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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Equine granulosa cell tumours among other ovarian conditions...
Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(1); 60-70; doi: 10.1111/evj.13279

Equine granulosa cell tumours among other ovarian conditions: Diagnostic challenges.

Abstract: Granulosa cell tumours (GCT) are the most common ovarian tumours in mares. While the classical presentation may not represent diagnostic challenges, diagnosis is not easy in the early stages. Objective: Illustrate the variability in the presentation and serum biomarkers associated with ovarian abnormalities in the mare. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Nonclassical cases of GCTs and other ovarian conditions were identified and behaviour, GCT endocrine results, palpation and ultrasonographic findings are described and the diagnostic value of each is discussed. Results: Mares in this case series with GCTs had been presenting clinical signs ranging from no behavioural changes to behaviours including aggression, stallion-like and inability to work under saddle. Hormonal profiles of endocrinologically functional GCTs can be erratic and unpredictable. The clinical form and ultrasonographic appearance may also vary with time from an initially enlarged/anovulatory follicular structure that later develops a multicystic 'honeycomb' appearance. Mares with GCTs can also present with persistent anovulatory follicles or apparent luteal tissue that are unresponsive to treatment. If both ovaries are of relatively normal size and symmetry, but hormonal biomarkers are markedly increased (AMH >10 ng/mL, inhibin B and/or testosterone >100 pg/mL; 0.37 nmol/L), it is likely that a functional GCT is present. Still, it can be a challenge to decide which ovary to remove. Post-surgical endocrine testing can be helpful, especially if histopathology is not performed or a GCT is not found. Conclusions: Cases limited to 14. Conclusions: Granulosa cell tumours present with a wide variety of clinical signs that do not fit what is commonly described as 'classic'. Only if AMH, testosterone and inhibin B concentrations are markedly increased, and there is an abnormally enlarged ovary, the diagnosis of a GCT is more confident. In the presence of normal size ovaries, normal hormonal biomarkers and abnormal behaviour, it is more likely that the ovaries are not involved.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-10 PubMed ID: 32391939DOI: 10.1111/evj.13279Google 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 research article discusses various diagnostic challenges associated with identifying ovarian conditions, in particular, granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) in mares. The study explains that these types of tumours can present with a wide range of clinical signs and behaviours, and diagnosis can be difficult due to variability in presentation and serum biomarkers.

Objective and Methods

  • The main objective was to outline the variability in the presentation and serum biomarkers associated with ovarian disorders in a mare.
  • The study was a retrospective case series, meaning the researchers examined past cases of multiple mares with ovarian abnormalities for the purpose of their research.
  • The method entailed identifying non-typical cases of GCTs and other ovarian conditions and examining their behavioural patterns, endocrine results from GCTs, palpation, and ultrasonographic findings.
  • The diagnostic value of each of these elements was also discussed in this research.

Results

  • The study found that mares with GCTs presented a spectrum of behaviour, from no behavioural changes to aggression, stallion-like behaviour, and difficulty or inability to work under the saddle.
  • Hormonal profiles of GCTs could be erratic and unpredictable, making it another significant diagnostic challenge.
  • Clinical forms and ultrasonographic appearances might also vary over time, progressing from an initially enlarged or anovulatory follicular structure to a multicystic structure resembling a ‘honeycomb’.
  • Even with the presence of the decided biomarkers (AMH >10 ng/mL, inhibin B and/or testosterone >100 pg/mL; 0.37 nmol/L), if both ovaries appear normal in size and symmetry, diagnosing a functional GCT can be a challenge.
  • Post-surgical endocrine testing can be useful for diagnosis, particularly if histopathology—a microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease—is not performed or if a GCT is not found.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that GCTs present a wide variety of clinical signs that don’t fall into the ‘classic’ category.
  • A confident GCT diagnosis is more achievable if the levels of certain hormones such as AMH, testosterone, and inhibin B are significantly increased and one ovary is abnormally enlarged.
  • However, if the ovaries are of normal size, the hormonal biomarkers are normal, and abnormal behaviour is present, the likelihood of the ovaries not being involved is higher.

Cite This Article

APA
Renaudin CD, Kelleman AA, Keel K, McCracken JL, Ball BA, Ferris RA, McCue PM, Dujovne G, Conley AJ. (2020). Equine granulosa cell tumours among other ovarian conditions: Diagnostic challenges. Equine Vet J, 53(1), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13279

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 60-70

Researcher Affiliations

Renaudin, Catherine D
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Kelleman, Audrey A
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Keel, Kevin
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
McCracken, Jaye L
  • Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, KY, USA.
Ball, Barry A
  • Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Ferris, Ryan A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
McCue, Patrick M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Dujovne, Ghislaine
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Conley, Alan J
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor / diagnosis
  • Granulosa Cell Tumor / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • University of California
  • University of Kentucky

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Straticò P, Hattab J, Guerri G, Carluccio A, Bandera L, Celani G, Marruchella G, Varasano V, Petrizzi L. Behavioral Disorders in Mares with Ovarian Disorders, Outcome after Laparoscopic Ovariectomy: A Case Series. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 25;10(8).
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  2. Dolin A, Schweiger P, Waselau M, Egerbacher M, Walter I. Immunohistochemical markers for equine granulosa cell tumors: a pilot study. J Equine Sci 2023 Jun;34(2):37-46.
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    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1042pubmed: 36495211google scholar: lookup
  4. Goto A, Tagami M, Kato F, Suzuki T, Yamaga T, Murase H, Sato F, Tsogtgerel M, Niikura T, Moriyama T, Chiba A, Watanabe KI, Tsuzuki N, Nambo Y. Equine nonneoplastic abnormal ovary in a draft mare with high serum anti-Müllerian hormone: a case study. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):147-151.
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  5. Tsogtgerel M, Tagami M, Watanabe K, Murase H, Hirosawa Y, Kobayashi Y, Nambo Y. Case report: The case of a 17 kg ovarian granulosa cell tumor in a Breton draft mare. J Equine Sci 2021 Jun;32(2):67-72.
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  6. Derar D, Ali A, Al-Sobayil F, Refaai W. Granulosa cell tumor in Arabian mares: prevalence, risk factors, clinical and histopathological findings and outcome of surgical removal. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1689782.
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