Lymphatic drainage on healthy and neoplasic mammary glands in female dogs: Can it really be altered?

The purpose of this research was to study the mammary lymphatic drainage under a macroscopic and mesoscopic view, comparing the vascular pattern of healthy and neoplasic mammary glands injected with drawing ink alcoholic and fluorescein solutions, in 46 mongrel female dogs. The results pointed out that the thoracic gland is drained by the axillary lymph centre, but in mammary neoplasia either superficial cervical or ventral thoracic lymph centres can be involved. Cranial and caudal abdominal glands may be drained by the axillary, inguinofemoral and popliteal lymph centres. However, the popliteal drainage is specific for the healthy caudal abdominal mammary gland. The inguinal gland can be drained by both inguinofemoral and popliteal lymph centres in both neoplasic and healthy conditions. Regarding the mammary lymphatic communications, this research demonstrated that neoplasic glands present more types of anastomosis (40.9%), than healthy glands (33.33%), and an increase in contralateral anastomosis (50%) compared with healthy ones (33%). Given the data, the mammary neoplasia can change the lymphatic drainage pattern in terms of lymph centres and vascular arborization, thus forming new drainage channels and recruiting a larger number of lymph nodes. Lastly, some comments were made about the severity of a specific neoplasic mammary gland and conditions to be considered before making a decision in terms of the most adequate operative procedure, and suggestions for further investigations.

B-Mode and doppler sonography of the mammary glands in dairy goats for mastitis diagnosis

Contents This study aimed to evaluate the sonographic characteristics of the udder and teats and to determine the Doppler indexes of mammary artery in healthy and undergoing subclinical and clinical mastitis goats. Thirty animals among Saanen and Alpine Brown goats were arranged in three groups, healthy goats (HG), goats with subclinical mastitis (SMG) and goats with clinical mastitis (CMG). Using the B-mode, the sonographic characteristics (echotexture and echogenicity) and biometry (diameter and area of the udder cistern, diameter and area of the teat cistern and thickness of the teat wall) were evaluated. Using Doppler ultrasonography, the vascular indexes of the mammary artery were obtained. It was observed hyperechogenicity with solid component in the gland cistern when comparing animals with clinical mastitis and healthy mammary tissue. Regarding the echotexture of the breast tissue, there was heterogeneity in the mammary parenchyma on the three groups, for the milk, it was observed homogeneity for animals on HG and SMG and heterogeneity for animals on CMG. Grey-scale quantitative assessment revealed increase in echogenicity (mean value) for all the structures when comparing the three groups. Biometry did not reveal statistical difference between groups, for none of the evaluated structures. Doppler examination of the mammary artery showed the decrease of end diastolic velocity and raise of pulsatility index between groups. The association of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography is useful for the evaluation of the udder of dairy goats with mastitis. It is a sensitive and specific method for the study of this disease. Doppler mode was unable to establish reliable criteria for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis. Moreover, the quantification of echogenicity is a useful technique for the evaluation of the milk in animals with mastitis; therefore, it is suggested that it can be used as complementary technique for the diagnosis of mastitis in goats.

Potential effects of the herbicide Diuron on mammary and urinary bladder two-stage carcinogenesis in a female Swiss mouse model

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Clinical, histological and immunophenotypic findings in a mare with a mammary lymphoma associated with anaemia and pruritus

An 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare presented with an 18 week history of dermatological lesions characterised by recurrent urticaria and recent signs of enlarged mammary glands, pyrexia, alopecia and intense pruritus. Haematological and serum biochemical analyses revealed anaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and hyperfibrinogenaemia. Mammary discharge was evaluated and revealed neutrophilia. Cytological examinations of fine needle aspirates from the parotid lymph nodes were normal. Common causes of anaemia were ruled out by specific tests. The initial diagnosis was mastitis and 2 weeks later the animal returned to the hospital with worsening of clinical signs, intermittent fever, intense pruritus and generalised alopecia. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical analyses, and the mammary gland and parotid lymph nodes were biopsied. Rectal palpation revealed a large irregular mass near the left kidney with adhesions of surrounding structures. The animal died before the laboratory results were ready. This report details the clinical, histological and immunophenotypic findings of a case of large lymphoma in a mare.

Effect of continuous and pulsed therapeutic ultrasound in the appearance of local recurrence of mammary cancer in rats

Purpose: Ultrasound (US) therapy is an elect rot hermotherapeutic modality that uses US energy to provoke physical and chemical alterations. US therapy has been widely used in physical therapy. However in clinical practice, it is contra-indicated in cancer patients due to the possibility of exacerbating tumor growth.Methods: Sixty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats bred in UNIFAE vivarium were studied. At 50 days of age, 7, 12-dimetylbenz(a)anthracene (7, 12-DMBA) was administered to 35 rats by gastric gavage to induce mammary cancer After 90 days the mammary glands of the rats belonging to the group with mammary cancer induction and stimulated by US were removed. Animals received either continuous or pulsed US. US waves were generated at a frequency of 1 MHz during 10 days, with an intensity dose of 0.5 W in the continuous group, and 0.9 W (duty cycle: 20%) in the pulsed group.Results: Among the rats treated with continuous US, 44.4% developed local recurrence, while among the rats treated with pulsed US, 22.2% had local tumor recurrence (p < 0.05). No evidence of distant metastases was shown in any of the rats studied.Conclusion: The use ofcontinuous and pulsed therapeutic US promoted the development of local recurrence of mammary cancer in female Sprague-Dawley rats in the postoperative period.

Immunocytochemical study of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker in canine mammary neoplasia

Background: Canine mammary tumors are challenging for clinicians and pathologists because of complex histologic classification, low specificity of cytologic diagnosis, and unpredictable biological behavior. In histologic specimens, expression of tumor proliferation marker Ki-67, a nuclear nonhistone protein, has been shown to have prognostic value for canine mammary tumors and to correlate with malignancy and low survival rates. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the proliferation index of canine mammary tumors by immunochemical detection of Ki-67 in cytologic specimens and to determine its relationship to clinical and pathologic variables and patient outcome. Methods: Spontaneous mammary tumors from 31 female dogs were surgically excised. Imprint specimens for cytologic evaluation were wet-fixed in ethanol; histologic specimens were prepared routinely. Immunostaining was performed with the PH 177 monoclonal antibody against Ki-67; proliferation index was graded from negative to +++. Dogs were followed for 18 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine correlations between immunocytochemical results, tumor and clinical variables, and patient outcome. Results: Ki-67 proliferation indices in cytologic specimens were significantly lower for nonmalignant tumors than for malignant tumors. High index values of Ki-67 were positively correlated with metastasis, death from neoplasia, low disease-free survival rates, and low overall survival rate. With the exception of 4 specimens for which cellularity was insufficient, positive expression of Ki-67 in cytologic specimens correlated with that of histologic specimens. Conclusions: The prognostic value of the Ki-67 index in canine mammary tumors by using wet-fixed cytology imprint specimens was similar to that observed previously for histologic specimens. Immunocytochemical detection of Ki-67 could improve the accuracy and value of cytology by providing safe and rapid information about malignancy and patient outcome. © 2004 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Maternal Western Style Diet Increases Susceptibility to Chemically-Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in Female Rats Offspring

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chemopreventive effects of mate against mouse mammary and colon carcinogenesis

The present study evaluated the chemopreventive potential of mate tea-like intake on mammary and colon carcinogenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)antracene (DMBA) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in female Swiss mice. After the initiation period, the animals received basal diet and organic mate tea-like, conventional mate tea-like, or green tea (positive control) at 2.0% as the drinking fluid during 15 weeks. At week 20, colon and mammary gland were analyzed for preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions development. Colon and mammary gland complexes were processed for cell proliferation analysis, estimated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI%). Specially, organic mate tea-like reduced the values of PCNA-LI% in colonic crypts (p < .003) and in mammary glands (p < .05) in DMBA/DMH-initiated groups. A lower incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon (p = .03) and of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions in mammary gland (p < .05 and p < .02, respectively) was observed in DMBA/DMH-initiated groups treated with organic mate tea-like. These results suggest that post-initiation treatment with organic mate tea-like inhibited the development of colon and mammary carcinogenesis in a two-step medium-term mouse carcinogenesis model.

Surgical treatment of gynaecomastia in a Saanen goat

Background: Gynaecomastia in male goats is characterized by abnormal development of the mammary gland. Enlarged udder may be observed cranially to the scrotum, which can occasionally reach the size of the testicles. The udder may carry functional glands and impair the animal's reproductive performance and welfare. The case of a successful surgical treatment of gynaecomastia in a high reproductive performance Saanen buck-goat is reported in the present study.Material, Methods & Results: The animal was admitted presenting significant augmentation of the mammary glands, which was clinically diagnosed as gynaecomastia. The male goat owned optimal phenotypic characteristics for the Saanen breed, which had been producing high performance descendents. The mammary glands had been impairing the goat's locomotion and sexual performance. Manual milking resulted in great amount of milk secretion. The animal presented anorexia and impaired sexual performance. After clinical and laboratorial evaluation, the animal was submitted to radical mastectomy. An elliptic skin incision was performed around each mammary gland. Subcuticular blunt dissection was accomplished to isolate the mammarian tissue from the abdominal muscular layer and the spermatic chord. The excised mass was sampled for histological assessment. Subcuticular layer and skin closure was carried in a routine fashion. Hygienization of the surgical wound was performed with 2,5% PVP-I solution for ten days. Additionally, an association of penicillin G benzathine and streptomycin, and fluxinin meglumine were also given. The surgical procedure was successfully accomplished without any peroperative complication. The excised mass was sampled for anatomic/histological assessment. Macroscopically, the left mammary gland presented 22 cm in length, 12 cm wide and 26 cm in diameter. The right gland presented 16 cm in length, 7 cm wide and 13,5 cm in diameter. The microscopic assessment revealed hyperplasia of the glandular ducts. No abnormalities resembling malignant mammary neoplasms or degeneration were observed. At the end of the treatment, the animal was completely recovered. The animal convalesced satisfactorily and surgical wound healed completely within the first 10 days post-op. The goat was not culled and returned to normal reproductive activity. Within 12 months of follow-up, the animal was able to produce high milk yield performance progenies.Discussion: This case report presented relevant aspects of the surgical management of gynaecomastia, especially to veterinary practitioners dealing with milk goats. Gynaecomastia is not as common as other reproductive disorders in domestic animals. In opposition to the findings of the present study, other trials revealed that gynaecomastia usually does not affect fertility, libido, ejaculate parameters and sexual performance of goats. However, it is important to consider that neoplasic disorders such as mammary adenocarcinoma may be present, even though these are rare complications. Last but not least, the decision making on mastectomy in the present study was crucial in order to reestablish the animal's welfare and its functionality in the farms reproduction program.

Modifying Effects of Lemongrass Essential Oil on Specific Tissue Response to the Carcinogen N-Methyl-N-Nitrosurea in Female BALB/c Mice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Protective effects of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus STAPF) essential oil on DNA damage and carcinogenesis in female Balb/C mice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diagnosis of clinical bovine mastitis by fine needle aspiration followed by staining and scanning electron microscopy in a Prototheca zopfii outbreak

Biopsy by fine needle aspiration together with microbiological examination and scanning electron microscopy were evaluated in diagnosis of clinical bovine mastitis in a Prototheca zopfii outbreak. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 21 mammary quarters from ten Holstein cows presenting clinical mastitis caused by P. zopfii. The algae were previously identified in the microbiological examination of milk collected from these cows. Material aspirated from these 21 mammary glands was submitted to cytological staining (Gram, Giemsa and/or Shor staining). Fine needle aspiration enabled cytological identification of the algae in these 21 mammary glands, from which P. zopfii was isolated in the milk. Simultaneously, five mammary fragments collected by fine needle aspiration from these 21 mammary glands presenting clinical mastitis were also submitted to microbiological examination. P. zopfii was also isolated from these five fragments. Scanning electron microscopy technique also identified three of these five P. zopfii strains isolated from mammary fragments collected by cytological aspiration. These results suggest that fine needle aspiration may be an alternative method for the diagnosis of clinical mastitis.

Estudo dos métodos de rotina diagnóstica de mastite no leite de éguas

Routine diagnosis methods used in bovine mastitis were studied in 55 mares in lactation. The findings of strip cup test, California Mastitis Test-CMT, electronic somatic cell count-CCS, microbiological culture, and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolates were discussed. Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp, and enterobacteria were the most common microorganisms isolated in health and CMT-positive mammary glands. Staphylococcus aureus and Arcanobacterium pyogenes were identified in two mares presenting clinical mastitis. Mean somatic cell count of eight mares without presence of microorganisms in milk was 247.57x10³/mL and 1.621,86x10³/mL in 47 mares with positive microbiological culture. Moderate concordance (63.8%) between positive reactions in CMT (1 to 3+) and microbiological culture was observed. Amicacin (78.9%), ceftiofur (74.7%), sulpha-trimetoprim (69,0%) and norfloxacin (69.0%), were the most effective drugs, while resistance of isolates was mainly observed against penicillin (64.8%), gentamycin (35.2%), azithromycin (35.2%), enrofloxacin (28.2%), and florfenicol (28.2%).

In vitro algaecide effect of sodium hypochlorite and iodine based antiseptics on Prototheca zopfii strains isolated from bovine milk

Prototheca zopfii has been considered one of the most important causes of environmental mastitis in Brazil. These algae are refractory to conventional therapy and cause great damage to the mammary gland. The present study evaluated the in vitro algaecide effect of sodium hypochlorite and iodine based antiseptics on 27 P. zopfii strains isolated from the milk of cattle. Low concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (0.0390625-0.15625%) and iodine (0.15625-0.625%) were effective against the isolates. These antiseptics may be recommended for hygiene routines, pre and postdipping and cauterization of bovine mammary glands infected by P. zopfii. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fator necrosante citotóxico em Escherichia coli isolada de mastite clínica bovina

This report describes the production of cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) by an Escherichia coli strain isolated from clinical bovine mastitis with clinical signs of toxemia The animal had hemorrhages and necrosis of the mammary glands, and died within 24 hours after the onset of clinical signs. In addition to CNF identification, alpha-haemolysin and siderophores production were also characterized in this strain. This report reinforce the association of CNF and alpha-haemolysin production in E. coli virulence associated with clinical cases of severe bovine mastitis.