Influence Of Pyometra On Hematology, Tissue Structure And Relevant Genes Of Dogs’ Ovary And Uterine

Pyometra is a common clinical obstetrics disease in elderly dogs. It not only damages the reproductive system but also causes harm to other organs and even leads to the death of the sick dogs.The cases are investigated and studied, which were diagnosed in YangZhou University Animal Hospital from 2012 to 2014. There were 23 cases with open-cervix pyometra and 15 cases with closed-cervix type pyometra.18 cases of healthy female dogs, which were administrated with ovariohysterectomy operation, were studied as the control group. Research involved the general clinical materials of pyometra (age of onset, species, body temperature in the first consultation, time between the end of the last estrus and onset, reproductive history, etc.), hematology, sex hormone change, and the histopathological and IHC changes of uterine horn, body and ovary. The gene expression of TLR2, TLR4, ER-a, and PR in reproductive tissue above were detected by qPCR. The results of the research are as follows:The average age of onset of pyometra is 8.63±2.95 years. The incidence of those at the age of over 7 years was as high as 84.21%. Pomeranians and Pekingese more intended to surfer the disease with morbidity as 23.68% and 18.42% respectively. The body temperature of open-cervix pyometra and closed-cervix pyometra were 39.07±0.99 ℃ and 39.03±0.81℃ respectively in the first diagnosis. Most of the sick dogs showed symptoms in two months after estrus. In all the statistical cases,21.11% dogs have the reproductive history, which was lower than that of the dogs without reproductive history.Peripheral blood and uterine vein blood were collected to conduct hematological and serum sex hormone tests. The results as follows:In closed-cervix type pyometra group, the numbers, including leukocytes, monocytes, and neutrophilic granulocytes, were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01)The average MCV in the group of pyometra was lower than that in the control group with significant difference (P<0.05). The average MCV in the group of pyometra was lower than that in the control group with a extremely significant difference (P<0.01).The level of estrogen in peripheral and uterine blood were as follows:Closed-cervix type pyometra group was highest, other was open-cervix pyometra gourp, control group was lowest..In serum of the uterine blood,derived from closed-cervix type pyometra group, the level of estrogen was extremely significantly higher than that in control group (P< 0.01). Changes of progesterone in peripheral blood was similar to that in uterine blood, which was significantly higher than control group (P< 0.05).Histopathological change of the uterus and ovary of the dogs with pyometra:Pyometra happened usually with CHE. Lamina propria of uterine horns thickens with uterine glands dilation. The epithelium of the uterine glands was destroyed when extremely dilation, and the cavities of glands were filled with leukocytes and secretory proteins. Plenty of WBC gathered around the endometriums and some epithelial cells developed necrosis and shed. Congestion of blood vessel in muscular layer was sometimes observed.The results of protein detection were as follows:ER expression in muscular layers of uterine body and ovary was lower, but increased in stroma of endometrium and uterine horn glands. PR expression in muscular layers of uterine horn and body was lower, but increased in endometrium and ovary. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in uterine body, horn and ovary in dogs with pyometra were higher than that in control group, but no significant difference was observed.Compared with the healthy dogs, the relative expression of TLR2 gene in ovarian tissues was significantly higher in the open-cervix pyometra group (P<0.05), and in the close-cervix pyometra group extremely significantly increased (P<0.01). In the uterus horn tissue, TLR2 in close-cervix pyometra group was extremely significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01).The relative expression of TLR4 gene in uterus horn and ovary in close-cervix pyometra group was extremely significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01), and that in the ovary of open group significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The relative expression of ER-α gene in horn of uterus of the open group was significantly higher (P<0.05)and that in close-cervix, pyometra group was extremely significantly higher(P<0.01) than that in control group. The relative expression of PR gene in uterine horn of the open-cervix group was significantly higher (P<0.05)and that in close-cervix pyometra group was extremely significantly higher(P<0.01) than that in control group.Conclusion:In clinic, canine pyometra may cause the increase of the WBC, estradiol andprogesterone, and the damage of renal function. CHE was obvious and often observed in pathological change, and persistent corpus luteum or ovarian cyst were found in the ovaries. The relative expression of gene and protein gene expression of TLR2, TLR4, ER, and PR increased in the two pyometra groups in some extent.