Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches.

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.

Pregnancy loss due to amnionitis in anglo-arabian mare-Case report.

The amnion is a layer of the foetal membrane that has mechanical protection function and allows expansion and growth. The diseases that affect amnion have rarely been reported in horses. Amnionitis and funiculitis have been implicated as components of abortions as observed in abortions caused by the mare reproductive loss syndrome. Here, we report an abortion at 240-day gestation of a 7-year-old Anglo-Arabian mare with a history of previous stillbirth. Blood samples from both mare and foetus were collected for serological testing. Fragments from the placenta were taken for macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The results of these tests ruled out leptospirosis and concluded that the cause of the abortion was non-infectious chronic amnionitis. Moreover, the decreased vascularization in the placenta was consistent with placental insufficiency. This case highlights the importance of monthly ultrasound monitoring in equine pregnancy in order to diagnose placental insufficiency. The study also confirmed the efficiency of the histopathological examination for the definitive diagnosis of placental inflammation and for the study of foetal vascularization to rule out placental insufficiency in equine reproduction.

Histopathological findings in the early diagnosis of granulosa cell tumour in bitches.

Granulosa cell tumour (GCT) is a majorly observed ovarian tumour in female dogs. It is essential to diagnose GCT in its initial phase before any symptoms occur, as histological and physiological differences may be observed based on the evolution of this neoplasia. This study aimed to analyse the anatomic histopathology of GCT in its initial stage, with findings of ovaries not yet with the suspicion of neoplasms in the Canis familiaris. A sample including 55 ovaries presented GCT in 40 female dogs. The histopathological analysis was performed considering the intensity of pleomorphism, vascularization and inflammatory infiltrate. Furthermore, we evaluated the mitoses count in 10 fields using 40× magnification. Out of the 40 animals evaluated, 62.5% (25/40) presented the tumour in only one ovary. The Call-Exner corpuscle was present in 65% (26/40) of the cases. The follicular histological pattern was present in 52.5% (21/40) of the animals. The presence of the Call-Exner bodies and the degree of tumour cell pleomorphism (p = 0.033) were associated. Moreover, the degree of vascularization and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate were also related (p = 0.001). In addition, there was a positive relationship between the increase in pleomorphism and the mean age of the animals (p = 0.044). This study confirmed that the appearance of this tumour may precede any clinical symptomatology. In this study, the most frequent histopathological pattern was the follicular. The characteristics of the granulosa cell tumour diagnosed early were poorly pleomorphic cells, low mitotic index and presence of Call-Exner body.