Effect of a single application of coumestrol and/or dimethyl sulfoxide, on sex hormone levels and vaginal cytology of anestrus bitches

Abstract

Canine overpopulation continues to be a problem with serious public health implications, despite a diversity of programs and strategies that have been implemented for its control. Coumestrol (COU) is an organic compound with estrogenic activity, thus having the potential to alter reproduction in mammals. COU is commonly dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) before administration; however, evidence indicates that DMSO is not inert. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of either a single oral administration of COU diluted in DMSO or of DMSO-alone, on serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), on vaginal cell pattern, and on anestrus and diestrus lengths in bitches. Fifteen anestrus female dogs received either a single commercial dog food biscuit (Control, n=5), a biscuit with 600 μg of COU/kg diluted in 20 μL of DMSO (COU, n=5), or a biscuit with 20 μL of DMSO (DMSO, n=5). Circulating P4, E2, and changes in vaginal cytology, were assessed within the first month after treatment administration. Hormone levels were also measured from months 2-6 post-treatment. Mean differences were analyzed by the GLM procedure for repeated measures. COU enhanced serum E2 levels, and DMSO increased serum P4, number of vaginal anucleated superficial cells, and diestrus length. All dogs were deemed healthy based on all periodical clinical exams, but abnormal mammary gland growth and/or galactorrhea were observed in two COU and one DMSO-treated bitches. The findings of the present study expose the need to reevaluate previous reports of use of COU in bitches, and perhaps in other mammals.Figure 1. Progesterone (A) and estradiol (B) serum levels in anoestrous bitches receiving a commercial dog food biscuit alone (Control; n=5), a biscuit with coumestrol diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (COU; n=5), or a biscuit with only dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; n=5). a,b Different letters within sampling day indicate difference between treatments (P<0.05).*specifies statistical increase on post-treatment days 21 (P<0.0048) and 28 (0.0008). Data are presented as LSM ± standard error.

Effects of implant Suprelorin on cytological changes of vaginal epithelial cells in female dogs (4.7 mg deslorelin)

“…Changes in the ratio of these cells occur due to the action of sex hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. However, it was proposed to count the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes (Antonov, 2017;Arlt, 2018;Mason, 2018;Peña-Corona et al, 2019). In addition, with the help of vaginal cytology, it is possible to determine the pathological condition of the reproductive tract of the dog (Kim et al, 2018;Šiugždaitė et al, 2018;.…”

Use of an extrapolation method to estimate the population of cats and dogs living at homes in Mexico in 2022

“…(11) The canine and feline overpopulation represent a serious problem. (25) The most common strategies for population control are humanitarian euthanasia and surgical spaying and neutering. (26,27) However, Diase et al (28) reported that they do not have a significant impact on the decrease in the animal population since it has even been estimated that with neutering 100 % of the animals annually, it would not be possible to obtain proportions higher than 86 % and 88 % of the dogs and cats neutered respectively after 20 years due to the high introduction of new intact animals, and would only obtain a reduction of 12-14 % of the dog population.…”

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

“…The estrous cycle represents a complex neurohumoral process characterized by morphological and physiological changes in some of the reproductive organs, such as the vagina. These cyto-morphological changes in exfoliated cells in the vaginal smears, fairly reflect the underlying endocrine events of the reproductive cycle, due to sensitivity of vaginal epithelium to stimulation by sex hormones (Kinoshita et al, 2012;Peña-Corona et al, 2019;Holumbiyovska et al, 2021) and are, thus, considered as a better predictor of the breeding time.…”