Use of fresh autogenous vaginal tunic in the experimental lamellar keratoplasty in dogs (Canis familiaris, LINNAEUS, 1758)

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

Post partum reproductive assessment in lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris): a case report

O tapir ou anta, descrito como o maior mamífero terrestre brasileiro, pertence à ordem Perissodactila, subordem Hippomorfa, superfamília Tapiroidea e família Tapiridae. Na floresta úmida está envolvido com a dispersão de sementes em função das características do tubo digestivo. O acompanhamento do ciclo estral permite avaliar e compreender a atividade reprodutiva nas espécies animais. Nos animais silvestres, o estresse da contenção pode interferir na própria ciclicidade gonadal, uma das alternativas é o acompanhamento dos hormônios gonadais nas excretas. Buscamos neste trabalho o acompanhamento periódico da atividade gonadal através da quantificação de progesterona no leite. Utilizamos uma fêmea recém-parida no Zoológico de Araçatuba, da qual colhemos leite, esfregaço vaginal e temperatura retal. A progesterona foi quantificada por radioimunoensaio de fase sólida (Coat-a-Count, DPC®) com curva padrão fornecida pela F.A.O. O ensaio mostrou sensibilidade de 1,25 nmol/l com coeficiente de variação intra-ensaio de 15,36%. Durante a fase de lactação, a fêmea não apresentou níveis detectáveis de progesterona por 158 dias (de novembro a abril). O primeiro pico de produção foi de 2,3 nmol/l e apresentou duração de 5 dias. O segundo pico de 3,54 nmol/l teve uma duração de 23 dias. Setenta e quatro dias após o aparecimento da progesterona no leite a lactação cessou. Podemos concluir que a fêmea de tapir apresentou um período de anestro lactacional de aproximadamente 5 meses e voltou a ciclar no outono (abril) sugerindo pouca influência do fotoperíodo. A quantificação da progesterona no leite mostrou-se útil para o acompanhamento do ciclo estral na espécie, porém a variação da citologia vaginal e temperatura retal não apresentaram correlação com os níveis hormonais.

Citologia aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF), em testículo de onça pintada (Panthera onca), utilizada como ferramenta no diagnóstico de infertilidade

Técnicas de biópsia, caracterizadas pela remoção de segmentos de órgãos e tecidos para análise histopatológica, não são indicadas no auxílio diagnóstico de alterações testiculares para animais ameaçados de extinção, por não serem totalmente isentas de riscos. Neste sentido, é de grande interesse que se desenvolvam técnicas de biópsia testicular cada vez mais seguras e com o mínimo de conseqüências negativas. Com este intuito três onças pintadas (Panthera onca) foram submetidas a exames de Citologia Aspirativa por Agulha Fina (CAAF). Amostras foram obtidas através da punção aspirativa dos testículos, esfregaços foram confeccionados, corados com Panótico e analisados sob Microscopia Óptica. Simultaneamente foram realizadas coletas de sêmen para avaliação do volume, pH, concentração, motilidade, vigor e morfologia espermáticas. Quanto à avaliação espermática, os animais apresentaram valores semelhantes aos encontrados na literatura quanto ao volume, pH, motilidade, vigor e morfologia espermáticas. Quanto a concentração espermática os animais apresentaram valores abaixo dos encontrados na literatura. Nos exames de CAAF, todas as gerações de células germinativas foram identificadas, indicando espermatogênese normal em todos os animais, com exceção das espermátides finais duplas que ainda não foram relatadas como achados em punções testiculares de outras espécies, o que vem confirmar a elevada porcentagem de células teratológicas encontradas nesses animais. Desta forma, podemos concluir que a CAAF testicular é um método diagnóstico auxiliar importante na detecção de alterações testiculares em casos de sub ou infertilidade, podendo ser utilizados na rotina de investigação do trato reprodutivo masculino, quando o exame histopatológico, por ser um método altamente invasivo, é desaconselhável.

Quadro citológico vaginal, concentração plasmática de progesterona durante a gestação e medidas fetais em paca (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766)

Em 27 pacas (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766) objetivou-se descrever aos 30, 60 e 90 dias (D) de prenhez diagnosticada por ultrassonografia (US), os tipos celulares do epitélio vaginal em esfregaços vaginais, relatar as condições de abertura da vulva e as características do muco vaginal, determinar a concentração plasmática de progesterona (P4) por radioimunoensaio, e ainda, mensurar por ultrassonografia (US) o diâmetro biparietal (DBP) fetal aos 60 e 90 dias de prenhez. No D30, 40% das amostras exibiram células (com características estrogênicas) superficiais e presença de núcleos nus. Nos D60 e D90, células parabasais, intermediárias, superficiais e naviculares estavam presentes nas mesmas proporções, mas células endocervicais foram descritas em apenas 73,9% e 69% das amostras daqueles dias, respectivamente. No D30 a maior proporção de células naviculares e superficiais diferiu (p < 0,05) em relação aos outros tipos celulares presentes. O muco vaginal apresentou-se cristalino e fluido em 100% e em 70% das fêmeas nos D30 e D60, respectivamente. Observou-se o vestíbulo vaginal aberto em torno de 50% das fêmeas em todos os dias de exames. Valores mínimos detectáveis de P4 foram obtidos em 72% e em 83% das fêmeas, enquanto que as médias das medidas dos DBP foram 1,25 cm (± 0,16) e 2,34 cm (± 0,25) nos D60 e D90, respectivamente. O quadro citológico vaginal nos D30, D60 e D90 e o DBP fornecem elementos que contribuem para diagnóstico de gestação em pacas. A concentração de P4 demonstra a necessidade de maiores estudos da endocrinologia da gestação em pacas.

Expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB carcinoma of the cervix

Objectives. This study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, as an attempt to use these proteins as possible markers for residual tumor in cervical cancer.Methods. Thirty patients with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were submitted to radical hysterectomy (study group), and thirty patients with uterine myoma were submitted to vaginal hysterectomy (control group) and were prospectively studied from November 2001 to September 2002. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM) and were immunohistochemically evaluated by monoclonal antibodies for p53, Ki-67, and CD31. Vaginal samples in which the histological examination showed tumor involvement were excluded from the study.Results. Patient's mean age was 48.7 +/- 10.4 years (27-73 years). The clinical stage was IB1 in 22 patients (73.3%) and IB2 in eight patients (26.7%). The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). Higher expressions of these markers were noted in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the vaginal margins of control patients. This association was demonstrated for p53 in the AVM proximal (P = 0.045), for Ki-67 in AVM proximal (P < 0.001), AVM distal (P < 0.001), PVM proximal (P = 0.009), and PVM distal (P < 0.001), and for CD31 in AVM proximal (P = 0.003) and AVM distal (P = 0.018). There was no difference in p53, Ki-67, and CD31 expression between the proximal and distal regions of the vaginal margins in patients with carcinoma of the cervix.Conclusion. The expressions of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 were significantly higher in both the histologically positive (cervical tumor) and negative (vaginal margins) tissues of patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared to the benign control tissues. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinicopathological features influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement in patients with carcinoma of the cervix

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate clinical and pathologic findings that predicted pelvic lymph node metastasis and parametrial and vaginal involvement in patients with stage IB carcinoma of the cervix. Methods: 71 patients with diagnosis of stage IB (FIGO) cervical cancer were prospectively studied from December 1997 to August 2002. The patient's age, clinical stage (IB1 or IB2), histological classification, grade of differentiation, tumor volume, and lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI) were evaluated. Statistical methods included chi(2) test and Fisher's exact test to evaluate significant differences between the groups. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: the clinical stage was IB1 in 51 patients (71.8%) and IB2 in 20 patients (28.2%). The histological classification identified squamous cell carcinoma in 60 patients (84.5%) and adenocarcinoma in 11 patients (15.5%). The average tumoral volume was 22.8 &PLUSMN; 8 24.3 cm(3) (0.3-140.0 cm(3)). The tumor was well differentiated (G1) in 8 (11.3%), moderately differentiated (G2) in 40 (56.3%) and poorly differentiated in 23 (32.4%) of the cases. The presence of LVSI was detected in 14 patients (19.7%) and was associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement (p = 0.002, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001; respectively). The average number of positive pelvic lymph nodes was significantly higher in the patients with LVSI compared with patients without LVSI (2.47 +/- 2.8 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.74; p = 0.001). There was no association of age, clinical stage, histological classification, grade of differentiation or tumor volume with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement. Conclusion: the presence of LVSI is significantly associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and vaginal and parametrial involvement in patients with stage IB cervical carcinoma. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Effectiveness and safety of a new vaginal misoprostol product specifically labeled for cervical ripening and labor induction

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in two different formulations: vaginal tablets of 25 mu g and one-eighth of a 200-mu g oral tablet, also administered intravaginally, for cervical ripening and labor induction of term pregnancies with an indication for that. Methods. A single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in 120 pregnant women who randomly received one of the two formulations. The main dependent variables were mode of delivery, need for additional oxytocin, time between beginning of induction and delivery, perinatal results, complications, and maternal side effects. Student's t, Mann-Whitney, chi(2), Fisher's Exact, Wilcoxon and Kolmogorov-Smirnoff tests, as well as survival analysis, were used in the data analysis. Results. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of general characteristics, uterine contractility, and fetal well-being during labor, cesarean section rates, perinatal outcomes, or maternal adverse events. The mean time between the beginning of cervical ripening and delivery was 31.3 h in the vaginal tablet group and 30.1 h in the oral tablet group, a difference that was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The results showed that the 25-mu g vaginal tablets of misoprostol were as effective and safe for cervical ripening and labor induction as the dose-equivalent fraction of 200-mu g oral tablets.

Cytologic diagnosis of vaginal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the vagina is rare, although it may be the first evidence of the existence of the primary tumor. CASE: A metastatic deposit of renal cell carcinoma in the vagina was diagnosed by cytology as clear cell adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed by biopsy. Radiographic and ultrasound examinations confirmed the renal site of origin, which was corroborated by immunohistochemistry of the biopsy specimen. CONCLUSION: When a cytologic diagnosis of vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma is made, metastasis of renal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma presenting as vaginal nodule

Endometrial stromal sarcoma is a rare neoplasm of the uterus. Extrauterine locations of this neoplasm, excluding metastases or local extension, are even more unusual and are usually associated with the presence of endometriosis. The authors report a case of endometrial stromal sarcoma presenting as a vaginal wall nodule, without any sign of primary uterine tumor after extensive evaluation or presence of endometriosis. The morphology, immunohistochemical profile, differential diagnoses, and pathogenesis are discussed, as well as a review of the literature on this issue. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Telomerase activity in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with carcinoma of the cervix: Correlation with histology and human papillomavirus

This study was undertaken to evaluate the telomerase activity both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. Thirty-three patients with SCC of the cervix (study group) and 13 patients with uterine myoma (control group) were prospectively studied. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM). The specimens were analyzed by histopathology, by a telomerase PCR-TRAP-ELISA kit, and by polymerase chain reaction using human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The telomerase activity was significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). There was no difference in telomerase activity in the AVM and PVM in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the control group. Telomerase activity was associated with the presence of histologic malignancy in the PVM of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy (P = 0.03). This association was not observed with the presence of HPV in AVM or PVM in the study group. Telomerase activity is a marker of histologic malignancy in patients with SCC of the cervix. There was no association between the telomerase activity and the presence of HPV in vaginal margins of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy. © 2006, Copyright the Authors.

The effect of type of vaginal insert and dose of pLH on embryo production, following fixed-time AI in a progestin-based superstimulatory protocol in Nelore cattle

The objective was to analyze and report field data focusing on the effect of type of progesterone-releasing vaginal insert and dose of pLH on embryo production, following a superstimulatory protocol involving fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in Nelore cattle (Bos taurus indicus). Donor heifers and cows (n = 68; 136 superstimulations over 2 years) received an intravaginal, progesterone-releasing insert (CIDR® or DIB®, with 1.9 or 1.0 g progesterone, respectively) and 3-4 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) i.m. at random stages of the estrous cycle. Five days later (designated Day 0), cattle were superstimulated with a total of 120-200 mg of pFSH (Folltropin-V®), given twice daily in decreasing doses from Days 0 to 3. All cattle received two luteolytic doses of PGF2α at 08:00 and 20:00 h on Day 2 and progesterone inserts were removed at 20:00 h on Day 3 (36 h after the first PGF2α injection). Ovulation was induced with pLH (Lutropin-V®, 12.5 or 25 mg, i.m.) at 08:00 h on Day 4 with FTAI 12, 24 and in several cases, 36 h later. Embryos were recovered on Days 11 or 12, graded and transferred to synchronous recipients. Overall, the mean (±S.E.M.) number of total ova/embryos (13.3 ± 0.8) and viable embryos (9.4 ± 0.6) and pregnancy rate (43.5%; 528/1213) did not differ among groups, but embryo viability rate (overall, 70.8%) was higher in donors with a DIB (72.3%) than a CIDR (68.3%, P = 0.007). In conclusion, the administration of pLH 12 h after progesterone removal in a progestin-based superstimulatory protocol facilitated fixed-time AI in Nelore donors, with embryo production, embryo viability and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, comparable to published results where estrus detection and AI was done. Results suggested a possible alternative, which would eliminate the need for estrus detection in donors. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.