ADENOCARCINOMA IN THE GENITAL TRACT OF INFERTILE FEMALE DROMEDARY CAMELS

A Ali1,2, R Derar1,2, F Al Sobayil1, M Tharwat1,3, A Fathy4 and M Khodeir5
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Theriogenology, 4Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
3Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
5Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and ultrasonographic findings, gross and microscopic appearances and changes in the haemogram and blood chemistry of vaginal, cervical and uterine adenocarcinoma in dromedary camels. Tissue overgrowths were detected during clinical examination and ultrasonography in the vagina (n=9), cervix (n=2) and uterus (n=1). All females were multipara and aged between 9 and 13 years. A common history of post-mating vaginal bleeding of these females was noticed. Specimens were taken for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were obtained for haematology and biochemistry. The overgrown tissue masses bled easily upon palpation. By ultrasound, these tumuors were homogenous and echogenic, but sometimes with multiple hypo-echogenic cavities. Upon necropsy, metastasis was observed in the regional lymph nodes, mesentery as well as in the liver in one case. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination as vaginal, cervical and uterine adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemically, all specimens with adenocarcinoma showed diffuse expression of epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen. Compared to healthy controls (n=15), camels with adenocarcinoma showed significant decreases in lymphocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus and increases of globulin, alkaline phosphatase and magnesium. In conclusion, this is the first report of adenocarcinoma in the genital tract of female dromedary. The vagina was the most frequent affected organ. Vaginal bleeding and anaemia were the common clinical and laboratory findings.
Key words: Adenocarcinoma, blood chemistry, female camel, genital tract