Periocular fibrosarcoma with lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a cat.

A 9-year-old, female spayed domestic short-haired cat was presented with a 4-year history of bilateral lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis (LGC), which was confirmed via histopathology. Thirteen months following the initial biopsy, the cat was presented with a rapidly progressive mass lesion of the palpebral conjunctiva of the right eye. A surgical debulking, followed 1 month later by exenteration after marked regrowth of the mass confirmed fibrosarcoma. This case report is the first to describe a cat with chronic bilateral LGC that later developed a unilateral fibrosarcoma within the eyelid tissue of the right eye. Fibrosarcoma should be considered a differential in any cat with chronic LGC that develops a rapidly progressive mass in the eyelid.

Altered gene expression in embryos and endometrium collected on day 8 of induced aluteal cycles in mares.

Aluteal cycles were induced in the mare to evaluate the effects of progesterone deprivation on the gene expression of embryos and endometrium collected eight days after ovulation. We hypothesized that the transcript expression would be altered during induced aluteal (AL) cycles (low progesterone <1 ng/mL) when compared with control cycles during diestrus (high progesterone; > 4 ng/mL) for 1) the embryonic expression of progesterone-mediated transcripts and those related to normal embryo growth and development and 2) the endometrial expression of progesterone-mediated transcripts and those related to prostaglandin synthesis and normal pregnancy establishment. Seven cyclic mares with a median age of 6.5 years (range 3-16) were utilized in a crossover design. Mares in estrus were artificially inseminated to a fertile stallion and randomly assigned to control or AL groups. Mares received either saline solution (control mares) or PGF2α (AL mares), twice daily on days 0, 1, and 2 and once daily on days 3 and 4. Serial blood samples were collected daily from day 0 (ovulation) until the day of embryo collection and endometrial biopsy on day 8. Mares were monitored until they returned to estrus, and artificially inseminated. Mares were switched to the opposite treatment group only after a successful embryo collection occurred during the previous cycle and only cycles that produced embryos were used for analyses. The study design resulted in paired samples from each mare for analyses. No significant rise in progesterone was observed in the AL group with mean concentrations of plasma progesterone remaining <1.0 ng/mL from ovulation until embryo collection on day 8. This is in sharp contrast to the control (luteal) cycle where a post-ovulatory rise in plasma progesterone was observed. Real-time RT-PCR was utilized to evaluate the expression of ESR1, PGR, CYP19A1, P19, SLC35A1, OCD, APOB, AQP3, NEU2 transcripts in the embryos and PTGS2, P19, ESR1, HK2, sPLA2, PGR, CTGF, IFNE, FGF9, SLC36A2 expression in the endometrium. Four transcripts showed increased expressed in embryos developed during AL cycles ESR1, P19, APOB and PGR (p < 0.05). Four transcripts showed increased expressed in endometrium developed during AL cycles sPLA2, PGR, ESR1, FGF9 (p < 0.05) and four transcripts showed decreased expression P19, CTGF, IFNE, HK2 (p < 0.05). Additionally, staining differences were present in endometrial staining for both ERα and PR receptor during AL cycles compared with control cycles. Embryos and endometrium developed in a progesterone-deprived environment during induced aluteal cycles demonstrated altered transcript expression. These results indicate that adequate progesterone levels may be a key mediator of the appropriate embryo-maternal environment during early preimplantation embryo development.

Metaphyeal and Diaphyseal Dysplasia of the Third Cervical Vertebra Secondary to Physeal Necrosis in a Quarter Horse Foal.

Ischaemia-induced physeal injury has not been described previously in the horse. A 1-month-old Quarter horse foal was submitted for necropsy examination due to an acute onset of ataxia followed by a 4-week history of progressive decline. Focal narrowing of the spinal canal due to ventral compression by the rotation of the cranial aspect of the third cervical vertebra (C3) was observed. The metaphysis and diaphysis of C3 were markedly shortened and white-tan in colour. Microscopically, there was complete loss of the dorsal compact bone of C3 and replacement of 80% of the physis that runs parallel to the vertebral canal with fibrous tissue and thickened viable trabecular bone. Both cranial and caudal physes of C3 showed widespread bands of coagulative necrosis of the hypertrophic and calcifying zones. Marked bone marrow hypoplasia with slight fibrosis was observed in the metaphyses and diaphysis. There was no evidence of fracture or inflammation. The epiphyses were microscopically unremarkable. It was hypothesized that a regional transient incomplete and possibly multiphasic ischaemia involving the nutrient artery caused necrosis of the physes, resulting in dysplasia of the bone. Ischaemic injury to the physis should be considered in the pathogenesis of focal bone dysplasia in horses.

Impact of a timed-release FSH treatment from 2 to 6 months of age in bulls I: Endocrine and testicular development of beef bulls.

In prepubertal males, FSH facilitates Sertoli cell proliferation and testis maturation. The study aimed to determine the effect of an exogenous FSH treatment on hormone secretion and testis development in Angus bulls. Bulls (n = 22) weaned at 53 ± 3.8 days of age were randomized into two treatment groups based on age and pedigree. Beginning at Day 59, bulls were injected im every 3.5 days with either 30 mg FSH (Folltropin-V; NIH-FSH-P1 units) in a 2% hyaluronan solution (FSH-HA, n = 11) or saline (control, n = 11) until Day 167.5. Blood samples to assess FSH, activin A, and testosterone were collected prior to each treatment. To determine how FSH profiles surrounding treatment were affected, three intensive blood sampling periods, each encompassing two treatment administrations, began at Day 66, 108, and 157, and blood was collected at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 60, and 84 h respective to time of treatment. Scrotal circumference (SC) and BW were measured monthly. Bulls were castrated at Day 170 to measure testis size, seminiferous tubule diameter, and the number of Sertoli and germ cells per tubule cross-section. During intensive FSH sampling, FSH-HA bulls experienced an increase (P < 0.05) in FSH over control bulls for at least 18 h post-injection in all instances. In blood collected every 3.5 days, FSH concentrations in FSH-HA bulls were increased (P < 0.05) over initial Day 59 concentration from Day 97.5-167.5. FSH concentrations did not differ between treatments from Day 59-90.5, but were greater (P < 0.05) in FSH-HA from Day 94-167.5. Concentrations of activin A assessed for Day 59, 83.5, 94, 129, and 167.5 were greater (P < 0.05) in FSH-HA than control bulls on Day 83.5 and 94. The treatments did not differ (P > 0.1) in testosterone, BW, SC, testis size, tubule diameter, or number of germ cells per tubule. However, the number of Sertoli cells per tubule was greater in FSH-HA than control bulls (45.2 ± 1.4 vs. 41.6 ± 0.9 cells, P < 0.05). In summary, FSH-HA treatment every 3.5 days from Day 59-167.5 maintained elevated FSH for a minimum of 18 h post-injection, likely attributable to the addition of HA. We propose the exogenous FSH-HA treatment initiates a positive feedback loop that includes an increased density of Sertoli cells per tubule cross-section, which is related to increased activin A concentrations on Day 83.5 and 94. Furthermore, this activin A increase preceded an increase in endogenous FSH from Day 94-167.5 in FSH-HA bulls.

Impact of a timed-release follicle-stimulating hormone treatment from one to three months of age on endocrine and testicular development of prepubertal bulls.

In prepubertal bulls, FSH facilitates testis maturation and a transient proliferation of Sertoli cells. Two experiments examined the effects of exogenous FSH on hormone secretion and testis development in Angus bulls. Exogenous FSH treatment consisted of an intramuscular injection (i.m.) of 30 mg FSH (Folltropin-V) in a 2% hyaluronic acid solution (FSH-HA). In Exp. 1, bulls (50 ± 6.5 d of age) received either FSH-HA ( = 5) or saline (control; = 5) on d 50 and 53.5. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture to assess FSH concentrations every 6 h for 24 h after treatment and every 12 h until 84 h. After each treatment, peripheral FSH concentrations were greater ( < 0.05) in the FSH-HA-treated bulls than in the control bulls 6 h after treatment and tended to be greater ( ≤ 0.08) 12 h after treatment. The FSH concentration from 18 to 84 h after treatment did not differ between treatments. In Exp. 2, bulls were treated with FSH-HA ( = 11) or saline (control; = 11) every 3.5 d from 35 to 91 ± 2 d of age. Blood samples were collected before each treatment to quantify FSH, testosterone, and activin A concentrations. Scrotal circumference (SC) and BW were measured weekly. Bulls were castrated at 93 ± 2 d of age. Seminiferous tubule diameter, testis composition, and the number of Sertoli cells per tubule cross section (GATA-4 positive staining) were determined from fixed and stained histological sections. Follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations within the FSH-HA-treated bulls increased ( < 0.05) on d 70 from prior sampling and remained elevated. The FSH concentration did not differ between treatments from 35 to 66.5 d of age but were greater ( < 0.05) in the FSH-HA-treated bulls than in the control bulls from 70 to 91 d of age. Serum concentration of activin A on d 35, 70, and 91 did not differ between treatments. The FSH-HA and control bulls did not differ ( > 0.1) in BW, SC, testis weight, testis volume, percent of parenchyma composed of tubules, tubule diameter, and concentration of testosterone. The number of Sertoli cells per tubule cross section was greater in the FSH-HA-treated bulls than in the control bulls (33.35 ± 0.9 vs. 28.27 ± 0.9 cells; ˂ 0.05). In summary, the FSH-HA treatment from 35 to 91 d of age resulted in increased endogenous FSH from 70 to 91 d and increased numbers of Sertoli cells at 93 d of age. Exogenous FSH altered endocrine mechanisms regulating endogenous FSH secretion and augmented Sertoli cell proliferation in young bulls, but this effect was apparently not caused by increased activin A concentration in the FSH-HA-treated bulls.

Vasa Vasorum Arteriopathy: Relationship With Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Other Vascular Lesions in Cats.

The vasa vasorum is a delicate network of small arterioles that supplies nutrients to the adventitia and outer media of large arteries. In humans, dysfunction of the vasa vasorum contributes to the pathogenesis of aortic dissection and atherosclerosis. Twenty-four cats from 1 to 18 years of age were prospectively evaluated. Cases were divided into 3 cohorts-with systemic hypertension, without systemic hypertension, and uncertain. Histologic sections of the aorta and main pulmonary artery, as well as sections of kidney and lung, were blindly examined by 2 pathologists. The severity of vasa vasorum arteriopathy was compared to the presence of renal arteriosclerosis, aortic medial degeneration, subintimal fibroplasia of the main pulmonary artery, and blood pressure. We found that vasa vasorum arteriopathy correlated strongly with hypertensive status, degree of renal arteriosclerosis, and lesions in the great vessels. The positive predictive value of a severe vasa vasorum score for systemic hypertension was 84.6%. Lesions of vasa vasorum arteriopathy were predictive of renal arteriosclerosis with 100% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. The positive predictive value of a severe vasa vasorum score for the presence of aortic lesions was 69.2% vs 91.6% for lesions in the main pulmonary artery. The vasa vasorum appears to be an important responder to systemic hypertension in cats, and arteriopathy of this vascular bed has significant implications for the integrity of the great vessels.

Aortic chondroid neoplasia in two Labrador Retriever dogs.

In the same week, two Labrador Retriever dogs presented to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center for cardiac evaluation. The presenting signs in both dogs included: weight loss, weakness, lethargy, and decreased femoral pulses. The first dog presented in cardiogenic shock and biventricular congestive heart failure, which initially responded to treatment; however, the dog was euthanized due to deteriorating clinical condition. In contrast, the second dog had a milder clinical course without signs of congestive heart failure, and remained stable over the 2-month period of clinical evaluation prior to euthanasia. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype in the first dog, while a space-occupying intraluminal mass originating at the aortic valve with preserved left ventricular systolic function was observed in the second dog. At autopsy, each dog had a large obstructive luminal mass affecting the ascending aorta and arch. Histopathology revealed that the mass in the first dog was consistent with a benign chondroma, while in the second dog the morphologic characteristics, mitotic activity, and infiltrative growth justified a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma. This report presents the contrasting clinical disease progression and findings in two dogs with aortic neoplasia, with a proposed pathogenesis of cardiac failure secondary to aortic neoplasia.

Effects of dietary energy on sexual maturation and sperm production in Holstein bulls.

In prepubertal bulls and heifers of dairy and beef breeds, puberty can be induced to occur earlier than typical with targeted high-energy diets due to precocious activation of the endocrine mechanisms that regulate puberty. Precocious activation of puberty in bulls intended for use in the AI industry has the potential to hasten and perhaps increase sperm production. It was hypothesized that feeding bulls a high-energy diet beginning at 8 wk of age would advance the prepubertal rise in LH and lead to advanced testicular maturation and age at puberty. From 58 to 230 ± 0.3 d of age, Holstein bulls received either a high-energy diet (HE;n = 9; targeted ADG 1.5 kg/d) or a control diet (CONT;n = 10; targeted ADG 0.75 kg/d). Thereafter, all bulls were fed a similar diet. The HE treatment increased LH secretion at 125 d of age, testosterone concentrations from 181 to 210 d, and scrotal circumference (SC) from 146 to 360 d of age relative to the CONT treatment. Beginning at 241 ± 5 d of age, semen collection (artificial vagina) was attempted every 14 d in bulls from the HE (n = 8) and CONT (n = 7) treatment until each bull attained puberty (ejaculate containing 50 × 10 spermatozoa with 10% motility). To assess semen production as mature bulls, semen was collected thrice weekly beginning at 541 ± 5 d of age until slaughter at 569 ± 5 d of age. After slaughter, epididymal and testicular measurements were collected and testicular tissue was fixed to determine seminiferous tubule diameter. Age at puberty did not differ between treatments (310 ± 35 d). Although testis and epididymal weight and testis volume were greater (P < 0.05) in the HE than the CONT treatment, sperm production of mature bulls did not differ between treatments. Diameter of seminiferous tubules also did not differ between treatments. We conclude that the HE advanced aspects of sexual maturation and increased testes size, but this was not reflected in hastened puberty or sperm production in the present experiment.

Necrotizing hepatitis in a domestic pigeon (Columba livia).

An adult male domestic pigeon (Columba livia) was presented for necropsy following natural death after a period of chronic weight loss and severe intestinal ascariasis. Histopathologic examination of the liver found moderate to marked, multifocal necrotizing hepatitis with large, basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of affected hepatocytes demonstrated numerous intra- and perinuclear icosahedral virions arranged in a lattice structure, consistent with adenoviral infection.

Tumor microenvironment regulates metastasis and metastasis genes of mouse MMTV-PymT mammary cancer cells in vivo.

Metastasis is the primary cause of death in breast cancer patients, yet there are challenges to modeling this process in vivo. The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of injection site on tumor growth and metastasis and gene expression of breast cancer cells in vivo using the MMTV-PymT breast cancer model (Met-1 cells). Met-1 cells were injected into 5 sites (subcutaneous, mammary fat pad, tail vein, intracardiac, and intratibial), and tumors and metastases were monitored using bioluminescent imaging and confirmed with gross necropsy and histopathology. Met-1 tumors were analyzed based on morphology and changes in gene expression in each tissue microenvironment. There were 6 permissible sites of Met-1 tumor growth (mammary gland, subcutis, lung, adrenal gland, ovary, bone). Met-1 cells grew faster in the subcutis compared to mammary fat pad tumors (highest Ki-67 index). Morphologic differences were evident in each tumor microenvironment. Finally, 7 genes were differentially expressed in the Met-1 tumors in the 6 sites of growth or metastasis. This investigation demonstrates that breast cancer progression and metastasis are regulated by not only the tumor cells but also the experimental model and unique molecular signals from the tumor microenvironment.

Serum haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) complex as a biomarker of systemic inflammation in cattle.

A reliable and specific test that discriminates between acute neutrophil activation and chronic inflammatory disease may be useful in clinical decision making in a variety of conditions encountered in veterinary medical practice. An ELISA specific for neutrophil-derived haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) complexes was used to determine serum concentrations of Hp-MMP 9 and was compared to ELISA assays for Haptoglobin (Hp) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP 9) in 15 animals with acute sepsis, 10 animals with chronic inflammatory or metabolic disease and 10 healthy cows. Animal disease classifications were completed prior to the determination of serum concentrations of the 3 proteins. Duration of illness, disease process and lesions observed at necropsy were used to place animals into a specific classification. The serum MMP 9 concentrations in healthy cows differed significantly from those measured in sera of acutely septic and chronically ill animals. Serum haptoglobin concentrations in healthy cows were negligible when compared to animals with acute septic or chronic diseases. There was substantial overlap in MMP 9 and Hp concentrations between acute and chronic disease animals. In contrast, serum concentrations of Hp-MMP 9 complexes found almost exclusively in sera from acutely septic animals but not in chronically ill and normal cattle. The Hp-MMP 9 ELISA may be the serological test of choice in the determination of systemic inflammation associated with bacterial sepsis.