the stress response of donkeys to different semen collection techniques, comparing the physiological patterns of hormonal (adrenocorticotropic hormone: ACTH, cortisol) and biochemical variables (creatinine, total protein, urea, aspartate aminotransferase: AST, alanine aminotransferase: ALT), and routine seminal parameters and sexual behaviour. Twenty two healthy Ragusano donkeys were used and were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups based on different semen collection techniques. Group A was designated as the experimental group and included 16 donkeys submitted to semen collection by an artificial vagina (AV) "on the ground"; group B was designated as the control group, and included 6 donkeys submitted to semen collection by AV during the mount. The semen collection was performed in October, once a day for 10 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected in baseline conditions, before the onset of the treatments and within 30 min after, from the jugular vein of each subject. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of semen collection technique and time points in group A for ACTH (p=0.0084), cortisol (p=0.0004) and creatinine (p=0.0131), with lower values after semen collection than before. A significant effect of semen collection technique and time points in group B for ACTH (p<0.0001) and cortisol (p<0.0001) was observed, with higher values after semen collection than before. The comparison between groups A and B values over different time points showed a significant effect after semen collection for ACTH (p<0.0001), cortisol (p<0.0001) and creatinine (p<0.0001), with the highest values in group B. This study provides the physiological evidence that semen collection on the ground in healthy donkeys could be used as an alternative strategy to induce a positive animal approach and economical advantages.

Permanent Lateral Deviation and Stenosis of the Cervix in an Infertile Jennet.

Congenital abnormalities of the uterus and the cervix are rare in horses, often associated with infertility, despite normal ovarian activity and sexual behaviour. An abnormality of the cervix in a 5-year-old jennet with a history of infertility was described. Clinical and ultrasound examination of the genital tract showed a normal development of the uterus with regular cyclic activity in both the ovaries. Vaginoscopy revealed a normal development of the vagina and a cervix deviated on the left side of the vagina by a thick dorsoventral fold. The lateral deviation was permanent in any stage of oestrus cycle. Furthermore, the cervical os was narrow and digital penetration was not realizable. Using a 5-mm catheter, the full penetration was not possible even during oestrus; moreover, the inoculation of fluid could be revealed in uterus by ultrasound (fluid was not present before inoculation), demonstrating a minimal patency. An abnormal and permanent lateral displacement of a stenotic cervix was suspected as the primary cause of infertility in the jennet.

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.

[Observations of Setaria equina (Nematoda: Setariidae) with the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope]. / Osservazioni su Setaria equina (Nematoda: Setariidae) al microscopio ottico ed al microscopio elettronico a scansione.

Adults of S. equina (Spirurida, Setariidae), 1 male and 2 females, collected from vaginal sac of stallion, were studied by soanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amphids, cephalic and cervical papillae, peribuccal ring, fine transverse bands and bosses of the cuticle, as well as caudal papillae were visualized clearly at this examination. The results of the present survey contribute towards the identification of S. equina, improve the definition of the characters which are demonstrated by common light microscopy and give the exact number of male caudal papillae including the lateral cloacal right papilla considered as a probable anomaly in literature.

A new, less invasive, laparoscopic-laparotomic technique for the cryptorchidectomy in the dog.

A new, less invasive technique of cryptorchidectomy in the dog is described. The technique makes use of a laparoscope equipped with a telescope for diagnostic purposes (identification of testicle site); and then of a forceps to grasp the deferent duct and force the testicle through a small, laparotomic incision, 2.5 cm long, in the parapenien site. Variations, according to the kind of cryptorchidism (bilateral or unilateral, abdominal, inguinal), are also discussed. The operation ends with suturing of the vascular stem of the testicle (resorbable sutures) and orchiectomy. This technique is easy to carry out and has the advantage of not being invasive since it does not involve a median laparotomy preceded by overturning of the penis. Three operations have been performed: two on cases of unilateral cryptorchidism and one on a case of bilateral cryptorchidism.

[Chronic periorchitis and periepididymitis of cattle]. / La periorchite e periepididimite cronica del bovino.

The Authors describe chronic vaginitis of bovines in intensive breeding. All of the 78 subjects examined presented vaginitis, accompanied by fibrinous hydrocele. On the spermatic cord and the tail of epididymis, initial lesions consisted of granulomas and fibrinous bridges between vaginalis propria of testicle and of epididymis. Subsequently appeared adherence and synechiae, which join the deferens and epididymis body to didymis, and thickening of albuginea. Synechiae can develop between peritesticular vaginalis propria and communis. Histopathological findings: peritoneal-like papillary structures with metaplastic mesothelial cells; diffuse lympho-plasmacellular infiltration with eosinophils and mast cells; intense capillary angiogenesis. The epididymal lesions are: diffuse mononuclear infiltration; periarteritis nodosa; papillary proliferations of endothelium; endothelial degeneration; tubular ectasia and stenosis; intraepithelial cyst. Noticeable within testis: periarteritis nodosa; fibrosis of albuginea; spermatocytes vacuolisation; multinucleate spermatids; epithelial shedding. The Authors pointed out: the serological and bacteriological testings furnished inconclusive results; only pathological finding always present is a large infestation of cremasteric muscle with Sarcocystis, to which is attributed the etiopathogenesis of flogosis, that is chronic from the beginning. The Authors propose the terminology of "Chronic peritesticular and periepididymal vaginitis" or "Chronic Periorchitis and periepididymitis".