Ovarian tumors in cattle: Case reports

Materials and methods Samples were obtained during routine inspection from Holstein cows proposed to be slaughtered in an abattoir (El-Harrach, Algiers, Algeria). There is no information about the reproductive history and the age of the cows. After macroscopic examination of the ovaries, oviducts, uterus and vagina of each animal, selected tissues of the genital tract were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. During the dissection of the ovaries, the liquid contained in ovarian tumors was aspirated and stored separately at −20°C till analysis. Microscopic examination of the fixed tissues was carried out at the pathological anatomy laboratories of the NHSV (National High School of Veterinary, Algiers, Algeria) and of Douira Hospital (Algiers, Algeria). Sections cut at 3μm thickness were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), and evaluated under a light microscope. Concentration of progesterone, estradiol 17 β and testosterone were assessed by Radio Immuno Assay (RIA) using commercial kits, Immunotech (A Beckman Coulter Company, France). The assay sensitivity was < 6pg/ml for estradiol 17 β, 0.18 pg/ ml for testosterone and 0.05 ng/ml for progesterone. Statistical analysis was conducted using the STATISTICA software (Version 10, Stat Soft France, 2003). Statistical differences in the concentrations of hormonal parameters between ovarian tumors were compared using t-test. Statistical significance was accepted at P <0.05. Introduction Ovarian tumors are common in domestic animals but they are not frequent in cows (Švara et al 2009; DesCôteaux et al 1989). In 20913 routine transrectal palpations, their incidence was less than 0.5%. In another study of 302 bovine tumors, 7% affected the genital tract, including ovaries in 4.3% of the cases (DesCôteaux et al 1989). Ovarian tumors fall generally into three broad categories: surface epithelial tumors, sex cord-gonadostromal tumors, and germ cell tumors (Yener et al 2004). Sex cord-stromal tumors are the most common ovarian neoplasms in cattle (Zachary and Haliburton 1983; Norris et al 1969). These tumors are derived from, or mimic in their growth patterns, constituents of specialized gonadal stroma: cortical and medullary stromal cells, granulosa cells, and theca interna cells ofthe follicular apparatus (Norris et al 1969). Two types of sex cord tumors derived from granulosa cells have been identified: one composed of typical granulosa cells and the other composed of cells with histologic features similar toSertoli cells (Zachary and Haliburton 1983). Sex cord-stromal tumors may produce steroid hormones that may result in either nymphomaniac or virilizing effects on the animal (Zachary and Haliburton 1983; Nielsen et al 1976). The aim of this study was to identify the different types of bovine ovarian tumors existing in an Algerian local abattoir. In addition, to establish a better characterization of these tumors, morphopathological exams and hormonal tests were also performed. Abstract. This study aimed to identify bovine ovarian tumors in a local abattoir in Algeria. Histopathological and hormonal evaluations were performed to characterize the type of ovarian tumor and to determine which hormone was secreted by the animal.The obtained data after microscopic examination of ovarian tumor tissues indicated that in two cases it was granulosa cell tumor (GCT). The first GCT showed a trabecular pattern with many metastases. The second GCT showed microfollicular pattern and Call Exner Bodies which confirmed the benign aspect of this neoplasm. The third tumor was Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. In this case, the neoplasm contained tubules lined by Sertoli cells and interstitial clusters of Leydig cells. The last identified tumor was a simple cystadenoma with multilocular aspect. The liquid contained in the two GCT showed high levels of progesterone while estrogen and testosterone concentrations were low. In contrast, cystadenoma was without noticeable functional activity. In conclusion, this study reports four ovarian tumors in cows with different patterns. To our knowledge, this is likely the first report of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of ovary in cows.