The cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex in the bitch

Dow, Charles (1960) The cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex in the bitch. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The thesis consists of two parts. The first is a clinical and pathological description of the cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex in the bitch; the second is a study of the experimental reproduction of the various forms of the disease. The survey of the cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex revaled that it is a disease of the older, nulliparous bitch which may become clinically manifest as an endometritis during the metoestral phase of the oestrus cycle. It the was possible to divide the cases into four broad groups on a histological basis. A gradation of histological changes could be traced from uncomplicated cystic glandular hyperplasia of the endometrium through acute endometritis. It was possible to correlate ovarian changes with those in the endometrium. Uncomplicated cystic glandular hyperplasia was observed at all stages of the cycle. In acute endometritis, the morphological appearance of the corpora lutea indicated that they were always active even at a stage in the cycle when they should normally have regressed. The plasma cell lesion was observed only in association with regressing corpora lutea. In the majority of the chronic cases, the corpora lutea had regressed though a few appeared active long after the normal period of regression. It is concluded from this survey that the aetiology and pathogenesis of the cystic hyperplasia-pyometra complex are intimately to the functional state of the ovaries; a contention supported by a series of experiments to study the effects of ovarian hormones on the endometrium of the ovariectomised bitch. Oestrogens in daily doses of 5 mg-25 mg. for periods up to 40 days failed to produce cystic glandular hyperplasia of the endometrium was produced. Since the natural disease requires several oestrus cycles in which to develop, it appeared essential to stimulate these by altermate treatment with oestrogen and progesterone. The first type of cycle used consisted of 10 daily injections of 5 mg. of stilboestrol dipropionate followed by 20 daily injections of 10 mg. of progesterone. The degree of cyctic glandular hyperplasia produced after four cycles of this type was comparable to that occurring in natural cases. The histological picture became complicated by increased collagen deposition and uterine fibrosis if the number of cycles was increased. Acute endometritis was produced by increasing the progesterone dosage from 10 mg. to 50 mg. per day during the sixth cycle in the animal. Using cycles in which the progesterone dose was 25 mg. per day, cystic glandular hyperplasia was produced after two cycles and acute endometritis supervened after four cycles. If progesterone was withheld there was relief of symptoms and spontaneous discharge of the uterine contents. The acute inflammatory reaction in the endometrium regressed and was replaced by plasma cell infiltrate. It was possible to reproduce the severe form of chronic endometritis by a combination of hormonal treatment and surgical interference uterine drainage. The pathogenetic and aetiological implications of these experiments are discussed in relation to the naturally occurring disease in the bitch.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: W I Weipers
• Keywords: Veterinary science
• Date of Award: 1960
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1960-73838
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73838