Multicenter study of uterine tears and other reproductive complications in periparturient goats presented to veterinary teaching hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Goats are increasingly popular as both production animals and pets. The frequency of and factors associated with periparturient reproductive complications in goats are largely unreported. OBJECTIVES: (1) To report the frequency of periparturient reproductive complications in does presented to university veterinary hospitals and (2) to identify factors associated with uterine tears in the study population. ANIMALS: A total of 198 periparturient does presented to 9 university veterinary hospitals from October 2021 to June 2022. METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study, with data collected from questionnaires completed by attending veterinarians. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diagnosis of uterine tears. RESULTS: Ninety-three (47%) does had at least 1 periparturient reproductive complication. Periparturient complications included retained fetal membranes (n = 38, 26%), vaginal or perineal trauma (n = 33, 19%), uterine tears (n = 32, 18%), metritis (n = 22, 13%), uterine or vaginal hemorrhage (n = 8, 5%), Cesarean section complications (n = 8, 8%), and uterine prolapse (n = 1, 0.5%). A positive interaction effect was found between small breeds (Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy) and manipulation on the farm by a layperson upon diagnosis of uterine tears (odd ratios [OR], 5.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41, 21.25; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Periparturient reproductive complications were common. Small breed combined with manipulation on the farm by layperson was associated with diagnosis of uterine tears. Clients should be educated that in the event of dystocia, small breed does are at greater risk of uterine tears and prompt veterinary intervention is critical.

Effects of therapeutic ultrasound and moderate heat on stallion testes.

Transplantation of stem cells into dysfunctional testes is currently being investigated as a therapeutic option for men and stallions with advanced testicular degeneration. This series of "proof of concept" studies aimed to identify a safe and efficient method of inducing severe testicular degeneration to create an optimal equine recipient model for intratesticular stem cell transplantation (SCT). Two ex vivo and two in vivo experiments were conducted. At first, forty testes obtained from castrations were used to identify an effective therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) device and the protocol for increasing intratesticular temperature in stallions. Six min of treatment using the Vetrison Clinic Portable TUS machine raised the intratesticular temperature by 8°C-12.5 °C. This protocol was applied to treat three scrotal testes in three Miniature horse stallions, three times, every other day. Contralateral testes served as controls. There were signs of slight tubular degeneration in treated testes two and three weeks after TUS treatment. The number of seminiferous tubules (STs) with exfoliated germ cells (GCs) was increased in one testis only, three weeks after treatment. The degree of apoptosis of GCs was higher in each treated testis in comparison to the contralateral control testis. Next, the ability of various heating devices to increase intratesticular temperatures to at least 43 °C in stallion testes was tested, using twenty testes obtained from castrations. ThermaCare® Lower Back & Hip Pain Therapy Heatwrap (TC heat wrap) reliably increased intratesticular temperatures and kept them continuously between 43 °C and 48 °C for seven to 8 h. In the follow-up in vivo study, the left testes of three Miniature horse stallions were treated with TUS, after which both testes of each stallion were treated with moderate heat provided by the TC heat wrap (three times, every other day, for 5 h each time). There were signs of moderate tubular degeneration in the samples from all treated testes obtained three weeks after treatments (Heat only or Heat/TUS): areas with hypospermatogenesis, spermatogenic arrest, vacuolized Sertoli cells, numerous STs with exfoliated GCs, increased degree of GCs apoptosis, and changes in three histomorphometric numeric attributes of STs. We concluded that TUS or TC wraps increase intratesticular temperature of the isolated stallion testes. Further, treatment with TUS or moderate heat may induce mild to moderate degenerative changes in stallion testes. However, to achieve more robust result - severe testicular degeneration, our treatment protocol has to be modified.

Evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of firocoxib administered to mares with experimentally induced placentitis.

PROBLEM: Minimal evidence exists supporting therapeutic selections for equine placentitis. The goal of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory effects of firocoxib when administered to mares with placentitis. METHODS: Mares (gestation D270-300) were assigned to: INFECT (n = 6; placentitis, no treatment), FIRO (n = 6; placentitis, firocoxib, 0.1 mg/kg, PO, daily), and NORM (n = 6; no infection/treatment). Allantoic fluid (8 hours, 24 hours, birth) and amniotic fluid (birth) were collected from mares after infection. Concentrations of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, PGF2α , and PGE2 in fluids were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -1, 3, and 9 in fetal membranes/fetuses was quantified using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Allantoic TNF-α concentrations were lowest in FIRO at 8 hours and 24 hours post-infection; IL-6 concentrations were lower in FIRO than NORM at 8 hours, lower in FIRO than INFECT at 24 hours post-inoculation, and lower in NORM than FIRO or INFECT at birth. Marginal mean allantoic IL-ß and IL-10 concentrations were lower in FIRO and NORM than INFECT. Amniotic fluid cytokines were lowest in NORM with all measurements in that group being below the limit of detection. Allantoic PGF2α concentrations were lower in FIRO and INFECT than NORM at 8 hours post-inoculation, and lower in FIRO than INFECT or NORM at 24 hours post-inoculation. Allantoic PGE2 concentrations were lower in FIRO than INFECT. Amniotic PGF2α and PGE2 concentrations were lower in NORM than INFECT. In fetal membranes, group differences with respect to IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and MMP1 were dependent on tissue type. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest a suppressive effect of firocoxib administration on cytokine and prostaglandin production in mares with placentitis.

Equine granulosa cell tumours among other ovarian conditions: Diagnostic challenges.

BACKGROUND: Granulosa cell tumours (GCT) are the most common ovarian tumours in mares. While the classical presentation may not represent diagnostic challenges, diagnosis is not easy in the early stages. OBJECTIVES: Illustrate the variability in the presentation and serum biomarkers associated with ovarian abnormalities in the mare. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Nonclassical cases of GCTs and other ovarian conditions were identified and behaviour, GCT endocrine results, palpation and ultrasonographic findings are described and the diagnostic value of each is discussed. RESULTS: Mares in this case series with GCTs had been presenting clinical signs ranging from no behavioural changes to behaviours including aggression, stallion-like and inability to work under saddle. Hormonal profiles of endocrinologically functional GCTs can be erratic and unpredictable. The clinical form and ultrasonographic appearance may also vary with time from an initially enlarged/anovulatory follicular structure that later develops a multicystic 'honeycomb' appearance. Mares with GCTs can also present with persistent anovulatory follicles or apparent luteal tissue that are unresponsive to treatment. If both ovaries are of relatively normal size and symmetry, but hormonal biomarkers are markedly increased (AMH >10 ng/mL, inhibin B and/or testosterone >100 pg/mL; 0.37 nmol/L), it is likely that a functional GCT is present. Still, it can be a challenge to decide which ovary to remove. Post-surgical endocrine testing can be helpful, especially if histopathology is not performed or a GCT is not found. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Cases limited to 14. CONCLUSIONS: Granulosa cell tumours present with a wide variety of clinical signs that do not fit what is commonly described as 'classic'. Only if AMH, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations are markedly increased, and there is an abnormally enlarged ovary, the diagnosis of a GCT is more confident. In the presence of normal size ovaries, normal hormonal biomarkers and abnormal behaviour, it is more likely that the ovaries are not involved.

Endoscopic Laser Ablation of a Midline Cyst of the Colliculus Seminalis as a Treatment for Anejaculation in a Stallion.

An 18-year-old Appaloosa stallion presented with a history of ejaculatory dysfunction, which had recently progressed to an inability to ejaculate (anejaculation). Transrectal ultrasound evaluation revealed the presence of a prominent midline cyst of the colliculus seminalis, which was compressing the most terminal parts of the deferent ducts. Both ducts were enlarged and filled with hyperechoic content. The stallion was diagnosed with a complete occlusion of the deferent ducts because of the compression from the midline cyst of the colliculus seminalis. To date, there are no established treatments for this condition in stallions, although several procedures have been successfully used in men affected by similar problems. Therefore, we proposed performing one of these procedures-a laser ablation of the cyst to collapse it and to open the ejaculatory path. The stallion was placed under general anesthesia, and an endoscopic ultrasound-guided laser ablation of the cyst was performed. No immediate or long-term complications were observed. After the expulsion of accumulated material, the stallion produced normal semen and successfully impregnated mares during the next breeding season.

Anti-Müllerian hormone as a biomarker for acute testicular degeneration caused by toxic insults to stallion testes.

Recently, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was validated as a reliable marker of testicular damage caused by various chemotherapy drugs in humans and in mice. In horses, the reference values of AMH concentrations in normal stallions, during different seasons of a year, have been recently reported. However, this hormone was not evaluated in subfertile or infertile stallions with testicular damage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of experimentally induced testicular degeneration on the concentration of AMH in stallions. Severe but transient testicular degeneration was induced in six Miniature horse stallions, in two, separate experiments (three stallions in each experiment), by the administration of a single dose of the contraceptive compound RTI-4587-073(l). Six different stallions served as controls (three stallions in each experiment). Treated and control stallions were switched between the experiments. Concentrations of AMH were determined in 78 samples of blood plasma collected during the first experiment and in 24 samples collected during the second experiment. Furthermore, the expression of AMH in 30 samples of testicular parenchyma, collected from these stallions during the second experiment, was also evaluated, using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and objectively analyzed using computerized methods. During the first experiment, the concentrations of AMH in blood increased significantly in treated stallions (P < 0.05), reaching a 62-151% change from the baseline by day 10 after treatment, before gradually decreasing to the pretreatment levels. There was no change in blood AMH concentration in control stallions. Only a trend to increase AMH concentration was observed in treated stallions during the second experiment (P = 0.055). The labeling for immunoreactive AMH in the Sertoli cells gradually increased after treatment, which was confirmed by the significantly increased IHC optic density score value (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased percentage contribution of negative pixels at fourth week after treatment (P < 0.05). We concluded that AMH is a promising candidate as a biomarker of testicular damage in stallions caused by toxic insults that lead to testicular degeneration.

Relationship between echotextural and histomorphometric characteristics of stallion testes.

The goal of this study was to investigate correlations between objective measures of testicular echotexture and histomorphometric attributes related to the histological composition of stallion testes. Fifty-four scrotal testes were obtained from three groups of stallions during routine castrations: colts <1 yr old (n = 18), young stallions 1-5 yrs old (n = 27), mature stallions > 5 yrs old (n = 9). In addition, two scrotal testes with degeneration, 16 retained inguinal and 10 retained abdominal testes were surgically obtained. Cross-sectional and longitudinal ultrasonograms were obtained for each testis. Mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) as well as pixel standard deviations (PSDs) were determined for each image (ImageJ-1.5 software). Histomorphometric attributes of the seminiferous tubules (STs) were derived (three tissue samples per each testis) using image analysis software [relative STs area: RSTA = ST area/total cross-sectional area (TA) x 100%; relative STs lumen: RSTL = ST lumen area/TA x 100%; individual ST area; ISTA; individual ST lumen: ISTL; seminiferous epithelium height: SHE]. Degree of fibrosis was graded semi-quantitatively (0-3) in samples from 17 testes. All measures of testicular echotexture as well as all histomorphometric attributes of STs had highest values when obtained from the scrotal testes of young and mature stallions (P < 0.05). The NPVs and PSDs from the ultrasonographic images of the scrotal testes were significantly correlated with all histomorphometric attributes of STs (P < 0.001). However, there was no correlation between the majority of these measures and attributes if each group of the scrotal testes was analyzed separately. The NPVs from the ultrasonographic images of the retained inguinal testes were correlated with RSTA, RSTL, ISTA, and ISTL, while the NPVs from the retained abdominal testes were not correlated with any of the histomorphometric attributes of the STs. Testes with high degree of fibrosis had variable values of pixel intensity and pixel heterogeneity. Based on the results of this study, we concluded that the pixel intensity and pixel heterogeneity of stallion testes increase during the first year of life and remain stable in young and mature stallions. These changes occur in parallel to the development of the seminiferous tubules. Testicular echogenicity in stallions does not seem to reflect degree of testicular fibrosis. Retained abdominal testes have lower and less heterogeneous echogenicity than scrotal testes from stallions that are more than one year old. While pixel analysis cannot replace biopsy in assessing testicular histomorphology in young and mature stallions, testicular echogenicity is a good indicator of peri-pubertal growth and expansion of the seminiferous tubules.

Placental abnormalities in equine pregnancies generated by SCNT from one donor horse.

Placental changes associated with SCNT have been described in several species, but little information is available in this area in the horse. We evaluated the ultrasonographic, gross, and histopathological characteristics of placentas from three successful and five unsuccessful equine SCNT pregnancies, established using cells from a single donor horse. Starting at approximately 6-month gestation, the pregnancies were monitored periodically using transrectal (TR) and transabdominal (TA) ultrasonography (US) to examine the placentas, fetal fluids, and fetuses. Of the five mares that aborted, one mare did so suddenly without any abnormal signs detected by US and four had enlarged umbilical vessels visible on TA-US before abortion. Placental edema (TR-US) and intravascular thrombi in the umbilical cords were seen (TA-US) in two of these four mares; one mare aborted shortly after acute placental separation was identified on TA-US. In three mares that delivered live foals, TA-US showed engorged allantoic vessels and enlarged umbilical vessels. Two of these mares had placental thickening visible on TR-US, interpreted as a sign of placentitis, that subsided after aggressive medical treatment. Seven of the eight placentas were submitted for gross and histopathological examinations after delivery. All placentas had some degree of edema, abnormally engorged allantoic vessels, and enlarged umbilical vessels. Placentitis, large allantoic vesicles, cystic pouches in the fetal part of the cord, and hemorrhages and thrombi in the umbilical vessels were detected only in placentas from mares that aborted. Equine pregnancies resulting from SCNT may be associated with placental pathologies that can be detected using ultrasonography. However, interpreting their severity is difficult. Although placental abnormalities have been observed in SCNT pregnancies in other species, to the best of our knowledge, placentitis has not been previously reported and may be an important complication of equine SCNT pregnancies, leading to pregnancy loss.

Transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progestin profiles identifies feto-placental compromise in mares with experimentally induced placentitis.

Transrectal ultrasonography of the caudal uterus and a progestin profile were evaluated for accuracy in identifying mares with feto-placental compromise in a model of placentitis. Twenty-two pregnant ponies were divided into four groups: (1) control mares (n=5); (2) instrumented controls (n=2); (3) instrumented inoculated mares (n=11); (4) inoculated mares (n=4). Mares in Groups 3 and 4 were inoculated with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Maternal plasma progestins, vulvar discharge, mammary gland development, combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) and placental separation were evaluated weekly before instrumentation, inoculation or Day 320 (Groups 1 and 2) and, thereafter, either daily (first three measurements) or several times weekly (last two measurements). Plasma progestin profiles were plotted to identify pattern characteristics. An abbreviated profile was created, consisting of four progestin samples collected at 48-h intervals, with Sample 1 collected the day before inoculation or on Day 285 in controls. Profiles were considered abnormal if Samples 2, 3, or 4 increased or decreased by more than 50% of Sample 1. A CTUP>1.0 cm or placental separation were considered abnormal. Placentitis was confirmed by histology of fetal membranes. Control mares had normal progestin profiles, transrectal ultrasonographic and clinical examinations. Control foals were born after Day 329; six were viable and one died after dystocia. All inoculated mares developed placentitis and foaled before Day 314. Thirteen of 15 foals were not viable. All inoculated mares had abnormal progestin profiles and 13 of the 15 were identified by the abbreviated progestin profile. Transrectal CTUP was affected by gestational age and increased after inoculation (P<0.05). Nine of 15 inoculated mares had a CTUP>1.0 cm by 5-day post-inoculation. By performing both tests, 20 of 22 mares were correctly identified with respect to pregnancy outcome. However, three inoculated mares exhibited minimal clinical signs and likely would not be examined in a clinical setting. These tests were diagnostic for identifying feto-placental compromise in the mare.