Evidence of Spontaneous Recovery of Granulosa‐Theca Cell Tumour in a Heifer: A Retrospective Report

Abstract

A 14-month-old Japanese Black heifer was evaluated on Day 0 (D 0) for enlargement of the right ovary (RO). Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) revealed that the RO was markedly enlarged and multicystic, while the left ovary (LO) was small and inactive. The presumptive diagnosis was granulosa-theca cell tumour (GTCT), which was confirmed by markedly elevated plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) of 4.42 ng/ml. Therefore, ovariectomy of the RO was the treatment of choice. The heifer was checked by TRUS and blood sampling on D 42, D 63 and immediately before ovariectomy on D 85. On D 42, TRUS did not show marked changes in either ovary in comparison with D 0. However, on D 63, the RO had transformed into a single cyst, and on D 85, the LO had resumed cyclic activity. The RO was extracted on D 85 by hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariectomy to allow better control. Unexpectedly, histopathology revealed the lesion to be a fluid-filled cystic structure, with no neoplastic proliferation of follicular epithelium that would indicate GTCT. The wall of the cystic structure consisted of collagen fibres and a few degenerated granulosa cells. The retrospective hormonal analysis revealed that the AMH concentrations had markedly dropped on D 63 and 85, which coincided with resumption of cyclicity in the LO. These findings suggest that the GTCT had self-cured and transformed into a cyst-like structure. The heifer then received an oestrous synchronization regime on D 105, was artificially inseminated on D 115 and became pregnant.

Clinical diagnosis of bovine granulosa cell tumour in a Holstein cow using plasma anti-Müllerian hormone concentration: a case report

“…This report provides evidences for possible clinical diagnosis of GCTs using the measurement the plasma AMH concentrations combined with routing diagnostic tools, such as rectal palpation and ultrasonography examinations. On the other hand, a recent report (El-Sheikh Ali et al 2015) shows the possibility of spontaneous recovery of bovine GCT in Japanese Black heifer. In their report, the heifer had a plasma AMH concentration of 4.42 ng/ml on D0 (Day0), and then plasma AMH concentration declined to 0.2 ng/ml prior to ovariectomy on D85 (Day85).…”

“…The plasma AMH concentration of this report was markedly higher than that of above report. Indeed, in previous reports, the plasma AMH concentrations in cows with GCTs have shown a wider range (0.36-481.07 ng/ml) (Kitahara et al 2012;El-Sheikh Ali et al 2013;El-Sheikh Ali et al 2015). Thus, it seems to be controversial about the diagnostic levels of AMH concentrations for bovine GCTs.…”

Endocrinological characterization of an ovarian sex cord–stromal tumor with a Sertoli cell pattern in a Japanese Black cow

“…The limit of quantification (LOQ) and the intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation AMH assay were 0.08 ng/ml, <6% and <10%, respectively. Plasma ir‐INH concentrations were assayed using porcine α‐subunit inhibin EIA (#EK‐034‐05; Phoenix Europe GmbH) as previously validated and described for cattle (El‐Sheikh Ali, Kitahara, Nibe et al, ; El‐Sheikh Ali et al, ). The LOQ and the intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation for this assay were 0.1 ng/ml, <10% and <5%, respectively.…”

“…It is noteworthy that ‘Sertoli cell pattern’ in cows does not necessarily imply origin from Sertoli cells but only histological similarity to it, and therefore, unlike women, SCSTs with Sertoli cell pattern may originate from granulosa cells in cows (Agnew & MacLachlan, ; Kotano, Iwabuchi, Keruma, Ishikawa, & Kadota, ; Norris et al, ). Endocrinological characterization of bovine GTCTs revealed that plasma anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), oestradiol‐17β (E 2 ) and immunoreactive inhibin (ir‐INH) were markedly elevated in these cases and thereby could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for bovine GTCTs (El‐Sheikh Ali, Kitahara, Nibe et al, ) and their spontaneous recovery (El‐Sheikh Ali et al, ). In humans, a study including five different types of ovarian tumours (granulosa cell tumour or GCT, SCT, serous cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and benign cystic adenoma) revealed that the only tumour other than GCT to be associated with elevated peripheral AMH concentration was ovarian SCT (Rey et al, ).…”

Transrectal guidance of the ovaries reduces operative time during bovine laparoscopic ovariectomy

“…Bovine ovariectomy is considered a necessary farm animal management technique, not only for research on reproductive endocrinology [ 10 , 13 ], but also for improving feeding efficiency in feeder cattle [ 15 ] and for treating ovarian diseases, such as ovarian tumors and granulosa cell tumors [ 3 , 7 , 15 ]. Ovariectomy used to be performed by colpotomy or laparotomy [ 2 , 5 , 12 ].…”