Uterine Horn Research Articles

Comparison of Two Radiofrequency Vessel-Sealing Device for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in African Lionesses (Panthera Leo).

Simple SummaryThis study evaluated two vessel-sealing devices for dissecting ovaries in adult obese African lionesses undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. We evaluated the surgery time the intra- and postoperative complications. The results of our study confirmed the significant advantages of employing the Caiman 12 vessel-sealing device in comparison with the LigaSure Atlas in terms of the time needed to complete ovariectomy, although both instruments could be considered safe. The use of the Caiman 12 is recommended when performing laparoscopic ovariectomies in adults with obesity.To evaluate two vessel-sealing devices with different jaw lengths for dissecting ovaries in adult obese African lionesses undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Twelve lionesses (n = 12) were recruited. The surgical procedures were performed through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3–4 cm cranial and caudal to the device at the level of the midline. Ovariectomy was performed using a vessel-sealing device according to a randomization list. We evaluated the surgery time the intra- and postoperative complications. The total surgery time was 49.3 min (range 40–61 min) in the Atlas group and significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 31.8 min, range 26–51 min). The installation phase was similar between the groups. The ovariectomy time was significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 7.8 min, range 4–11 min) than in the Atlas group (mean 20 min, range 16–30 min). Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases in the Atlas group. No other complications were noted. The results of our study confirmed the significant advantages of employing the Caiman 12 vessel-sealing device in comparison with the LigaSure Atlas in terms of the time needed to complete ovariectomy, although both instruments could be considered safe. The use of the Caiman 12 is recommended when performing laparoscopic ovariectomies in adults with obesity.

Morphological and Imaging Features of Male Pseudohermaphroditism in a Feral Cat

Abstract A one-year-old European shorthair feral cat with signs of heat was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University. After the physical exam, histology, hormonal analysis, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) studies were performed. Examination of the external genitalia revealed the absence of one of the testes in the scrotal sac and the presence of a structure whose appearance could suggest an enlarged penis-like clitoris with small spines. The ultrasound study showed compatible images with the left ovary and intra-abdominal testis and tubular structures, which closely resembled the uterine horns. Similar structures were confirmed in the CT study. Exploratory celiotomy revealed the presence of the uterus and undescended testis attached to the uterine horn. Histological examination revealed immature testicular tissue in both gonads and the presence of Persistent Müllerian Duct (PMD). Though a karyotype was not performed, it was presumed to be the standard 38 XY found in pseudohermaphrodites. To date, this type of disorder of sexual development (DSD) has been scarcely reported in cats. Further studies are on the way to knowing the genetic mechanism of this disease.

Neonatal feeding of an estrogen receptor β agonist induces external adenomyosis-like lesions in ICR mouse

Objective:Despite the fact that adenomyosis is a fairly common gynecological disorder, its pathogenesis remains elusive. Several theories on the pathogenesis of adenomyosis have been proposed, but none of them has been proven experimentally. So far, the most used one is the neonatal feeding of tamoxifen (TAM) in Institute of Cancer Research/cryopreserved (ICR/CD-1) mouse. However, its underlying mechanism of action is unknown. To further delineate the mechanism of TAM-induced adenomyosis in ICR/CD-1 mouse with regard to specific estrogen receptor (ER), we conducted an experiment that neonatal mice were fed with either TAM, or 4,4′,4″-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (PPT; an ERα agonist), or 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN; an ERβ agonist), or G-1 (a G-protein coupled receptor 30 agonist), or just vehicle, in an attempt to tease out which specific receptor plays a dominant role in the genesis of adenomyosis induced by neonatal feeding of TAM.Methods:Forty female neonatal mice were randomly divided into 5 equal-sized groups: CTL (control), TAM, PPT, DPN, and G-1. Three months later, all mice were sacrificed and their uterine horns were harvested, weighed, and processed for histological evaluation.Results:All mice in the TAM group developed adenomyosis, so did 4 mice (50%) in the DPN group, a result that should be considered significant given that mice in the CTL group would not develop adenomyosis. No mouse in the PPT or G-1 group developed adenomyosis. Remarkably, all lesions in the DPN group were seen exclusively near the uterine serosa, which are dramatically different from that of TAM mice and reminiscent of extrinsic or external adenomyosis in humans.Conclusions:Neonatal feeding of DPN induces adenomyosis, but the adenomyotic lesions appear to be different from those induced by TAM. Thus, the cause of TAM-induced adenomyosis in ICR/CD-1 mouse cannot be attributable to one specific ER alone. This suggests that the extrinsic/external adenomyosis may have a pathogenesis that is different from other sub-types of adenomyosis.

Meeting the demand for laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep and goats

Demand for laparoscopic artificial insemination in small ruminants is growing exponentially. Use of a well-designed estrus synchronization protocol allows does and ewes to be inseminated in a timely manner with good conception rates. Females are sedated with an intramuscular cocktail to facilitate inversion and laparoscopic access to their uterus for deposition of fresh or frozen semen directly into the lumen of both uterine horns.

EP40.03: Laparoscopic management of early unruptured pregnancy in rudimentary uterine horn: a case report

EP40.03: Laparoscopic management of early unruptured pregnancy in rudimentary uterine horn: a case report

Effect of the administration route of gonadotropin releasing hormone on the reproductive performance of multiparous Holstein cows

We investigated the effect of epidural versus intramuscular administration of alarelin acetate (GnRHa; 25 μg) at artificial insemination (AI; day 0) and/or 7 days after AI on the pregnancy rate (PR) of Holstein cows that exhibited estrus spontaneously after their voluntary wait period. Cows (n = 117) were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. In groups IM0, IM7, and IM07 (n = 12 per group), cows received GnRHa intramuscularly (IM) at 0 or 7 days, or both, respectively. In groups EP0 (n = 19), EP7 (n = 13) and EP07 (n = 11), cows received GnRHa at the sacrococcygeal epidural site (EP) at 0 or 7 days, or both, respectively. Animals in the control group (CON) received 5 mL of normal saline at 0 and 7 days. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by rectal palpation of the uterine horns 60 days post AI. Results showed a significant difference in PR/first AI between IM0 and EP7 groups (16.67% vs. 61.54%; P < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed no significant differences in overall PR after two rounds of inseminations among all groups 60 days after the second AI. In conclusion, epidural injection of GnRHa 7 days after AI versus its intramuscular injection at AI improved PR/first AI significantly in Holstein lactating cows.

TINGKAT KEBERHASILAN TRANSFER EMBRIO (TE) BERDASARKAN KEGIATAN SELEKSI RESIPIEN DAN PELAKSANAAN TE DARI TAHUN 2018 SAMPAI DENGAN 2021 DI KABUPATEN ROKAN HULU

Implementation of the application of embryo transfer technology (ET), requires a program that can meet the wishes of the livestock community in terms of improving the genetic quality of liverstock quickly. The program is related to the proposal of beef cattle by field officers, selection of recipient cattele by the embryo transfer team which includes: exterior assessment, such as the Body Condition Score (BSC), interior assessment such as rectal palpation of the internal genitals (cervix, uterus an ovaries). The next activity is the implementation of embryo transfer such as how handle recipient cattel; wheather the recipient has been in Artificial Insemination (AI) (twinning program) or single ET, epidural anastesi, thowing frozen embryos in water at 38℃, insertion of embryo straw into the ET gun/plastic ET, rectal palpation, cervical examination, insertion of the ET gun, embryo deposition to the uterine horn, recording the results of ET, examination of pregnancy results of ET at the age of 2 months, monitoring of recipients who are already pregnant until elivery, reporting the results of single ET briths and ET twinning(AI/ET).
 This technical report is the result of the embryo transfer (ET) program activities that took place from 2012,2018,2019,2020,and 2021, which in this technical report discusses the success rate of embryo transfer (ET) based on recipient selection and impelemtation activities embryo transfer (ET).

Histomorphometric analysis of the endometrium in an ectopic model of endometriosis in mice

Objective: Evaluate histomorphometry of ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues in receptor mice. Method: Eighteen female Balb/c were divided into 3 groups, 6 animals each: GI Control, no procedure; GII – Sham, animals that had the same procedures as GIII without receiving the ectopic endometrial implant. Instead, they received saline solution; GIII – endometriosis model, animals had surgical intervention with an ectopic endometrial implant. GI and GIII mice were treated with 17β-estradiol, 100 µg/kg each. All animals were euthanized to collect uterine horns, which were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin and submitted to histomorphometric analyzes. Data underwent one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. Results: Local tissue growth, showing important lesions and adhesions, as well as dark cysts were noticed. In GIII group, there was an increase in number of blood vessels and glands (GIII ≥ GI and GIII p > .001). Thickening of the GIII endometrial epithelial was also evident (GIII ≥ GI and GIII. p > .001). We also noticed an increase in the number of eosinophils (GIII (GIII ≥ GI and GIII. p > .001). Conclusion: Easy to perform model, capable of reproducing morphological endometriosis characteristics. From our findings, there was an increase of endometrial thickness as well as an increase in the eosinophils population.

Decreased Glycolysis at Menstruation is Associated with Increased Menstrual Blood Loss.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is common and severely affects the quality of life of the afflicted women. While HMB is known to be caused by impaired endometrial repair after menstruation, its more proximate cause remains unknown. To investigate whether glycolysis plays any role in endometrial repair and thus HMB, we conducted two mouse experiments using a mouse model of simulated menstruation. We performed immunohistochemistry analyses of proteins involved in glycolysis as well aspro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in endometrium from decidualized and non-decidualized uterine horns. We also assessed the extent of endometrial repair by staging endometrial morphology from decidualization to full repair using histological scoring of uterine sections and quantitated the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL). In addition, we employed the scratch assay and the CCK-8 assay to evaluate the effect of glycolysis suppression on cellular migration and proliferation, respectively. Finally, we performed an immunohistochemistry analysis of HK2 in endometrium from women with adenomyosis who experienced either moderate/heavy or excessive MBL. We found that endometrial repair coincided with increased glycolysis in endometrium and glycolysis suppression delayed endometrial repair, resulting in increased MBL. Additionally, glycolysis suppression significantly inhibited the proliferative and migratory capability of endometrial cells, and disrupted normal endometrial repair even when hypoxia was maintained. Women with adenomyosis who experienced excessive MBL had significantly lower HK2 staining than those who experienced moderate/heavy MBL. Thus, our study highlights the importance of glycolysis as well as inflammation in optimal endometrial repair, and provides clues for the cause of HMB in women with adenomyosis.

Effect of intrauterine ozone therapy on Asherman syndrome, an experimental rat model

Background/aimsEvaluate the effect of ozone therapy alone or in combination with estradiol in management of Asherman syndrome in a rat model. Materials and methods48 rats were used and divided into eight groups. In all the groups right uterine horn was used for the experiment while the left horns received no action. Groups A underwent two operations, and groups B three times each. Group 1A and 1B were determined as the sham group. Ozone gas was given to Group 2 alone; estradiol orally was given to Group 3 alone; estradiol and ozone gas together was given to Group 4. ResultsIn ozone therapy group; the diameter of the uterus, the uterine lumen and the uterine glands were increased, the endometrial epithelium was thicker in the group that received double ozone application, and the number and diameter of the endometrial gland increased in the combined use of ozone and estradiol. In the rats who underwent two surgeries, the maximum number of pregnancies and advanced pregnancies were observed in the left uterine horn. The minimum number of pregnancies were achieved in estradiol alone group. In the group receiving combined treatment with ozone and estradiol, pregnancies were observed at a higher gestational age. ConclusionOzone had a positive effect on the treatment of Asherman syndrome and has a significant impact on achieving pregnancy.

Influence of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced transcriptomic response of the bovine endometrium.

The aim was to examine the effect of sire fertility status on conceptus-induced changes in the bovine endometrial transcriptome. To generate elongated conceptuses, Day 7 blastocysts produced in vitro using frozen-thawed sperm from Holstein Friesian bulls (3 High fertility, HF and 3 Low fertility, LF) were transferred in groups of 5–10 into synchronized heifers (n = 7 heifers per bull) and recovered following slaughter on Day 15. Day 15 endometrial explants recovered from the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum were recovered from synchronized cyclic heifers (n = 4). Explants from each heifer were co-cultured for 6 h in RPMI medium alone (Control) or with 100 ng/ml ovine recombinant interferon tau (IFNT) or with a single conceptus from each HF or LF bull. After 6 h, explants were snap frozen and stored at −80°C. Extracted mRNA was subjected to RNA-seq and the resulting data were analyzed with R software. The numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEG; FDR<0.05) were: HF vs. Control: 956; LF vs. Control: 1021; IFNT vs. Control: 1301; HF vs. LF: 2. Unsurprisingly, the majority of DEG (658) were common to all comparisons and were related to IFNT-induced changes in the endometrium. Prior to applying the adjusted p-value, there were 700 DEG between HF and LF, with 191 and 509 genes more expressed in HF or LF, respectively (p < 0.05). Overrepresentation analysis of KEGG pathways (FDR<0.05), revealed that DEG with higher expression in LF were involved in cell cycle and proteolysis, while those upregulated DEG by HF conceptuses were strongly associated with immune process pathways, such as TNF, NF-kappa B, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and TLR signaling. These pathways were also enriched by DEG upregulated by IFNT compared to the Control. Furthermore, only the HF, and not the LF group, affected the expression of most genes in these pathways (p < 0.05) according to a negative binomial regression model. Finally, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed two clusters of co-expressed genes associated with the HF conceptuses (p < 0.05), which were also enriched for the aforementioned pathways. In conclusion, HF conceptuses, similar to IFNT treatment, stimulated multiple pathways involved in immune response, which were apparently not affected by LF conceptuses.

Exogenous L-arginine administration improves uterine vascular perfusion, uteroplacental thickness, steroid concentrations and nitric oxide levels in pregnant buffaloes under subtropical conditions.

Heat stress (HS) during pregnancy adversely affects uterine vascular perfusion and foetal development. L-arginine (L-Arg), a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, has been proven to enhance an organ's vascular perfusion. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of L-Arg administration on the pregnant buffaloes' uterine haemodynamics and uteroplacental thickness under environmental HS conditions. For this purpose, pluriparous (n=12) HS-pregnant buffaloes (mid-gestation, 180-190 days; temperature humidity index >85) were haphazardly assigned into two groups, either administered a single intravenous (IV) bolus of 5mg/kg BW of L-Arg Hcl (n=6; ARG) or received normal saline (0.9%; IV; 25 ml) that served as a control group (n=6; CON). Combined uteroplacental thickness (CUPT, mm), middle uterine arteries' (MUA) diameter (mm) and uterine Doppler haemodynamics (ipsilateral and contralateral to the pregnant horn) were examined utilizing B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. The serum levels of progesterone (P4), estradiol 17β (E2), nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assayed using commercial kits. The experimental time points were - 1, 0, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h post-L-Arg administration. The ARG group showed higher (p < .05) CUPT and MUA diameter values starting at 24 h post-treatment and onward than the control buffalo cows. In addition, there were improvements (p < .05) in the blood flow parameters in the ipsilateral MUA after L-Arg treatment evidenced by lower values of pulsatility and resistive indices starting at 48 and 4h, respectively and onward, and higher values of peak systolic velocity, coloured areas towards the pregnant uterine horn (both 24-72 h). Increases in the NO levels were found during the period between 4 and 120 h in the ARG group compared to the CON group. Moreover, significant increases in the E2 and P4 means were noted in the ARG group, especially at 24 h onward, respectively compared to the CON group. Concerning the TAC status, neither the administration nor the hours affected serum TAC levels in the HS pregnant buffaloes (CON and ARG). In conclusion, L-Arg administration improved uteroplacental thickness and enhanced uterine haemodynamics, NO levels, and steroids production in mid-pregnant buffalo cows under environmental heat stress conditions which could improve foetal growth and development.

Positive growth of smooth muscle in uterine horns of myostatin homozygous mutant gilt

Current studies on myostatin (MSTN), a well-known negative regulator of skeletal muscle, studies mainly focus on the its effects on skeletal muscle.However, its effects on smooth muscle are less studied, especially in the uterine horns. To identify the role of MSTN in uterine horn smooth muscle, this study used 6–8-month-old homozygous MSTN mutant (MSTN−/−) gilts in anoestrum as animal models. Histochemical and immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, and RT-qPCR were performed. The results showed that the uteri of the MSTN−/− gilts were morphologically normal, and the uterine horn smooth muscle content was increased (MSTN−/−: 75.19%, Wild type: 51.52%, P < 0.01). In vivo immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of the uterine horn smooth muscle-specific marker proteins, namely α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and calponin, increased after MSTN knockout (1.41- and 1.21-fold, respectively, P < 0.05). Increased gene expression was also seen in MSTN−/− gilts in vivo for ACTA2 (approximately 2-fold), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (7.14-fold), myocardin (9.32-fold), and serum response factor (2.17-fold). Protein expression of smooth muscle-specific markers was increased (1.51-fold for ACTA2, 1.57-fold for calponin, P<0.05). MSTN knockout promoted proliferation of the smooth muscle cell and the gene expression of c-kit, a peristaltic marker (2.43-fold, P < 0.05). The results of the in vitro experiments were consistent with those of the in vivo experiments. The present study indicates that MSTN knockout can increase the smooth muscle content of uterine horns, thus providing potential therapeutic targets for pregnancy disorders caused by increased smooth muscle content.

Intermittent fasting was superior to a low-fat diet in impacting tumor growth in a pre-clinical model of obesity-driven endometrial cancer (125)

Intermittent fasting was superior to a low-fat diet in impacting tumor growth in a pre-clinical model of obesity-driven endometrial cancer (125)

Efectos de la suplementación con acacia negra (Acacia mearnsii) sobre la actividad ovárica, la involución uterina y los perfiles hormonales en vacas lecheras en condiciones de altura

The feeding program carried out during the pre-partum and post-partum period in dairy cows is crucial to preserve their reproductive performance. The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) supplementation on ovarian activity, uterine involution, and hormone profiles in dairy cows maintained at high-altitude conditions. A total of 10 Holstein dairy cows were divided into 2 groups: control (C; n=5) and supplemented group (AM; n=5). A dehydrated black wattle (AM; Acacia mearnsii) supplement was administered to AM group and adjusted to 22% crude protein per animal (Dehydrated Supplement; MS= 2.7 kg AM/day per cow, ~20% of total DM). Body weight (BW) was recorded individually in different periods (day 15 pre-partum, and day 19, 34, and 49 post-partum). Ovarian [follicles (FL), corpora lutea (CL)] and ovarian diameter (OD; mm)] and uterine structures [uterine horn thickness (HT; mm), cervix length (CrL; cm) and diameter (CD; cm), and uterine involution %] were assessed till day 34 postpartum. Moreover, hormone profiles such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; IU/mL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; IU/mL), luteinizing hormone (LH; IU/mL), and progesterone (P4; ng/mL) were measured till day 49. Statistical differences were observed in BW when day 15 prepartum was compared to day 19 postpartum (p=0.05). However, no differences were observed between C and AM group regarding BW within each timepoint (p&gt;0.05). No changes were observed in FL over time irrespective of the group studied (p&lt;0.05). However, FL was significantly different when C and AM group were compared within each time-point (p&lt; 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed on day 5 post- partum regarding the number of CL, significant differences were observed on day 25 and day 34 postpartum between groups (p&gt; 0.05). OD increased from day 5 to Day 35 post-partum irrespective of the group assessed and differ between groups within time-points (p&lt; 0.05). Differences were observed in TSH within day 19 and day 49 post-partum (p&lt; 0.05). FSH was statistically different between groups on day 19 post-partum (p&lt; 0.05). LH was more variable than TSH and FSH among and within time-points and groups (p&lt; 0.05). Differences were observed between groups regarding P4 within day 19 and 49 post-partum (p&lt; 0.05). In conclusion, overall although no differences were observed in BW between groups or time-points, the supplementation with AM showed differential patterns in reproductive tract structures/dimensions and hormone levels in dairy cows maintained at high-altitude conditions

Endometrial gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide between estrous cycle phases and uterine horns in cattle

Uterine bacterial community abundances shift throughout the estrous cycle, potentially altering the immunological environment of the uterus and impacting subsequent fertility. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the immunological impact of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as a model for potentially pathogenic bacteria, throughout the uterine endometrium between the luteal and follicular phase of the estrous cycle. Bovine uterine tracts were harvested in mid-luteal (n = 7) or follicular (n = 7) phase. Explants were collected from the contralateral and ipsilateral horn relative to the dominant follicle or corpus luteum, then subjected to one of three treatments: uncultured control, cultured control, or cultured with LPS (1 µg/mL). Explants underwent RNA extraction and targeted RNA sequencing for expression analyses of 40 immune response related genes. Sequencing reads were mapped to Bos taurus genome in CLC Genomics Workbench. Resulting total read counts were normalized by housekeeping gene GAPDH and analyzed for overall expression profile by Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) and Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) analyses in Metaboanalyst. Individual gene expression differences were determined by GLIMMIX procedure in SAS with fixed effects of treatment, estrous phase, uterine horn, and their interaction, with random effect of individual uterus. Expression of 29 genes were affected among treatment groups, with seven genes increased in LPS treatment compared to other groups (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Multiple genes were affected by estrous phase and uterine horn, independent of treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The OPLS-DA analyses indicated overall gene expression differences due to clustering by estrous cycle and treatment (P &amp;lt; 0.001), with no effect of uterine horn (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Similar clustering was observed between luteal and follicular phase explants of controls, but distinct separate clustering between phases with LPS treatment (P = 0.001). According to VIP analyses, mucins were identified as contributing the most to differences observed between phase and treatment. In conclusion, estrous cycle phase resulted in differing overall endometrial gene expression profiles of immune response to LPS treatment. Therefore, altered immunological environment of the uterus in response to bacteria at different estrous cycle stages may lead to differences in reproductive success.

Non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy presenting as sudden unexpected maternal death: an autopsy diagnosis.

Pregnancy on a rudimentary uterine horn is a rare condition that can lead to a catastrophic outcome when it ruptures. The majority of cases are diagnosed late, after the rupture has occurred. We present the case of a 29-year-old female G2 P1 who complained of abdominal pain. She consulted a medical practitioner who prescribed her analgesics. In the next day, she was found dead in her bedroom. The pregnancy was undiagnosed as she was not aware that she was in a gravid state. At autopsy, there was massive haemoperitoneum and a 24-week gestation foetus lying outside the uterus. The uterus revealed an anomaly in keeping with a non- communicating rudimentary horn. Forensic pathologists do encounter undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies in practice. However, abdominal ectopic pregnancy with a uterine anomaly remains uncommon. These cases are often associated with a high maternal and foetal mortality.

The Uterus as an Influencing Factor for Late Embryo/Early Fetal Loss—A Clinical Update

Simple SummaryPregnancy loss following a positive pregnancy diagnosis in the absence of infectious disease of the reproductive system is a main factor limiting reproductive efficiency in high producing dairy cows. We describe here some circumstances such as the age of the dam, retained placenta and uterine size in which the uterus may be associated with pregnancy loss.Here we revise circumstances of non-infectious causes in which the uterus may be associated with pregnancy loss during the late embryo/early fetal period (following a positive pregnancy diagnosis in lactating dairy cows). As the uterine size increases with parity and pregnant heifers with no detrimental effects of a previous parturition, a primigravid uterus is proposed as a reference for identifying risk factors that negatively influence pregnancy in lactating cows. Cows suffering placenta retention or with a large uterus at insemination were selected as topics for this revision. Retained placenta, that occurs around parturition, has a long-lasting influence on subsequent pregnancy loss. Although retained placenta is a particularly predisposing factor for uterine infection, farm conditions along with cow factors of non-infectious cause and their interactions have been identified as main factors favoring this disorder. A large uterus (cervix and uterine horns lying outside the pelvic cavity) with no detectable abnormalities has been associated with low fertility and with a greater incidence of pregnancy loss. A large reproductive tract may well derive from an inadequate uterine involution. Therefore, peripartum management and strategies to reduce the incidence of uterine disorders should reduce their associated financial losses in the herds.

Establishment of a piglet model for peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer

BackgroundA piglet model for peritoneal metastasis (PM) of ovarian cancer was developed. It will contribute to establishing innovative chemotherapeutical and surgical strategies without any limitation on rodent models.MethodsA total of 12 four- to five-week-old piglets of 7 to 8 kg were used. Two phases of ovarian cancer cell injections were performed with laparoscopic surgery.In phase I trial, 5.0 × 106 SK-OV-3 cells in 0.1 ml suspension were inoculated into the omentum, peritoneum, and uterine horns of two piglets twice with a one-week interval. In the phase II trial, 5.0 × 106 SNU-008 cells in 0.1 ml suspension were injected only into uterine horns within the same time frame because tumor implantation after inoculation of SK-OV-3 cells was not observed at the omentum or peritoneum in the phase I trial. Modified peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score was used to monitor tumorigenesis up to 4 weeks after inoculation. Tumor tissues disseminated in the peritoneum 4 weeks after injection were used for histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and paired-box gene 8 (PAX-8) staining.ResultsIn the phase I trial, two piglets showed PM with modified PCI scores of 5 and 4 at 3 weeks after the first inoculation, which increased to 14 and 15 after 4 weeks, respectively. In the phase II trial, PM was detected in eight of ten piglets, which showed modified PCI scores of 6 to 12 at 4 weeks after the first inoculation. The overall incidence of PM from the total of 12 piglets after inoculation was 75%. Immunohistochemical H&E and PAX-8 staining confirmed metastatic tumors.ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence that piglets can be employed as a model for PM by inoculating ovarian cancer cell lines from humans. Using two cell lines, the PM rate is 75%.

The 13 -year-old-girl with unicornuate uterus with non-communicating uterine horn

The 13 -year-old-girl with unicornuate uterus with non-communicating uterine horn