Thecoma in an elderly crioulo mare

Background: Ovarian enlargement in mares can either be a physiological or pathological condition associated with neoplastic or non-neoplastic causes. Neoplasia is more prominent in elderly than young horses. Granulosa cell tumors are the most common neoplastic cause of ovarian enlargement, and thecoma is the rarest. Thecoma is a benign ovarian stromal neoplasia originating from the sexual cords of the embryonic gonad and can affect the production of steroid hormones, leading to changes in behavior and the estrous cycle. If only one ovary is affected, after unilateral ovariectomy, usually the mare can still be used for reproductive purposes. Herein, we report a case of ovarian thecoma in an elderly Crioulo mare. Case: A 15-year-old Crioulo mare was evaluated due to progressive weight loss. The mare presented a low body score, and on physical examination, all parameters were within reference limits. Hematological examination revealed anemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, and neutrophilia. Serum biochemistry examination were within the physiological limits. Rectal palpation revealed an increase in volume in the left ovary (4.3 × 2.9 × 3 cm), smooth consistency and no associated pain in either of the ovaries. Rectal ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous pattern, suggesting a neoplasm. As a treatment modality and for definitive diagnosis, the mare underwent a unilateral flank ovariectomy laparoscopically in the quadrupedal position. On histopathological evaluation of the left ovary, the sample showed cysts associated with proliferating spindle cells arranged in a solid arrangement, occasionally forming eddies, in addition to hemosiderosis, with clear cytoplasm and lipid vacuoles. Macroscopically, the ovary presented with a regular surface, smooth to firm consistency, a homogeneous brownish appearance with blackened foci, and brownish fluid-filled cysts. These findings confirmed thecoma of the left ovary in the mare. Discussion: Ovarian enlargement in mares can be associated to the presence of neoplasia. Clinical signs of ovarian neoplasms can be nonspecific; therefore, to achieve a definitive diagnosis, it is imperative to evaluate and compare the patient's history, physical examination, and results of complementary examinations. Excessive production of hormones lead to behavioral changes in mares with ovarian tumors, such as masculinized or aggressive behavior, and anestrus persistence. Thecomas may or may not interfere with steroid production and levels. On ultrasound examination, ovarian neoplasms may present similar echogenicity patterns. Histopathological evaluation is the best diagnostic approach after an ovariectomy. The prognosis of ovariectomy is considerably successful with the mare regaining reproductive health, although some mares may become infertile, with a small, inactive contralateral ovary. Thecoma is a rare neoplasm in horses; however, owing to its potential to cause altered reproductive functions, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in mares with increased ovarian volume.

Immunolocalization of angiotensin-(1-7), angiotensin II and angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 in goat ovary / Imunolocalização de angiotensina-(1-7), angiotensina II e enzima-conversora de angiotensina 2 em ovário de cabras

There is increasing evidence as to the participation of the ovarian renin-angiotensin system in important reproductive processes. The inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) caused an increase in the rate of ovulation and pregnancy in the artificial insemination protocol has fixed time (TFIA). This study aimed to investigate the presence and location of Ang II, Ang- (1-7) and ACE2 in goat ovaries and the possibility of the involvement of these peptides in previous results. Ten ovaries from goats were collected in a slaughterhouse, washed in buffered PBS, perfused with protease inhibitor solution and processed for immunohistochemistry protocol. The search for peptides was performed using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase method. A strong immunoreactivity for Ang II in theca cells of antral follicles and corpus luteum was observed. Antral follicles (theca cells), corpus luteum and oocyte cytoplasm in early antral follicles exhibited strong immunoreactivity for Ang-(1-7). There was strong immunoreactivity for ACE2 in the cytoplasm of luteal cells and theca cells of antral follicles. In this study, for the first time, the presence and location of Ang II, Ang-(1-7) and ACE2 are reported in goat ovary, suggesting that there is participation in follicular development, oocyte maturation and corpus luteum development.(AU)

Há evidências crescentes quanto à participação do sistema renina-angiotensina ovariano em processos reprodutivos importantes. A inibição da enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) ocasionou aumento na taxa de ovulação e gravidez no protocolo de inseminação artificial por tempo fixo (TFIA). Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença e localização de Ang II, Ang-(1-7) e ECA2 em ovários de cabras e a possibilidade do envolvimento desses peptídeos em resultados anterio-res. Dez ovários de cabras foram coletados em abatedouro, lavados em PBS tamponado, perfundidos com solução inibidora de protease e processados para protocolo de imunohistoquímica. A busca por peptídeos foi realizada usando o método avidina-bio-tina-peroxidase. Foi observada uma forte imunorreatividade para Ang II em células da teca de folículos antrais e corpo lúteo. Os folículos antrais (células da teca), corpo lúteo e citoplasma do oócito nos folículos antrais iniciais exibiram forte imunor-reatividade para Ang-(1-7). Houve forte imunorreatividade para ECA2 no citoplasma das células luteais e células da teca dos folículos antrais. Neste estudo, pela primeira vez, a presença e localização de Ang II, Ang- (1-7) e ECA2 são relatadas em ovário caprino, sugerindo que há participação no desenvolvimento folicular, maturação oocitária e desenvolvimento do corpo lúteo.(AU)

Immunolocalization of angiotensin-(1-7), angiotensin II and angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 in goat ovary / Imunolocalização de angiotensina-(1-7), angiotensina II e enzima-conversora de angiotensina 2 em ovário de cabras

There is increasing evidence as to the participation of the ovarian renin-angiotensin system in important reproductive processes. The inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) caused an increase in the rate of ovulation and pregnancy in the artificial insemination protocol has fixed time (TFIA). This study aimed to investigate the presence and location of Ang II, Ang- (1-7) and ACE2 in goat ovaries and the possibility of the involvement of these peptides in previous results. Ten ovaries from goats were collected in a slaughterhouse, washed in buffered PBS, perfused with protease inhibitor solution and processed for immunohistochemistry protocol. The search for peptides was performed using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase method. A strong immunoreactivity for Ang II in theca cells of antral follicles and corpus luteum was observed. Antral follicles (theca cells), corpus luteum and oocyte cytoplasm in early antral follicles exhibited strong immunoreactivity for Ang-(1-7). There was strong immunoreactivity for ACE2 in the cytoplasm of luteal cells and theca cells of antral follicles. In this study, for the first time, the presence and location of Ang II, Ang-(1-7) and ACE2 are reported in goat ovary, suggesting that there is participation in follicular development, oocyte maturation and corpus luteum development.

Há evidências crescentes quanto à participação do sistema renina-angiotensina ovariano em processos reprodutivos importantes. A inibição da enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) ocasionou aumento na taxa de ovulação e gravidez no protocolo de inseminação artificial por tempo fixo (TFIA). Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença e localização de Ang II, Ang-(1-7) e ECA2 em ovários de cabras e a possibilidade do envolvimento desses peptídeos em resultados anterio-res. Dez ovários de cabras foram coletados em abatedouro, lavados em PBS tamponado, perfundidos com solução inibidora de protease e processados para protocolo de imunohistoquímica. A busca por peptídeos foi realizada usando o método avidina-bio-tina-peroxidase. Foi observada uma forte imunorreatividade para Ang II em células da teca de folículos antrais e corpo lúteo. Os folículos antrais (células da teca), corpo lúteo e citoplasma do oócito nos folículos antrais iniciais exibiram forte imunor-reatividade para Ang-(1-7). Houve forte imunorreatividade para ECA2 no citoplasma das células luteais e células da teca dos folículos antrais. Neste estudo, pela primeira vez, a presença e localização de Ang II, Ang- (1-7) e ECA2 são relatadas em ovário caprino, sugerindo que há participação no desenvolvimento folicular, maturação oocitária e desenvolvimento do corpo lúteo.

Expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in hen ovary.

BACKGROUND: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), discovered initially by via differential display RT-PCR analysis of brains of rats administered cocaine, is expressed mainly in central nervous system or neuronal origin cells, and is involved in a wide range of behaviors, such as regulation of food intake, energy homeostasis, and reproduction. The hens egg-laying rate mainly depends on the developmental status of follicles, expression of CART have not been identified from hen follicles, the regulatory mechanisms of CART biological activities are still unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the mRNA expression of CART in hen follicular granulosa cells and determine CART peptide localization and regulatory role during follicular development. METHODS: Small white follicles (1-2 mm in diameter) were treated for RNA isolation; Small white follicles (1-2 mm in diameter) and large white follicles (4-6 mm in diameter) were treated for immunohistochemical localization and large white follicles (4-6 mm in diameter), small yellow follicles (6-8 mm in diameter), large yellow follicles (9-12 mm in diameter), mature follicles (F5, F4, F3, F2, F1, >12 mm in diameter) were treated for RNA isolation and Real time PCR. RESULTS: The results showed that full length of the CDS of hen CART was 336 bp encoding a 111 amino acid polypeptide. In the hen ovary, CART peptide was primarily localized to the theca layer, but not all, the oocyte and granulosa layer, with diffused, weaker staining than relative to the theca cell layer. Further, amount of CART mRNA was more (P < 0.05) in granulosa cells of 6-8 mm follicles compared with that in granulosa cells of other follicles. However, CART mRNA amount was greater in theca cells of 4-6 mm follicles relative to follicles of other sizes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that CART could play a potential role in developmental regulation of chicken follicles.

Expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in hen ovary

BACKGROUND: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), discovered initially by via differential display RT-PCR analysis of brains of rats administered cocaine, is expressed mainly in central nervous system or neuronal origin cells, and is involved in a wide range of behaviors, such as regulation of food intake, energy homeostasis, and reproduction. The hens egg-laying rate mainly depends on the developmental status of follicles, expression of CART have not been identified from hen follicles, the regulatory mechanisms of CART biological activities are still unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the mRNA expression of CART in hen follicular granulosa cells and determine CART peptide localization and regulatory role during follicular development. METHODS: Small white follicles (1-2 mm in diameter) were treated for RNA isolation; Small white follicles (1-2 mm in diameter) and large white follicles (4-6 mm in diameter) were treated for immunohistochemical localization and large white follicles (4-6 mm in diameter), small yellow follicles (6-8 mm in diameter), large yellow follicles (9-12 mm in diameter), mature follicles (F5, F4, F3, F2, F1, >12 mm in diameter) were treated for RNA isolation and Real time PCR. RESULTS: The results showed that full length of the CDS of hen CART was 336 bp encoding a 111 amino acid polypeptide. In the hen ovary, CART peptide was primarily localized to the theca layer, but not all, the oocyte and granulosa layer, with diffused, weaker staining than relative to the theca cell layer. Further, amount of CART mRNA was more (P < 0.05) in granulosa cells of 6-8 mm follicles compared with that in granulosa cells of other follicles. However, CART mRNA amount was greater in theca cells of 4-6 mm follicles relative to follicles of other sizes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that CART could play a potential role in developmental regulation of chicken follicles.