A. Zanghì

Sertoli cell tumors associated with feminizing syndrome and spermatic cord torsion in two cryptorchid dogs

The association of cryptorchidism, functional Sertoli cell tumors, and spermatic cord torsion has been rarely reported in the literature. Two dogs were admitted for bilateral skin alopecia and weight loss. Both animals were cryptorchid and displayed a pendulous preputial sheath, prostate hypertrophy, and increased levels of circulating oestrogen. Transabdominal palpation and ultrasonography revealed the presence of neoplastic retained gonads. During surgery, spermatic cord torsion was also detected in the enlarged neoplastic testes of both dogs. Histologic examination confirmed the presence of Sertoli cell tumors that were primarily responsible for the feminizing syndrome. Complete remission of all symptoms occurred within 3 months after orchiectomy.

Clinicopathological study of canine transmissible venereal tumour in leishmaniotic dogs

INTRODUCTIONnCanine transmissible venereal tumour is occasionally observed in leishmaniotic dogs, and Leishmania amastigotes can be harboured in canine transmissible venereal tumour cells.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe aim of this paper was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of the association of both diseases.nnnMETHODSnNineteen dogs affected by canine transmissible venereal tumour and canine leishmaniasis were studied retrospectively.nnnRESULTSnIn these dogs, the tumour manifested a large size and often aggressive behaviour (42%) and no predictive sign of spontaneous regression was observed. Sporadic Leishmania amastigotes were found within the canine transmissible venereal tumour in three cases, probably transported by infected macrophages often infiltrating the tumour. A high Leishmania parasitisation of canine transmissible venereal tumour was observed in two other cases and verified by immunohistochemistry.nnnCLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEnCanine transmissible venereal tumour is a tumour of the dog able to harbour a large number of Leishmania parasites. Alternatively, the systemic disease (canine leishmaniasis) may lower the immune defence against malignancy (canine transmissible venereal tumour).

Alpha-inhibin expression in canine ovarian neoplasms: preliminary results.

G. Marino1*, P.A. Nicòtina2, G. Catone1, R.A. Bontempo1 and A. Zanghı̀1 1Department of Surgery, Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Messina; 2Department of Human Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario, Messina, Italy *Correspondence: Department of Surgery, Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy E-mail: gabrielemarino@yahoo.com

Deslorelin Implants in Pre-pubertal Female Dogs: Short- and Long-Term Effects on the Genital Tract

Deslorelin acetate is a GnRH agonist used for contraception in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of pre-pubertal female dogs with deslorelin acetate implants, to better investigate the primary stimulatory effect of the drug and the long-term effects on the genital tract, throughout repeated treatments. Sicilian hound female dogs (24) were randomly assigned to treated group, control group 1 and control group 2. First group bitches were implanted at 4.5, 9.0 and 13.5 months and monitored clinically, ultrasonographically and endocrinologically, throughout the study period (13.5 months). Control group 1 bitches were not implanted and clinically monitored for the same period. At 18 months, the animals underwent ovariohysterectomy, thus allowing evaluation of the internal genitalia. Control group 2 bitches were ovariohysterectomized at the age of 4.5 months. The suppression of oestrus was obtained in the treated group despite the fact that the first implant caused a modest increase in plasmatic levels of 17-beta estradiol and an evident cornification of the vaginal mucosa cells (50-80%). Estradiol and progesterone were at baseline levels for the remaining study period, in which no other oestrous manifestations were observed. The external genitalia maintained a juvenile appearance. The ovaries, ultrasonographically, showed no follicular structures and stayed the same size. At 18 months, the genital tract was still juvenile with inactive small ovaries and a thin filiform uterus. Deslorelin suppressed ovarian activity in pre-pubertal bitches, and oestrous induction was not observed despite the presence of the primary stimulatory effect of the drug. Juvenile genitalia were an expected side effect of the treatment.

Endometrial Polyps in the Bitch: a Retrospective Study of 21 Cases

Endometrial polyps (EPs) are tumour-like lesions reported frequently in domestic carnivores. The present report describes the clinical and pathological features of EPs in 21 bitches. Most affected bitches had a regular reproductive history. Five bitches had no clinical signs and eleven showed clinical signs of pyometra. Four bitches had a large EP which resulted in compression of the abdominal viscera. One bitch had an acute uterine torsion. A clinical diagnosis of EPs was only made when the lesions were large and identified by abdominal palpation or ultrasound. Grossly, the EPs were 5-25 cm in diameter and were single, sessile or pedunculated. They were often associated with cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Microscopically, the EPs were fibroglandular with the stroma sometimes being haemorrhagic and infiltrated by inflammatory cells. In one case, there were areas of stromal smooth muscle and epithelial squamous metaplasia, which may have been consistent with preneoplastic change.

Ochratoxin A at low concentrations inhibits in vitro growth of canine umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cells through oxidative chromatin and DNA damage.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure during pregnancy in laboratory animals induces delayed/abnormal embryo development. Foetal adnexa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could help evaluate the developmental risk of exposure to chemicals in advanced gestational age. We tested the effects of OTA at concentrations ranging from 2.5×10(-4) to 25nM on growth parameters of canine umbilical cord matrix (UCM)-derived MSCs. The hypothesis that oxidative chromatin and DNA damage could underlie OTA-mediated cell toxicity was also investigated. After in vitro exposure, OTA significantly decreased cell density and increased doubling time in a passage- and concentration-dependent manner and no exposed cells survived beyond passage 5. Significantly higher rates of cells showed condensed and fragmented chromatin and oxidized DNA, as assessed by OxyDNA assay. These findings showed that in vitro exposure to OTA, at picomolar levels, perturbs UCM-MSC growth parameters through oxidative chromatin and DNA damage, suggesting possible consequences on canine foetal development.

Adenoma of the Uterine Tube in the Bitch: Two Case Reports

Marino, G., Quartuccio, M., Cristarella, S., Nicòtina, P.A. and Zanghì, A., 2007. Adenoma of the uterine tube in the bitch: two case reports. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 173–175

Expression of Inhibin/Activin α, βA and βB Subunits in the Ovary of the Bitch

G. Marino1*, A. Zanghı̀1, G. Catone1, R.A. Bontempo1 and P.A. Nicòtina2 1Department of Surgery, Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, 2Department of Human Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario, 98125, Messina, Italy *Correspondence: Department of Surgery, Physiopathology and Clinic of Reproduction of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy E-mail: gabrielemarino@yahoo.com

Metastasising Granulosa Cell Tumour of the Testis: A Case Report in the Dog

R.A. Bontempo1, A. Zanghi1,∗, G. Catone2, S. Cristarella1, G. Marino1 and P.A. Nicotina3 1Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Unit of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy; 2Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica (MC), Italy; 3Department of Human Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ∗Correspondence: E-mail: zanghia@unime.it