Survival and fertility of bitches undergoing caesarean section.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing popularity of planned caesarean section, the need for knowledge regarding this surgery has become increasingly important. The reported death and survival rates for caesarean sections vary widely. Another important aspect is the fertility rate in subsequent oestrous after caesarean section. The aim of this study was to investigate the mortality and survival rate of bitches during caesarean section. Additionally, the fertility of bitches after caesarean sections was determined. METHODS: Caesarean sections which were performed in the years 1997-2009 at two university clinics were evaluated retrospectively. A distinction was made between bitches in which a conservative caesarean section was performed and bitches with a caesarean section followed by an ovariohysterectomy. RESULTS: A total of 482 caesarean sections were included in the study. The overall mortality rate was 3.11 per cent, with 2.59 per cent during or after a conservative caesarean section and 4.19 per cent during or after caesarean section with ovariohysterectomy. The reason for ovariohysterectomy was the owner's preference in 63 bitches (47.01 per cent); in 71 (52.98 per cent) bitches, ovariohysterectomy was performed due to a medical indication. The fertility rate after caesarean section was 100 per cent. CONCLUSION: The results show a high mortality rate during and after caesarean section. On the other hand, caesarean section does not seem to have a big impact on further fertility. Further studies are needed to investigate possible reduction of litter sizes and the suitability of caesarean section in subsequent pregnancies.

Attempts to downregulate ovarian function in the bitch by applying a GnRH agonist implant in combination with a 3ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase blocker; a pilot study.

Approaches to downregulate ovarian function in the sexually mature bitch by applying slow release GnRH agonist implants are hampered by the initial stimulation of folliculogenesis (flare up) and the resulting side effects. The present pilot study was designed to test to what extent these effects can be suppressed by simultaneous treatment with the 3ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (HSD3B) blocker trilostane (T). Treatment with T in 6-h intervals completely blocked adrenal cortisol production. However, in parallel and concomitant with the increase of LH, progesterone and estradiol levels increased, ending up in pro-estric steroid levels in two of the three dogs. Hormonal changes were reflected in the respective clinical symptoms. During the whole observation period the course of LH concentrations did not indicate downregulation of pituitary function as a result of treatment with the GnRH-agonist Suprelorin®, 4.7 mg. The incomplete inhibitory effect of T on the follicular production of sex steroids could be explained by an insufficient transfer of T into the follicular compartment or the existence of a HSD3B isoform in the dog ovary different from the adrenal enzyme. Concerning the lack of downregulation and when accounting for published data different pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetic activities of GnRH-agonists should be taken into account.

Elastography as a diagnostic tool in the prostate tumour detection in Labrador retriever.

Prostate tumours are hard to detect in dogs. Early diagnosis is a key to maintain fertility and to protect against metastasis and death. Elastography is a diagnostic tool to obtain very detailed results of changes in tissue stiffness of this organ. There are no studies about the application of elastography to diagnose the prostate tumours in dogs. In our case, in male Labrador retriever there was state a prostate lesion by both scanning-grey ultrasonogram and elastography. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) confirmed the adenocarcinoma only in elastography-changed area. Thus, this method is helpful to diagnose prostate tumours and should be the first additional survey in routine examination of the prostate in the dog.

Arterial ovarian blood flow in the periovulatory period of GnRH-induced and spontaneous estrous cycles of bitches.

The aim of this study was to compare arterial blood flow determined by repeated Doppler sonographic examinations in the periovulatory period in GnRH-induced and spontaneous estrous cycles of bitches. The study was performed on 10 bitches with GnRH agonist implant-induced estrus (Suprelorin® containing 4.7 mg deslorelin), and 10 bitches with spontaneous estrus (group B), which served as a control. Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography was performed daily from the beginning of proestrus until early metestrus. The ovarian blood flow parameters in the left and right ovarian arteries, including systolic peak velocity (SPV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI), were measured. Obtained outcomes from the period of three days before ovulation (Days -3, -2, -1), ovulation (day 0) and three days after ovulation (Days +1, +2, +3) were evaluated statistically. There were no differences between blood flow variables in the bitches with spontaneous and induced cycles recorded on the same day. The values of SPV and EDV were higher (p < 0.05) on days -1, 0, +1, +2 and + 3 than the velocimetric variables collected on days -3 and -2. Then, a significant increase in blood flow was detected one day before ovulation and was continued during next 3 days (p < 0.05). In contrast, the mean RI values remained constant during the entire experiment or even showed a slight declining trend in both groups (p > 0.05). We concluded that arterial blood flow measured around ovulation does not allow for precise detection of exact ovulation time in bitches in induced and spontaneous cycles.

Morphological and neuroanatomical study of the mammary gland in the immature and mature European beaver (Castor fiber).

This study investigated general morphology and immunohistochemical properties of nerve fibres supplying the mammary gland (MG) in the European beaver. The microscopic analysis of the beaver mammary gland revealed the presence of morphological structures which are characteristic for mammals. There were no distinct differences in the morphological features of the mammary gland between the juvenile and non-pregnant mature beaver. The nerve fibres were visualized using antibodies against protein gene product 9.5 (PGP) and biologically active substances including ß-hydroxylase tyrosine (DßH), neuropeptide Y (NPY), calcitonine gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). The study has revealed that the MG in the juvenile and mature beaver is richly supplied with PGP-immunoreactive (PGP-IR) nerve fibres. The most abundant innervation was observed in the nipple and less numerous nerve terminals supplied the glandular tissue. Double-labelling immunohistochemistry disclosed that the majority of PGP-IR nerve fibres associated with blood vessels and smooth muscle cells in both the nipple and glandular tissue were also DßH-IR. However, these nerve terminals were less numerous in the glandular tissue than in the nipple. Most of the DßH-IR axons associated with arteries and smooth muscle cells in the entire gland also stained for NPY. Small number of DßH/NPY-IR fibres supplied veins. CGRP-IR fibres were more abundant than those expressing SP. No distinct differences in the distribution and immunohistochemical characteristic of nerve fibres were observed between the juvenile and adult animals. The distribution and immunohistochemical properties of nerve fibres supplying the gland in the beaver remind those previously described in other mammalian species.

In vivo investigations on luteotropic activity of prostaglandins during early diestrus in nonpregnant bitches.

The aim of this study was to test for the postulated luteotropic effect of prostaglandin E2 during early diestrus in the dog in an in vivo study. This study was performed on 30 bitches which were randomly assigned to a treatment group (TG) and a control group. Starting on the day of ovulation (Day 0), dogs of the TG were treated for 5, 10, 20, or 30 days with 10 mg firocoxib/kg body weight per day (Previcox, a selective PTGS2 inhibitor) and ovariohysterectomized for collection of corpora lutea on the last day of treatment. Similarly, dogs of the control group were ovariohysterectomized on Days 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30. Blood samples for progesterone measurement were collected every second day; additionally, the area of luteal cell nuclei and the expression of 3ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase at the mRNA and the protein levels were assessed. Mean P4 concentrations were lower in TGs; however, a significant difference was only observed on Day 10. This observation is in line with the finding that treatment with firocoxib reduced expression of 3ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase mRNA and protein (P < 0.05) and the area of luteal cell nuclei (P < 0.05). The results of this study further point to the postulated luteotropic function of prostaglandin E2.