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A Preliminary Study on the Interplay between the Serum Levels of Neurotransmitters and Thyroid Hormones for the Evaluation of the Behavioral Phenotype of Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030411. [PMID: 36766302 PMCID: PMC9913781 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A total of 112 dogs (49 males and 63 females) belonging to different breeds (i.e., Boxer, Cirneco dell'Etna, Fonni's Dog, Labrador, Crossbreed, German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Shar-Pei, Yorkshire) were analyzed to compare the serum concentration of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, prolactin, beta-endorphins, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and assess whether these parameters can be correlated with the behavioral phenotype of the investigated breeds. T4 was above or below the threshold in 61% and 14% of dogs, respectively; T3, in contrast, 41% of dogs showed values below the limit, while 26% above it. TSH was within the reference range in 58% of dogs; 94% of the dogs had prolactin in the reference range and only five animals showed values above the limit. For beta-endorphins, 49% of dogs had values above the limit, while 46% had values within the reference range. Serotonin and dopamine values below physiological limits were found in 62% and 70% of dogs, respectively. Finally, 61% of the dogs showed norepinephrine values within the reference range. The study confirmed that the assessment of the serum values of hormones and neurotransmitters in dogs could be useful to better understand the behavioral phenotype of the animal and could be useful for breeders and trainers for the selection of the most suitable subjects for specific tasks.
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Schäfer-Somi S. Diseases of the Canine Prostate Gland. Vet Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.105835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In dogs, the most frequent diseases of the prostate gland are benign prostate gland hyperplasia (BPH), acute and chronic prostatitis, squamous metaplasia, and prostate tumors. New diagnostic tools comprise diagnostic markers in the blood and urine, as well as advanced imaging methods. The therapy can be initialized with the 5α-reductase-inhibitor finasteride or an anti-androgenic compound, and prolonged with a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH)-agonist such as deslorelin. In case of prostatitis, effective antibiotics must be applied for weeks. Antibiotics must be able to penetrate into the prostate tissue; fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, and erythromycin are good choices and are in addition effective against mycoplasms. The chronical prostatitis cannot be differentiated from a neoplasia by sonography; a biopsy, histological, and bacteriological examination are required. Tumors of the prostate gland are seldom and mostly occur in castrated but in intact dogs. For the final diagnosis, a biopsy must be taken. Partial and total resection of the prostate gland by use of laser technique is possible but coincedes with many side effects and the prognosis is still futile. Immunotherapy combined with NSAIDs, targeted noninvasive thermotherapy, BRAF gene inhibitors, or prostate artery chemoembolization are promising methods.
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Mengoli M, Oliva JL, Mendonça T, Chabaud C, Arroub S, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Cozzi A, Pageat P, Bienboire-Frosini C. Neurohormonal Profiles of Assistance Dogs Compared to Pet Dogs: What Is the Impact of Different Lifestyles? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092594. [PMID: 34573561 PMCID: PMC8466048 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dogs are currently involved in various roles in our society beyond companionship. The tasks humans assign to them impact their daily life and can sometimes create stressful situations, possibly jeopardizing their welfare. For example, assistance dogs need to manage their emotions in various challenging situations and environments. Thus, the capacity to cope with emotional stress is highly desirable in assistance dogs (~40% of assistance dogs fail to complete their education program). The emotional and stress responses are guided by brain processes involving neuromodulators. Neurohormonal profiling of these dogs can: (i) give cues about their emotional suitability to fulfill an assistance role; (ii) enhance their selection; and (iii) help to assess and improve their welfare state during the training course. We compared basal blood levels of three neuromodulators of interest between two populations, assistance vs. pet dogs. We found significantly different concentrations of oxytocin, a neuromodulator involved in social behavior. Levels of prolactin, a putative marker of chronic stress, were higher (although not statistically significant) and variable in assistance dogs. Dogs’ age also seemed to influence the various neuromodulators levels. These findings highlight the impact of different lifestyles undergone by dogs and the possibility to use neurohormonal profiling to monitor their effect on the dogs’ welfare and stress state. Abstract Assistance dogs must manage stress efficiently because they are involved in challenging tasks. Their welfare is currently a fundamental issue. This preliminary study aimed to compare assistance dogs (AD; n = 22) with pet dogs (PD; n = 24), using blood neuromodulator indicators to help find biomarkers that can improve the AD breeding, selection, training, and welfare monitoring. Both populations originated from different breeds, are of different ages, and had different lifestyles. Basal peripheral concentrations of prolactin (PRL), serotonin (5-HT), free (fOT) and total (tOT) oxytocin were measured by immunoassays. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess the effect of activity, age, sex, and their interactions on these parameters. Correlations between neurohormonal levels were analyzed. No interactions were significant. fOT and tOT concentrations were significantly influenced by age (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively) and dogs’ activity (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0277, respectively). A tendency was observed for age effect on PRL (p = 0.0625) and 5-HT (p = 0.0548), as well as for sex effect on tOT (p = 0.0588). PRL concentrations were heterogenous among AD. fOT and tOT were significantly but weakly correlated (Pearson’s r = 0.34; p = 0.04). Blood prolactin, serotonin, and oxytocin may represent biomarkers to assess workload and chronic stress-related responses in ADs and eventually improve their selection and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Mengoli
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
- Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare Centre (CECBA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Jessica L. Oliva
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Tiago Mendonça
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
- Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare Centre (CECBA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Camille Chabaud
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Sana Arroub
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Céline Lafont-Lecuelle
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Alessandro Cozzi
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Patrick Pageat
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
- Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare Centre (CECBA), 84400 Apt, France
| | - Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
- Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), 84400 Apt, France; (M.M.); (J.L.O.); (T.M.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (C.L.-L.); (A.C.); (P.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-490-750-618
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Werhahn Beining F, Schmicke M, Wilkens M, Wolf K, Rohn K, Günzel-Apel AR. An investigation on the relevance of prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25-OHD 3 ) in canine benign prostatic hyperplasia in a predisposed breed model. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1493-1503. [PMID: 34015193 PMCID: PMC8464227 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3 ) were analysed to investigate their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For this, dogs of the Rhodesian Ridgeback (RR) breed were used because of a verified breed disposition for the development of BPH. Labrador Retrievers (LR) served as controls. The prostate gland status was characterised by the prostate gland volume, clinical signs of BPH (haemospermia and sonographic findings) and the plasma concentration of canine prostate-specific arginine esterase (CPSE). Breed specificity in the RR was expressed by a correlation of PRL with breed (p < 0.05). Similar relationships existed in the dogs with normal CPSE (CPSEn) with respect to the IGF-1 concentrations (LR: p < 0.05). The latter were negatively correlated with prostatic volume and age (both p < 0.05). Concentrations of 25-OHD3 were tendentially (p = 0.18) lower in the RR with increased CPSE (CPSEi) compared with the CPSEn LR and RR showing clinical signs of BPH. A negative correlation between serum 25-OHD3 and age (p < 0.05) existed in the CPSEi RR. Proof of 25-OHD3 in prostatic secretion proved to be a breed specific feature in the RR (p < 0.0001). For all RR dogs showing clinical signs of BPH, a close to significant (p = 0.06) positive correlation with prostate gland volume was found. The results of the present study reveal no clear hints towards the significance of PRL and IGF-1 in the pathogenesis of canine BPH. In the RR breed there were indications of a causal relationship with age-dependent changes in the vitamin D metabolism. The data suggest the possibility of preventing or treating canine BPH by administering vitamin D or substances involved in the intraprostatic vitamin D metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Werhahn Beining
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marion Schmicke
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mirja Wilkens
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karola Wolf
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl Rohn
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne-Rose Günzel-Apel
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine - Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Quartuccio M, Fazio E, Medica P, Cristarella S, Emmanuele G, Sinagra L, Liotta L. Correlation between sperm parameters and circulating thyroid hormones and testosterone concentrations in Labrador Retriever dog. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.1911695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Quartuccio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Esterina Fazio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Medica
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Santo Cristarella
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Sinagra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Liotta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Gutiérrez J, Gazzano A, Pirrone F, Sighieri C, Mariti C. Investigating the Role of Prolactin as a Potential Biomarker of Stress in Castrated Male Domestic Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E676. [PMID: 31547279 PMCID: PMC6770094 DOI: 10.3390/ani9090676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin has been recently regarded as a potential biomarker of both acute and chronic stress in several species. Since only few studies until now have focussed on domestic dogs, this study was aimed at evaluating whether prolactin, cortisol and stress behaviour correlated with each other in sheltered dogs. Both cortisol and prolactin analysis were performed in serum samples through a hormone-specific ELISA kit. For each dog, a stress score was calculated by summing the number of occurrences of stress-related behaviours. The presence/absence of fear during the time spent in the collection room was also scored for each individual. Results revealed a weak negative correlation between cortisol and prolactin levels. Neither of the hormones was correlated with the stress score, nor did their values seem to be influenced by showing fear in the collection room. The weak negative correlation found between cortisol and prolactin values agrees with results obtained in other studies, indicating that prolactin response might be an alternative to cortisol response. This, together with the high serum prolactin levels compared to those reported by other authors for healthy domestic dogs, may indicate that prolactin might be a good biomarker of chronic stress, and although further studies are needed to better understand the potential role of prolactin in the evaluation of canine welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jara Gutiérrez
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (C.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Angelo Gazzano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (C.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Federica Pirrone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Milano, 26900 Milan, Italy;
| | - Claudio Sighieri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (C.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Mariti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.G.); (C.S.); (C.M.)
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Gutiérrez J, Gazzano A, Torracca B, Meucci V, Mariti C. Determination of Prolactin in Canine Saliva: Is it Possible to Use a Commercial ELISA kit? Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E418. [PMID: 31277511 PMCID: PMC6680982 DOI: 10.3390/ani9070418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolactin has been reported to be a remarkable index of stress response, both acute and chronic, in several species. The use of biological matrixes other than blood is receiving increasing interest in the study of hormones, due to the lower invasiveness in collection. This research aimed to investigate the possibility of using a commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit for measuring canine prolactin in blood for the quantification of canine prolactin in saliva. Study 1 consisted of a validation protocol, using saliva samples collected from lactating and non-lactating dogs. Study 2 was conducted to investigate a possible correlation between prolactin concentration in saliva and plasma in sheltered dogs by using the same kit. Prolactin values were reliably read only when they came from blood samples, not from saliva, but tended to be low in most of the cases. Study 1 showed that saliva had a matrix effect. In study 2, saliva prolactin levels were low and in 42.9% of cases, not readable. No correlation between prolactin values in plasma and saliva was found (ρ=0.482; p=0.274). These findings suggested that the determination of prolactin in dog saliva through an ELISA kit created for measuring prolactin in dog blood was unreliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jara Gutiérrez
- Dipartimento di ScienzeVeterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Angelo Gazzano
- Dipartimento di ScienzeVeterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Torracca
- Dipartimento di ScienzeVeterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Meucci
- Dipartimento di ScienzeVeterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Mariti
- Dipartimento di ScienzeVeterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Hagen-Plantinga EA, Bosch G, Hendriks WH. Felinine excretion in domestic cat breeds: a preliminary investigation. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2013; 98:491-6. [PMID: 23819478 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine possible differences in felinine excretion between domesticated cat breeds. For this purpose, urine was collected from a total of 83 privately owned entire male cats from eight different breeds in the Netherlands during the period of November 2010 till November 2011. In the collected samples, free felinine and creatinine concentrations were measured. Free felinine concentrations were expressed relative to the urinary creatinine concentration to compensate for possible variations in renal output. The mean (±SD) felinine:creatinine (Fel:Cr) ratio as measured over all cats was 0.702 (±0.265). Both the Abyssinian and Sphynx breeds showed the highest Fel:Cr ratio (0.878 ± 0.162 and 0.878 ± 0.341 respectively) which significantly differed from the ratios of the British Shorthairs (0.584 ± 0.220), Birmans (0.614 ± 0.266), Norwegian Forest cats (0.566 ± 0.296) and Siberian cats (0.627 ± 0.124). The Fel:Cr ratios of the Persians (0.792 ± 0.284) and Ragdolls (0.673 ± 0.256) showed no statistical difference with either of the other breeds. A significant proportion of the observed variation between the different feline breeds could be explained by hair growth, as both hair growth and felinine production compete for available cysteine. Shorthaired and hairless cat breeds generally showed a higher Fel:Cr ratio compared to longhaired cat breeds, with the exception of Persian cats. Further research is warranted to more closely study the effect of hair growth on felinine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Hagen-Plantinga
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Wolf K, Kayacelebi H, Urhausen C, Piechotta M, Mischke R, Kramer S, Einspanier A, Oei CHY, Günzel-Apel A. Testicular Steroids, Prolactin, Relaxin and Prostate Gland Markers in Peripheral Blood and Seminal Plasma of Normal Dogs and Dogs with Prostatic Hyperplasia. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 47 Suppl 6:243-6. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Wolf
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - H Kayacelebi
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - C Urhausen
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - M Piechotta
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - R Mischke
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - S Kramer
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
| | - A Einspanier
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Leipzig; Leipzig; Germany
| | - CHY Oei
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Utrecht; Utrecht; The Netherlands
| | - A Günzel-Apel
- University of Veterinary Medicine; Hannover; Germany
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Michel E, Rohrer Bley C, Kowalewski MP, Feldmann SK, Reichler IM. Prolactin--to be reconsidered in canine mammary tumourigenesis? Vet Comp Oncol 2012; 12:93-105. [PMID: 22738741 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5829.2012.00337.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammary tumours represent the most common neoplastic disease of the female dog, and the incidence in female dogs is much higher than in women. Whereas the influence of sexual steroids on breast cancer (BC) development in dogs has been studied, very little is known about the role of prolactin (PRL). New studies show that until recently, the importance of PRL in human BC development and progression has been highly underestimated. PRL plays a role in promoting benign as well as malignant neoplastic cell growth in BC in vitro and in vivo. Sporadic publications proposed a tumour promotor role in the dog. The goal of this review is to summarize our knowledge about PRL and human BC as well as canine mammary tumourigenesis, and propose future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Michel
- Section of Small Animal Reproduction, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Expression of prolactin receptors in normal canine mammary tissue, canine mammary adenomas and mammary adenocarcinomas. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:72. [PMID: 22647582 PMCID: PMC3488549 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mammary tumors represent the most common neoplastic disease in female dogs. Recently, the promoting role of prolactin (PRL) in the development of human breast carcinoma has been shown. Possible proliferative, anti-apoptotic, migratory and angiogenic effects of PRL on human mammary cancer cells in vitro and in vivo were suggested. The effects of PRL are mediated by its receptor, and alterations in receptor expression are likely to play a role in tumor development. Currently, not much data is available about prolactin receptor (PRLR) expression in canine mammary tumors. To set the basis for investigations on the role of PRL in mammary tumorigenesis in this species, prolactin receptor expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative real time PCR and immunohistochemistry on 10 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples each of canine non-neoplastic mammary tissue, mammary adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Results The highest PRLR expression levels were found in normal mammary tissue, while adenomas, and to an even higher degree adenocarcinomas, showed a significant decrease in prolactin receptor expression. Compared to normal tissue, PRLR mRNA was reduced 2.4 fold (p = 0.0261) in adenomas and 4.8 fold (p = 0.008) in adenocarcinomas. PRLR mRNA expression was significantly lower in malignant than in benign lesions (p = 0.0165). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated PRLR expression in all three tissue types with signals mostly limited to epithelial cells. Conclusions Malignant transformation of mammary tissue was associated with a decline in prolactin receptor expression. Further studies are warranted to address the functional significance of this finding.
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Chapin RE, Creasy DM. Assessment of circulating hormones in regulatory toxicity studies II. Male reproductive hormones. Toxicol Pathol 2012; 40:1063-78. [PMID: 22552397 DOI: 10.1177/0192623312443321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
When test article-related testicular toxicity or Leydig cell tumors are identified in nonclinical studies, the measurement of circulating hormones such as luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin, testosterone, or prolactin is often considered in order to aid mechanistic investigations or to identify potential biomarkers in man. Although some hormone levels are relatively constant, others are subject to wide variability owing to pulsatility of secretion, diurnal rhythms, and stress. To avoid being misled, it is important that this variation is factored into any study design that includes hormone measurements. Since all these possibilities start from the pathologist's reading of the tissue sections, we begin with a review of the morphologic changes that are tied to underlying alterations in hormones. We then provide the reader with basic information and representative hormone data, including coefficients of variation, for the major male reproductive hormones in the three main nonclinical species (rats, dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys). Power and probability tables for rats and dogs allow estimates of the number of animals or samples needed to provide a given likelihood of detecting a hormonal change of a given size. More importantly, we highlight the variability of this process and the real value in readers developing this information at their own site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Chapin
- Pfizer Global R&D, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Center of Expertise, Groton, CT 06340, USA.
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