A study of the aetiology of pseudopregnancy in the bitch and the effect of cabergoline therapy

Harvey, Michael J.; Dale, Maeve; Lindley, Samantha; Waterston, Mary

doi:10.1136/vr.144.16.433

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Thus, in humans glycosylated PRL (G-PRL) has been reported to be up to 20, 32 and 50% in plasma in different studies [2,4,16] while in the same biologic fluid from rats it was reported to be 60% [1]. The biological activity of G-PRL in some of the classi- not detected significant differences in PRL levels between overt and covert PSPT bitches [11,12,15,20,22]. Indeed, a universal serum PRL threshold for triggering pseudopregnancy in the bitch is unlikely to exist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Heterogeneity of circulating prolactin in the bitch

et al. 2001

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-Different molecular forms of circulating prolactin (PRL) are known to occur in several species. As no such information was available in dogs, we assessed the molecular profile of circulating PRL in bitches. Pooled sera from covertly (CTRL) and overtly pseudopregnant (PSPT) diestrous bitches with high or low (> 10 or < 10 ng . mL -1 , respectively) serum PRL (measured by ELISA) were analyzed by Sephadex G-100 and Concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. Four serum PRL fractions were identified and termed big-big, big (> 67 kDa), native (23 kDa) and fragmented (< 20 kDa) PRL. The percentages of these fractions were roughly similar in CTRL and PSPT animals, irrespective of their serum PRL levels (higher in PSPT than in CTRL bitches). A large proportion of glycosylated PRL (between 69 and 100%) was also detected in these sera. We conclude that in dogs, circulating PRL occurs in multiple molecular forms, whose relative abundance is comparable in covertly and overtly pseudopregnant bitches. prolactin / molecular variants / bitch / diestrus / pseudopregnancyRésumé -Hétérogénéité de la prolactine circulante chez la chienne. La prolactine (PRL) circulante se trouve, dans différentes espèces, sous plusieurs formes moléculaires. Compte tenu du fait qu'il n'existe pas d'information disponible chez le chien, nous avons décidé d'étudier le profil moléculaire de la PRL circulante chez cet animal. Nous avons utilisé des pools de sérums provenant de chiennes normales en diestrus (CTRL) ou pseudogestantes (PSPT), ayant des taux élevés ou bas de PRL (> 10 ou < 10 ng . mL -1 respectivement; dosages effectués par Elisa). Les sérums ont été analysés sur colonne de Séphadex G-100 et par chromatographie d'affinité, sur colonne de Sépharose couplée à de la Concanavaline A. La chromatographie sur G-100 a identifié quatre fractions de PRL, qui ont Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 41 (2001) 505-511 505

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Heterogeneity of circulating prolactin in the bitch

et al. 2001

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“…Although, most of the above results suggest that increased PRL concentrations are responsible for overt PSC, a recent study showed no signi®cant dierences in mean serum PRL levels between PSPT and non-PSPT bitches during 13 weeks in 28 Labrador Retrievers (Lawler et al 1999). A lack of signi®cant dierence in PRL levels between surgery-induced PSPT and non-PSPT animals has also been reported (Homann et al 1992;, and an overlap of PRL serum levels between PSPT and non-PSPT bitches post spaying (Harvey et al 1999). High PRL levels do not seem to be necessary for the maintenance of PSP as suggested by a report of low PRL levels in two spayed PSPT bitches (Harvey et al 1997).…”

Section: Aetiophysiologymentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Although it was once normal in wild dogs, PSC has now become a clinical problem in most domestic bitches bred as pets. PSC is relatively easy to diagnose and treatment with dopaminergic agonists have greatly helped in treating this syndrome (Arbeiter et al 1988;Harvey et al 1997Harvey et al , 1999Gobello et al 2001b). Although some of them have some side-eects, they are transient and can usually be managed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Canine Pseudocyesis

Gobello¹,

Sota²,

Goya³

2001

Reprod Domestic Animals

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The purpose of this article is to review the most relevant features of the physiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of canine pseudocyesis (PSC). This is a physiological syndrome, characterized by clinical signs such as: nesting, weight gain, mammary enlargement, lactation and maternal behaviour, which appears in non-pregnant bitches at the end of metaoestrus. PSC is a frequent finding in domestic dogs. Although it is generally admitted that prolactin (PRL) plays a central role in the appearance of PSC, its precise aetiophysiology is not completely understood yet. A number of clinical studies suggest that at some point of metaoestrus circulating PRL levels rise in overtly pseudopregnant bitches. Individual differences in sensitivity to PRL as well as the existence of molecular variants of canine PRL with different bioactivity versus immunoreactivity ratios may help clarify the aetiopathology of PSC. Diagnosis of PSC is based on the presence of typical clinical signs in metaoestrous non-pregnant bitches. Considering that PSC is a self limiting physiological state, mild cases usually need no treatment. Discouraging maternal behaviour and sometimes fitting Elizabethan collars to prevent licking of the mammary glands may suffice in these cases. Sex steroids (oestrogens, progestins and androgens) have been traditionally used to treat PSC but the side-effects usually outweigh the benefits of these medications. Inhibition of PRL release by ergot derivatives [bromocriptine (10-100 microg/kg per day for 10-14 days], cabergoline (5 microg/kg per day during 5-10 days), metergoline (0.2 mg/kg per day during 8-10 days) has proved to be effective for the treatment of canine PSC. Although some of these ergot derivatives present some untoward side-effects, they are transient and can usually be managed. Predisposed bitches not intended for breeding should be spayed as ovariectomy is the only permanent preventive measure.

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“…The precise aetiology of clinical pseudopregnancy is still poorly understood, but is reported to be linked with the exposure and decline of plasma progesterone, high plasma prolactin concentrations, an increased tissue sensitivity to prolactin, or the existence of molecular variants of prolactin with varying bioactivities [ 3 – 6 , 8 , 11 – 14 , 16 , 19 ]. Based on clinical studies on pseudopregnancy in dogs, the estimated incidence of clinical pseudopregnancy can be as high as 50–75% in certain breeds (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine pseudopregnancy: an evaluation of prevalence and current treatment protocols in the UK

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThere is a dearth of literature on pseudopregnancy in the bitch, with only a few treatment-based studies published since the 1990s. Pseudopregnancy may be under-recognised in bitches and may account for a proportion of behavioural cases seen in veterinary practices including aggression. Little is known about commonly used treatments for overtly pseudopregnant bitches and it is possible that current regimes may not be prescribed for a sufficient duration to control any clinical signs including, physical and behavioural changes. To investigate current trends in diagnosis and treatment of canine pseudopregnancy, a postal survey was sent to 2000 randomly selected veterinary surgeons in UK veterinary practices. The questionnaire queried how often vets recognise cases of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches, which physical or behavioural signs are commonly recognised for diagnosis, and which management or treatment protocols are used.ResultsThe response rate was 19.8% (397/2000). Ninety-six percent of veterinary surgeons reported seeing pseudopregnant bitches showing behavioural changes without any physical changes within the last 12 months. Of those behavioural changes, collecting and mothering objects was the most frequently reported behavioural sign (96%). Ninety-seven percent of vets had seen aggression in pseudopregnant bitches. Nevertheless, only 52% of vets routinely asked owners about behavioural changes during consultations. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported seeing pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches. The most commonly reported physical sign was enlarged mammary glands and/or milk production (89%). Treatment options varied (surgical, medical or none) and depended on duration and severity of physical and behavioural signs, owners’ preference, cost, concurrent disease, drug availability and previous history.ConclusionsThis is the largest epidemiological study of canine pseudopregnancy in the UK. The prevalence and severity of clinical signs in dogs with pseudopregnancy are variable and possibly under-estimated. Dogs with overt pseudopregnancy experience diverse physical and behavioural changes and information on standard treatment protocols are lacking. Although, progress on our understanding of diagnosis and treatment of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches has been made, further studies are warranted.

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A study of the aetiology of pseudopregnancy in the bitch and the effect of cabergoline therapy

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Heterogeneity of circulating prolactin in the bitch

Heterogeneity of circulating prolactin in the bitch

A Review of Canine Pseudocyesis

Canine pseudopregnancy: an evaluation of prevalence and current treatment protocols in the UK

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