J Vet Sci.  2017 Sep;18(3):407-414. 10.4142/jvs.2017.18.3.407.

Histopathologic findings in uteri and ovaries collected from clinically healthy dogs at elective ovariohysterectomy: a cross-sectional study

• Maya-Pulgarin D
• Gonzalez-Dominguez MS
• Aranzazu-Taborda D
• Mendoza N
• Maldonado-Estrada JG

• KMID: 2412459
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2017.18.3.407

Abstract

Opinions on ovariohysterectomy (OHE) of bitches vary depending on region and country. In this descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study, uterine tracts and ovaries exhibiting gross pathologic findings (n = 76) were collected post-surgery from a reference population of 3,600 bitches (2.11% incidence) that underwent elective OHE during September to November 2013 and evaluated by histopathology examination. Data were evaluated by using descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Bitches were of crossbred background with average age 5 years (range 0.6-8.0 years) and most were nulliparous (69.7%) with no anamnesis of reproductive diseases (81.6%). Frequencies of proestrus, estrus, and diestrus were 42.1%, 6.6%, and 19.7%, respectively. The presence of mammary gland masses (5.3%) significantly correlated with histopathologic findings in ovaries and age of the bitch (p < 0.05). Predominant uterine histopathologies included cystic endometrial hyperplasia, periglandular fibrosis, lymphoplasmocytary endometritis, and adenomyosis (19.7%, 14.5%, 4.0%, and 2.6%, respectively). In ovaries, hyperplasia of rete ovarii, follicular cysts, oophoritis, adenoma of the rete ovarii, cysts of superficial structures, and granulosa cell tumors (10.5%, 10.5%, 7.9%, 4.0%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively) were observed. The results reveal the presence of subclinical pathologies in healthy bitches, suggesting that OHE at an early age is beneficial for prevention of reproductive pathologies.

Keyword

canine neoplastic disease; canine ovarian pathology; canine uterine pathology; cystic endometrial hyperplasia

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dog Diseases/pathology
Dogs
Endometrial Hyperplasia/pathology/veterinary
Endometritis/pathology/veterinary
Female
Hysterectomy/methods/*veterinary
Ovarian Diseases/pathology/veterinary
Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology/veterinary
Ovariectomy/methods/*veterinary
Ovary/*pathology/surgery
Uterus/*pathology/surgery

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Proliferative disorders found in ovaries. (A) Epithelial proliferation of the rete ovarii (asterisks). (B) Stratification of the rete ovarii showing epithelial proliferation in a different ovary from that of panel A. H&E stain. 200× (A), 400× (B).

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  Fig. 2 Follicle cysts. (A) Microscopic aspect of the cyst wall (cw), ovary cortex (c), ovary medulla (m). (B) Granulosa cell tumor exhibiting a sertoli pattern; connective tissue (ct). H&E stain. 40× (A), 200× (B).

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  Fig. 3 Frequency of occurrence of microscopic lesions in the left (A) and right (B) ovaries at elective ovariohysterectomy in clinically healthy bitches with uteri containing gross pathologic findings.

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  Fig. 4 Cystic endometrial hyperplasia. (A and B) Dilated cystic glands (asterisk) from two different cases. Endometrium (em). Endometrium fibrosis. (C and D) severe periglandular fibrosis (asterisks) with abundant active fibroblasts (arrow). Endometrium (em) and endometrial glands (g). H&E stain. 40× (A, B, and D), 200× (C).

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  Fig. 5 (A) Adenomyosis showing cystic glands (arrow); myometrium (m), vascular layer (v) and hyperplasic endometrial glands with cysts (asterisks). (B) Adenomyosis, in which groups of endometrial glands appears embedded into the myometrium (arrow). H&E stain. 100× (A), 40× (B).

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  Fig. 6 (A) Mesonephric duct cyst showing the endometrium (em), myometrium (m) and cyst wall (arrows). (B) Cysts of superficial epithelium containing cystic structures of several sizes are seen in the ovarian cortex (asterisks). Cumulusoocyte-complex (coc) are present. H&E stain. 400× (A), 100× (B).

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