Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Expression in Neoplastic Mast Cells Is Increased in Spayed and Neutered Dogs.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• Luteinizing hormone receptors (LHRs) are known to be expressed in canine lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma.
• Canine mast cell tumors (MCTs) are common skin neoplasms with variable behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression of LHR in canine mast cell tumors (MCTs).
• To compare LHR expression in neoplastic mast cells between intact and gonadectomized dogs.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to detect LHR and KIT protein expression in 11 canine MCT tissue sections.
• Quantitative analysis determined the percentage of positive cells for LHR and KIT.
• Statistical analysis (Student's t test, ANOVA) compared expression levels between intact and gonadectomized dogs.

Main Results:

• All canine MCTs examined expressed LHR.
• MCTs from gonadectomized dogs showed a significantly higher percentage of LHR-positive mast cells (84.2%) compared to those from intact dogs (64.3%).

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to demonstrate LHR expression in canine MCTs.
• LHR expression is elevated in neoplastic mast cells of gonadectomized dogs, suggesting a potential role for hormones in MCT development or progression.