Companion animals, including bitches, may be exposed to zearalenone (ZEN) toxins that are often present in feed, and ZEN intoxication may lead to ovarian dysfunction. This study involved evaluation of the degree of ZEN-induced hypo stimulation of ovary by determination of proliferative and apoptotic indices and description of the ultra-structural organization of ovarian follicles in pre-pubertal bitches subjected to experimental, long-term exposure to low-dose ZEN mycotoxicosis. The experiment involved 30 clinically healthy, immature Beagle bitches aged approximately 70 days with initial average body weight of 8 kg, randomly divided into three groups of 10 animals each: two experimental groups (EI and EII) and a control group (C). Over a period of 42 days, ZEN was administered per os to EI animals at a dose of 50 microg/kg BW, and to EII bitches at a dose of 75 microg/kg BW. Control group animals were fed placebo containing no ZEN for 42 days. Analytical samples of the mycotoxin were administered daily in gelatin capsules before morning feeding. All the bitches were subjected to ovario-hysterectomy at the end of the experiment. Proliferation index (PCNA method) and apoptotic index (TUNEL test) values were determined by immune-histological analyses. The median for apoptotic index was determined at 13.45 for group EI, 17.84 for group EII, and 8.59 for group C. The median for proliferation index was determined at 35.25 for group EII, 42.44 for group EI, and 70.60 for group C. The results of ultra-structural examinations of the ovaries revealed that experimental, ZEN-induced hyperestrogenism enhanced apoptosis and lowered the proliferative ability of follicular cells what contributed to organelle destruction in pre-pubertal bitches. The changes observed were particularly advanced in EII animals, which were administered a higher dose of ZEN.

The effect of experimental low zearalenone intoxication on ovarian follicles in pre-pubertal bitches.

Two hundred and thirty cases of primary ovarian carcinoma derived from the surface epithelium of the ovary were reviewed over a 30-year period ending in 1960. Of these, 37 (16%) were classified as endometrioid and 12 (5%) as clear cell carcinomas. The 5- and 10-year survival for patients with endometrioid carcinoma was 46% and 37%, respectively, and for those with clear cell carcinoma, 27% and 18%, respectively. Factors which proved to be quite useful in predicting the behavior of endometrioid carcinoma were the stage and grade of the tumor; the “purity” was of limited value. Stage I patients had a 69% and 63%, 5- and 10-year survival; there were no Stage III and IV survivors. Patients with low-grade tumors had a better prognosis than those with high-grade tumors and those with “pure” tumors had a more favorable prognosis than those with “mixed” tumors. In analyzing clear cell carcinoma, it was noted that the stage was crucial since in those patients with tumor confined to the ovary the 5- and 10-year survival was 50% compared to the overall survival of 27% and 18%. Our group of patients with endometrioid carcinoma was then combined with other series of endometrioid carcinoma reported in the literature over the past 10 years in order to put the statistics into clearer perspective. The mean incidence thus obtained was 18% and the mean 5-year survival, 47%. Lastly, the histogenesis of clear cell carcinoma was studied in relation to endometriosis and endometrioid carcinoma. Four cases (11%) of endometrioid carcinoma were closely associated with and one case (8%) of clear cell carcinoma developed from endometriosis. The finding of clear cells mixed with all types of primary carcinoma of the ovary derived from the surface epithelium makes it appear that clear cell carcinoma, like endometrioid carcinoma, may on occasion develop from endometriosis but that more often it arises de novo from the surface epithelium of the ovary. Therefore, despite its relatively high association with endometriosis, the frequent combination of clear cell elements mixed with other primary ovarian carcinoma and its somewhat different prognosis lead us to conclude that clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas are related but distinct entities.

Endometrioid and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary

Role of hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase type 1 in reproductive tissues and hormone-dependent diseases

The quality of sea urchin gonad is important to consumers with high standards for nutrition and taste. However, few studies have been conductedon the molecular mechanisms that determine the quality of male and female sea urchins. In this study, our goal was to understand the differences and characteristics of gonad quality between sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) males and females. The transcriptomes of males and females were obtained, with totals of 43,797,146 and 56,222,782 raw reads, respectively, comprising 128,979 transcripts and 85,745 unigenes. After comparative transcriptome analysis, a total of 6736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the males and females were identified, of which 2950 genes were up-regulated and 3786 genes were down-regulated in males. We compared the expression of twelve DEGs with significant differences their expression levels and functional annotations to confirm the reliability of the RNA-Seq data. Five DEGs related to gonadal quality were found through enrichment analysis of KEGG pathways: 17β-HSD8, PGDH, FAXDC2, C4MO, and PNPLA7. Our study analyzes genes related to the taste and flavor of sea urchin gonads among the sexes and provides reference sequences and fundamental information concerning the nutrition and taste of S. intermedius gonads.

https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/7/4/152/pdf?version=1656232157

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Testis and Ovary of Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

Multiple drugs

Epidemiological studies have indicated a relationship between gonadal steroid hormones, primarily estrogens, and epithelial ovarian carcinoma. In situ estrogen metabolism and synthesis have been considered to play important roles in the development of the progression of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) are a group of intracellular isozymes catalyzing interconversions between estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1). In the last step of steroidogenesis, 17β-HSD type 1 catalyzes the 17β-reduction and produces E2 from E1. The oxidative enzymes known as types 2, 4, and 8 are potent estrogen-inactivating enzymes that convert E2 to E1. Here we report the immunoexpression of 17β-HSD types 1, 2, 4, and 8 in normal human ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and epithelial ovarian carcinoma. For this study, novel polyclonal antibodies were generated against each type of 17β-HSD. Of the six normal OSE cases investigated, 17β-HSD types 1, 4, and 8, but not type 2, were found in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. In 58 cases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (45 serous, 4 endometrioid, 4 mucinous, and 5 clear cell), estrogen-inactivating 17β-HSDs were commonly found (type 2, 84.5%; type 4, 82.8%; type 8, 86.2%), whereas type 1 was detected in only 10 cases (17.2%). These results indicate that 17β-HSDs may be involved in the protective and/or suppressive effects against the estrogen-dependent proliferation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Immunohistochemical analysis of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isozymes in human ovarian surface epithelium and epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism that causes disorders of blood, bone, and central nervous system as well as hepatosplenomegaly. We present the case of a carrier of Gaucher disease with gestational thrombocytopenia and anemia that required blood transfusion therapy.A 24-year-old Nepalese primipara was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenia at 12 weeks of gestation. Her platelet count had reduced to 30,000/µL at 21 weeks of gestation, and the hemoglobin content reduced to 7.6 g/dL at 27 weeks of gestation. As she did not respond to any medication, blood transfusion was performed. A female infant weighing 2677 g was delivered vaginally at 39 weeks of gestation. On the 78th day of puerperium, the platelet count of the mother recovered to 101,000/µL, and the hemoglobin content recovered to 12.5 g/dL. The infant had convulsions, respiratory depression, wheezing, systemic purpura, and exfoliation of the epidermis at birth. The infant was diagnosed with Gaucher disease at 37 days of age and passed away at 82 days of age. Subsequently, the parents were diagnosed as carriers of Gaucher disease.As carriers of this disease do not usually show symptoms, it is imperative to provide information regarding disease management for future pregnancies. 

/pdf/gaucher-disease-carrier-with-gestational-thrombocytopenia-8zbunspf.pdf

Yumiko Taura

Papers

Immunohistochemical analysis of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isozymes in human ovarian surface epithelium and epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Gaucher disease carrier with gestational thrombocytopenia and anemia: a case report