Association between liver failure and hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in dairy cows with follicular cysts.

Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) liver activity was measured using estradiol-17ß as a substrate in dairy cows with follicular cysts. The activity was significantly lower than that in dairy cows with normal estrous cycles (P<0.01). Liver disorders, such as fatty liver and hepatitis, were observed in half cows with follicular cysts, and liver UGT activity was lower than that in cows with normal estrus cycles. In addition, the liver UGT activity was significantly lower in dairy cows with follicular cysts without liver disorders than in dairy cows with normal estrous cycles. Therefore, the cows were divided into those with low, middle and high liver UGT activities, and liver disorder complication rates were investigated. The complication rate was significantly higher in the low- (78.1%) than in the middle- (22.2%) and high-level (8.3%) groups, suggesting that liver disorders are closely associated with the development of follicular cysts in dairy cows and that steroid hormone metabolism is delayed because of reduced liver UGT activity, resulting in follicular cyst formation. We conclude that reduced estradiol-17ß glucuronidation in the liver and liver disorders are associated with follicular cyst occurrence in dairy cows.

Obligatory roles for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol and androgens in the induction of small polyfollicular ovarian cysts in hypophysectomized immature rats.

Immature hypophysectomized (HYPOXD) rats develop large, polyfollicular ovarian cysts in response to unabated, combined stimulation by subovulatory doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and highly purified ovine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Further, circulating amounts of androstenedione (A4) and estradiol (E2), but not testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), change in parallel with the development of these cysts. To determine the potential roles of either A4 or E2 at the level of the ovary in the induction of ovarian cysts, pellets containing either (1) cholesterol (placebo; controls); (2) A4; or (3) E2 were administered subcutaneously (sc) to immature HYPOXD rats. Some of these animals also received either twice-daily sc injections of 1 IU hCG, or daily s.c. injections of 2 microg FSH, for 13 days. Ovaries and sera were harvested from all treatment groups on the morning of day 14 of the combined-hormone treatment schedule. As expected, ovaries from HYPOXD rats treated with placebo, A4, or E2 pellets (with or without hCG) failed to display antral follicles. Ovaries from HYPOXD rats treated with FSH and a placebo pellet displayed polyfollicular, atretic, small antral follicles with unstimulated thecal shells. In addition, the ovarian stromal-interstitial tissue had an unstimulated appearance. In contrast, ovaries from HYPOXD rats treated with FSH plus either A4 or E2 implants displayed stimulated stromal-interstitial tissue as well as small follicular cysts and precysts with stimulated thecal shells. The number of cysts and precysts observed in the largest ovarian cross-sections for animals treated with FSH + A4 (17.0 +/- 3.0) was less than that observed in the largest ovarian cross-sections for HYPOXD rats treated with FSH + E2 (40.2 +/- 10.1; p < 0.05). To determine if the development of ovarian cysts in response to FSH + A4 was due, at least in part, to the metabolism of A4 to E2, HYPOXD rats were treated with either (1) placebo pellets; (2) pellets containing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which cannot be metabolized to estrogen; (3) E2 pellets plus DHT pellets (E2 + DHT); (4) FSH + DHT; or (5) FSH + E2 + DHT. The largest ovarian cross-sections from FSH + DHT-treated HYPOXD rats displayed 18.3 +/- 4.1 small follicles with a mean diameter of approximately 0.437 mm which possessed few granulosa cells. The thecal and stromal-interstitial tissues in these ovaries were unstimulated, which indicates that these small degenerating follicles were atretic rather than cystic. In contrast, the largest ovarian cross-sections from FSH + E2 + DHT-treated HYPOXD rats displayed 51.6 +/- 2.4 cysts with stimulated thecal shells and a mean diameter of approximately 0.634 mm. Further, these cysts were arranged in a "string of pearls" pattern and the ovarian stromal-interstitial tissue possessed a stimulated appearance. These data demonstrate a direct, unambiguous role at the level of the ovary for unabated tonic stimulation by FSH plus estrogen in the development of small polyfollicular cysts in HYPOXD rats. Further, the data also indicate that, at least in HYPOXD rats, combined, tonic stimulation by FSH plus estrogen and androgen is sufficient for the development of small, polyfollicular ovarian cysts in a "string of pearls" pattern. These observations are in distinct contrast to our previous observations that tonic stimulation by FSH + hCG results in the induction of large ovarian cysts in HYPOXD rats and provide tantalizing new insights regarding the potential importance of specific hormones at the level of the ovary in the induction of specific types of cystic follicles.

Follicular cysts occur after a normal estradiol-induced GnRH/LH surge if the corpus hemorrhagicum is removed.

The pathophysiology underlying follicular cysts appears to be lack of an estradiol (E2)-induced GnRH/LH surge due to hypothalamic insensitivity to E2. In addition, progesterone (P4) can cause animals with follicular cysts to resume normal cyclicity and normal hypothalamic responsiveness to E2. We postulated that follicular cysts may be a pathological manifestation of a physiological state that cows, and possibly other species, go through during the normal estrous cycle but the rise in P4 following ovulation induces them back to normal hypothalamic responsiveness to E2. Based on this hypothesis, we expected that removal of the ovary containing the corpus hemorrhagicum would prevent the normal rise in P4 following ovulation and induce development of follicular cysts. Cows (n = 24) on day 7 of the estrous cycle were treated with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and time of ovulation was detected by ovarian ultrasonography every 8 h. Immediately following detection of ovulation, cows were randomly but unequally assigned to have the ovary containing the corpus hemorrhagicum removed (TRT; n = 16) or the ovary opposite to the corpus hemorrhagicum removed (CON; n = 8). Cows were subsequently evaluated by daily ultrasound and blood sampling to determine follicular dynamics. Ovulation was detected at 93.7 +/- 4.5 h after PGF2alpha injection. All CON cows had a normal estrous cycle length (22.0 +/- 0.6 days) after ovariectomy (OVX). Half of the TRT cows became anovular (TRT-ANO; n = 8) after OVX with large anovular follicles developing on the ovary (maximal size, 25.4 +/- 1.4 mm; range, 20-32 mm). However, eight TRT cows ovulated (TRT-OV; n = 8) 7.3 +/- 0.6 days after OVX. Control cows had a normal P4 rise after ovulation. Removal of the newly formed corpus hemorrhagicum prevented the rise in circulating serum P4 in TRT-ANO cows throughout the 25-day experimental period. The TRT-OV cows had a delayed increase in circulating P4 but it was normal in relation to time of ovulation. Serum E2 concentrations were similar among groups (TRT-OV, TRT-ANO and CON cows) until 7 days after OVX. Serum E2 concentrations then decreased in TRT-OV and CON cows but remained elevated (>5 pg/ml) in TRT-ANO cows. Thus, the endogenous increase in circulating E2 that induces the GnRH/LH surge and estrus is sufficient to induce cows into a physiological state that resembles follicular cysts if it is not followed by increased circulating P4.

[The role of morphological characteristics of lymph nodes in differential diagnosis of reactive lymphadenopathies].

AIM: To analyse causes of reactive lymphadenitis regarding histological changes in the lymph node, of diagnostic errors; to determine frequency of establishment of nosological diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of diagnostic examination of 375 patients with reactive lymphadenitis observed from 1992 to 2000 was made. RESULTS: For differential diagnosis 6 groups of reactive lymphadenopathies with different histological picture were identified: follicular hyperplasia, paracortical hyperplasia, granulomatous lymphadenitis, granulomatous pyonecrotic lymphadenitis, sinus histiocytosis as a leading sign and node necrosis as a leading sign. The analysis of making nosological diagnosis for each group and of diagnostic errors was conducted. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of lymph node changes in reactive lymphadenitis is of great importance. Better cooperation between histologists and clinicians must improve efficacy of reactive lymphadenitis diagnosis.

Inflammatory follicular cyst associated with an endodontically treated primary molar: a case report.

This is a case study of an inflammatory follicular cyst associated with an endodontically treated deciduous molar with radiographic and microscopic diagnosis. This cystic lesion represents a typical follicular cyst that arose in association with periapical inflammation from a non-vital deciduous molar and involved the follicle of the unerupted successor premolar. This paper describes the case and discusses diagnosis, histogenesis, and controversies regarding terminology.

Transient induction of polycystic ovary-like syndrome in immature hypothyroid rats.

Hypothyroidism in the human female is often associated with ovarian follicular cysts and hyperandrogenism, two cardinal signs of polycystic ovary syndrome. To explore the intraovarian changes that lead to follicular cyst formation in hypothyroidism, we have created a prepubertal hypothyroid rat model. These hypothyroid rats are hyperandrogenic and develop transient ovarian follicular cysts. Hypothyroidism in newborn rats was induced by providing the lactating dams with 0.04% propylthiouracil (PTU)-containing water. Subsequently, female rats were weaned and kept on PTU-containing water. On Day 25 of age, the rats were primed with 15 international units of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in 100 microl of phosphate buffered saline. Two days later, to initiate pseudopregnancy, they were injected with five international units of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The animals were sacrificed at appropriate times, and blood and ovaries were collected for analyses. Control experiments were done with euthyroid rats. Two days after PMSG injection, well-developed antral follicles were observed in both the hypothyroid and euthyroid rats. Two days after hCG injection, while the euthyroid rat ovaries, as expected, contained numerous corpora lutea (CL), the hypothyroid rat ovaries still retained antral follicles. Some of these follicles with degenerating oocytes showed signs of luteinization. By 3-4 days post-hCG injection, the hypothyroid rat ovaries developed cystic follicles. By Day 6, however, the hypothyroid rat ovaries were indistinguishable from those of the euthyroid rats. Although serum testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated in the hypothyroid rats on Days 1-3, progesterone concentrations were not significantly different from the euthyroid animals. However, by Days 8-14, the hypothyroid rats had significantly higher serum progesterone concentrations. This model will be useful for investigating the intraovarian biochemical changes that lead to follicular cyst development in response to acute gonadotropin treatment.

The role of endotoxin and cytokines in the pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts.

Odontogenic cysts arise from tooth-forming epithelial residues. The stimulus for the formation of radicular cysts is thought to be endotoxin released from the infected necrotic tooth pulp. However, in keratocysts and follicular cysts, such a stimulus is not present. In order to investigate what drives the cyst epithelium to proliferate, explant media and fluids from 16 radicular cysts, eight keratocysts and seven follicular cysts and explant media from four specimens of non-inflamed gingival tissue were examined for the presence of endotoxin and cytokines. Cyst fluids were also cultured for 72 h in anaerobic and aerobic conditions to detect micro-organisms. Endotoxin from three different bacteria, cytokines [interleukin-(IL) 1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6] as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were tested in an epithelial cell-proliferation assay. As the cyst epithelium is supported by a connective tissue capsule, the effect of fibroblast culture media on epithelial cell proliferation was also investigated. The results showed significantly higher concentrations of endotoxin in radicular cyst fluid than in the keratocyst or the follicular cyst. None of the cyst fluids contained micro-organisms. Immunoassays demonstrated the presence of IL-1 alpha and -6 in all fluids and explants tested; IL-1 beta was only found in the inflammatory radicular cysts. However, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that mRNAs for IL-1 alpha, -1 beta and -6 were present in all cyst types. Proliferation studies indicated that endotoxin and the cytokines had a mitogenic effect on epithelia at low concentrations; PGE2 had very little effect at low concentrations, and had an inhibitory effect at high concentrations. Cyst fibroblast culture media had a mitogenic effect on the epithelia that was enhanced by the presence of endotoxin.

Ovarian disorders of pregnancy.

Hormonal ovarian disorders are uncommon during pregnancy and present primarily as ovarian masses. The two most common conditions are luteomas and hyperreactio luteinalis. The most common clinical manifestation is maternal virilization, which occasionally affects the fetus also. Rarely, an acute abdomen can result from hemorrhage or torsion of the mass. Because most of the entities regress spontaneously following delivery, a conservative management approach that includes preserving the ovaries is warranted.

[Follicular cyst. Apropos of a case]. / Quiste folicular. A propósito de un caso.

When there's a diagnosis of follicular cyst. In front of lesions of advanced decay in deciduoud teeth about which is possible to presume chronical apical infection, we have to evaluate carefully the choice of treatment: pulpectomy or exodontia and the placement of a space maintainer. In this article there's a case in which a non-indicated pulpectomy was practised and caused a follicular cyst which is a menace to the formation and position of the unerupted permanent teeth. After the surgery we proceeded to exodontia and subsequently to place a space maintainer.

Ovarian function during use of a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD.

Ovarian function was studied for two complete menstrual cycles in 9 regularly menstruating women and for 8 weeks in three amenorrhoeic women who had used levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (LNG-IUD) for more than four years. Nine patients using copper IUDs (Nova-T) were studied for two complete menstrual cycles as controls. According to progesterone levels, 15/17 cycles in women using LNG-IUDs were ovulatory, whereas only 8/17 cycles showed normal follicular growth and rupture as judged by ultrasound. In ovulatory cycles, the peak progesterone levels were lower than in the controls. The preovulatory estradiol and LH peak levels were also lower than in control subjects. SHBG levels were lower in LNG-IUD users than in copper IUD users. It is concluded that, although the dose of levonorgestrel released from the IUD is very low, it probably exerts an effect on the gonadotrophin secretion, which disturbs follicular development in many of the women studied, which in addition to the local effect on the endometrium, contributes to its high contraceptive efficacy.

[The experimental use of surfagon, a synthetic analog of luliberin, in follicular ovarian cysts]. / Primenenie surfagona, sinteticheskogo analoga liuliberina, pri follikuliarnykh kistakh iaichnikov v éksperimente.

The use of a synthetic peptide analog of LH-RH agonist--[D-Ala6, des Gly10, Pro9]-LH-RH ethylamide (surfagon) at microdoses and in short courses returned to normal the ovulatory cycle in the anovulatory condition in rats and caused luteinization of follicular cysts in rats and cows with further normalization of ovarian function. It is assumed that surfagon will be effective for the treatment of anovulatory condition and ovarian follicular cysts in women.

Follicular cyst derived from hair matrix and outer root sheath.

A new follicular cyst was reported. The lower part of the cyst wall was composed of both basophilic and shadow cells as seen in pilomatricoma, whereas the upper part of the wall consisted of clear cells. Our case apparently derives from hair matrix and outer root sheath.