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OBJECTIVES Strain elastography is a novel method to assess the elasticity of tissues. We aimed to evaluate the value of vaginal strain elastography in women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). METHODS Women with or without VVA were enrolled in this prospective study. Participants underwent vaginal cytology and vaginal wall elastography. Vaginal Health Index (VHI) was calculated. Based on Vaginal Maturation Value (VMV), participants were divided into atrophic and nonatrophic groups. Elastography parameters of the vaginal walls were measured in nine regions of interest (ROI). Elastography Index (EI) was defined by the average color score of nine ROIs. Groups were compared with unpaired t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Pearson correlation was used to determine the strength of association between EI and selected parameters. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the association between EI and age, VMV, and vaginal atrophy. RESULTS Ten women were diagnosed with VVA, and twenty had no cytological signs of vaginal atrophy (age-range 38-79 y). VHI score was significantly lower in the atrophic group (mean ± SD, 9.4 ± 2.011 vs 16.6 ± 4.22, P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Most recently vaginal laser treatment was introduced as a new option for women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginal dryness. Our objective was to assess the effects of intravaginal CO2 laser treatment on vaginal cytology. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two women with symptoms of vaginal dryness were enrolled and underwent vaginal laser treatment using a fractional CO2 laser. Patients received three vaginal laser treatments 4 weeks apart. Vaginal cytology was obtained before the first treatment and 4 weeks after each additional treatment. Vaginal dryness was assessed by using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS Out of the 52 women enrolled, 34 were in menopause. Postmenopausal women had significantly lower vaginal maturation values (VMV) compared with premenopausal women at the baseline visit (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 42 ± 23 vs. 68 ± 13, P

Female primates signal impending ovulation with a suite of sexual signals. Studies of these signals have focussed on visual, and to a lesser extent, acoustic signals, neglecting olfactory signals. We aimed to investigate the information content of female olfactory signals in captive olive baboons (Papio anubis) and relate these to the female fertile period. We studied eight adult females living in four groups at the CNRS Station de Primatologie, Rousset-sur-Arc, France. We used vaginal cytology to detect ovulation. We investigated the volatile component of odour signals using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found a total of 74 volatile compounds, of which we tentatively identified 25, including several ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, volatile fatty acids and hydrocarbons that have been identified in odour profiles of other primates. Our results show that vaginal odour intensity differs with sexual cycle stage suggesting that odour might play a role in signalling female baboon fertility. We found differences in vaginal odour between females living in all-female and in mixed sex groups but we could not distinguish the effects of group composition, female age and identity. This study of olfactory signalling improves our understanding of how female primates advertise their sexual receptivity.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:55:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-22 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) EMBRAPA Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) The possibility of using cervical mucus and vaginal cytology as tools to predict ovulation time was assessed in 11 ewes and 11 does raised under tropical conditions. Every 12 h from progesterone removal to ovulation, estrus behavior, cervical mucus, vaginal cytology, and ovarian ultrasound exams were performed. In goats, vaginal cytology had 88% of accuracy on detecting the ovulation time. However, in sheep, there was no cell pattern in the vaginal cytology and cervical mucus varied at ovulation. In conclusion, both vaginal cytology and mucus evaluation may be useful tools to determine the ovulation time in goats; however, both strategies are less accurate in sheep. Univ Fed Fluminense, Fac Vet, Ave Vital Brasil Filho,64, BR-24230340 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil Univ Grande Rio, Fac Med Vet, Rua Prof Jose de Souza Herdy,1160, BR-25071202 Duque De Caxias, RJ, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr Vet, Via Acesso Prof Paulo Donato Castellani, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Presidente Antonio Carlos, Ave Juiz de Fora,1100, BR-36047362 Juiz De Fora, MG, Brazil Embrapa Caprinos & Ovinos, Nucleo Regional Sudeste, Rodovia MG 133,Km 42, BR-36155000 Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr Vet, Via Acesso Prof Paulo Donato Castellani, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil CNPq: 310166/2012-8 CNPq: 314952/2018-7 EMBRAPA: 20.19.01.004.00.00 CAPES: 001

Local estrogen therapy (ET) can improve vaginal atrophy symptoms and associated cellular changes in postmenopausal women. This study evaluated whether age at the start of treatment influences response.This post hoc analysis used data from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (NCT00108849), which treated 205 postmenopausal women aged ≥45 years with 10 μg vaginal ET for 52 weeks.Women aged 60 or ≥60 years at treatment start were evaluated according to the following: vaginal maturation index (assessed by vaginal cytology samples), vaginal pH, and most bothersome symptom (both graded on four-point scales). Covariance analysis aimed to evaluate mean change differences between groups from baseline-week 52.Vaginal ET improved vaginal maturation index (for all cell layers), vaginal pH, and symptom scores for both age groups. However, cytological profiles were significantly different in the 60 (n = 143) versus ≥60 years group (n = 55, estimated effect: -3.7, P = 0.0003 [parabasal cells]; 5.8, P = 0.0002 [intermediate cells]), indicating reduced cellular responsiveness to treatment among older women. Treatment effect on vaginal pH was less for older women, with a between-group difference of -0.19 (standard error = 0.05; P = 0.0003).Findings suggest that treatment may be initiated at any age since low-dose vaginal ET improved symptoms and signs of vaginal atrophy in both younger (60 years) and older (≥60 y) women. The stronger response observed in younger women supports current clinical recommendations to start treatment early. Continued treatment may be important to avoid recurrence of vaginal atrophy.Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A653.

Ovulation timing in bitches is a routine procedure in small animal practice around the world. It is most frequently used for supporting breeding management, high-risk pregnancy monitoring and determination of the time of parturition. To learn more about how and for what reasons veterinarians interested in small animal reproduction perform canine ovulation timing, an online survey was conducted in 2017. The link to the survey was distributed via the mailing list cafereprod-l@list.cornell.edu and the website, the Twitter account and the Facebook page of EVSSAR. All respondents recommended using quantitative progesterone measurement for ovulation timing alone or in combination with other diagnostic tests. Vaginal cytology was also a commonly used technique. The 63 respondents followed different protocols for sampling and staining vaginal epithelial cells. Interestingly, 50 respondents used vaginal cytology routinely, but only two consider it as a very reliable and another nine as a somewhat reliable test if used alone. In a second project, delegates attending the EVSSAR congress held in Vienna, Austria, in June 2017 had the opportunity to examine seven stained vaginal smear slides under optical microscopy in a blinded approach. The results showed a marked heterogeneity in the identification of vaginal cells and assessment of the time in relation to ovulation. This heterogeneity supports the opinion of survey participants that vaginal cytology alone is not a valid tool for determining the day of ovulation. Results of both projects suggest that there is no standard procedure for the examination of vaginal smears in dogs. It is not recommended to determine the optimal time for mating based on the examination of a single vaginal smear only. According to some comments of survey participants, it is more useful to assess vaginal samples repeatedly and to use the findings to determine when to start progesterone measurement.

Determination of the timing of the estrus cycle is essential for fertile mating. There are physiological variations among breeds, between bitches, and between cycles of the same bitch. If serial monitoring and many tools are applied, the exact moment of ovulation could be pin-pointed. However, it leads to time and costly difficulties. Progesterone concentrations during estrus cycles follow a specific pattern, and it is largely used in timing of fertile period. Although it has similar pattern in general, it is likely that breed-specific differences exist. The aim of this study was to investigate the way of timing the fertile period for successful pregnancy in American Bully dogs based on vaginal cytology and progesterone assay with minimized cost. To identify the empirical relations among reproductive characteristics, we performed statistical analyses on data from proestrus-to-estrus 27 American Bully dogs referred for 7 months. We found the significant correlations between the cyclic changes of vaginal cytology and progesterone assay. The relationship of serum progesterone concentrations with the days from vaginal discharge onset was analyzed through linear regression assay. In conclusion, we addressed two standards in the timing of fertile period with a minimal number of progesterone assays in the breeding management of American Bully dogs.

espanolIntroduccion: Los estrogenos conjugados via vaginal para aliviar la atrofia y sequedad vaginales pueden producir cambios endometriales. Objetivo: Conocer el efecto de la frecuencia de aplicacion de estrogenos conjugados via vaginal en el grosor endometrial en mujeres posmenopausicas. Metodo: Se estudiaron 70 mujeres posmenopausicas con sequedad vaginal que recibieron estrogenos conjugados en crema (0.625 mg/1 g) durante 12 semanas divididas de la siguiente manera segun la frecuencia de aplicacion: grupo 1, dos veces por semana (n = 35) y grupo 2, tres veces por semana (n = 35). Al inicio y final del tratamiento se determino el valor estrogenico en la citologia vaginal y se realizo ultrasonido endovaginal para medir el grosor endometrial. La comparacion entre los grupos se realizo con U de Mann-Whitney y entre los valores pre y postratamiento con prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: De 70 mujeres reclutadas solo se estudiaron 38 mujeres, 19 en cada grupo, pareadas por valor estrogenico inicial. No se encontro diferencia entre los grupos, ni antes ni despues del tratamiento, en el indice de maduracion, valor estrogenico ni grosor endometrial. Conclusion: No hubo diferencias en el grosor endometrial entre las distintas frecuencias de aplicacion de estrogenos conjugados en crema. EnglishIntroduction: Conjugated estrogens, when used by the vaginal route for the relief of vaginal dryness and atrophy, can produce endometrial changes. Objective: To know the effect of vaginal conjugated estrogens application frequency on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women. Method: Seventy postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness who received conjugated estrogen cream (0.625 mg/1 g) for 12 weeks were studied. The women were divided according to application frequency as follows: group 1, twice-weekly (n = 35), and group 2, thrice-weekly (n = 35). At baseline and at end-of-treatment, vaginal cytology was examined to determine the estrogenic value, and an endovaginal ultrasound was performed to measure endometrial thickness. The comparison between groups was carried out with Mann Whitney’s U-test, and the comparison between baseline and post-treatment values, with Wilcoxon’s test. Results: Of 70 recruited women, only 38 were studied, 19 in each group, paired by baseline estrogenic value. No difference was found between groups, neither at baseline nor after treatment, in the maturation index, estrogenic value or endometrial thickness. Conclusion: There were no differences in endometrial thickness between the conjugate estrogen cream different application frequencies.

Aim: In 2013, the Local Health Unit Roma 2 ex C screening laboratory introduced a new set of indicators for quality assurance. We compare 2 sets of indicators based on routine multiple readings (peer review) for their ability to identify problems in single-reader accuracy. Methods: All suspect slides were blindly reviewed by all the cytologists of the laboratory. The standard set of indicators includes interreader Cohen's kappa, positivity rate and atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance/squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-US/SIL) ratio. The new set included sensitivity for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or worse (CIN2+), positive predictive value (PPV) and percentage of positive high-risk (HR)-HPV cases among ASC-US. In order to estimate sensitivity and PPV, we considered all women for whom there was a consensus of negative cytology, negative HR-HPV test, negative colposcopy or negative histology true negative. Results: Kappa values ranged from 0.521 to 0.753, with narrow 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Positivity rate ranged from 73.9 to 85.7 and the ASC-US/SIL ratio from 0.61 to 0.81. Sensitivity for CIN2+ at the low-grade SIL threshold ranged from 85.8 to 94.2, PPV ranged from 14.8 to 19.4, and both had a broad 95% CI. Readers with low sensitivity did not show low kappa values. The percentage proportion of HR-HPV-positives (HR-HPV+) among ASC-US ranged from 39.9 to 43.8% with a narrow 95% CI. Conclusion: The proportion of HR-HPV+ among ASC-US cases is a powerful indicator to address in training.

Microscopic evaluation of the types of cells present in vaginal smears has long been used to document the stages of the estrous cycle in laboratory rats and mice and as an index of the functional status of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. The estrous cycle is generally divided into the four stages of proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. On cytological evaluation, these stages are defined by the absence, presence, or proportion of 4 basic cell types as well as by the cell density and arrangement of the cells on the slide. Multiple references regarding the cytology of the rat and mouse estrous cycle are available. Many contemporary references and studies, however, have relatively abbreviated definitions of the stages, are in reference to direct wet mount preparations, or lack comprehensive illustrations. This has led to ambiguity and, in some cases, a loss of appreciation for the encountered nuances of dividing a steadily moving cycle into 4 stages. The aim of this review is to provide a detailed description, discussion, and illustration of vaginal cytology of the rat and mouse estrous cycle as it appears on smears stained with metachromatic stains.

Introduction: Evaluation of estrous cycle in laboratory animals can be a useful measure of the integrity of hypothalamic-pituitaryovarian reproductive axis. Assessment of vaginal cytology is crucial to assess the milieu and compare the endocrine status of animals among the experimental groups. Aim: The present study was attempted to compare the estimation of estrous cycle by visual method and non invasive vaginal lavage method. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy female swiss albino mice were used for the present study. The appearance of the vagina with respect to the opening of vagina, vaginal swellings were observed. Non-invasive method was used in vaginal lavage method in which nucleated epithelial cells, cornified squamous epithelial cells and leucocytes present in vaginal smears were used to identify the estrous stages. Results: The estimation of estrous cycle by visual method coincides with the vaginal lavage method. In Vaginal lavage method, the accurate proportion of cells and the transition phases can be evaluated. Conclusion: The non-invasive method reduces the risk of pseudo -pregnancy and mechanical trauma. Though, visual method is quick and reliable, for accurate estimation of the stage of the estrous, non-invasive vaginal lavage method is ideal.

Objectives: Our study examined accumulated data on vaginal cytology follow-up results of women treated for endometrial carcinoma (EmCa) by hysterectomy in a large academic women’s hospital practice. Methods: This study analyzed cases of EmCa treated by hysterectomy from January 2006 to December 2008 with documented follow-up vaginal cytology and/or vaginal biopsy results available prior to September 2013. Results: Of 607 patients with EmCa who had documented hysterectomy findings, 420 had either follow-up vaginal biopsy or cytology results during a mean follow-up period of 42.5 months, and 414 (98.6%) had at least one vaginal cytology follow-up result. Of 414 patients followed with vaginal cytology results, 48 (11.6%) had biopsy results while 366 (88.4%) had only vaginal cytology results. Recurrent EmCa in the vagina was documented by biopsy in 11 patients, eight within 2 years of hysterectomy. Cytology findings of neoplastic glandular cells triggered diagnostic vaginal biopsies in two of 11 cases. Conclusions: Vaginal recurrences of EmCa were diagnosed in 11 (2.6%) of 420 patients with documented vaginal follow-up testing. Abnormal vaginal cytology findings directly led to vaginal biopsy diagnoses of EmCa in two of the 11 patients. Vaginal cytology is no longer a recommended routine surveillance option for detection of vaginal cuff recurrence of EmCa.

The aim of our study was to determine the approximate length of the post- partum period of the local goat breed in Algeria. Based on the identification of cell layers of the vaginal mucosa (vaginal cytology) from the first week after parturition. In this work we used 13 goats aged 2 to 4 years and weighing 18 to 34kg liveweight. The experimental study was conducted at the experimental farm of the agro-veterinary faculty of the Blida University. By swab, vaginal smears were made ​​for each goat twice a week to 2 or 3 days interval from the seventh day post partum to 80 days post partum. We realized 312 smears of vaginal mucosa in total (stained with My-Grunwald-Giemsa staining) and we identify the resumption of the post-partum sexual activity when the superficial epithelial cells predominate in the smears. In the light of our study, the average interval parturition-resumption of sexual activity in the local goat in northern Algeria is short, estimated at 21,45 ± 3,56 days with a variation ranging from 16 to 27 days.

Author(s): Khan, Michelle J; Massad, L Stewart; Kinney, Walter; Gold, Michael A; Mayeaux, EJ; Darragh, Teresa M; Castle, Philip E; Chelmow, David; Lawson, Herschel W; Huh, Warner K | Abstract: ObjectiveVaginal cancer is an uncommon cancer of the lower genital tract, and standardized screening is not recommended. Risk factors for vaginal cancer include a history of other lower genital tract neoplasia or cancer, smoking, immunosuppression, and exposure to diethylstilbestrol in utero. Although cervical cancer screening after total hysterectomy for benign disease is not recommended, many women inappropriately undergo vaginal cytology and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) tests, and clinicians are faced with managing their abnormal results. Our objectives were to review the literature on vaginal cytology and high-risk HPV (hrHPV) testing and to develop guidance for the management of abnormal vaginal screening tests.Materials and methodsAn electronic search of the PubMed database through 2015 was performed. Articles describing vaginal cytology or vaginal hrHPV testing were reviewed, and diagnostic accuracy of these tests when available was noted.ResultsThe available literature was too limited to develop evidence-based recommendations for managing abnormal vaginal cytology and hrHPV screening tests. However, the data did show that (1) the risk of vaginal cancer in women after hysterectomy is extremely low, justifying the recommendation against routine screening, and (2) in women for whom surveillance is recommended, e.g., women posttreatment for cervical precancer or cancer, hrHPV testing may be useful in identification of vaginal cancer precursors.ConclusionsVaginal cancer is rare, and asymptomatic low-risk women should not be screened. An algorithm based on expert opinion is proposed for managing women with abnormal vaginal test results.

The exfoliative cytology of the uterus and vagina area was evaluated in one-humped camel during the follicular and luteal phases. This was carried out using intact genitalia collected from camels immediately after slaughter. A total of 86 genitalia and blood samples were collected and processed. The mean serum progesterone (P4) profile was determined and used to categorize the animals into the follicular (n=51) and luteal phases (n=35). The result of the differential cell counts of the exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells showed mean basal, superficial cells and leucocytes of 27.0%, 25.4% and 14%, respectively being the most prominent during the follicular phase, while the uterine smears were characterized by mean basal (25.6%) , intermediate cells (24.6%) and leucocytes (9.6%) respectively. During the luteal phase, the vaginal smears were characterized majorly by the intermediate (27.4%), parabasal cells (26.6%) and leucocytes (11.6%, while the uterine smears were predominantly characterized by intermediate (22.8%), superficial cells (22.6%) and leucocytes (17.8%) respectively. The result showed that the exfoliative cytology of the uterus and vagina are similar during both the follicular and luteal phases in camels, and so cannot be used alone to characterize these reproductive period. However, this finding has a significant potential application in the use of vaginal cytology alone to assess uterine cellular changes without necessarily invading the uterus under field conditions in camel. Keywords: Camels, Exfoliative cytology, Follicular, Utero-vagina, Luteal, Progesterone

Ultrasonography is a diagnostic method to image the conditions of reproductive organs and it could be supported by vaginal cytology to identify the activities of the ovaries by the types of vaginal exfoliate cells. The aims of this study was to observe reproduction organ through ultrasonography with supportive diagnostic with vaginal cytological assessment. A total of 10 individual queens were used in this study and then grouped into intact group (n=5) and spayed (ovariohysterectomy) group (n=5) based on the anamneses or their medical history. The vagina, cervix, uterus body and horns, and ovaries were imaged and measured by ultrasound. Vagina, uterine body and horn seem as pipe-like structures with hyperechoic outer lines. The lumen in uterine body and horn seem as a hyperechoic structure. The ovaries seem as round- or oval-shaped structures with anechoic follicles. The corpus luteal has thick wall and seen as anechoic in its centre part. The corpus albicans seems as a hyperechoic structure. The vagina of spayed queens seemed more corrugated than those intact queens. The cervix is seen as a hyperechoic structure linking the vagina and uterine body. Exfoliate vaginal epithelial cell types were then also be identified and counted on each queens. The results of vaginal cytology showed that proestrus occured in 3 intact queens, late metestrus in 1 intact and 3 spayed queens, anestrus in 1 spayed queen, and unidentifiable estrus stage in 1 intact and 1 spayed queens. Moreover, the morphology of cervix and uterine was affected by the activity of ovary.

The present study was designed to evaluate the time-dependent effects of Nanpao, a kampo medicine, on age-related changes in the estrous cycle of female rats, and to investigate the utility of measuring electrical impedance in the vagina (EIV) for studying transitional changes in the estrous cycle. Rats were allocated to 3 groups: control, Nanpao 30 mg/kg/day, and 100 mg/kg/day groups. EIV measurements and cytology samples were taken for 14 days at the age of 6 months before the initial treatment. After the start of the treatment, these data were collected at about monthly intervals until the age of 10 months in the same manner. Observations at the ages of 7 (weeks 2-3 of dosing) and 8 months (weeks 6-7 of dosing) showed that loss of a regular estrous cycle in the 100 mg/kg/day group was inhibited as compared to the control group. Moreover, at the ages of 9 (weeks 11-12 of dosing) and 10 months (weeks 17-18 of dosing), these effects were identified not only in the 100 mg/kg/day group, but also in the 30 mg/kg/day group. Since vaginal cytology and EIV gave almost concordant results as indicators of estrous cyclicity, we concluded that the measurement of EIV was capable of detecting time-dependent changes in the estrous cycle as well as observations of vaginal smears. A short period of Nanpao administration inhibited loss of regular estrous cycles, and the EIV method is a worthwhile approach to a more precise study of estrous cyclicity in rats exhibiting abnormal estrous cycles.

This work aims the diagnostic differentiation of chronic inflammation (CC), low-grade Intraepithelial squamous lesions (LGSIL) and high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (HGSIL) in biopsies of cervix of uterus from patients with atypias (ASC-US and ASC-H) and lesions (LGSIL and HGSIL), traced in the cervical/vaginal cytology by using Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIFS), with 488 nm excitation wavelength. Ninety seven biopsies from 32 patients with atypical cervical/vaginal cytology were collected. The biopsies were guided by colposcopy and taken at the squamous-columnar junction. Fluorescence emission spectra of each biopsy were collected by means of an optical fiber cable coupled to an argon laser at 488 nm as excitation source and addressed to a spectrograph and CCD camera/controller. Spectra were separated into three groups, CC, LGSIL and HGSIL, based on the cytopathology. It was detected similar mean spectra profiles for CC and LGSIL, and differences for HGSIL. An algorithm was developed for tissue classification based on the intensity of the multiplication of each spectrum by the mean spectrum of each group, searching for a discriminator that would address this spectral difference. The sensitivity and specificity of HGSIL identification, compared to CC and LGSIL was 89% and 100%, respectively. The LIFS using excitation wavelength of 488 nm could be used to differentiate HGSIL lesions from LGSIL and CC inflammation, and could help a precocious and less invasive diagnosis of cervix lesions.

Objectives The objective was to investigate postpartum uterus involution by real-time ultrasonography and vaginal cytology in Van cats. Methods This study included 15 healthy Van cats belonging to the Van Cat Research Centre (Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey). Starting 24 h postpartum, ultrasonographic measurements were performed on the placental and interplacental uterine horn regions every day. Decreases in the diameters and uterine content were considered as criteria for uterine involution. Vaginal discharge samples were collected every day for 4 weeks postpartum. The smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain. Results The average diameters of placental and interplacental regions (IPRs) in the uterine horns were 3.12 ± 0.29 cm and 2.36 ± 0.43 cm, respectively, at 24 h postpartum. Placental regions (PRs) shrank faster than IPRs. At 48 h postpartum, it became difficult to distinguish PRs from IPRs in the uterine horns. The uterine horns could be seen in the abdominal cavity up to 5.60 ± 0.99 days postpartum. The mean of the last assessable diameter of the uterine horns from days 4 to 7 in all cats was 0.49 ± 0.07 cm. The vaginal epithelial cells appeared to be under the effect of oestrogen for 4 weeks postpartum. Conclusions and relevance The morphological involution of the uterus completes, to a large extent, within the first 48 h postpartum in Van cats. A more detailed hormonal analysis would contribute greatly to the understanding of the physiological processes involved in this period. Although postpartum involution appeared complete by 5.60 ± 0.99 days after parturition in Van cats, histological verification of this finding is needed.

Ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure performed for sterilization. If part or all of an ovary remains after the surgical procedure, ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) occurs. After revascularization of the remaining ovarian tissue, the sexual cycle of bitches and queens continues. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) measurement for the diagnosis of ORS in bitches. Forty-six female dogs were divided into four groups: the prepubertal, unspayed, spayed, and ORS groups. The serum AMH, progesterone, and estradiol concentrations of the bitches in all groups were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The stage in the sexual cycle of each bitch was determined based on vaginal cytology findings and serum estradiol and progesterone levels. The mean serum AMH concentration of the unspayed bitches (4.26 ± 0.82 ng/ml) was similar to that of the bitches with ORS (4.40 ± 1.09 ng/ml). However, the difference between the mean serum AMH level of the bitches with ORS and the spayed bitches (0.28 ± 0.09 ng/ml) was significant. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that the serum AMH level is substantially lower in spayed than in both intact bitches and bitches with ORS. According to this result, measurement of the serum AMH level is a useful tool for diagnosis of ORS in bitches.

The pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation during the oestrous cycle period was studied in cycling and non-descript West African dwarf (WAD) goats. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorised into parabasal, intermediate and superficial and their relative occurrences were used to determine the reproductive status of the cycling and non-descript does. The mean cell counts of the epithelial and leucocyte cells were also compared between the days of cycle. Leucocyte and epithelial cells were present in the vaginal smears of the WAD does throughout the cycle. Cell counts increased sharply on days 1 and 2 after standing oestrus. From day 4 of the cycle, the counts fell back to the levels at oestrus and daily variations thereafter were not striking enough to distinguish between the different stages of the cycle. In the non-descript does, the intermediate cell dominated the majority of the smears, which is the typical pattern of cell exfoliation in anoestrus and peri-pubertal does. In the smears from cycling does, however, superficial cells were more frequently observed and they appeared to be associated with the proestrus, oestrus and early metoestrus phases of the cycle. These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells could be used to determine the reproductive condition and by extension the ovarian functioning of the WAD goats.

Ewes fertility is one aspect that needs to maximum level. Reproductive performance in sheep livestock in Indonesia has become one of the main determinants of reproductive success. This study has been carried out of the body temperature measurement and sampling of vaginal cytology of 60 fat-tailed sheep before artificial insemination in Sidoarjo East Java. Body temperature measurement is done in the rectum of reported ewes in heat and artificial insemination requested can be determined by observing the condition of the vulva of ewes such as the presence or absence of mucus through the vagina, vulva swollen and reddened vulva mucosa. vaginal cytology sampling with a cotton swab inserted into the vulva ± 15cm of ewes that reported in heat then interpreted by a microscope. The result showed that ewe’s body temperature in 39.1oC-39.2oC has a significant correlation with vaginal cytology type on oestrous phase. Keyword: Ewes, body temperature, vaginal cytology, the district Sidoarjo East Java

The aim of this study is to provide an evidence-based definition of vaginal atrophy (VA) and present an overview of subjective and objective measurements of VA applicable in clinical practice and research. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify studies reporting on measurement properties of diagnostic instruments for VA. Additional searches in MEDLINE aimed to document the definitions, diagnostic criteria, and outcome measures of VA. Studies reporting on definitions, diagnosis, outcome measurements, and measurement properties of diagnostic instruments of VA were selected. Specific symptoms for VA that were consistently described could be identified to suggest an evidence-based definition of VA. As subjective outcome measurements, seven scoring systems to assess the signs of VA during physical examination were identified. The most bothersome symptom (MBS) approach is most useful in clinical practice and research as it focuses on the most common symptoms of VA. As objective outcome measurements, numerous ways to assess vaginal cytology and vaginal pH were identified. At the moment, there is no consensus on the definition and assessment of VA. We propose to define VA as a common manifestation of estrogen decline associated with specific symptoms of which the most common are: vaginal dryness, itching or irritation, and dyspareunia. In both clinical and research settings, subjective assessment (the MBS approach) and objective assessments of VA (measurement of vaginal maturation index and vaginal pH) should be combined.

The ability to use necropsy and in-life vaginal cytology data from 90-d general toxicity studies to predict the outcome of more definitive reproductive toxicity tests was evaluated using data from 18 compounds tested by the National Toxicology Program. Sperm motility and vaginal cytology evaluations (SMVCE) were performed at the end of 90-d toxicity studies. When these same compounds were tested in the definitive Reproductive Assessment by Continuous Breeding (RACB) design, 13 of the 18 compounds were classified the same way by both tests. The different conclusions for five compounds can be explained by differences in dose used or in endpoints evaluated. We conclude that reproductive-system necropsy data from general toxicity studies can provide a valuable preliminary indication of the likely reproductive toxicity of the compound under study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three weeks of daily colostrum cream on vaginal cytology and local symptoms related to menopause. Genito-urinary symptoms and cell morphology were analyzed at time 0 (T0) and after three weeks (16 +/- days since the end of treatment) at time 1 (T1). Dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, and maturation index (MI) reached a statistically significant difference between T0 and T1. The results proved to be an alternative treatment for vaginal distress caused by lack of hormones in patients in which hormonal treatment is contraindicated.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a commonly used form of contraception, with noncontraceptive benefits for the user. The mode of action is through the suppression of ovulation. It leads to hypoestrogenism which causes dryness of the vagina and dyspareunia. We present in this paper a patient that was very symptomatic with regard to vaginal atrophic changes determined by vaginal cytology. This side effect may become increasingly more common as we see more long-term use of DMPA.

A rapid means of assessing reproductive status in rodents is useful not only in the study of reproductive dysfunction but is also required for the production of new mouse models of disease and investigations into the hormonal regulation of tissue degeneration (or regeneration) following pathological challenge. The murine reproductive (or estrous) cycle is divided into 4 stages: proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. Defined fluctuations in circulating levels of the ovarian steroids 17-β-estradiol and progesterone, the gonadotropins luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, and the luteotropic hormone prolactin signal transition through these reproductive stages. Changes in cell typology within the murine vaginal canal reflect these underlying endocrine events. Daily assessment of the relative ratio of nucleated epithelial cells, cornified squamous epithelial cells, and leukocytes present in vaginal smears can be used to identify murine estrous stages. The degree of invasiveness, however, employed in collecting these samples can alter reproductive status and elicit an inflammatory response that can confound cytological assessment of smears. Here, we describe a simple, non-invasive protocol that can be used to determine the stage of the estrous cycle of a female mouse without altering her reproductive cycle. We detail how to differentiate between the four stages of the estrous cycle by collection and analysis of predominant cell typology in vaginal smears and we show how these changes can be interpreted with respect to endocrine status.

The efficiency of producing timed pregnant or pseudopregnant mice can be increased by identifying those in proestrus or estrus. Visual observation of the vagina is the quickest method, requires no special equipment, and is best used when only proestrus or estrus stages need to be identified. Strain to strain differences, especially in coat color can make it difficult to determine the stage of the estrous cycle accurately by visual observation. Presented here are a series of images of the vaginal opening at each stage of the estrous cycle for 3 mouse strains of different coat colors: black (C57BL/6J), agouti (CByB6F1/J) and albino (BALB/cByJ). When all 4 stages (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus) need to be identified, vaginal cytology is regarded as the most accurate method. An identification tool is presented to aid the user in determining the stage of estrous when using vaginal cytology. These images and descriptions are an excellent resource for learning how to determine the stage of the estrous cycle by visual observation or vaginal cytology.

Tibolone is a synthetic compound with weak oestrogenic, progestagenic and androgenic properties. It does not appear to stimulate the endometrium, and therefore has appeal to the postmenopausal woman as a “bleedfree” form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In the present study the vaginal cytological findings and symptoms were evaluated in 100 recently postmenopausal women, 50 of whom were started on tibolone 2.5 mg daily and 50 of whom received no medication. After 2 years in the tibolone group, cytological assessment showed a significant increase in the karyopyknotic index (P < 0.001) and maturation value (P < 0.01) whereas there was no change in the control group. Significant symptomatic improvement occurred in vaginal dryness (P < 0.001), dyspareunia (P < 0.001), sexual enjoyment (P < 0.001) and libido (P < 0.05). It is therefore concluded that tibolone has a significant oestrogenic effect on the vagina as demonstrated by vaginal cytology. In addition, improvement in the symptoms of vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, sexual enjoyment and libido occurs.

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and related urogenital symptoms (UGS) in a representative sample of elderly women (Papers III), and to investigate factors (Papers IIIII) influencing the prevalence of UI in these women. The effects of treatment with oral estriol and placebo on the vaginal bacterial flora, vaginal cytology and urogenital symptoms in elderly women suffering from the urogenital estrogen deficiency syndrome were compared (Paper IV). A health care programme, based on an algorithm model, for the investigation and treatment of elderly women suffering from UI and related UGS, was designed and applied to a large group of elderly women (Paper V). The prevalence of UI increased in a linear fashion from 12% in the 1940 birth cohort to 25% in the 1900 birth cohort (Papers III). There was similar increase in the prevalence of UTI from 14% in the 1920 birth cohort to 23% in the 1900 birth cohort. In contrast, the reported prevalence of UGS such as vaginal discomfort, discharge and pruritus did not increase with age. The prevalence of UI increased with increasing parity and after hysterectomy, but was unaffected by the duration of previous oral contraceptive usage. There was no evidence to suggest that the prevalence of UI increased at the time of the last menstrual period. Neurological illnesses were an uncommon cause of UI in womenor = to 75 years of age (Paper III). Oral estriol (3 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by 2 mg/day for a further 6 weeks) had a positive influence on vaginal pH, cytology and the vaginal bacteria flora, and on UGS in elderly women suffering from the urogenital estrogen deficiency syndrome (Paper IV). Using objective techniques of evaluation (Paper V) it was possible to demonstrate successful treatment of elderly women with urge and mixed incontinence using a simple health care programme. There was however no evidence of improvement in women suffering from stress incontinence when using the same treatment regime. Women with all types of incontinence, treated according to this algorithm model, displayed an improvement in vaginal pH, vaginal cytology and the vaginal bacterial flora.

Fifty bitches were mated on the basis of results of vaginal cytological and cervicovaginal mucus arborisation examination. When these were compared with a control group of 50 bitches mated on days 10 and 12 after the onset of proestrus there was a significant increase in pregnancy rate from 78 to 92 per cent. The litter size and bitch productivity was also increased, although this was not statistically significant. Forty-two per cent of bitches had two peaks of anuclear epithelial cells in the vaginal smear, separated by a mean of 3–6 ± 1–5 (SD) days. For these bitches, the maximum percentage of anuclear cells at the second peak was between 57 and 98 per cent, and the mean interval between the calculated day of the surge in plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and the second peak of anuclear cells was 4-4 ± 2-0 days. In bitches with one peak of anuclear epithelial cells, the maximum percentage of anuclear cells was between 43 and 94 per cent and the mean interval between the calculated day of the LH surge and the peak of anuclear cells was 1–9 ± 2-1 days. Arborisation of mucus collected from the anterior vagina was noted in all bitches; the mean interval between the calculated day of the LH surge and the peak of ferning was 2–3 ± 2-1 days. The collection of exfoliative cells by aspiration from the cranial vagina and the assessment of the anuclear cell index, may allow the identification of the fertile period after the surge of plasma LH. The anuclear cell index offers advantages over other methods of classification of exfoliative vaginal cells. When used in combination with examination of arborisation of cervicovaginal mucus this method can improve the breeding management of bitches.

Vaginal cytology and vulva size were used to characterize the reproductive cycle of female black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), Siberian polecats (M. eversmanni), and domestic ferrets (M. putorius furo). Emphasis was on black-footed ferrets because of the need to breed these critically endangered animals and on Siberian polecats because of the close taxonomic relationship to black-footed ferrets. Vaginal cytology of the 3 species of ferret is similar. Proestrus was characterized by an increasing percentage of superficial epithelial cells and enlargement of the vulva. During estrus, superficial cells were usually greater than or equal to 90% of epithelial cells in the vaginal lavage and after several days were fully keratinized. Neutrophils were more common during all stages of the estrous cycle in domestic ferrets than they were in the other species. Following copulation, percentage of superficial calls in the vagina declined and vulva swelling subsided. Large cells, probably of uterine symplasma origin, were observed in vaginal lavages following whelping or pseudopregnancy. Vaginal cytology is extremely useful in the reproductive management of black-footed ferrets and Siberian polecats. Knowledge of normal vaginal cytology could be applied to the diagnosis of female reproductive abnormalities in all 3 species.

A study was carried out on 18 Bororo zebu cows in Yagoua within the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon, in order to assess vaginal cytology and body temperature variations during oestrous cycle. Swabbing was done daily in the vagina, and vaginal smears were stained according to Romanowski method. Rectal temperature of each cow was monitored once daily at 06:00. Data were collected for 28 consecutive days. Before oestrous period, intermediate and parabasal cells rates were similar (Z = 0.47), but higher than superficial (Z = 2.19) and keratinized (Z = 2.61) cells rates. In general, percentage of basal and parabasal cells evolved as a pyramid with a minimum on days 7 and 2 respectively before oestrous. During oestrous period, superficial cells percentage was significantly higher than that of intermediate (Z = 3.39), parabasal (Z = 4.42), basal (Z = 5.70) and keratinized (Z = 5.58) cells. In post-oestrous, parabasal cells percentage was higher than superficial (Z = 2.13), intermediate (Z = 3.01) and basal (Z = 2.88) cells rates, but similar to keratinized cells rate (Z = 0.40). Body temperature during oestrous was significantly higher (P Key words: heat detection, vaginal cytology, Bororo zebu cattle.