IngentaConnect Detection of Steroid Hormone Receptors in the Canine Circumanal G...

Abstract:

The morphology and function of the circumanal glands in dogs is under current discussion. They are clinically important because they rank fourth in frequency as the site of canine skin tumours. The tissue is known to be governed by steroid hormones, as the gland exhibit sexual dimorphism, castration reduces the size of the gland and lead to tumour regression. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the hormone receptors in healthy circumanal glands as well as adenomas and adenocarcinomas in intact and castrated female and male dogs of different age groups. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibodies against androgen receptor (AR, Affinity Bioreagents, rabbit pc, 1:150) and oestrogen receptor (ER, Zymed Lab., rabbit pc, 1:200) after antigen retrieval with microwave cooking. Positive and negative nuclei were counted using Eclipse software and subsequently statistically evaluated. ER and AR-positive nuclei could be detected in healthy as well as in diseased tissue sections of the circumanal gland. The number of positive nuclei was higher in the flattened peripheral cells compared to the large polygonal cells in the centre of the lobule. There was no significant difference between male and female tissue and between healthy glands and tumours although in tumours there was a tendency to a higher number of positive cells. In tumours, the distribution of hormone receptor positive cells was more irregular and varied between single lobules. Castrated animals of both sexes showed a slightly higher number of positive nuclei than intact animals, but the difference was not significant. Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of steroid hormone receptors in the canine circumanal gland. We suggest that an evaluation of steroid hormone receptors is justified before general hormonal or anti-hormonal treatment of patients.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2005.00669_31.x

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Histology and Embryology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria 2: Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$50.16 plus tax Refund Policy

Detection of Steroid Hormone Receptors in the Canine Circumanal Gland