The lack of the influence of various species of Mycoplasma spp. on canine semen quality.

Mycoplasmas colonize fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, being commensals or causing diseases, sometimes severe in ruminants, swine, poultry, or wildlife animals. So far, 15 species of canine Mycoplasma spp. have been described. Conflicting results have been presented regarding the pathogenicity of Mycoplasma spp. Although many virulence factors of these bacteria have been described, they still require attention. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of known canine Mycoplasmas in the male reproductive tract of clinically healthy dogs. The second aim was to check if Mycoplasma spp. cause any abnormalities in semen quality that could have further consequences and to propose the schemes for managing the carriers. 83.3% of examined dogs were Mycoplasma spp. -positive dogs, and most of them were the carriers of more than one species. Six dogs had azoospermic ejaculates. The total spermatozoa numbers were similar in Mycoplasma -positive and negative groups. Motility was slightly higher in Mycoplasma spp.-negative group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in semen characteristics between the carriers and Mycoplasma spp.-negative dogs. Neither the individual species nor the number of species strains had a significant effect on sperm morphological parameters as well as viability. Semen quality parameters are not correlated with the species found on the prepuce. Over 70% Mycoplasma spp.- positive dogs have more than one species of this bacteria. Despite finding mycoplasmas in azoospermic dogs, we suggest that they were not the cause of infertility. Mycoplasma spp. could be a part of normal microbiota in canine prepuce in individuals without any clinical signs.

78,XX testicular DSD syndrome in a mongrel dog.

Because of an apparent sexual ambiguity (enlarged clitoris), a 1-year-old mongrel dog was presented to the clinic. A positive result on a GnRH stimulation test revealed the existence of functional testicular tissue. A midline laparotomy was performed, and gonads resembling testes were resected along with the adherent parts of the uterine horns. Microscopic examination confirmed that the sampled gonads were testes. Cross-sections of the head and tail of the epididymis revealed their typical structures. All layers of the uterine wall were well-developed. The lumen was stellar, covered by columnar cylindrical epithelium, although locally some epithelial cells had changed in height from columnar to flat. The uterine glands were distributed in functional layer of endometrium in a non-uniform way. Cytogenetic analysis based on the evaluation of metaphase plates of blood lymphocytes showed a female karyotype, 78,XX. PCR amplification of the SRY gene was negative in the studied mongrel dog. This canine disorder may be genetically heterogeneous, potentially with a different mutation in different breeds. An autosomal recessive inheritance for the XX male is suggested in such cases. The present case of sex reversal syndrome concerns a non-purebred dog. In mongrels, it is definitely less likely for the defect to be inherited because of a recessive disorder. According to the recently proposed nomenclature, the described case should be classified as 78,XX testicular DSD syndrome.

Age-related pregnancy results and further examination of bitches after aglepristone treatment of pyometra.

The cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra complex is one of the most common uterine diseases in bitches. The appearance of pharmacological preparations containing anti-progestagens created new possibilities for pyometra treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the curative effect of the anti-progestagen aglepristone treatment of pyometra in bitches of different ages. Twenty four bitches of different breeds, aged from 0.8 to 9.5 years (21-48 kg) exhibiting clinical pyometra symptoms (two groups - I < or = 5 years, n = 14 and II >5 years, n = 10) were evaluated. Information about the general reproductive health was collected up to 54 months after anti-progestagen treatment. Remission of clinical symptoms and return of blood chemistry results and total leucocyte count to referential values were achieved in all cases within 14 days of treatment. Bitches were naturally mated at the first, and when unsuccessful, the second oestrus after treatment. In group I, no recurrence of pyometra symptoms was observed during following cycle(s). Eight bitches (57.1%) had a full-term pregnancy and the number of newborn pups ranged from 1 to 12. None of the bitches from the group II became pregnant. In conclusion, the basic indication for conservative pharmacological treatment of pyometra is preserving female fertility and obtaining offspring. The important conditions for successful aglepristone treatment are: the young age (up to 5 years) and the lack of detectible ovarian cysts. It seems necessary to mate bitches in the first or second oestrus after finishing treatment. The efficacy of treatment can be measured by the after-treatment pregnancy rate.

Cytopathology of canine lymphomas (100 cases).

Malignant lymphoma is one of the most common malignant tumours occurring in dogs. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an excellent, specific diagnostic procedure used to assess pathological processes in lymph nodes. The aim of the present study was to conduct a cytopathological analysis of lymphoma in dogs and to analyse some epidemic aspects of occurrence of lymphoma in 100 dogs using Giemsa stained slides. Samples were obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy, fine needle non-aspiration biopsy, lymph node impression smears and by examination of body cavity effusions. The determination of the type and subtype of tumour was made on the basis of the updated Kiel classification adopted for dogs. Based on cytopathological analysis, the lymphoma was diagnosed in 100 dogs: 44 were female and 56 male. The animals' age ranged from 1.5 year to 15 years (median: 7.5 years), the animals were of different breeds (72% of all dogs belonged to 28 different breeds) and crossbreeds (28%). In 29% of dogs the regional or general lymphadenomegaly was the only clinical sign observed, in remaining cases (71%) at least one abnormality connected to lymphoma was found. Among all diagnosed lymphomas, high-grade lymphomas were more prevalent (86% of all cases) than low-grade lymphomas (14% of all cases). The possibility of boxers having a predisposition to T cell lymphoma development could be also suspected.

Treatment of fibroadenomatosis in 14 cats with aglepristone - changes in blood parameters and follow-up.

Fourteen female cats with fibroadenomatosis were treated with aglepristone, and the effectiveness of the treatment and its effect on selected haematological and blood chemistry parameters were studied. The cats were monitored for 12 months after the end of the treatment. Complete remission of the clinical signs was achieved on average 3.9 weeks after the treatment began; the success of the treatment confirmed the clinical diagnosis of fibroadenomatosis. During the course of the treatment the cats' haematological parameters returned to normal. In cats that had previously been treated with long-acting medroxyprogesterone acetate, treatment with aglepristone for five weeks was recommended. Cases of fibroadenomatosis reappearing after a few months should be regarded as new disease rather than a relapse. Six cats were subsequently mated and four gave birth to one or more litters; all the pregnancies proceeded normally with no clinically evident fibroadenomatosis. The other eight cats underwent ovariohysterectomy soon after the aglepristone treatment was completed.

Hypospadias in six dogs.

Six dogs, five males and one hermaphrodite, were diagnosed with hypospadias. Two of the five males had the penile form of the condition, two had the perineal form and one had the glandular form; the hermaphrodite had the scrotal form. The hermaphrodite had no prostate gland and no right testicle; it had a normal right ovary and horn of the uterus but the left horn was joined to the testicle. Its karyotype showed 78 chromosomes, all in metaphase, and two typical sex chromosomes X and Y.

Surgical treatment of hypospadias. Techniques and results in six dogs.

Various types of hypospadias and methods of surgical treatment of this anomaly in 6 dogs was described in this article. Methods of surgical treatment were set up individually for each case and depended on the type of hypospadias and coexisting anomalies. Shortening of the penis was performed in two dogs, amputation in three cases and an urethral reconstruction in one patient. Castration was performed in three cases. Persistent frenulum of the prepuce was found in two dogs. Additionally three patients were submitted to the plastic surgery of the prepuce anomalies. In one dog, the loose and free falling part of the prepuce was suspended and attached to the abdominal integument according to the original own method. In all dogs, uncomplicated wound healing was observed. Surgical procedures resulted in improved cosmesis with reducing clinical signs of hypospadias and other coexistent anomalies.

[Critical comparison of rectal and ultrasonographic results of ovarian conditions in the interestrus of cattle]. / Kritischer Vergleich zwischen klinisch und ultrasonographisch erfassten Ovarbefunden im Interoestrum des Rindes.

41 heifers of 260-440 kg body weight used in an experiment were polyovulated with PGF2 alpha and PMSG (1000 IU). Animals were slaughtered during luteal phase of ovarian cycle (day 12-15). Shortly before slaughter ovarian structures were defined by rectal palpation und ultrasonographical examination. Post mortem ovaries were collected to compare their structures with previously performed in vivo diagnosis. More follicular structures were detected sonographically (109%) than could be found by morphologic examination (100%). Concerning corpora lutea a right diagnosis was made by palpation in 94% of cases, whereas the rate was only 85% for ultrasonographical examination. Main reasons for false diagnoses of ultrasonographical examination are as follows: multiple ovarian structures, corpora lutea with holes inside, atypical shape of ovaries, atypical ultrasonographical pictures and irregular shape of follicles.

[The blood gas status in bitches with pyometra-endometritis complex]. / Uber den Blutgasstatus bei Hündinnen mit Pyometra-Endometritis-Komplex.

The blood gas status of 52 bitches presented with pyometra-endometritis complex was examined. Nine healthy bitches with a normal sexual cycle served as control group. Depending on the clinical symptoms, the sick bitches were divided into two groups (A and B). Compared to the control group, both test groups showed significant differences in pH, HCO3 and base excess levels. A correlation between the severity of disease and the decreasing pH level was noted. The disturbance of acid-base balance also resulted in respiratory and metabolic acidosis. A high proportion of these acidotic states was not compensated (group A: 71.4%; group B: 50.0%).