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Biomedical subjects

R M Kenney

Publications and source records attributed to R M Kenney.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

A cohort study of canine testicular neoplasia.

A prospective epidemiologic study of canine testicular neoplasia was undertaken in the Philadelphia area in 1971, with the cooperation of private veterinary practitioners. By the end of 1975, 938 dogs had been monitored for an average of 2 years. The cohort consisted of 609 cryptorchid and 329 age- and breed-matched controls. The incidence of testicular neoplasia in the cryptorchid subcohort was 12.7/1,000 dog-years at risk. Testicular neoplasms did not develop in controls. A large proportion of the dogs were below the average age at onset for this neoplasm. Among dogs over 6 years of age, the incidence was 68.1/1,000 dog-years at risk. The incidence of Sertoli cell tumors and seminoma was approximately twice as high in dogs with unilaterally retained inguinal testicles as in abdominal cryptorchids. Sertoli cell tumors developed in 10 dogs and seminoma developed in 6. One half of the testicular neoplasms that developed did so within the first year of observation. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting prospective epidemiologic studies of canine diseases with the assistance of practicing veterinarians.

Animals

Morphological and biochemical correlates of equine ovarian follicles as a function of their state of viability or atresia.

The histological features and hormonal content of follicular fluid of antral follicles during oestrus were correlated. As a result it was possible to characterize several categories of viable and atretic follicles. A seemingly important stage in maturation appeared to be at 3 cm in diameter since follicular oestrogens and androgens underwent a 3-fold increase in concentration at that size. Evidence was obtained to suggest that oestrogens are anti-atretogenic. However, a drop in oestrogens was not the cause of atresia since degeneration commenced when levels were high. Contrary to the concept that androgens are atretogenic in some species, it was also evident that elevated androgens did not precipitate spontaneous atresia. Theca epithelioid cells not only underwent histological luteinization in viable follicles as they matured toward ovulation but occasionally in atretic follicles as well. Elevated prostaglandin F levels were associated with follicles in the transitory states of either luteinization or atresia. Granulosa cells of viable follicles only were capable of specifically binding hCG. It was not determined whether loss of binding capacity or atresia occurred first. Follicular atresia in the mare appears to be a gradual process of which the initiating cause remains unknown.

Androgens

Catecholamines and equine luteal progestagens.

Corpora lutea (CL) from 7 mares were sliced and incubated for 2 h with ovine LH and various sympathomimetic agonists and blockers. None of these compounds was able to cause a significant increase in either progesterone or total progestagens by the luteal tissue. This is in contrast to earlier studies with bovine luteal tissue, and indicates that the equine CL is more refractory to exogenous stimulation than in the bovine CL.

Animals

Clinical, microbiological and histological changes associated with uterine involution in the mare.

The surprisingly rapid rate of uterine involution detected is consistent with a high rate of conception as the first post-partum heat. Furthermore, many of the immediately post-partum features have attained the pregravid state by the end of the first post-partum oestrus and virtually all by the second post-partum oestrus. There was no specific cause detected for the higher rate of early embryonic death associated with conception at the foal heat.

Animal Husbandry

Cyclic and pathologic changes of the mare endometrium as detected by biopsy, with a note on early embryonic death.

Normal histologic changes that occurred in concert with the ovarian cycle were evaluated. When combined with behavioral and physical findings, this evaluation enabled determination when there was synchrony between ovarian steroids (estrogen and progesterone) and their target tissues of endometrium. A system for classification as well as definitions of patterns types and degrees of severity of inflammatory and fibrotic changes was developed to facilitate a uniform system for description and communication. An attempt was made to relate the pathologic changes to their effect on fertility when fertility was defined as the ability to conceive, maintain, and deliver a live foal. This was done by dividing the types of endometrium into 3 categories, based on increasing degrees of extensiveness and severity of the various changes, and it was possible to show a high correlation of category to foaling rate. Embryonic and fetal loss from endometria with widespread periglandular fibrosis was observed. This was considered to be the major diagnosable cause of this type of reproductive failure.

Abortion, Veterinary

Androgens and oestrogens in normal and cryptorchid stallions.

Total androgens, testosterone and total oestrogens were measured in twenty-one intact, nine unilaterally cryptorchid, three bilaterally cryptorchid stallions and four geldings. Total oestrogens were significantly higher (P less than 0-005) and total androgens significantly lower (P less than 0-05) in the bilateral cryptorchid compared to other groups. There was a significant (P less than 0-025) day and night variation in total androgen levels. Thyroidectomized and intact animals showed a marked decrease in total androgen as well as testosterone levels during the winter period thus showing an effect of season on androgenic function of the testis. Disappearance rate of total and androgens following castration was extremely rapid and levels were undectable within 12 hr. Sexual stimulation appeared to increase total androgen levels. Testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, androstandiols, and androstenediol were identified in spermatic vein blood. Dihydrotestosterone was measured in fluid from the cauda epididymidis.

Androgens