Canine Vaginal Cytology: A Revised Definition of Exfoliated Vaginal Cells

Abstract

Vaginal cytology is an important examination method in the context of gynecological disorders and cycle staging in the bitch. While collection and preparation of samples are easy, the evaluation appears to be challenging. Inconsistent definitions of cell attributes such as size, cornification and the appearance of the nucleus have been published. The aim of the project was to develop a tutorial for vaginal cell determination. To get a deeper insight into the use of cytology in practice, an online survey was distributed to veterinarians interested in small animal reproduction. Participants were asked to define eight cells and answer questions. The agreement of the 16 participants, working in eight different countries, determining the cells was poor (κ = 0.412). Eleven respondents stated that vaginal cytology has a low reliability. Nevertheless, 13 participants use this tool regularly. The tutorial was developed as a flowchart based on the survey results, scientific literature and own measurements. It guides the user systematically through the evaluation of specific cell characteristics. An evaluation of the results of five raters with difference experience levels led to a high agreement (κ = 0.858). Vaginal cytology is a useful diagnostic tool, but it seems helpful to standardize the determination of cell types.

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics and Its Functional Significance in Relation with Follicle Deviation, Vaginal Cytology, and Hormone Profiles in Llamas (Lama glama)

“…This phenomenon has also been observed in felines where the percentage of surface cells increases slightly during the follicular phase when the transition from estrus to post-estrus occurs [ 48 ]. This exfoliation process is an indicator of cell necrosis that occurs during the period of transition from round cells (basal and parabasal) to irregular cells, whose nuclei progressively decrease in size [ 49 , 50 ]. The dimensions observed in parabasal and intermediate cells are similar to those reported in other species and even in other camelid species such as the alpaca [ 10 ].…”

Cyto-morphological Changes in Exfoliated Vaginal Cells and Thermal Rhythms of Red Sokoto does during the Oestrous cycle

“…Again, such discrepancies may be attributed to the differences in the period of observation of the vaginal smears; or variability in reporting of different cell types and/or the technical experience in interpretation of the vaginal smears (Moxon et al, 2010;Arlt, 2018), since the exfoliated cells once removed from their natural environment may assume forms differing from similar cells as they appear in sec-tions; and therefore, change shape and structure and may become dehydrated. Some authors (Ducatman and Wang, 2002;Reckers et al, 2022), have also noted that the cellular picture as revealed by vaginal smear was never exactly the same in any two oestrus cycles.…”

“…It is generally accepted that exfoliated cell types in the vaginal smear are related to the stage of the estrous cycle (Cora et al, 2015); which makes the vaginal exfoliative cytology, a simple, non-invasive technique routinely employed by clinicians for reproductive diagnostics (Moxon et al, 2010;Zohara et al, 2014;Sharma and Sharma, 2016;Siregar et al, 2016;Antonov, 2017;Sitaresmi et al, 2018;Reckers et al, 2022).…”

Vaginal cytology and receptivity to mating behaviour of Kintamani bitch during the proestrus to estrus phase

“…The results of gynecological examinations are very important in supporting breeding management. Furthermore, a vaginal smear examination is a standard gynecological examination because it allows insight into the potential effect of estrogen and vaginal health status (Reckers et al, 2022) [4] . Examination of vaginal cytology may provide valuable information about the stage of the ovarian cycle.…”