Mammary Mass Research Articles

What is your diagnosis? Mammary mass in a female dog

What is your diagnosis? Mammary mass in a female dog

Carryover effects of maternal late-gestation heat stress on granddaughters' growth and mammary gland development

Maternal (F0) exposure to late-gestation heat stress reduces their daughter's (F1) mammary gland fat pad mass (FP), parenchyma (PAR) mass, and epithelial cell proliferation when evaluated at birth and weaning, and go on to produce less milk in their first lactation. Herein, we investigated the effect of maternal late-gestation heat stress on whole-body growth and mammary development of their granddaughters (F2). Multiparous F0 cows had access to heat abatement (n = 41, shade, and active cooling via fans and water soakers) or not (n = 41, shade only) for the last 56 d of gestation during a subtropical summer. Consequently, the F1 daughters, born to F0 cows, were heat-stressed (HTF1, n = 36) or cooled (CLF1, n = 37) in utero during the last 2 mo of gestation. All F1 heifers were raised as an identically managed cohort until first calving. The F2 granddaughters, born to HTF1 (HTF2, n = 12) or CLF1 (CLF2, n = 17), were raised as an identically managed cohort until 70 d of age. Dry matter intake (DMI), body weight, hip height, wither height, chest girth, head circumference, mammary gland teat length, and left-right and front-rear teat distances were measured. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated for the pre-weaned period (0-49 d). Mammary ultrasounds were performed on d 21, 49, and 70 (n = 9/group) on the rear left and right quarters to quantify PAR and FP areas. Mammary biopsies were collected for histological evaluation of epithelial structures (H&E staining), and to quantify cells positive for ERα (estrogen receptor, α subunit), cell proliferation (Ki67), and apoptosis (TUNEL). Heifer growth from birth to d 49 was similar between CLF2 and HTF2 for all parameters evaluated. Distances between teats and teat length were not different between groups. On d 70, CLF2 tended to have a greater average PAR (right and left quarters) relative to HTF2. Although the left FP was smaller in HTF2 relative to CLF2, the average FP was not different. The lumenal and non-lumenal epithelial structures in the PAR of HTF2 were significantly smaller than those of CLF2. In addition, HTF2 had a reduced percentage of proliferating cells in the epithelial and stromal compartments and a greater percentage of apoptotic cells, particularly in the stroma. The percentage of ERα positive cells was significantly reduced in HTF2. In summary, although HTF2 heifer's DMI was similar and they grew at the same rate as CLF2 heifers throughout the pre-weaning phase, their mammary glands had smaller PAR areas with fewer epithelial structures characterized by reduced cell turnover and lower ERα expression. These early changes in the microstructure and cellular turnover of the mammary gland may partly explain the reduction in lactation performance relative to CLF2 counterparts at maturity.

Thermal Characterization and Preclinical Feasibility Verification of an Accessible, Carbon Dioxide-Based Cryotherapy System.

To investigate the potential of an affordable cryotherapy device for the accessible treatment of breast cancer, the performance of a novel carbon dioxide-based device was evaluated through both benchtop testing and an in vivo canine model. This novel device was quantitatively compared to a commercial device that utilizes argon gas as the cryogen. The thermal behavior of each device was characterized through calorimetry and by measuring the temperature profiles of iceballs generated in tissue phantoms. A 45 min treatment in a tissue phantom from the carbon dioxide device produced a 1.67 ± 0.06 cm diameter lethal isotherm that was equivalent to a 7 min treatment from the commercial argon-based device, which produced a 1.53 ± 0.15 cm diameter lethal isotherm. An in vivo treatment was performed with the carbon dioxide-based device in one spontaneously occurring canine mammary mass with two standard 10 min freezes. Following cryotherapy, this mass was surgically resected and analyzed for necrosis margins via histopathology. The histopathology margin of necrosis from the in vivo treatment with the carbon dioxide device at 14 days post-cryoablation was 1.57 cm. While carbon dioxide gas has historically been considered an impractical cryogen due to its low working pressure and high boiling point, this study shows that carbon dioxide-based cryotherapy may be equivalent to conventional argon-based cryotherapy in size of the ablation zone in a standard treatment time. The feasibility of the carbon dioxide device demonstrated in this study is an important step towards bringing accessible breast cancer treatment to women in low-resource settings.

Feed restriction of lactating cows triggers acute downregulation of mammary mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and chronic reduction of mammary epithelial mass

While there is generally no consensus about how nutrients determine milk synthesis in the mammary gland, it is likely that the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) plays a role as a key integrator of nutritional and mitogenic signals that can influence a multitude of catabolic and anabolic pathways. The objectives of this study were to evaluate acute changes (<24 h) in translational signaling, in addition to chronic changes (14 d) in mammary gland structure and composition, in response to a severe feed restriction. Fourteen lactating Holstein dairy cows were assigned to either ad libitum feeding (n = 7) or a restricted feeding program (n = 7). Feed-restricted cows had feed removed after the evening milking on d 0. Mammary biopsies and blood samples were collected 16 h after feed removal, after which cows in the restricted group were fed 60% of their previously observed ad libitum intake for the remainder of the study. On d 14, animals were slaughtered and their mammary glands dissected. In response to feed removal, an acute increase in plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration was observed, concurrent to a decrease in milk yield. In mammary tissue, we observed downregulation of the mTORC1-S6K1 signaling cascade, in addition to reductions in mRNA expression of markers of protein synthesis, endoplasmic reticulum biogenesis, and cell turnover (i.e., transcripts associated with apoptosis or cell proliferation). During the 14 d of restricted feeding, animals underwent homeorhetic adaptation to 40% lower nutrient intake, achieving a new setpoint of 14% reduced milk yield with 18% and 29% smaller mammary secretory tissue DM and CP masses, respectively. On d 14, no treatment differences were observed in markers of protein synthesis or mammary cell turnover evaluated using gene transcripts and immunohistochemical staining. These findings implicate mTORC1-S6K1 in the early phase of the adaptation of the mammary gland's capacity for milk synthesis in response to changes in nutrient supply. Additionally, changes in rates of mammary cell turnover may be transient in nature, returning to basal levels following brief alterations that have sustained effects.

Mixed Canine Mammary Gland Tumour in a 10 Year Old Lhasa Apso Bitch Histopathological Evaluation and Surgical Management

Mixed mammary gland tumors are the most frequent canine mammary gland neoplasms with a high incidence rate among females, however, there is paucity of studies that describe their clinic-pathological presentations and management approaches. This case evaluated the clinic-pathological data and management of mixed mammary gland tumors. A 10-year-old Lhasa Apso bitch weighing 11.4kg was referred to the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a ventral abdominal mass. Clinical examination revealed an enlarged left inguinal mammary gland with two palpable masses. The inguinal region was aseptically prepared for surgery and anesthesia achieved by the administration of 1% atropine sulphate (Atropine® - Shanxi Shuguang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Qixian, China) and Chlorpromazine as preanesthetics and 50mg/mL Ketamine hydrochloride (Jawa ketamine® - Swiss Parenterals Ltd, Gujarat, India) + 2% Xylazine (Alfasan, Woerden-Holland) as induction and maintenance anesthetics. The glandular, connective/fibrous and fatty tissues of the mammary gland were carefully dissected to achieve the complete excision of the encapsulated mammary tumour masses before the reconstruction of the resulting defect. Postoperatively, penicillin and streptomycin, piroxicam, vitamin B complex, dexamethasone, vincristine sulphate and ivermectin were administered. The excised masses histologically presented numerous tubules with some containing mucin. Also there were the presence of acini with neoplastic epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells, cartilage and bony trabeculae. Surgical debulking with adjunctive immuno-chemotherapy was curative for the mixed mammary gland tumours in this bitch.

Comparative analysis of mammary lump histology and elasto-graphy results at a tertiary hospital

In the majority of India's metropolitan populations, mammary carcinoma has become the commonest type of carcinoma. A non-invasive imaging method called mammary sono-elasto-graphy can reveal information about mammary lesions. Aims &amp; objectives: In the current research, we examined the diagnostic efficacy of elasto-graphy and histopathological findings of mammary lumps. Material and Methods: The current investigation involved Female patients had solid mammary lesions less than 3 cm in size that were visible on sonography. Classified as BI RADS 3 and 4 lesions, these lesions. Results: 252 female patients had U.S.G. elastography, followed by biopsy or surgery, and histopathology reports were available during the research period. Histopathologically, 104 (41.72%) samples were benign, and the remaining 148 (58.73%) were malignant. Age, B.I.R.A.D.S., Elastography Score, and Strain Ratio were all statistically higher in malignant cases than in benign patients (p 0.001). According to Histo-pathological analysis, fibroadenoma (77.03%) accounted for the majority of benign lesions, followed by Abscess (5.41%), sclerosing adenosis (1.35%), benign fibroepithelial lesion (6.76%), and fibrocystic disease (9.46%). Conversely, poorly differentiated invasive carcinoma (5.77%), invasive ductal carcinoma (67.31%), and invasive mucinous carcinoma (13.46%), IL.C. (5.77%), medullary carcinoma (1.92%), papillary carcinoma (1.92%), and phylloid (1.92%) made up the bulk of malignant cases, Excellent results were noticed with the combination of Ultrasound Score + Elastography Score + Strain Ratio, with scores of 96.00%, 96.05%, 96.03%, 94.12%, and 97.33%, respectively, for susceptibility, accuracy, diagnostic accuracy, and N.P.V. and PPV. Conclusion: The ability to distinguish between benign and malignant mammary masses using ultra-sound elasto-graphy, strain elasto-graphy, and ultra-sound score has good susceptibility, accuracy, and diagnostic accuracy.

Experience in Using Breast Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography with &lt;sup&gt;99m&lt;/sup&gt;Tc-MIBI

Objective: evaluation of the results of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) in women with breast masses according to mammography (MMG) and ultrasound (US) examination in comparison with the results of morphology analysis.Material and methods. SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI was performed in 11 women aged from 30 to 63 years (median age 40 [33.5; 46.5]) with BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) categories 4 or 5 mammary masses according to bilateral MMG and US diagnostics. Two patients underwent repeated SPECT and US to analyze the primary tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Results. With a multimodal approach to the diagnosis of breast tumors, including MMG and US, 11 pathological masses were identified. SPECT made it possible to find an additional mass that had not been previously visualized. All 12 masses were subsequently verified morphologically. With benign changes, hyperfixation of 99mTc-MIBI was not observed. SPECT allowed to assess the accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in metastatically affected lymph nodes. However, the most sensitive method for detecting the axillary lymph node lesions is US. According to the results of repeated SPECT in 2 patients, no radiopharmaceutical accumulation was noted in mammary gland masses after two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but according to the histological examination, the tumor response was different: I and IV degrees of pathomorphosis according to G.A. LavnikovaConclusion. The experience of using mammary SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI confirms an increase in the accuracy of radiologic diagnosis of newly identified breast cancer, expands the possibilities of examination in cases of ambiguous MMG and US data, as well as the contraindications or patient’s refusal from magnetic resonance imaging.

32 Feeding Gilts and Sows to Maximize Their Mammary Development

Abstract The task of feeding growing replacement gilts, gestating gilts and sows to maximize their future milk yield is not easy. Yet, this is particularly important when considering the great demands made by the large litters of our current hyperprolific sow genetic lines. One aspect that needs to be considered is the effect of feeding on mammary development taking place before the onset of lactation, which is a major determinant of potential milk yield. One can only attempt to stimulate mammogenesis during periods with rapid mammary development. In swine, these periods are from three months of age until puberty, from 90 days of gestation until farrowing, and throughout lactation. Early studies showed that a 20% or 26% feed restriction from 90 days of age until puberty drastically reduces mammary parenchymal tissue mass. However, in a more recent study, sow milk yield was not altered following a 10% or 20% feed restriction, or a 25% dietary fiber addition (diluting dietary energy by 5%) from 90 days of age to breeding. This absence of effect may be due to the greater feed intake of control gilts in that recent study compared with the older studies. Such a difference in feed intake was likely brought about by genetic selection for faster growing pigs, and it appeared that feed intake of growing gilts can be reduced to 2.7 kg/day without detrimental effects on their future milk yield. During prepuberty, inclusion of the phytoestrogen genistein (2.3 g/day) in the diet increases the number of mammary parenchymal cells. During late gestation, feeding very high energy levels (10.5 Mcal ME/day) may have detrimental effects on mammary development and subsequent milk production. Furthermore, feed intake throughout gestation is important because of its effect on body condition. Gilts that are too thin (&amp;lt; 16 mm backfat thickness) in late gestation have reduced mammary development. A 40% increase in SID Lys via inclusion of additional soybean meal to the diet of gilts from days 90 to 110 of gestation increased mammary parenchymal mass by 44%. On the other hand, providing the same 40% increase in dietary SID Lys to multiparous sows during late gestation had no significant effect on mammary parenchymal mass. These findings therefore support the use of phase-feeding during gestation of gilts only. Increasing circulating concentrations of the growth factor IGF-1 during late gestation also increased mammary parenchymal mass by 22%. Current data clearly demonstrate that feeding management before lactation can be used to improve sow milk yield.

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in bitches: A retrospective study

A retrospective study was carried out to investigate incidence, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in a population of dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Perugia (Italy) and Anicura Tyrus Veterinary Clinic (Terni, Italy). The period of study ranged from January 2005 to December 2021. A total of 1910 dogs were affected by neoplasia but only 35 of them (1.8%), of different breeds and ages, were found to have ovarian tumours. Ultrasound of the ovaries was performed based on clinical signs; the diagnosis was achieved after ultrasound findings prompted ovariohysterectomy and ovarian pathologic evaluation In our study, the age of bitches affected by ovarian neoplasia ranged from 3 to 20 years (mean 9.6 ± 3.8). The histopathological findings of ovarian masses identified 16 granulosa cell tumours (GCT) (46%), 7 adenomas (20%), 5 adenocarcinomas (14%), 2 teratomas (6%), 1 leiomyoma (3%), 1 luteoma (3%), 1 tecoma (3%), 1 dysgerminoma (3%), and 1 haemangiosarcoma (3%). In particular, with respect to clinical signs, 69% of bitches showed abnormalities of estrus cycle (short interestral interval, persistent estrus, prolonged interestral interval). The other main clinical signs included abdominal distention, palpable abdominal mass, vulvovaginal discharge, polyuria/polydipsia, mammary masses. When present, the laboratory abnormalities were slight anemia and leucocytosis with neutrophilia. The tumours were ultrasonographically classified as mainly solid: 12/35 (34%) (1 adenoma, 4 adenocarcinomas, 1 dysgerminoma, 1 haemangiosarcoma, 1 leyomioma, 1 luteoma, 1 GCT, 1 tecoma, 1 teratoma); solid with cystic component 13/35 (37%) (9 GCT, 2 Adenomas, 1 adenocarcinoma, 1 teratoma); and mainly cystic 10/35 (29%) (6 GCTs, 4 adenomas).In our study, the ultrasound examination allowed us to suspect ovarian neoplasia in asymptomatic subjects referred for breeding management or for preventive health check.On the basis of our data, we proposed to perform a complete periodic examination of the reproductive system once a year from 6 years. Nevertheless, the presence of ovarian neoplasms found in young subjects, during breeding management, suggest including routine ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract.

Detection of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis by Cerebrospinal Fluid in a Dog with a Negative MRI

ABSTRACT An 11 yr old female French bulldog was presented for acute onset of seizures and a 2 wk history of disorientation. On physical examination, a nodular mass at the fourth mammary gland level was observed. Neurological evaluation showed obtundation and compulsive behavior. Brain MRI study did not reveal any abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from the cerebellomedullary cistern showed a marked increase of total nucleated cell count (400 cells/μL). Cytological evaluation identified the presence of a monomorphic round cell population characterized by large cell bodies, a single eccentrical located nucleus with high nuclear:cytoplasmatic ratio, and marked atypia with anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and multiple nucleoli. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) was suspected. The dog was euthanatized for worsening of clinical signs. Post-mortem examination identified an anaplastic mammary carcinoma in the nodular mammary mass. Infiltration by neoplastic cells exhibiting the same morphological features was detected along leptomeninges of the telencephalon and cerebellum associated with cortical and subcortical parenchymal micrometastases. To our knowledge, this is the first case of LC in a dog detected by CSF evaluation but without any MRI abnormalities. This finding emphasizes the usefulness of CSF cytology in patients with suspected LC even in the absence of any MRI identifiable lesions.

Effect of weaning system on lamb growth, mammary gland development and ewe milk production in dairy sheep managed in an outdoor pasture-based commercial farming system

The objective was to merge science and practice to determine the feasibility of a mixed suckling and milking system compared with a traditional exclusive suckling management system on the production performance of dairy sheep and their progeny in an outdoor pasture-based farming system at commercial scale. At 14 d postpartum, twin- and triplet-bearing mixed-age East Friesian ewes were randomly allocated to either a mixed system of once-a-day milking,suckling and early weaning (MS, n=61) or control with exclusive suckling and later weaning (Ctrl, n=57) using a randomised block design. MS lambs had lower live weight at weaning (14.6 vs. 16.7 kg; P&lt;0.001) but 3-5weeks post-weaning average daily gain and mammary gland mass was similar between groups. Ewe lamb mammary mass was positively associated with post-weaning but not pre-weaning live weight gain (P&lt;0.01). Weaning system influenced the percentage of protein, total solids and fat (MS &gt; Ctrl) while milk yield, somatic cell count and lactose levels were not different. This study highlighted that the MS comparedwith Ctrl system had no negative effects on dam or progeny performance.

Radiomics model to classify mammary masses using breast DCE-MRI compared to the BI-RADS classification performance

BackgroundRecent advanced in radiomics analysis could help to identify breast cancer among benign mammary masses. The aim was to create a radiomics signature using breast DCE-MRI extracted features to classify tumors and to compare the performances with the BI-RADS classification.Material and methodsFrom September 2017 to December 2019 images, exams and records from consecutive patients with mammary masses on breast DCE-MRI and available histology from one center were retrospectively reviewed (79 patients, 97 masses). Exclusion criterion was malignant uncertainty. The tumors were split in a train-set (70%) and a test-set (30%). From 14 kinetics maps, 89 radiomics features were extracted, for a total of 1246 features per tumor. Feature selection was made using Boruta algorithm, to train a random forest algorithm on the train-set. BI-RADS classification was recorded from two radiologists.ResultsSeventy-seven patients were analyzed with 94 tumors, (71 malignant, 23 benign). Over 1246 features, 17 were selected from eight kinetic maps. On the test-set, the model reaches an AUC = 0.94 95 CI [0.85–1.00] and a specificity of 33% 95 CI [10–70]. There were 43/94 (46%) lesions BI-RADS4 (4a = 12/94 (13%); 4b = 9/94 (10%); and 4c = 22/94 (23%)). The BI-RADS score reached an AUC = 0.84 95 CI [0.73–0.95] and a specificity of 17% 95 CI [3–56]. There was no significant difference between the ROC curves for the model or the BI-RADS score (p = 0.19).ConclusionA radiomics signature from features extracted using breast DCE-MRI can reach an AUC of 0.94 on a test-set and could provide as good results as BI-RADS to classify mammary masses.

Enhanced thermal imaging to detect microvasculature during surgery: Real-time image acquisition

We are developing a new IR imaging technique, enhanced thermal imaging (ETI), that can delineate blood vessels embedded in water-rich tissue in real time. The technique is a combination of thermal IR imaging (8-10 μm) and selective heating of blood (∼0.5°C) relative to surrounding water-rich tissue using LED sources (530 nm) at low powers (irradiance <500 mW/cm2). Blood absorbs light strongly at these wavelengths, while absorption by soft tissues is lower. Illumination of tissue containing vessels with the LED heats the blood compared to surrounding tissue so that the vessels appear brighter in the thermal image. In previous work, we successfully highlighted vessels embedded in porcine heart tissue and the blood-rich vascular region that is routinely targeted for surgical excision around mammary tumor masses in a murine model. However, in this earlier work the IR images were recorded, and extensive post-acquisition processing was necessary to highlight the presence of the vascular structures. In this work, we describe recent progress in making ETI a real-time technique. A tissue model with simulated blood vessels and a porcine heart tissue model were both imaged with a FLIR thermal camera. Frame-to-frame temporal and spatial derivatives were calculated in real-time and then used to identify regions exhibiting rapid changes in temperature, thus highlighting the structure of blood-rich regions.

Invasion and Metastasis Suppression by Anti-Neonatal Nav1.5 Antibodies in Breast Cancer.

Detectable neonatal Nav1.5 (nNav1.5) expression in tumour breast tissue positive for lymph node metastasis and triple-negative subtype serves as a valid tumour-associated antigen to target and prevent breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Therapeutic antibodies against tumour antigens have become the predominant class of new drugs in cancer therapy because of their fewer adverse effects and high specificity. This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic and anti-metastatic potential of the two newly obtained anti-nNav1.5 antibodies, polyclonal anti-nNav1.5 (pAb-nNav1.5) and monoclonal anti-nNav1.5 (mAb-nNav1.5), on breast cancer invasion and metastasis. MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells were used as in vitro models to study the effect of pAb-nNav1.5 (59.2 µg/ml) and mAb-nNav1.5 (10 µg/ml) (24 hours treatment) on cell invasion. 4T1-induced mammary tumours in BALB/c female mice were used as an in vivo model to study the effect of a single dose of intravenous pAb-nNav1.5 (1 mg/ml) and mAb-nNav1.5 (1 mg/ml) on the occurrence of metastasis. Real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to assess the effect of antibody treatment on nNav1.5 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. The animals' body weight, organs, lesions, and tumour mass were also measured and compared. pAb-nNav1.5 and mAb-nNav1.5 treatments effectively suppressed the invasion of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells in the 3D spheroid invasion assay. Both antibodies significantly reduced nNav1.5 gene and protein expression in these cell lines. Treatment with pAb-nNav1.5 and mAb-nNav1.5 successfully reduced mammary tumour tissue size and mass and prevented lesions in vital organs of the mammary tumour animal model whilst maintaining the animal's healthy weight. mRNA expression of nNav1.5 in mammary tumour tissues was only reduced by mAb-nNav1.5. Overall, this work verifies the uniqueness of targeting nNav1.5 in breast cancer invasion and metastasis prevention, but more importantly, humanised versions of mAb-nNav1.5 may be valuable passive immunotherapeutic agents to target nNav1.5 in breast cancer.

Mammary Adenoma Associated with Chronic Mastitis in a Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa)

Abstract Mammary gland tumor is rare and only a few cases have been reported in wild animals. Moreover, most etiologies of the known cases in veterinary medicine are related to age, diet, obesity, and excessive sex hormones in domestic animals while few etiologies are reported in wild animals. An unknown-aged female wild boar was presented to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Kyungpook National University with a well-demarcated, and firm-to-elastic mammary gland mass. The cut-surface of the mass was pink-reddish, and homogeneous. Microscopically, the mass was mainly composed of well-differentiated neoplastic glandular epithelial cells characterized by a single-layer, columnar to cuboidal shapes, and small and central nuclei and nucleoli. Any evidence of invasiveness or metastases of the neoplastic cells were not observed. Interestingly, infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells such as plasma cells and macrophages was observed along with a large quantity of gram-negative and positive bacterial colonies in the mammary glands. Moreover, accompanied fibrosis of stroma was observed, as well. Based on the gross and microscopic findings, the present case was diagnosed as mammary simple adenoma caused by chronic mastitis progressing to fibrotic condition. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study describing the histopathological aspects of mammary gland tumors associated with chronic mastitis accompanied by fibrosis in wild animals.

Ultrastructure of the mammary gland in lactating Saanen goats

The secretory cells of the mammary gland are very diverse in their size, shape, and structure. These are highly specialized cells adapted to the synthesis, accumulation, storage, and excretion of milk. The main feature of glandular cells is the presence of secreted substances. Electron microscopy shows that substances of different secretory cells types have various electron densities. Occasionally, two or more types of secretory granules differing in size and composition can be found in one cell. The material for the morphological study was small (2‐4 mm) tissue samples of goat lactating mammary glands. Pieces were taken from deeper areas of the breast parenchyma. Ultrathin sections with a 50‐70 nm thickness were obtained for electron microscopic analysis using Leica UC7 ultramicrotome. Electron microscopy was performed using a JEOL JEM 1011 microscope. Micrographs were obtained using a Morada camera (Digital Imaging Solutions Inc.). The secretion of the mammary gland occurs according to the apocrine type. Picture of the lactocytes' cytoplasm apical part separation into the lumen of the alveoli is often observed on semi‐thin sections. Thus, numerous droplets of material secreted by lactocytes are found in the lumen of the alveoli. The shape of lactocytes in the lactating mammary gland is close to cubic. The height of the epithelial layer, generally, is 10‐12 microns (µm). The milk ducts, like the alveoli, are dilated. Most of them contain a significant amount of osmiophilic material secreted by the cells of the mammary alveoli. The cells of the epithelium of the single‐layered ducts have a flattened or cuboidal shape. The diameter of the ducts varies noticeably depending on location in the gland parenchyma. The intralobular milk ducts are 10‐20 µm in diameter. At the same time, the larger interlobular ducts reach a diameter of 40‐50 microns and are located in groups in the connective tissue stroma of the mammary gland. Notably, an increase in the mammary alveoli mass in the lactating gland is associated with a decrease in connective tissue volume and the almost complete disappearance of fat cells groups from it. The milk ducts of the teat zone in the lactating gland are strongly expanded, round, or slightly oval‐shaped in cross‐section with a diameter of 30‐60 microns. In contrast to the deeper zones of the mammary gland, we were unable to detect secreted substances in the dilated milk ducts near the teat area. The milk ducts we studied are located close to the most terminal sections of the mammary gland excretory system (gland cistern and teat canal). The milk is inevitably washed out from the ducts during chemical fixation and subsequent stages of objects preparation for histological analysis.

Stiffness in breast masses with posterior acoustic shadowing: significance of ultrasound real time shear wave elastography

BackgroundTo assess the stiffness of benign breast masses in ultrasound images with posterior acoustic shadowing (PAS) and malignant lesions, and explore the significance of differential diagnosis using ultrasound real time shear wave elastography.Material and methodsAll 117 mammary masses (98 patients) with PAS were assessed by using routine ultrasound examination, and elastic modulus values were obtained with the real time shear wave elastography mode. All breast lesions were confirmed by surgery or biopsy. The significance of differences in ultrasound elastography values between breast benign and malignant masses with posterior acoustic shadowing was assessed, and the ROC curves of elasticity modulus values were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 117 masses, 72 were benign and 45 were malignant. The two types of breast masses showed significant differences in size, margin, internal echo, calcification, and blood flow characteristics (P < 0.05), although the difference in orientation was not significant (P > 0.05). Emean, Emax and Esd obtained with real time shear wave elastography showed statistically significant differences between benign masses with posterior acoustic shadowing and breast cancer (P < 0.05), while Emin showed no significant difference between them (P = 0.633). Ultrasound real time shear wave elastography showed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional ultrasound.ConclusionsBenign and malignant breast masses with PAS show different ultrasound manifestations. Real time shear wave elastography can facilitate the differential diagnosis and treatment planning for these breast masses.

266 Bentley Lecture: Feeding and Management of Gilts to Maximize Lactation Performance

Abstract This presentation will provide an overview of nutritional and management strategies that can be used in gilts to maximize their future milking potential. Increasing sow milk yield is most critical because of the current use of hyperprolific sow lines. One important factor affecting milk yield that is often overlooked is mammary development. In swine, there are three periods of rapid mammary development, namely, from 3months of age until puberty, from 90days of gestation until farrowing, and during lactation. It is only during these periods that one can attempt to stimulate mammary development. From 90days of age until puberty, a 20% feed restriction drastically reduces mammary tissue mass whereas decreasing dietary crude protein from 18.7% to 14.4% has no effect on mammary development, and feeding the phytoestrogen genistein increases mammary cell number. During late gestation, feeding very high energy levels (10.5 Mcal ME/d) may have detrimental effects on mammary development and subsequent milk production. On the other hand, increasing SID Lys intake from 18.6g/d to 26.0g/d (via the inclusion of additional soybean meal) led to a 44% greater mass of mammary parenchyma. Increasing concentrations of the growth factor IGF-1 via porcine somatotropin injections from days 90 to 110 of gestation increased mammary parenchymal weight by 22%. Feed intake throughout gestation is important to consider because it affects body condition, and gilts that are too thin (&amp;lt;16mm backfat thicknes) in late gestation have reduced mammary development. Management of primiparous lactating sows is also important. During the first 2days of lactation, special care should be taken to ensure that all teats are being suckled because teats that were not previously suckled will produce less milk in second parity.

Dietary supplementation with lysine (protein) stimulates mammary development in late pregnant gilts.

The goal of this project was to determine if standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine provided at 40% above estimated requirements, with the concomitant increase in protein intake, from days 90 to 110 of gestation would stimulate mammary development in gilts. From day 90 of gestation, Yorkshire × Landrace gilts were fed 2.65 kg of either a conventional diet (CTL, control, n = 19) providing 18.6 g/d of SID Lys or a diet providing 26.0 g/d of SID Lys via additional soybean meal (HILYS, n = 19). Both diets were isoenergetic. Jugular blood samples obtained on days 90 and 110 of gestation were used to measure concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), metabolites, and amino acids (AA). Gilts were necropsied on day 110 ± 1 of gestation to obtain mammary glands for compositional analyses, immunohistochemistry, and analysis of mRNA abundance for AA transporters and markers of cell proliferation and differentiation. The HILYS gilts gained more body weight (P < 0.01) during the experimental period compared with CTL gilts, and had greater fetal weights (1.29 vs. 1.21 ± 0.03 kg, P < 0.05). There was no difference in circulating IGF-1, glucose, or albumin (P > 0.10) between HILYS and CTL gilts on day 110 of gestation, whereas concentrations of urea and free fatty acids were greater (P < 0.01), and those of Trp and Ala were lower (P < 0.05), in HILYS than CTL gilts. The provision of lysine at 40% above estimated requirements increased total mammary parenchymal mass by 44%, as well as total parenchymal fat, protein, DNA, and RNA (P < 0.01). The mRNA abundance of ACACA was greater (P < 0.05) in HILYS than CTL gilts, while only the AA transporter SLC6A14 tended (P < 0.10) to be greater. Results demonstrate that providing dietary Lys above current National Research Council recommendations in late gestation increases mammary development in gilts. Results also indicate that Lys may have been limiting for protein retention. These data suggest that the use of a two-phase feeding strategy during gestation, whereby dietary Lys is increased from day 90, could benefit potential sow milk yield in the subsequent lactation.

Use of cytology for canine mammary masses and perceived diagnostic utility in four European countries.

To investigate the use of cytology of canine mammary masses and its perceived diagnostic utility in four European countries. The link to a web-based questionnaire was sent to veterinarians of Italy, UK, Greece and Spain. The questionnaire contained basic questions regarding the respondents' background, their general use of cytology as a diagnostic tool, the incidence of canine mammary tumours within their clinics and their use of cytology for canine mammary masses. Multiple binary and ordinal logistics models were used to evaluate associations between variables. Four hundred and sixty-five veterinarians completed the survey (Italy: 114; UK: 66; Greece: 55; Spain: 230). Most veterinarians working in each country used cytology as a diagnostic tool, although only 43.0%, 54.6%, 43.6% and 36.5% used cytology for the investigation of CMMs in Italy, UK, Greece and Spain respectively. Supposing the cytology were able to correctly differentiate benign versus malignant canine mammary masses, the percentage of veterinarians using this test would increase in Italy, UK and Greece (Italy: 91.2%; UK: 93.9%; Greece: 96.4%); however, this was not reflected by veterinarians working in Spain (51.7%). If cytology of canine mammary masses were able to differentiate between benign and malignant, most veterinarians in Italy, UK and Greece would utilise the technique, justifying further research into the diagnostic accuracy of this test. Spanish veterinarians were significantly different and further research into why these individuals would not value the ability of cytology to differentiate between benign and malignant may be of value.