Prapaiwan N, Manee-In S, Olanratmanee E, Srisuwatanasagul S
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Theriogenology. 2017 Feb;89:131-139. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.10.016. Epub 2016 Oct 21.
Canine pyometra is considered a serious and life-threatening condition. Due to the relationship among sex steroid hormones, oxytocin receptor (OTR) expression, and canine pyometra pathogenesis, this study aimed to investigate the expression of oxytocin, progesterone, and estrogen receptors in the reproductive tissues of canines with pyometra by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. A total of 27 pyometra bitches were classified into open- and closed-cervix pyometra groups based on the presence of vaginal discharge. Moreover, 15 normal bitches in the luteal phase served as a control group. The results showed that OTR gene expression in the ovary of pyometra bitches was higher than that of normal bitches, whereas the level of OTR gene expression in the cervix of pyometra bitches was less than that of normal bitches (P < 0.05). Conversely, a lower OTR H-score in ovarian follicles was observed in pyometra bitches compared with normal bitches, whereas a higher percentage of OTR-positive immunostaining in uteri and cervices were found in pyometra bitches compared with normal bitches (P < 0.05). Moreover, the H-scores of estrogen receptor alpha in uteri and cervices of pyometra bitches were less than that of normal bitches (P < 0.05). However, the localization of the OTR and sex steroid receptors between groups of pyometra bitches was not different. Our findings suggest that pyometra pathogenesis is associated with a change in expression of OTR and sex steroid receptors in the canine reproductive tract. However, cervical dilation in bitches with pyometra was not influenced by the expression of OTR and sex steroid receptors.
犬子宫蓄脓被认为是一种严重的、危及生命的病症。由于性类固醇激素、催产素受体（OTR）表达与犬子宫蓄脓发病机制之间的关系，本研究旨在通过实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）和免疫组织化学法，研究患子宫蓄脓犬生殖组织中催产素、孕酮和雌激素受体的表达情况。根据是否有阴道分泌物，将总共27只患子宫蓄脓的母犬分为开放型子宫颈子宫蓄脓组和封闭型子宫颈子宫蓄脓组。此外，选取15只处于黄体期的正常母犬作为对照组。结果显示，子宫蓄脓母犬卵巢中的OTR基因表达高于正常母犬，而子宫蓄脓母犬子宫颈中的OTR基因表达水平低于正常母犬（P < 0.05）。相反，与正常母犬相比，子宫蓄脓母犬卵巢卵泡中的OTR H评分较低，而与正常母犬相比，子宫蓄脓母犬子宫和子宫颈中OTR阳性免疫染色的比例更高（P < 0.05）。此外，子宫蓄脓母犬子宫和子宫颈中雌激素受体α的H评分低于正常母犬（P < 0.05）。然而，子宫蓄脓母犬组之间OTR和性类固醇受体的定位并无差异。我们的研究结果表明，子宫蓄脓的发病机制与犬生殖道中OTR和性类固醇受体表达的变化有关。然而，患子宫蓄脓母犬的子宫颈扩张不受OTR和性类固醇受体表达的影响。
