Fertility failure of vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in dairy cows associated with reproductive hormonal disturbance, vulvar and vaginal hyperplasia, acute phase protein production, and histopathological changes.

BACKGROUND

The majority of neoplasms affect bovine species, and the most common are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in sheep, goats, and cattle. Neoplasm of the vulva and vagina in dairy cattle undergo widespread in dairy herds.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the effects of vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) on the fertility of dairy cows by investigating changes in reproductive hormones as well as vaginal and vulvar tissue. In addition, acute phase protein (APP) production and histopathological changes were also investigated to evaluate their relationship with tumor development and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic value.

METHODS

Twenty dairy cows were divided into two equal groups: the diseased group, which suffered from vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma and known as vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma group (VSCCG), and the healthy group, which served as the normal control group (NCG). Sera were used to evaluate reproductive hormones (progesterone, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone) and acute phase proteins (APPs), such as serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical investigations [S100, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] of the vaginal tissue were performed.

RESULTS

Results revealed that VSCCG exhibits a significant increase in the levels of reproductive hormones compared with NCG. Investigation of APPs revealed a significant increase in the levels of SAA, Hp, Cp, CRP, and CK in diseased cows compared to healthy cows. Histological investigation revealed that the vaginal mucosa from SCC cows indicated the presence of dense squamous epithelial cell invasion and variant keratin pearls. The neoplastic cells appeared as large, polyhedral cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Additionally, koilocytic and atypical mitosis were noted. Immunohistochemical analysis of S100, vimentin, and α-SMA shows very strong positive reactions in diseased cows.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that VSCC is associated with reproductive hormonal disturbance and a rise in APP production, which are responsible for fertility failure and may even lead to sudden death.