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.

Expression of interleukins 6 and 10 and population of inflammatory cells in the equine endometrium: diagnostic implications.

Endometritis consists of an acute or chronic inflammatory process involving the endometrium and together with endometrosis constitute the main causes of infertility in mares. The aim of this study was to associate the histopathological findings with the immunohistochemical markers interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10) to evaluate the inflammatory changes and progression of uterine tissue lesions of mares in the diestrus phase and their diagnostic implications. Twelve crossbred cyclic mares were used for endometrial biopsy collection. Samples were collected in the diestrus period (6 ± 1 day after ovulation) without previous artificial insemination. In the histopathological analysis the samples were classified according to the type and intensity of inflammation, alterations regarding endometrial fibrosis and biopsy categories (I, IIA, IIB and III). In the immunohistochemical analysis, the markers of IL-6 and IL-10 were evaluated by scores (0, 2, 4, 6) according to the intensity of the immunostaining and inflammatory cells (CD-3, CD-20, CD-68 and MPO antibodies) and were counted according to the number of cells immunostained in brown, in ten random fields. An association (p ≤ 0.05) occurred between low score (2) for IL-6 in the endometrial glandular area and moderate fibrotic nets; and between high scores (4 and 6) for IL-10 in sub-epithelial connective tissue and moderate periglandular fibrosis. In conclusion, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an association between interleukins and inflammatory cells with endometrial lesions. In addition, this research may be useful in the future to evaluate the progress of the inflammatory process, contributing to the adequate optimization of the reproductive management of the mares.