AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR (PR) EXPRESSION IN PYOMETRA CASES AND NORMAL UTERI AT THE TIME OF DIOESTRUS IN THE BITCH

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) and to compare whether there was any difference between pyometra cases and normal bitch uteri, during dioestrus, by means of immunohistochemistry. The uterine samples were collected from bitches which clients had submitted for spaying and for pyometra treatment. The results showed that a difference was obvious in the connective tissue stroma and myometrium in which a higher expression of PR was observed in the pyometra group.It may be postulated that the difference in PR expression in these uterine compartments may be involved in the pathogenesis of pyometra, which commonly occurs during dieostrus.