Avaliação anatomopatológica de útero, tubas e ovários de gatas submetidas à ovariohisterectomia eletiva

Abstract

The female's endogenous sex hormones have the main function of maintaining the reproductive cycle, causing changes in the reproductive tract, such as an increase in the number and secretory activity of glands, decreased contraction of the myometrium, decreased leukocyte response and increased blood flow. However, the persistent action of these hormones, cumulative with each estrous cycle, causes negative effects on the reproductive system over time, causing, especially in older and multiparous females, conditions such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia and, consequently, endometritis and pyometra. When exposed to exogenous estrogens and progestins, as contraceptive and abortifacient drugs, used indiscriminately due to easy access and low cost, these changes become more likely and occur more quickly. The initial changes are subclinical and can only be diagnosed through histological evaluations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to carry out anatomopathological evaluation of the uterus, ovaries and tubes in clinically healthy female cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy at the Superintendency of the University Veterinary Hospital Unit of the Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (SUHVU - UFFS), Realeza Campus, in March from 2020 to December 2022. The samples obtained were sent to the UFFS Veterinary Pathology Laboratory to be processed to make histological slides and evaluated microscopically. Furthermore, data were collected in reports already issued during this period. Information such as the animal's age and breed were collected to analyze their correlation with the changes found. The aim of this study was to survey the main histological changes in the uterus, tubes and ovaries present in clinically healthy cats in the municipality of Realeza and in cities in the region. In an analysis of 25 female cats, 56% exhibited alterations in their reproductive organs. Most of these changes occurred in the uterus, including cystic endometrial hyperplasia and adenomyosis. Some ovaries also displayed cysts. The average age of affected cats was 2.5 years. The presence of follicular cysts in the ovaries was related to endometrial hyperplasia. The uterine tubes showed few alterations. The lack of detailed animal histories hindered correlation with factors such as breed or the use of progestagens. Compared to similar studies in dogs, female cats undergo reproductive organ assessments less frequently.