Histological Comparison of Testicular Needle Biopsy and En Bloc Samples in Abattoir Calves.

the aim of this study was to test whether a single testicular needle biopsy could provide histological results comparable to en bloc resection histology and whether one biopsy was sufficient to reflect the histology of an entire pair of testicles. Two methods of sample collection were tested on 32 bull calves aged five to eight months to compare histological parameters of needle biopsy with those of en bloc resection samples. One testicular needle biopsy of the right and three en bloc samples of both testicles were collected and compared for the number of tubular cross sections, tubules with elongated spermatids (ES), outer/inner diameter of tubules, thickness of tubular wall, and number of Sertoli cells (SC). Additionally, animal data were considered. No significant differences were found between the left and right testis or among the individual locations of en bloc samples. However, histologically significant differences (Bonferroni-adjusted significance level: p < 0.05/6 = 0.0083) were found between the needle biopsy and en bloc resection regarding the tubular cross sections per visual field (p < 0.05), the outer (p = 0.01) and inner diameter and the thickness of the tubular wall (both p < 0.01). In the SOX9 immunohistochemical staining, no significant differences (p > 0.05) could be observed for SC numbers between needle biopsy and en bloc samples. In conclusion, results of testicular needle biopsy do not have the same validity as the en bloc resection histology. Furthermore, one biopsy is insufficient to reflect the histology of the entire testicular pair.

[Spindle-cell sarcoma in the mandibular area of a 5-year-old Holstein Friesian cow]. / Spindelzelliges Sarkom am Unterkiefer einer 5 Jahre alten Holstein-Friesian-Kuh.

A 5-year-old German-Holstein cow was presented with a swelling of the head which had been present for 3 months. Clinical examination revealed a 15 × 20 × 15 cm firm mass on the right side of the head. The cow was lethargic, showed an extended head and neck posture, nasal stridor, mucopurulent nasal discharge, and inspiratory dyspnea with labored breathing. Furthermore, dysphagia as well as moderate to strong salivation were evident. Radiological examination revealed a diffuse, poorly defined mass with different densities overlying the bony structures of the skull. Endoscopic examination confirmed a space-occupying mass in the pharyngeal area. Sonographically, the swelling presented as a compact, clearly inhomogeneous tissue with focal areas of different echogenicity. Necropsy of the euthanized cattle confirmed the presence of a tumor that had already metastasized to the lungs. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the tumor presented as a spindle-cell, vimentin-expressing soft tissue sarcoma, most likely compatible with fibrosarcoma.

Identification of vessel degeneration and endometrosis in the equine endometrium, using narrow-band imaging hysteroscopy.

In this study, endometrosis and angiosclerosis in mares were studied. Endometrosis is a severe, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic condition that affects the endometrium, whereas angiosclerosis refers to thickening of vessel walls due to degenerative changes leading to reduced elasticity of the walls and lower perfusion. Histologic evaluations were performed on biopsies and compared with vascular features of the endometrial surface obtained via narrow-band imaging (NBI) hysteroscopy. First, it was determined if hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrium using NBI resulted in a better visualization of the vascular pattern (i.e., vessel-versus-background contrast was increased) compared with using white light. This was found to be the case for examinations in vivo (n = 10), but not when using abattoir uteri (n = 3). In the second part of this study, it was determined if vascular densities and sizes as derived from NBI images could be used as indicators for the degree of degenerative changes of the equine endometrium and its vessels. Narrow-band imaging hysteroscopic evaluations were performed (n = 10), and endometrial biopsies (n = 32) were collected. Histologic specimens were evaluated for degree of endometrosis and angiosclerosis, and they were classified in Kenney categories. Narrow-band imaging images were analyzed for vascular pattern. Samples classified to Kenney category I, or without signs of vessel degeneration, had significantly higher vascular densities than samples from Kenney category IIa or with angiosclerosis. In conclusion, narrow-band imaging facilitates enhanced visualization of the vasculature of the equine endometrium during hysteroscopies, which has applications in detection of endometrosis and angiosclerosis.

Equine endometrial vascular pattern changes during the estrous cycle examined by Narrow Band Imaging hysteroscopy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the uterine blood supply and endometrial vessel architecture, during the equine estrous cycle. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) hysteroscopy was used for evaluating changes in the endometrial vasculature during the estrous cycle [six mares, d 0 (representing the day of ovulation), d 6 and 11 in four locations]. In addition, endometrial biopsy samples were used for immunodetection of markers for angiogenesis (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, its receptor 2, as well as angiopoietin-2 and its receptor-tyrosine-kinase Tie2) during the estrous cycle (three mares, d 0, 5 and 10; one biopsy per mare). Detailed analysis of hysteroscopic images revealed an increase in the vascular density from estrus towards diestrus. In contrast, microscopic specimens prepared from biopsies revealed no evidence for changes in the endometrial vessel number during the estrous cycle. Studies on expression of angiogenesis markers indicated that cyclic changes in the endometrial vascular density observed by NBI-hysteroscopy were not due to formation of new vessels. It is concluded that vessels are involved in blood supply of a smaller area during diestrus, facilitating better distribution of nutrients during this phase.