Lectin-Histochemical Pattern on the Cystic and Neoplastic Ovaries of Bitches

Studies have demonstrated that many reproductive disorders can compromise the binding pattern of glycosidic residues, mainly in cows and sows. In the current study, the binding pattern of lectins was characterised and compared in normal and pathological ovaries of bitches. Fourteen biotinylated lectins (BSA-1B, Con-A, DBA, LCA, PHA-E, PHA-L, PNA, RCA-1, SBA, SJA, STA, WGA, s-WGA, UEA-1) were used. In ovaries without lesions, the predominant staining for RCA-1 was observed in the zona pellucida (ZP) of initial follicles, in the oocytes of primordial and primary follicles, and in the artery wall. For WGA, the reaction predominated in the mesothelium, in the ZP of secondary follicles, in the corpus luteum (CL) and in the oocyte of secondary follicles. Reactivity for STA was more pronounced in the mesothelium and ZP of developing follicles. The mesothelial cells and the CL were mainly marked for LCA. PHA-L was stained in the mesothelium, CL, and connective stroma, while the lectin PHA-E showed reactivity especially in the stroma, mesothelium, and artery wall. In the cystic ovaries, changes in the reaction of some lectins were noted in various structures adjacent to the cysts. RCA-1 staining was reduced in the ZP and oocyte of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, while there was an increase of staining in endothelial cells. With WGA lectin, there was a reduction in CL and an increase in endothelial cells. Reactivity to STA was reduced in the ZP of primary and secondary follicles and increased in endothelial cells. LCA was also reduced in the CL and ZP of primary and secondary follicles. For the PHA-L lectin, the staining was reduced in the mesothelial cells, CL, and ZP of the primary follicles, while for PHA-E the reduction occurred in the stroma, oocyte of the primary follicles, and in the GC of the secondary follicles. In all neoplasms analysed (dysgerminoma, granulosa cell tumour, adenocarcinoma), there was also a reduction in reactivity to various lectins, both in the neoplastic cells compared to the cells of origin and in the adjacent non-neoplastic ovarian tissue. The data from the current study suggest that the changes in ovarian glycosidic residues observed in cysts and neoplasms may contribute to infertility in bitches.