Myelomeningocoele and a dermoid sinus-like lesion in a French bulldog.

A 2-year-old male French bulldog was presented for investigation of lumbosacral pain and hindlimb ataxia associated with urinary and fecal incontinence. Survey radiography, myelography, and computed tomography images were suggestive of a dermoid sinus with associated spina bifida. Surgical intervention led to a resolution of pain and neurological deficits. Histopathological analysis of the excised tissue was compatible with a myelomeningocoele of the 7th lumbar vertebra.

Méningo-myélocèle et lésion dermoïde s'apparentant à un sinus chez un Bouledogue français. Un Bouledogue français mâle âgé de deux ans a été présenté pour faire enquête sur une douleur lombo-sacrée et une ataxie des jambes postérieures associée à une incontinence urinaire et fécale. La radiographie, la myélographie et les images par tomodensitométrie pour faire enquête sur les symptômes suggéraient un sinus dermoïde avec spina-bifida connexe. L'intervention chirurgicale a donné lieu à une résolution de la douleur et des autres déficits neurologiques. L'analyse histopathologique du tissu excisé était compatible avec un méningo-myélocèle de la 7e vertèbre lombaire.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Thoracoscopic resection of right auricular masses in dogs: 9 cases (2003-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of thoracoscopic resection of masses located on the right auricle in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 9) with a mass on the right auricle. PROCEDURES: Hospital records from 2003 to 2011 were reviewed. Only dogs that underwent thoracoscopic resection of a mass on the right auricle were selected. Data collected included history, clinicopathologic findings, surgical technique, and outcome. RESULTS: All dogs with pericardial effusion were examined by means of echocardiography. Cardiac masses on the right auricle were identified in 5 dogs. Eight dogs had clinical signs of cardiac tamponade and right-sided heart failure. All dogs underwent thoracoscopic resection of a mass on the right atrium. Eight hemangiosarcomas and 1 pyogranulomatous lesion were resected. One dog with a mass located at the base of the right auricle died during surgery. No postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Right auricular masses were successfully removed in 8 dogs. Masses close to the base of the right atrial appendage may not be amenable to resection with thoracoscopy. Resection of small masses at the tip of the right auricular appendage can be performed thoracoscopically.

Expression of nuclear progesterone receptor and progesterone receptor membrane components 1 and 2 in the oviduct of cyclic and pregnant cows during the post-ovulation period.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone (P4) may modulate oviductal functions to promote early embryo development in cattle. In addition to its nuclear receptor (PR), P4 may mediate its actions through P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and its relative, PGRMC2. Two successive experiments were undertaken to characterise the expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 in the bovine oviduct during the post-ovulation period, and to relate their expression to the presence of an embryo, the proximity of the CL and to the region of the oviduct. METHODS: In the first experiment (Exp. I), whole oviduct sections were collected from Holstein cows at Day 1.5, Day 4 and Day 5 post-ovulation (n = 2 cows per stage). The expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 was studied in the ampulla and isthmus by RT-PCR, western-blot and immunohistochemistry. In Exp. II, oviduct epithelial cells were collected from cyclic and pregnant Charolais cows (n = 4 cows per status) at Day 3.5 post-ovulation and mRNA expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 was examined in the ampulla and isthmus by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: In Exp. I, PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 were expressed in all oviduct samples. PGRMC1 was mainly localised in the luminal epithelium whereas PR and PGRMC2 were localised in the epithelium as well as in the muscle and stroma layers of the oviduct. The expression was primarily nuclear for PR, primarily cytoplasmic for PGRMC1 and both nuclear and cytoplasmic for PGRMC2. In Exp. II, mRNA levels for PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 were not affected by either the pregnancy status or the side relative to the CL. However, the expression of PR and PGRMC2 varied significantly with the region of the oviduct: PR was more highly expressed in the isthmus whereas PGRMC2 was more highly expressed in the ampulla. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence of PGRMC2 expression in the bovine oviduct. Our findings suggest that P4 regulates the functions of the bovine oviduct in a region-specific manner and through both classical and non classical pathways during the post-ovulation period.