Mammary Lobes Research Articles

The milk IGF-2 level is positively correlated with milk yield in Anatolian water buffaloes

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between milk insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) concentration and milk yield in Anatolian water buffaloes. This study was conducted on milk samples from 80 Anatolian water buffaloes. Milk samples collected from buffaloes were evaluated for subclinical mastitis. For this purpose, the California mastitis test and somatic cell count were performed in milk samples taken from four different mammary lobes of buffaloes. The milk IGF-2 level was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Milk IGF-2 concentration ranged from 21.6 ng/ml - 63.2 ng/ml in Anatolian water buffaloes. The IGF-2 concentration in Anatolian water buffaloes milk was 40.1±8.5 ng/ml. Milk IGF-2 was positively correlated with milk yield (r2=0.941, P<0.01). Our results showed that milk IGF-2 concentration was associated with milk yield in Anatolian buffaloes. These findings show that locally synthesized IGF-2 can affect milk yield. This study contributes to the understanding of the composition of buffalo milk, which has an important value in human nutrition. It is recommended to confirm the results of similar measurements in milk from other animal species used for human consumption.

Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonographical measurements of supra-mammary lymph nodes for diagnosis of bovine mastitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mastitis and supra-mammary lymph nodes in lactating cows in terms of Pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler ultrasonographical measurements. A total of 102 head cows in lactation period were divided into three groups. The cows in which all mammary lobes were California mastitis test (CMT)-negative (n = 27) formed the 1st group; those with CMT-positive mammary lobe (n = 43) formed the 2nd group and the cows with clinical mastitis in at least one mammary lobe (n = 32) formed the 3rd group. In PW Doppler ultrasonography, end-diastolic velocity, systolic peak velocity and time-averaged maximum velocity were measured at the most prominent artery of the lymph node. A quantitative scaling was performed by determining the pulsatile index and resistance index scales based on blood flow parameters. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups in terms of PW Doppler ultrasonographical measurements of supra-mammary lymph nodes. In conclusion, the use of PW Doppler ultrasonographic data of the supra-mammary lymph nodes will not provide useful information about the current condition of mastitis in cows.

Histological and Histometrical Features of the Mammary Gland in Immature and Lactating Local Breed Ewes (Ovis aries)

Twelve samples of mammary glands (6 immature and 6 lactating ewes) were used for this study. Specimens of glands were immediately dissected and fixed in 10% formalin sol. The specimens were processed according to paraffin technique, sectioned at 5-6µm and stained by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's Trichrom stains. In both immature and lactating ewes the mammary glands were covered by skin. In immature ewes the mammary quarter was composed of few mammary lobes that separated by very thick inter lobar adipose tissue. The lactating quarter was composed of huge mammary lobes and lobules without adipose tissue. In immature the lobe was consisted of few small lobules that composed of few of mammary alveoli while the lactating lobes had large sizes lobules and each had large alveoli which lined by tall cuboidal cells and supported by fibrous tissue and myo epithelial cells. In both immature and lactating ewes, the gland and teat cisternae were showed many of mucosal folds which lined by pseudo stratified columnar epithelium and supported by fibrous connective tissue. The teat cisterna of both immature and lactating was composed three layers; mucosal cisterna, fibro muscular layer and skin. The teat canal was lined by pseudo stratified squamous epithelium and the sub epithelial connective tissue showed well developed venous sinus and fibro muscular. Statistical analysis was revealed significant differences between the values of all parameters of immature and lactating ewes. Apparent surface areas of the lobe in immature and lactating were 122143.063±23.21 µm2 & 992541.188±33.81 µm2 respectively. Surface areas of lobule in immature and lactating were 1042.938±21.02 µm2 & 91565.977±25.60 µm2 respectively. Surface areas of alveoli in immature and lactating were 994.238±11.39 µm2 & 4584.270±19.26 µm2 respectively. Epithelial heights of alveoli in immature and lactating were 10.290±1.01 µm & 23.012±2.81 µm respectively. Thickness of inter lobar tissue in immature and lactating ewes 677.393±23.67 µm and 361.401±10.86 µm respectively. Thickness of inter lobular connective tissue in immature and lactating were 112.969±±11.48 µm and 90.281±9.81 µm respectively.

Nitric Oxide Molecule as A Potential Target of Alternative Strategies for the Diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis in Cows

The mastitis is an important disease affecting daily milk yield and quality in lactating cows, it negatively affects both animal welfare and economic income. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of subclinical mastitis on nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), albumin, total protein, globulin, glucose and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity (GGT) levels in plasma. The research was carried out in Brown Swiss and Holstein cows. The mammary lobes of the animals were scanned with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and those with subclinical mastitis were identified. Samples with CMT (-) were classified as healthy (n = 10) and those with CMT (+) were classified as subclinical mastitis group (n = 10). The study presented is a basic feature and results clearly showed that significant amounts of NO was released in plasma during subclinical mastitis. There was no statistically significant difference between cows with or without subclinical mastitis for plasma TAC, TOC, albumin, total protein, globulin, glucose, albumin/globulin levels and GGT activity. Consequently, nitric oxide is an important mediator in subclinical mastitis as a potential target of therapeutic strategies and can be evaluated in alternative diagnosis.

Autoimmune granulomatous mastitis – Case report

Introduction: Idiopathic lobular granulomatous mastitis (ILGM) is a chronic, benign, inflammatory disease which affects women with mean age of 33 years, usually with recent lactation. Defined by granulomas and microabscesses in mammary lobes, it can be suggestive of carcinoma, both clinically and radiologically. There are three hypotheses for the disease: infection, hormonal and autoimmune disorder, being the latter the most accepted one. Objective: To report the case of SFI, female, 34 years of age, Caucasian, non-lactating, without family history of breast cancer, diagnosed with autoimmune granulomatous mastitis. Method: Case report based on medical records and in agreement with the signed informed consent form. In 2017, the patient presented with trauma in the right breast, and after eight months, local lesion and mastalgia. In the physical exam, we observed one-sided mammillary retraction, periareolar hyperemia, signs of fluctuation, pain at superficial palpation and palpable lymph nodes. The ultrasound showed fluid collection of 25x6 mm, with thick content, irregular walls in the upper medial quadrant, with an area close to the skin in the periareolar region; two smaller collections measuring 4 to 6 mm in the retroareolar region; without solid nodules. After surgical drainage, the sample indicated chronic granulomatous inflammation; analysis of fungi and acid-alcohol-resistant bacilli were negative, and malignancy was not present. Then, she was started on Prednisone, 80mg/day. However, after the onset of a new inflammatory condition, a weekly 15mg dose of Methotrexate was associated. In the following month, being clinically stable, Methotrexate was suspended, and the dose of Prednisone was gradually reduced, until its suspension. She did not present with acute mastitis or abscess. The patient persisted with palpable granulomas in all quadrants, and major complications with mastalgia, which became incapacitating. A new attempt of immunosuppressive therapy was made, but had no success against mastalgia, as well as the use of Tamoxifen and Cabergoline. Results and Conclusion: Due to clinical untreatability and the patient’s wish, the choice was to perform skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate prosthetic reconstruction. Even though the ideal treatment is still uncertain, due to its unknown etiology, clinical follow-up is important, even after the surgical excision of the nodule, because of the chance of recurrence and slow resolution.

Clinicopathological Evaluation of Disseminated Metastases of Transmissible Venereal Tumor in a Spayed Bitch

Background: Although transmissible venereal tumor (TVT, transmissible venereal sarcoma, Sticker’s sarcoma) that affects dogs and other canids can be seen in many countries, it especially emerges in the countries which homeless dog population is very high. Female dogs are more susceptible than males. Transmissible venereal tumor is usually transmitted to genital organs during coitus and occasionally by social behavior such as sniffing and licking. The tumor is generally observed in the posterior part of the vagina. The tumor usually appears in various sizes, in the appearance of cauliflower, red and fragile. Metastases are rarely reported in cases with TVT. Metastases have been detected in lung, liver, tonsils, skin, lymph nodes, muscles, spleen. The diagnosis of transmissible venereal tumor is achived by considering the history of the animal, gross lesions, cytological examination and histopathology. Chemotherapy is frequently used in the treatment of TVT. In addition, radiotherapy, cryosurgery, surgical incision and immunotherapy are rarely applied for treatment. Chemical agents such as doxorubicin, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate are preferred for chemotherapy.Case: Metastases to all mammary lobes, cervix uteri, neck, skin, gluteal muscles, the oropharyngeal region, and primary vaginal mass were described in spayed bitch, a 10-year old and mixed breed. The clinical examination manifested, fragile and hemorrhagic masses which resemble cauliflower in the vagina, neck, and inguinal region. Furthermore firm and multilobular masses in all mammary lobes, oropharyngeal region, and gluteal muscles of right leg were detected. Firstly, vaginal cytology was performed in order to confirm. In vaginal cytology, round to polyhedral shaped transmissible venereal tumor cells including cytoplasmic vacuoles and polychromatic nuclei were identified. Histopathologically, solid areas included oval- to round-shaped cells with prominent, hyperchromatic nuclei in all masses. Also, some of them comprised mitotic figures in their nuclei. In general, the tumor cells were separated by thin fibrous septa. Additionally, the cells were completely infiltrated to the mammary gland. In contrast, oropharyngeal and subdermal region of neck consisted more solid areas under the epidermis. There was lymphocyte infiltration at the periphery of the cells. For gluteal mass, TVT cells were confined in muscle bundles. Transmissible venereal tumor cases are often located in genital organs and their metastases are rarely encountered in comparison with other tumors. In this case report, metastases to cervical tissue, neck skin, oropharyngeal mucosa and gluteal muscles, mammary lobes are found.Discussion: When the sexual activity is high, the incidence of TVT increases. It especially develops in bitches in estrus. Breed, sex and age are not a cause of predisposition for TVT. Transmissible venereal tumors’ malignancy can increase in some cases, although TVT is known as a benign tumor. Prevalence of metastases was found fairly low in the studies. Metastases to mammary region, to subcutaneous region, to brain, to eye, to lung, to uterus, to ovary, to liver, to spleen have been reported. In conclusion, even if a bitch is acyclic, transmissible venereal tumor can be developed and thus the risk of its disseminated metastasis must be considered. Moreover, since the masses have not regresed for a long time, this situation may be related to severe immunosupression in the bitch.

Retraction Note to: Improving the diagnosis, treatment, and biology patterns of feline mammary intraepithelial lesions: a potential model for human breast masses with evidence from epidemiologic and cytohistopathologic studies.

In this study, the frequency of different types of mammary masses and their relationship with cytohistopathologic changes was investigated and data on history, macroscopic description, clinical examination and treatment were collected. To determine the prevalence and types of cytohistopathologic changes, mammary glands from 12 female cats were evaluated. The mean age of cats at the time of diagnosis was 11.5 ± 1.9 years (range 4–14 years), the mean gross size of the masses was 3.1 ± 2.4 cm, 4/12 (33.3 %) masses were ≤3.0 cm in diameter, and the maximum diameter of the largest mass had a median of 5 cm, with a range of diameter of 6 × 5 × 4 cm. Moreover, the preferential localization of mammary masses was the abdominal lobes (%50) and thoracic lobes (%33.3), and inguinal lobes (%16.7 of cases). Furthermore, two cases of the inguinal masses affected the caudo-inguinal lobe, six cases caudo-abdominal lobe, and thoracic masses were found in four cases. Eventually, six cases (%50) of masses were found in the right mammary lobes and six cases (%50) in the left mammary lobes. The majority of the masses revealed elastic (%50 of cases), hard (%25 of cases), or soft (%25 of cases) consistency. In the present study, according to the criteria of the veterinary and the medical WHO classification system, of the 12 cats with the cytohistopathological features of six (50 %) cases qualified abscess, 3 (25 %) cases as cystic hyperplasia and 3 (25 %) cases were called situ carcinoma. Whereas, all hyperplastic lesions (case nos. 7–9 and ranging in size from, 1 to >4 cm3) and carcinomas in situ lesions (case nos. 10–12 and ranging in size from, 1 to >3 cm3) were found incidentally upon routine cytohistology. Other lesions were observed grossly and removed either at surgery (case nos. 1–6). Finally, the cats were treated with unilateral lumpectomy (3 cases) and also, nine (75 %) cases had subsequent drainage, 3 (25 %) of which showed cystic hyperplasia and 6 (50 %) showed abscess on subsequent histopathological evaluation. Therefore, a correct diagnosis must be established quickly, and treatment must be instituted rapidly when alteration is noted in the mammary glands.

Improving the diagnosis, treatment, and biology patterns of feline mammary intraepithelial lesions: a potential model for human breast masses with evidence from epidemiologic and cytohistopathologic studies.

In this study, the frequency of different types of mammary masses and their relationship with cytohistopathologic changes was investigated and data on history, macroscopic description, clinical examination and treatment were collected. To determine the prevalence and types of cytohistopathologic changes, mammary glands from 12 female cats were evaluated. The mean age of cats at the time of diagnosis was 11.5 ± 1.9years (range 4-14years), the mean gross size of the masses was 3.1 ± 2.4cm, 4/12 (33.3%) masses were ≤3.0cm in diameter, and the maximum diameter of the largest mass had a median of 5cm, with a range of diameter of 6 × 5 × 4cm. Moreover, the preferential localization of mammary masses was the abdominal lobes (%50) and thoracic lobes (%33.3), and inguinal lobes (%16.7 of cases). Furthermore, two cases of the inguinal masses affected the caudo-inguinal lobe, six cases caudo-abdominal lobe, and thoracic masses were found in four cases. Eventually, six cases (%50) of masses were found in the right mammary lobes and six cases (%50) in the left mammary lobes. The majority of the masses revealed elastic (%50 of cases), hard (%25 of cases), or soft (%25 of cases) consistency. In the present study, according to the criteria of the veterinary and the medical WHO classification system, of the 12 cats with the cytohistopathological features of six (50%) cases qualified abscess, 3 (25%) cases as cystic hyperplasia and 3 (25%) cases were called situ carcinoma. Whereas, all hyperplastic lesions (case nos. 7-9 and ranging in size from, 1 to >4cm(3)) and carcinomas in situ lesions (case nos. 10-12 and ranging in size from, 1 to >3cm(3)) were found incidentally upon routine cytohistology. Other lesions were observed grossly and removed either at surgery (case nos. 1-6). Finally, the cats were treated with unilateral lumpectomy (3 cases) and also, nine (75%) cases had subsequent drainage, 3 (25%) of which showed cystic hyperplasia and 6 (50%) showed abscess on subsequent histopathological evaluation. Therefore, a correct diagnosis must be established quickly, and treatment must be instituted rapidly when alteration is noted in the mammary glands.

Investigation of the efficacy of Tarantula cubensis extract (Theranekron D6) in the treatment of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of Theranekron alone or in combination with intramammary antibiotic therapy for the treatment of subclinical and clinical mastitis on the recovery rate from mastitis. The study material was composed of 177 mammary lobes of 63 Holstein cows with subclinical (groups S1 and S2) and clinical mastitis (groups C1, C2, C3, and C4). In all of the treatment groups, excluding group S2, the California mastitis test scores were determined to have decreased after treatment (P < 0.05). In groups C1, C2, C3, and C4, which were treated for clinical mastitis, the somatic cell count (SCC) values were observed to have decreased. The decrease in SCC values was statistically significant except in group C2 (P < 0.01). While the SCC values were observed to have decreased in group S1 (P > 0.05), which was treated with Theranekron alone, the same values were found to have increased in group S2, which was maintained for control purposes (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that Theranekron D6 could be used as an alternative therapeutic for the treatment of clinical and subclinical mastitis, as it is authorized for the use in cattle with a withdrawal period of zero hours for meat and milk.

Mastitis Is Associated with IL-6 Levels and Milk Fat Globule Size in Breast Milk

From animal studies, it is known that mastitic inflammation of the mammary lobes can produce proinflammatory cytokines and can damage the milk fat globule (MFG). To investigate, in women, whether MFG and interleukin (IL)-6 differences are observed between mastitic milk (MM) and healthy milk (HM) of a mother. MM was obtained from the specific nipple pore leading to the mastitic lobe of 17 women; HM was obtained from the other breast. Milk sampling occurred at days 0 (pre-treatment), 1, and 2 (post-treatment). MFG size and IL-6 were measured by laser light scattering and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We analyzed MFG and IL-6 differences between HM and MM, whether any differences occurred over time with treatment, and whether differences were observed between mothers with systemic symptoms (fever/malaise, Group A) or without systemic symptoms (Group B). On day 0, MM had higher MFG size (P < .01) and IL-6 levels (P < .001) than HM. This difference significantly decreased over time with treatment for both MFG size (P < .01) and IL-6 (P < .05). On day 0, Group A mothers had significantly larger MFG size (P < .01) and IL-6 (P < .001) than Group B. MM contains larger MFG and higher IL-6 levels than milk from the healthy breast. This difference is larger if accompanied by systemic symptoms of mastitis (fever/malaise). These changes decreased over time with treatment. Therefore, early initiation of appropriate treatment may be useful in limiting the processes that contribute to alterations in MFG size and IL-6.

Proposal of a novel method for observing the breast by high-resolution ultrasound imaging: understanding the normal breast structure and its application in an observational method for detecting deviations

BackgroundWith the recent advances in modalities for diagnostic imaging of the breast, it is now essential to detect isoechoic masses and small nonmass lesions, to which little attention has so far been paid using ultrasound (US) of the breast. It will be possible with the observation method to understand normal breast structural images and anatomy. We elucidated the detailed histological architecture of the normal breast, information indispensable for diagnostic US of the breast.MethodsVerification of the above hypotheses was carried out using the breasts of 11 patients who underwent total mastectomy at our clinic.ResultsIsoechoic structures with fat are lobules, all ducts, and surrounding stroma that support the ducts; intervening hyperechoic areas are edematous stroma and fat-containing stroma that support the breast. By taking an isoechoic structure that reflects the course of the ducts as the basic structure for observation, the boundary between the lobes can be inferred.ConclusionsDetection of deviations from the normal structure using the method for interpreting three-dimensional ultrasound images of mammary lobes is a radical new approach for diagnosing breast cancer. This technique is very simple and amenable to standardization once one understands the underlying theory. Furthermore, it is useful as a screening method as well as for easy detection of faint minute lesions that can only be detected by magnetic resonance imaging or second-look targeted US.

Comparison of Creamatocrit and Protein Concentration in Each Mammary Lobe of the Same Breast: Does the Milk Composition of Each Mammary Lobe Differ in the Same Breast?

We sought to determine if different mammary lobes produce milk of varying composition. Seventeen mothers were enrolled in this study. Foremilk was obtained from three nipple openings on each breast. After the breastfeeding session, hindmilk was sampled in the same manner. We measured creamatocrit (CrCt) and analyzed the protein concentration. Data were analyzed with the paired t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test where appropriate. Coefficient of variance (COV) was calculated to identify the variation of protein content among different mammary lobes. The fat and protein contents of the foremilk and hindmilk from each milk duct differed despite being expressed from the same breast. When we compared the CrCt values and protein content obtained from three ducts, a greater than 5% difference between the maximum and minimum value was observed in 64 out of 68 breasts (94%) for CrCt and in 61 out of 68 breasts (91%) for protein content. The mean COV of protein content in each breast was 13.2 +/- 8.0 (range, 1.2-45.3). These study results demonstrate that milk synthesis differs in each mammary lobe, even in the same breast. The degree of fullness in each mammary lobe seems to play the most important role in the fat content. The protein content in the milk from each mammary lobe is determined by other factors, presumably by the feedback inhibitor of lactation, accumulated in the corresponding mammary lobe.

Diffraction tomography: a geometrical distortion free procedure

Ductal echography (DE) is a recent anatomically-led method of investigation of internal mammary structures that provides direct observation of ductolobular structures in mammary lobes. Indeed, breast cancer initiates from the epithelium (hypoechogenic) and develops first in ductolobular structures. Our research aims at developing an ultrasonic scanner (hemispherical antenna) that will allow three-dimensional measurement of the field diffracted by the gland. The present reconstruction procedure is an alternative solution to the standard elliptic back-projection (EBP) technique based on the Born approximation (weak scattering assumption). The latter implicitly assumes that the sound speed is (almost) constant within the breast. This unrealistic a priori is inconsistent with our heterogeneous media characterization purpose, and leads both to geometrical distortion in the reconstruction and to poor focusing of the backpropagated waves (low contrast imaging). However, the EBP technique retains a two-fold advantage: firstly it does not make any other assumption concerning the distribution of mechanical parameters apart from low gradients. Secondly, it shows great robustness, a high resolving power, and is easy to implement. Thus, in order to account for strong wavefront distortions, we integrate temporal compensation of the scattered signals acquired into the scattering EBP technique. The adjustment relies on a time of flight estimation based on a “layer stripping” approach. Numerical tests based on finite difference time domain simulations of data scattered by a random tissue-like phantom are proposed.

Pregnancy-dependent initiation in tumorigenesis of Wistar rat mammary glands by 60Co-irradiation

Pregnant Wistar rats received whole body irradiation with 260 cGy gamma-rays at days 7, 14 and 20 of pregnancy and then were treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES) for 1 year. The highest incidence (92.9%) for tumorigenesis of mammary glands was observed in the rats irradiated in late pregnancy. Histological examination showed that tumors were classified as fibroadenoma and adenocarcinoma. To determine the reasons for specific induction of mammary tumors by irradiation in late pregnancy, hormone concentrations in serum and estrogen receptors in mammary glands during pregnancy were measured. Concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone and placental lactogen at day 20 were higher than at days 7 and/or 14, but no difference was observed in the concentrations of prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone during pregnancy. The estrogen receptor in mammary glands at day 20 was indicated to have the highest affinity and the highest binding capacity during pregnancy. Normal mammary glands at day 20 were suggested to have more abundant epithelial cells in the mammary lobes than those at days 7 and 14. The data suggest that the critical requirements for the initiation of tumorigenesis by gamma-rays are dependent upon the differentiated state of mammary glands exposed to various hormones, and that the concentration and persistence of the synthetic estrogen (DES) are necessary for the promotion of tumorigenesis of the irradiated mammary glands.

On the Relationship between Mammary, Sweat, and Sebaceous Glands

ABSTRACT Stages are described in the development of the mammae of male rabbits responding to regular injections of oestrogen and progesterone. It is suggested that the extra mammary lobes which develop under this treatment are derived from hair follicles and sebaceous glands by the loss of the hairs from the follicles and the proliferation of sebaceous glands and ducts. This may throw light on the phylogenetic origin and homology of the mammary gland.