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Cancer is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in humans and is also the leading cause of death in dogs. It is estimated that up to 20 % of human cancers can be explained by environmental exposures to carcinogens. It has been hypothesized that companion animals such as dogs could not only be a model for the complex pathogenic processes of human cancers, but also act as sentinels for environmental carcinogens due to their relative shorter longevity, spontaneous occurrence of tumours, and intimate relationship with our everyday environments. This review aimed to provide the epidemiological evidence on the role of the environment in the development and progression of tumours in the canine species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Liver disease in beef cattle has a significant global economic impact on feedlot and abattoir industries due to reduced animal performance, carcase yield, and carcase quality. This study aimed to create a post-mortem data collection tool which could be deployed at chain speed on an abattoir floor, as well as to evaluate pathological findings in both normal and condemned livers from an Australian beef cattle population. The first 1006 livers were used to formulate a user-friendly, high-throughput liver grading tool for use in an abattoir setting and to evaluate the histological features of common liver abnormalities. Subsequently, over 11,000 livers from a Southeast Queensland abattoir were analyzed. The most observed defects in condemned livers were liver abscessation, fibrosis, adhesions, and liver fluke, with histological features similar to previous reports. Bacterial culture was performed in 29 cases of liver abscessation, revealing a different balance of flora to that reported internationally. This study has developed an easy to use, efficient data collection tool that enables rapid, highly detailed assessment of large numbers of beef cattle livers at slaughter. This tool will allow thorough investigation into the effect of liver disease on beef production, in both industry and research contexts., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an endocrinopathy commonly affecting old horses. It is a spontaneously occurring, progressive disease that is still poorly understood. Previous studies have observed neurodegeneration of the dopaminergic inhibition of melanotrophs, which leads to decreased dopamine (DA) in the pars intermedia (PI) and increased pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides circulating in plasma. However, rats knockout for the dopamine D2 receptor (D2r) similarly develop PI hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Thus, based on the current pathophysiological theory of PPID, whether the decreased DA or the D2r dysfunction leads to PPID is still unclear. To test this, a total of 28 retrospective cases of horses with PPID were collected, graded and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and D2r in the PI were determined. The histological and immunohistochemical results demonstrated that horses with higher tumor histological grades had reduced TH expression with increased D2r immunoreactivity colocalized in the PI (p < 0.001, p < 0.05 respectively). This correlation supports the role of DA in the pathogenesis of continuous unregulated proliferation of neoplastic cells in PI and indicates the efficiency of D2r agonists as a treatment for PPID., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No conflicts of interest occurred to carry out this experiment., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Despite the increased entry of women into the veterinary profession over the past several decades, women remain substantially underrepresented in senior leadership positions. This may include editorial positions at veterinary sciences journals. This study examines the gender distribution of editorships of 143 journals from the Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Reports category of veterinary science. The gender analysis was performed by impact factor, editorial board role, country and publisher. Females were underrepresented in the group of managing editors (32.2% females vs 67.2% males), editors (34.5% females vs 65.1% males) and others (33.3% females vs. 65.4% males). The journal impact factor did not have a significant impact on the proportion of males versus females on the editorial board. The median publisher had 27.5% editorships belonging to women. North America Europe and Oceania showed the greatest representation of women on editorial boards. Our findings provide the first measure of gender distribution on editorial boards in the veterinary sciences and may stimulate a discussion on the current situation of women in academic positions and, in particular, on editorial boards. Further research should investigate the underlying causes contributing to this aspect of gender inequality and identify possible strategies to encourage a greater participation of women to editorial boards., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to characterise T and B lymphocyte density in 6 normal prostates, 15 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 24 prostate carcinomas (PCs) in dogs by immunohistochemistry. Results revealed a statistically significant increase of T and B cells in PC compared to normal specimens and BPH. Regarding PC histological variants, lower number of CD3 + and CD79 + lymphocytes were observed in the most undifferentiated (solid) type. CD3 + cell density was positively correlated with survival time. These results may help in understanding the immunological mechanisms regulating BPH and PC development and progression, as well as providing background data for future immunotherapeutic trials., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Studies documenting the application of ultrasonography to depict normal and pathological changes in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), especially in the male, are scarce. Sixty-two wild koalas were used in this study to define ultrasonographic protocols and features for the assessment of the male koala reproductive tract. Testis, epididymis and spermatic cord were examined using a hockey stick transducer. The normal koala testis showed a homogeneous echogenicity and an obvious hyper-echoic band corresponding to the tunica albuginea. The cauda epididymis was characterised by hypo- and hyper-echoic regions and was most effectively imaged in sagittal section. The koala prostate was assessed using a micro-curved transducer positioned midline, caudal to the bladder. On transverse section, it showed distinct margins and a well-defined internal structure, although the prostatic urethra was not apparent on most scans. To image the bulbourethral glands (BGs), the hockey stick transducer was placed lateral to the cloaca. BGIII was located just below the skin, while BGII was located deeper than BGIII. BGI was too small and not sufficiently echogenic to be detected. The ultrasonographic appearance of the BGs was similar to that of the testes but with more obvious hypo-echoic stippling. This comprehensive review of the ultrasonographic appearance of normal male koala reproductive tract can be used by veterinarians and others, in zoos or those working with wild koalas, during assessment of the reproductive tract of male koalas in relation to seasonal changes in accessory gland function or for the pathological investigation of reproductive lesions and infertility problems., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A 7-year-old yellow-bellied slider exhibited anorexia, decreased activity, generalised wasting of skeletal muscles and oedema. Haematology examination revealed increased phosphorus and decreased calcium levels. During necropsy performed after spontaneous death, a focal nodular lesion containing tan amorphous material was found in the left kidney. Histopathology examination revealed multiple cystic lesions lined by a multilayered squamous, occasionally cuboidal, and containing keratin. Epithelial cells and keratin material were cytokeratin-positive. These findings confirmed a diagnosis of the most likely congenital intrarenal epidermoid cysts., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ten normal prostates, 22 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 29 prostate cancer (PC) were morphometrically analyzed with regard to mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND), coefficient of variation of the nuclear area (NACV), mean nuclear diameter maximum (MDx), mean nuclear diameter minimum (MDm), mean nuclear form ellipse (MNFe) and form factor (FF). The relationship between nuclear morphometric parameters and histological type, Gleason score, methods of sample collection, presence of metastases and survival time of canine PC were also investigated. Overall, nuclei from neoplastic cells were larger, with greater variation in nuclear size and shape compared to normal and hyperplastic cells. Significant differences were found between more (small acinar/ductal) and less (cribriform, solid) differentiated PCs with regard to FF (p<0.05). MNA, MNP, MND, MDx, and MDm were significantly correlated with the Gleason score of PC (p<0.05). MNA, MNP, MDx and MNFe may also have important prognostic implications in canine prostatic cancer since negatively correlated with the survival time. Biopsy specimens contained nuclei that were smaller and more irregular in comparison to those in prostatectomy and necropsy specimens and therefore factors associated with tissue sampling and processing may influence the overall morphometric evaluation. The results indicate that nuclear morphometric analysis in combination with Gleason score can help in canine prostate cancer grading, thus contributing to the establishment of a more precise prognosis and patient's management., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study reports the first documented clinical case of a spermatic granuloma and varicocele in a marsupial. Initial clinical presentation included gross morphological changes in the left scrotal cord, epididymis and testis. Ultrasonography of the scrotum and spermatic cord, and gross and histopathological examination after hemicastration, confirmed the condition as a spermatic granuloma affecting the left caput epididymis, with a varicocele in the left proximal spermatic cord, which was causing azoospermia and infertility. Semen quality and serum testosterone secretion following a GnRH challenge was assessed prior to, and following surgery. After hemi-castration, an increase in androgen secretion to within normal reference ranges for the koala was observed with a subsequent increase in semen production and sperm quality resulting in the sire of a pouch young, 12months later., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abnormalities in the retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 tumour suppressor gene have been frequently detected in human and canine cancers, but never investigated in canine prostate cancer, considered a good model for the advanced and aggressive androgen-resistant prostate cancer in men. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Rb and p53 in 6 normal canine prostates, 15 canine prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 10 prostatic carcinomas (PCs). In all normal samples, p53 was expressed in low number of epithelial cells, while a greater number of positive cells were observed in BPH and PC. The mean number of positive cells was statistically significantly higher in PCs than normal and hyperplastic prostates. A cytoplasmic or nucleo-cytoplasmic staining was observed in 5 out of 10 PCs. Rb protein was expressed in high number of normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic cells without a statistically significant differences. Considering that Rb is frequently lost in human prostate cancer, we suggest that Rb is not involved in canine prostatic carcinogenesis. On the other hand, the increased expression of p53 that corresponds to genetic defects in the p53 gene may be associated with the malignant growth of canine prostate cancer, conferring an apoptosis-resistant phenotype., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Gleason grading - the most useful predictor of prognosis for prostate cancer in men - was updated at a 2005 consensus conference by the International Society of Urological Pathology. Since Gleason-like growth patterns have been recognised in dogs, this study aimed to apply the modified Gleason grading to 45 canine prostate carcinomas. A single primary growth pattern was observed in 28 cases, a secondary pattern in 11 cases and a tertiary pattern in 6 cases. Cribriform, solid and small acinar/ductal were the most common primary, secondary and tertiary morphological patterns, respectively. The highest Gleason score (GS10) was obtained in 46.7% of cases. Nine of 14 metastasizing cases were classified as GS10. Gleason pattern 5 was present in 33 of cases. This study suggests that the modified Gleason grading, based on specific histological growth patterns existing in canine prostate carcinomas, may be accepted as a grading system for histopathology in the practice settings in order to complete the clinical assessment for the best management of the patient., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The cytoarchitecture of the endocrine pancreas of 10 raptors (golden eagles, peregrine falcons, Saker falcon, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawk and unspecified falcon) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Three islet types were identified: type A mixed islets composed mainly by glucagon (A)-secreting cells, type B mixed islets with predominantly insulin (B)-secreting cell component and type M mixed islets (type M) consisting of variable number of glucagon-, insulin- and somatostatin (D)-secreting cells. The latter were further characterized into Type I, II or III according to the cell distribution of the three cell types. A and D cells were also randomly scattered within the exocrine pancreas. The results of this study suggest that the classical concept in birds of a segregation of A and B cells in well-defined and distinct islets is not applicable in raptors, reflecting an evolutionary adaptation to different dietary habits and variation in developmental mechanisms., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the frequency and further characterize the pathological features of common and uncommon histological lesions in 111 canine prostatic samples. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, suppurative and non-suppurative prostatitis, and prostate cancer were observed individually or in combination in 45, 11, 68 and 50 samples, respectively. Six growth patterns of prostatic carcinoma were differentiated: papillary, cribriform, solid, small acinar/ductal, signet ring, mucinous. In a few cases, perineurial invasion and collagenous micronodules were observed. Lesions considered preneoplastic in men, such as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and prostatic inflammatory atrophy (PIA), were observed in 27 and 21 histological samples, respectively. This study represents a detailed characterization of the different histological subtypes of canine prostate cancer. The awareness of the unusual patterns might be critical in avoiding diagnostic misinterpretation. The high prevalence of PIA and HGPIN underlines the reasonable chance of their detection in routine biopsy specimens., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This report describes the morphological and immunohistochemical features of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in a 13-year-old Yorkshire dog with a hepatocellular carcinoma and referred for anorexia, lethargy and mild polydipsia. Fine-needle aspirates of the large abdominal mass revealed high number of pleomorphic neoplastic hepatocytes, containing round to polygonal, well-demarcated, hyaline bodies. Same findings were histologically confirmed on multiple biopsies. Immunohistochemically, the inclusion bodies were negative for alpha-1-antitrypsin, carcinoembryonary antigen, fibrinogen, IgG, IgM, cytokeratins 7, 8, 18, 19, 20. By transmission electron microscopy, the cytoplasmic inclusions were composed of granular homogeneous or reticulated electrondense matrix, enclosed within dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum or remnants of its membranes, consistent with proteinaceous material accumulated within neoplastic hepatocytes due to aberrant protein secretion or transport. This is the first detailed characterization of hyaline cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in canine hepatocellular carcinoma., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A female domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) suddenly died with abdominal distension and a large multilobulated mass within the coelomic cavity was found. Histologically and immunohistochemically, a benign mature tridermic teratoma was diagnosed and epithelial structures, cartilage, bone, myxoid tissue, adipocytes, muscle cells, cystic spaces lined by squamous epithelium, feather follicles, melanocytes and variable neural and glial differentiation were recognized. By electron microscopy, desmosomes, keratin bundles, dense core neurosecretory granules, aberrant Z-line material and Luse bodies were found. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tridermic benign intracoelomic teratoma of a duck in which an extensive immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examination has been performed and in which a common neural and glial differentiation has been demonstrated., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper describes the histopathological features and cellular distribution of T lymphocytes (CD3), B cells (CD79), follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and macrophages (alpha-1-antitrypsin, lysozyme) in lymphoid aggregates (Kisselev nodules) found in the lung, kidney and liver of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). The distribution of immunoreactive cells, tested for antibodies, was similar to that found in the cortex of lymph nodes: lymphoid follicles with germinal centers mainly consisting of CD79+ B cells with sparse interfollicular tissue (CD3+ T lymphocytes). This finding and the association of these structures with helminthic infections suggests that local humoral immunity is central to the organism's response to parasitic challenge. The presence of follicular dendritic cells confirms the high degree of organization of these lymphoid-like structures. The role of other pathogenic factors and the induction of chronic inflammatory reaction in these ectopic lymphoid sites is also discussed.