Estrogen-alpha and progesterone receptor expression in cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra in the bitch.
Estrogen-alpha receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were examined immunohistochemically in uteri of normal bitches, in uteri of bitches with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-mucometra (CEH-M) and in uteri of bitches with endometritis-pyometra (E-P), under exogenous progesterone treatment. In the CEH-M group, the ER- and PR-scores of all uterine cell types were higher than the ER- and PR-scores of normal uteri, although these differences were not always statistically significant. The ER-scores of E-P group were significantly lower than the ER-scores of the normal uteri and CEH-M group. The PR-scores of the E-P group tended to be higher than the PR-scores of the normal uteri, except for the surface epithelium, although these differences were not statistically significant. Exogenous progesterone treated bitches with CEH-M or E-P showed reduced ER- and PR-scores in the different uterine cell types, compared with the corresponding nontreated CEH-M or E-P group. The differences in ER and PR expression between CEH-M and E-P suggest different factors in the pathogenesis of both entities. Although, these changes in ER and PR expression do not seem to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of CEH-M and E-P. It is suggested that for CEH-M and progestin induced CEH-M a hormone dependent pathway is responsible. For P, the trigger may be bacterial infection.
De Bosschere
H
H
Department of Pathology, Bacteriology & Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. hendrik.debosschere@rug.ac.be
Ducatelle
R
R
Vermeirsch
H
H
Simoens
P
P
Coryn
M
M
D000780:Anestrus; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008686:Metestrus; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*; D013492:Suppuration; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone