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Journal of comparative pathology2007; 136(2-3); 167-176; doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2007.01.011

Histomorphological and immunohistochemical characterization of equine granulosa cell tumours.

Abstract: Benign (n=33) and malignant metastasizing (n=1) granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) from 34 mares aged 3-21 years, and normal (control) ovaries from nine mares aged 3-10 years, were examined histologically and immunohistochemically (for inhibin alpha, glutathione S-transferase alpha [GSTalpha], c-erbB-2 oncoprotein [cerb], cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin and alpha-actin), the results being related where appropriate to clinical signs and endocrinological data. Availability permitting, serum samples from GCT-affected mares before and several weeks after ovariectomy were examined for the following hormones: oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone (by radioimmunoassay); and inhibin B (by a cross-reactive ELISA). Histological examination revealed that the GCTs were predominantly well differentiated neoplasms. The metastasizing GCT differed immunohistochemically from the benign GCTs in respect of the expression patterns of vimentin, cerb and GSTalpha in the granulosa cells. A notable feature was the presence of Leydig-like cells in mares with stallion-like behaviour or elevated serum testosterone, or both. GSTalpha immunolabelling indicated that the Leydig-like cells were potential producers of steroid hormone. From the immunohistochemical and endocrinological findings it was concluded that GCTs produce abnormally high concentrations of inhibin, which reduce the release of follicle-stimulating hormone, leading to atrophy of the contralateral ovary-a finding in 27 of the mares.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-10 PubMed ID: 17416235DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2007.01.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigates the characteristics of benign and malignant granulosa cell tumours (GCTs) in horses, examining histology (tissue structure) and immunohistochemistry (the study of proteins in cells) of the affected and normal ovaries. The study also relates these findings to clinical signs and endocrine data, along with the examination of several hormones in the mares affected by these tumours.

Study Subject and Methods

  • The researchers examined GCTs in 34 mares aged between 3-21 years. This group included both benign (33 mares) and malignant metastasizing tumours (1 mare).
  • The control group consisted of nine mares with normal ovaries, aged 3-10 years.
  • Both groups were examined using histology and immunohistochemistry.

Histological and Immunohistochemical Examination

  • To examine the GCTs, the researchers used specific proteins (including inhibin alpha, glutathione S-transferase alpha [GSTalpha], c-erbB-2 oncoprotein [cerb], cytokeratin, vimentin, desmin and alpha-actin).
  • Their results were compared to clinical signs and endocrine data.

Hormonal Examination

  • The study also included examination of the mares’ blood for the hormones oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and inhibin B before and after ovariectomy when available.

Histological Findings

  • The GCTs were found to be predominantly well-differentiated neoplasms (abnormal growths).
  • The malignant GCT showed different patterns of the proteins vimentin, cerb and GSTalpha in the granulosa cells, which are crucial to the development and function of the ovary, compared to the benign GCTs.

Presence of Leydig-like Cells

  • An interesting feature of the study was the discovery of Leydig-like cells (normally seen in the testes) in mares showing male characteristics or increased testosterone levels.
  • The study suggested that these Leydig-like cells were potential producers of steroid hormones, as shown by positive GSTalpha immunolabelling.

Possible Consequences of GCTs

  • Based on the immunohistochemical and endocrinology findings, the researchers concluded that GCTs produce higher concentrations of inhibin, a hormone that decreases the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone.
  • This in turn could lead to atrophy (wasting away) of the opposite ovary, which was observed in 27 out of the 34 mares in the study.

Cite This Article

APA
Ellenberger C, Bartmann CP, Hoppen HO, Kratzsch J, Aupperle H, Klug E, Schoon D, Schoon HA. (2007). Histomorphological and immunohistochemical characterization of equine granulosa cell tumours. J Comp Pathol, 136(2-3), 167-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2007.01.011

Publication

Journal of comparative pathology
ISSN: 0021-9975
NlmUniqueID: 0102444
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 136
Issue: 2-3
Pages: 167-176

Researcher Affiliations

Ellenberger, C
  • Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany. ellenber@rz.uni-leipzig.de
Bartmann, C P
    Hoppen, H-O
      Kratzsch, J
        Aupperle, H
          Klug, E
            Schoon, D
              Schoon, H-A

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
                • Female
                • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood
                • Granulosa Cell Tumor / metabolism
                • Granulosa Cell Tumor / pathology
                • Granulosa Cell Tumor / veterinary
                • Horse Diseases / metabolism
                • Horse Diseases / pathology
                • Horses
                • Immunoenzyme Techniques / veterinary
                • Inhibins / metabolism
                • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
                • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
                • Ovarian Neoplasms / veterinary
                • Ovariectomy / veterinary
                • Ovary / metabolism
                • Ovary / pathology

                Citations

                This article has been cited 6 times.
                1. 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.
                  doi: 10.1294/jes.34.37pubmed: 37405069google scholar: lookup
                2. Drozdzewska K, Gehlen H. Markers for internal neoplasia in the horse. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan;9(1):132-143.
                  doi: 10.1002/vms3.1042pubmed: 36495211google scholar: lookup
                3. Devick IF, Hendrickson DA. Effects of Leaving Amputated Ovaries Intra-Abdominally during Elective Bilateral Standing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Equids. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 18;11(1).
                  doi: 10.3390/ani11010232pubmed: 33477730google scholar: lookup
                4. Devick IF, Leise BS, McCue PM, Rao S, Hendrickson DA. Ovarian histopathology, pre- and post-operative endocrinological analysis and behavior alterations in 27 mares undergoing bilateral standing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Can Vet J 2020 Feb;61(2):181-186.
                  pubmed: 32020939
                5. 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.
                  doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1689782pubmed: 41321570google scholar: lookup
                6. 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
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