Abstract

Background:
The majority of neoplasms affect bovine species, and the most common are squamous cell carcinomas in sheep, goats, and cattle. Neoplasm of the vulva and vagina in dairy cattle undergo widespread in dairy herds.

Aim:
This study aimed to examine the effects of vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) on the fertility of dairy cows by investigating changes in reproductive hormones and vaginal and vulvar tissue. In addition, acute phase protein (APP) production and histopathological changes were also investigated to evaluate their relationship with tumor production and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic value.

Methods:
Twenty dairy cows were divided into two equal groups: the diseased group, which suffered from vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma and known as vulvar and vaginal squamous cell carcinoma group (VSCCG), and the healthy group, which served as the normal control group (NCG). Sera were used to evaluate reproductive hormones (progesterone, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone) and acute phase proteins (APPs), such as serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp), C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical investigations [S100, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] of the vaginal tissue were performed.

Results:
Results revealed that VSCCG exhibits a significant increase in the levels of reproductive hormones compared with NCG. APP investigation showed a significant rise in the levels of SAA, Hp, Cp, CRP, and CK in diseased cows compared with healthy cows. Histological investigation revealed that the vaginal mucosa from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cows indicated the presence of dense squamous epithelial cell invasion and variant keratin pearls. The neoplastic cells appeared as large, polyhedral cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Additionally, koilocytic and atypical mitosis were noted. Immunohistochemical analysis of S100, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) shows very strong positive reactions in diseased cows.

Conclusion:
The present study revealed that VSCC is associated with reproductive hormonal disturbance and a rise in APP production, which are responsible for fertility failure and may even lead to sudden death.

Key words: Fertility failure, Reproductive hormones, Vulva and vagina, Squamous cell carcinoma, Acute phase protein