Pathology of the female genital tract Flashcards
ascending infections
at oestrus
postpartum infections
of equine placenta during pregnancy
haematogenous infection
specific infections during pregnancy
descending from ovary
rare, some viral, chlamydial,ureaplasma infections
transneural infection
rare recrudescence of herpesvirus
defence mechanisms - innate immunity
allows for sterile environment for foetus but allows entry of semen
vaginal epithelium
cervical barrier
conformation external genitalia
myometrial tone + contraction of uterus
drainage of secretions
neutrophils, macrophages, complement, cytokines
defence mechanisms - adaptive immuntiy
response to pathogens but tolerate spermatozoa + foetus
humoral immunity - antibodies
cellular immunity - T-lymphocytes
influence of hormones on immunity
better drainage through open cervix at oestrus
pro-inflammotory activity of oestrogen
uterus more susceptible to infection during progestational or luteal phase incl pregnancy
infl with epithelial + mucosal surface loss results in decr PGF2a (no CL lysis)
developmental anomalies/intersex/sexual ambiguity
true hermaphrodism pseudohermaphrodism chimerism tract anomaly ovarian anomaly most infertile
tract anomaly
segmental aplasia
persistent hymen
duplication
ovarian anomalies
agenesis hypoplasia duplication - significant when part of ovarian remnant syndrome vascular hamartoma developmental cysts
acquired ovarian lesions
cysts - follicular, anovulatory luteinised cysts, cystic corpora lutea
follicular cysts/cystic ovarian follicles
failure of mature follicle to ovulate - persistence for >10 days without functional CL
anovulation without luteinisation due to abnormal hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian axis
lack of LH peak - low GnRH or receptors
can be stress/infection
anoestrus or nymphomania
anovulatory luteinised cyst
anovulation with luteinisation of theca
mostly anoestrus
cystic corpora lutea
normal ovulation
ovulation papilla on surface
no infertility
can be confused with luteal cysts
acquired ovarian lesions
cysts - follicular, avonvulatory luteinised, cystic CL
haemorrhages
adhesions
infl - rare
germ cell neoplasia
rare
dysgerminoma - from primative germ cells, smooth surface + commonly areas of haemorrhage/necrosis, mostly benign + undifferentiated
teratoma - from totipotent germ cell with elements of 2-3 germ layers, mostly benign + well differentiated
gonadal stromal neoplasm
granulosa cell tumour - granulosa-theca cell tumours often make steroids, smooth surface with solid or cytic cut surface
thecoma
luteoma
epithelial neoplasm
cytadenoma + cystadenocarcinoma - often bilateral + shaggy surface
esp in bitches
may spread by implantation on peritoneal surfaces ( all ovarian neoplasms)
secondary tumours
lymphomas
mammary carcinomas - bitch
intestinal carcinoma - cow
fallopian tubes - uterine tubes - salphinx - oviduct
hydrosalphinx (congenital or acquired)
phyosalphinx
salpingitis
uterus - physical
torsion
rupture
prolapse
endometrial growth disturbance
Atrophy – Loss of trophic ovarian function, normal atrophy in seasonal anoestrus Polyps Hyperplasia (ewe, bitch, queen)– cystic endometrial hyperplasia in bitch; CEH-pyometra syndrome Mucometra/ Hydrometra – Obstruction (congenital or acquired), excessive fluid production (e.g. with endometrial hyperplasia) Pseudopregnancy - Exaggerated form of physiologic process Subinvolution of placental sites in the bitch - longer than normal persistence of placental sites (> 12 weeks)
endometritis
Limited to uterine mucosa (endometrium) Post service (seminal fluid) Postpartum in particular when dystocia Inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes, plasma cells) into mucosa Mild cases usually self-limiting severe cases can become chronic and fibrous Persistent CL in mare and cow in chronic endometritis Persistent mating induced endometritis in mares `
endometritis - common pathogens in cow
Herpesvirus
Tritrichomonas foetus
Campylobacter foetus ssp venerealis
Others incl. pyogenic cocci and coliformes, T. pyogenes
endometritis - common pathogens in mare
α-haemolytic streptococci Klebsiella pneumonia E.coli Taylorella equigenitalis (CEM) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
metritis
Infl of all layers of uterine wall
More severe + advanced than endometritis
Potentially life threatening due to toxaemia/
septicaemia
Commonly dull congested serosa with “paintbrush”
haemorrhages, thickened oedematous friable uterine wall, yellowish-dark red exudate with foul odour
pyometra in bitch
see other lecture
pyometra in cow
Uterine disease (endometritis/ metritis) predisposes to pyometra
Mostly early postpartum (following endometritis/ metritis)
Various times after breeding (venereal infections)
Persisting CL and high progesterone levels
Functional cervical closure but usually some discharge
few ml-several litres of thick, mucinous cream/gray coloured pus
Rarely systemic signs
haemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, coliforms, Trueperella pyogenes, Pseudomonas
sp; also Tritrichomonas foetus (venereal)
pyometra in sow
trueperella pyogenes
pyometra in mare
Some follow difficult parturitions with infections,
continue cycling during disease, sometimes prolonged
Hormonal influences less important
Mostly no cervical closure (commonly cervical deformity) → discharge
Seldom evidence of systemic disease
Streptococcus zooepidemicus,E.coli, Actinomyces spp, Pasteurella spp, Pseudomonas spp
leiomyoma
uncommon
Mostly in the bitch and benign
– Often multiple also affecting cervix and vagina
– Oestrogens likely involved in provoking and maintaining in bitch
– Usually firm, pink or white; whorled smooth muscle cells
carcinoma (epithelial neoplasia with glandular pattern)
Mainly in cow (found at meat inspection → has to be considered EBL suspect and notifiable)
Mainly in uterine horns
Scirrhous response (fibrous tissues); firm neoplasm
Metastases to regional lymph nodes, lungs and seeding in peritoneum
lymphosarcoma (arising in lymphoid tissue
EBL in the cow → notifiable!
affected organs: heart, abomasum, lymph nodes, uterus
Light yellow, slightly friable
cervix
Anomalies
Degenerative disease – cervix alteration in ewes
exposed to oestrogenic substances
Trauma – parturition, insemination
Infectious disease – concurrence with endometritis or vaginitis
Neoplasms – very rare
vulva + vagina - non-inflammatory diseases
Persistent hymen - anomaly Vaginal septum - anomaly Ruptures Stricture / stenosis Abnormal tumefaction Vaginal hyperplasia/ hypertrophy and/ or prolapse Vaginal cysts Vaginal polyps – common in older bitches
vulva + vagina - inflammatory diseases
Post partum trauma Granular vaginitis/ vulvitis IPV CHV-1 EHV-3 – coital exanthema Dourine – notifiable!
vulva + vagina - neoplasms
Leiomyoma
transmissible venereal tumour
Fibropapilloma
Squamous cell carcinoma of vulva
transmissible venereal tumour
TVT cells have 59 chromosomes
instead of normal 78 in dogs
Transmission by transfer of neoplastic cells during coitus
Nodule formation beneath vaginal mucosa that enlarges
Histo: large, round neoplastic cells with occasional large bizarre nuclei
Vincristine responsive
Metastases in dogs with poor health