The study was performed on 45 bitches in different cycle phases that were divided into the following groups: anoestrus (I, n=15), heat (pro-oestrus (n=7) or estrous (n=8) (II, n=15) and metestrus (III, n=15). Moreover, all experimental dogs were grouped according to their age: younger than 5 years (Y, n=35) and older than 5 years (O, n=10). The endometrial status was evaluated using cytological, bacteriological and biopsy samples obtained after ovariohyster- ectomy.
The main uterine pathology diagnosed by biopsy was endometritis, since 40%–66% of bitches, independent of the experimental group, developed this condition. No significant differences were found among the cycle phase groups (p>0.05). By contrast, significant differences were found in the age groups; the prevalence of this pathology was higher in older bitches (p=0.0019). The general prevalence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and a normal endometrium (NE) was lower (6.7–26.7% vs 26.7–53.3%) in all groups, and no statistically significant differences were found between certain groups (p>0.05). The percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs) in endometrial cytology was generally low (< 2%) and did not differ signifi- cantly among the experimental groups (p=0.142). In general, a low degree of correlation was found between the diagnostic results by endometrial cytology and biopsy (Kappa Coeffi- cient=0.046). Positive bacteriological findings were found in approximately 50% of the bitches, independent of the cycle phase and health status of the endometrium. No correlation was found between the bacteriological and histopathological findings (p=0.883).
In conclusion, uterine cytology is not a reliable diagnostic method to detect the subclinical inflammatory and degenerative uterine pathologies in cyclic bitches.
The aims of the study were to (1) compare the serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) with the number of follicles in ovaries and (2) determine the serum AMH con- centration before and after ovariohysterectomy in dioestrus and anoestrus bitches. Sixteen bitches were divided into two groups: Group I (n=8) consisted of dioestrus and group II (n=8) anoestrus bitches. The blood samples for AMH assesment were taken before ovariohysterectomy (day 0) and on day 1, 5 and 10. Both in group I and II, serum AMH concentrations on day 1 and 5 were significantly different compared to day 0 (p<0.05). However, the concentrations at day 10 were under the minimum detectable concentration (1.0 ng/mL) and this finding revealed that ovaries are the only source of AMH synthesis. Follicle counts were not statistically different between the groups (p>0.05). Significantly positive correlation in serum AMH with secondary follicle num- bers (r=.942, p<0.01), as well as negative correlation with antral follicle numbers (r=-.765, p<0.05) were determined in the group I. In the group II, positive correlations between serum AMH concentration and secondary follicle numbers (r=.960, p<0.01) and early antral follicles (r=.726, p<0.05) were noted. Assesment of AMH concentration seems to not only provide the diagnosis of the presence of ovaries but also correlate with the number of secondary follicles in young dioestrus and anoestrus bitches.