Histopathological and immunohistochemical localisation studies of VEGF and Ki-67 markers of the uterus after ovariohysterectomy in canine pyometra

The present study was carried out to study the histomorphological and immunohistochemical changes in uteri of pyometra affected bitches. A total of 75 bitches of 2 to 15 years age with a diagnosis of pyometra and ten healthy control bitches presented for elective ovariohysterectomy were included in the study. However, only 66 bitches affected with pyometra were subjected for ovariohysterectomy as 9 bitches succumbed to death before surgery. Based on the grossand histopathological lesions observed, the uteri were categorized into Type II (n=34), III (n=24) and IV (n=8) groups. In Type II the histopathological picture of the uterus was characterized by cystic endometrial hyperplasia with diffuse infiltration of plasma cells in the stroma. In Type III acute inflammatory reaction with cystic endometrial hyperplasia was noticed. In Type IV marked endometrial atrophy was recorded. The quick score for VEGF was significantly higher in pyometra compared to control bitches. However nuclear staining for Ki-67 did not yield consistent results. It was concluded from the present findings that the inflammatory cell infiltration and histological changes were not similar in all the cases of pyometra.