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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(4); 740-745; doi: 10.1111/evj.13352

Active immunisation against GnRH as treatment for unilateral granulosa theca cell tumour in mares.

Abstract: Stallion-like or aggressive behaviour in mares affected by unilateral granulosa theca cell tumour (GTCT) is well-known, but use of a GnRH-vaccine as an alternative to surgical removal of the neoplastic ovary has not been investigated. Objective: To determine the effect of immunisation against GnRH on ovarian size, testosterone concentration, Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, and owner-reported behaviour in four mares affected by unilateral GTCT. Methods: Retrospective case report. Methods: A presumptive diagnosis of GTCT was made in four mares based on clinical signs, behavioural changes, transrectal palpation, and ultrasonography. All mares were vaccinated twice with the GnRH-vaccine Improvac® on day 0 and on day 13-33. Further booster vaccinations were administered if aggressive behaviour recurred between days 15 and 498. Before and parallel to the vaccinations, serum levels of oestradiol, progesterone (P4), testosterone, and AMH were evaluated and transrectal ultrasonography was performed. Results: In all horses, analysis of serum levels of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and AMH confirmed the clinical diagnosis of GTCT. Serum levels of testosterone dropped to baseline levels following the first two of three vaccination in all mares. In addition, AMH serum values decreased shortly after the second vaccination in three of four mares, and in one of the four mares returned to baseline levels. No further GTCT linked behaviour was reported by the owners and the affected ovaries diminished in size in all four cases. Conclusions: This report is a case series with a limited number of animals, no controls and no standardised immunisation protocol. Conclusions: Repeated vaccinations with the GnRH-vaccine Improvac® mitigated owner-reported behavioural abnormalities and stopped tumour growth in four mares affected by unilateral GTCT over the entire observation period which extends to 7 years in one mare.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-02 PubMed ID: 32924167DOI: 10.1111/evj.13352Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the use of a GnRH vaccine as an alternative treatment to surgery for mares affected with granulosa theca cell tumour (GTCT), a condition causing abnormal behaviour. Results reveal the vaccine was effective in reducing testosterone levels, ameliorating behavioural issues, and halting tumour growth.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • This research sought to examine the impact of immunisation against Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on characteristics indicative of GTCT in mares. It examined its effect on factors such as ovarian size, testosterone concentration, Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, and behaviours reported by the horses’ owners.
  • The study used a retrospective case report methodology and was conducted on four mares that showed clinical signs of GTCT. These signs included behavioural changes and results from transrectal palpation and ultrasonography.
  • All mares covered in the research received two doses of the GnRH vaccine Improvac®. The vaccine administration occurred at the onset of the study (day 0) and subsequently on day 13 to 33. If the mares displayed recurring aggressive behaviour, they received booster shots between day 15 and day 498.
  • Parallel to the vaccination regimen, the researchers monitored serum levels of oestradiol, progesterone (P4), testosterone, and AMH in the mares. Transrectal ultrasonography was also performed.

Results of the Study

  • The results of this research confirmed that the serum levels of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and AMH matched the clinical diagnosis of GTCT.
  • Testosterone levels dropped to baseline following the first two inflammations in all the mares. In addition, AMH serum levels decreased soon after the second vaccination in three out of the four mares and returned to baseline levels in one mare.
  • Following the repeated Improvac® vaccinations, the owners reported no further abnormal behaviour aligned with GTCT. The affected ovaries also reduced in size across all cases.

Conclusion

  • Although the study involved a small sample size, lacked a standard immunisation protocol, and did not include a control group, the researchers conclude that repeated vaccinations with Improvac® mitigated behavioural problems and halted tumour growth in mares affected by unilateral GTCT.

Cite This Article

APA
Behrendt D, Burger D, Gremmes S, Szunyog K, Röthemeier S, Sieme H. (2020). Active immunisation against GnRH as treatment for unilateral granulosa theca cell tumour in mares. Equine Vet J, 53(4), 740-745. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13352

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 4
Pages: 740-745

Researcher Affiliations

Behrendt, Daphne
  • Equine Veterinary Hospital Jühnde, Jühnde, Germany.
Burger, Dominik
  • Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, University of Berne, Agroscope, Avenches, Switzerland.
Gremmes, Steffen
  • Equine Veterinary Hospital Jühnde, Jühnde, Germany.
Szunyog, Katja
  • Equine Veterinary Hospital Jühnde, Jühnde, Germany.
Röthemeier, Selena
  • Equine Veterinary Hospital Jühnde, Jühnde, Germany.
Sieme, Harald
  • Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor / therapy
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vaccination / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Pawlicki P, Galuszka A, Pardyak L, Tuz R, Płachno BJ, Malopolska M, Dubniewicz K, Yang P, Kotula-Balak M, Tarasiuk K. Leydig Cells in Immunocastrated Polish Landrace Pig Testis: Differentiation Status and Steroid Enzyme Expression Status. Int J Mol Sci 2022 May 30;23(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms23116120pubmed: 35682797google scholar: lookup
  2. Wolf N, Hahn JA, Walter I, Zablotski Y, Zerbe H, Witte TS. Pathohistological Findings after Bilateral Ovariectomy in Mares with Behavioral Problems. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 8;14(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14192899pubmed: 39409848google scholar: lookup
  3. Wu L, Yang L, Qian X, Hu W, Wang S, Yan J. Mannan-Decorated Lipid Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticle Vaccine Increased the Antitumor Immune Response by Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment. J Funct Biomater 2024 Aug 16;15(8).
    doi: 10.3390/jfb15080229pubmed: 39194667google scholar: lookup
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