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Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2021; 49(03): 174-182
DOI: 10.1055/a-1505-1046
Original Article

Relationship between clinical signs and hormonal analytical findings in bitches with lactatio sine graviditate

Beziehungen zwischen klinischen Symptomen und hormonanalytischen Befunden bei Hündinnen mit Lactatio sine graviditate
Sebastian Ganz
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
,
Carla Olschewski
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
,
Klaus Failing
2   Biomathematics Working Group, Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
,
Hartwig Bostedt
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
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Abstract

Objective Lactatio sine graviditate of the bitch can become clinically relevant in particularly severe manifestations. The aim of the study was to relate the hormone pattern consisting of progesterone (P4), estradiol 17β (E2) and prolactin to the time of occurrence of lactatio sine graviditate in the course of metoestrus and anoestrus as well as to its symptomatology.

Material and methods Sixty-eight bitches with apparent lactatio sine graviditate were divided into 3 groups according to their cycle status. All bitches were examined for gynaecological findings. Furhtermore, their blood progesterone, oestrogen, and prolactin concentrations were determined and compared with the 133-day hormone profile of 7 control animals.

Results Lactatio sine graviditate occurring in early metoestrus was characterised more by a shifted P4:E2 ratio than by hyperprolactinaemia. Overall, the prolactin concentration in the peripheral blood was significantly increased. Analysis of the individual cases revealed that hyperprolactinaemia was present to varying degrees. It could be detected in almost all bitches that showed full symptomatology at the end of metoestrus or at the beginning of anoestrus. Only then clinical signs correlated with an increased prolactin concentration in the peripheral blood. In most cases, the estradiol-17β concentration was within the reference range.

Conclusion and clinical relevance The study indicates that the administration of prolactin inhibitors alone is not indicated in all cases of lactatio sine graviditate and that the timepoint of onset of the clinically relevant symptoms and the current prolactin level should be taken into account in the treatment of affected bitches.

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Die Lactatio sine graviditate der Hündin kann in besonders starker Ausprägung klinische Relevanz erlangen. Ziel der Studie war, das Hormonmuster, bestehend aus Progesteron (P4), Östradiol 17β (E2) und Prolaktin, in Beziehung zum Zeitpunkt des Auftretens einer Lactatio sine graviditate im Verlauf des Met- und Anöstrus sowie zu deren Symptomatik zu setzen.

Material und Methoden Achtundsechzig Hündinnen mit klinischer Lactatio sine graviditate wurden entsprechend ihrem Zyklusstatus in 3 Gruppen eingeteilt. Bei jeder Hündin erfolgten eine eingehende gynäkologische Untersuchung sowie eine Bestimmung der Progesteron-, Östrogen- und Prolaktin-Konzentrationen im Blut. Die Hormonkonzentrationen der Probanden wurden mit dem 133-Tage-Hormonprofil von 7 Kontrolltieren verglichen.

Ergebnisse Eine im frühen Metöstrus auftretende Lactatio sine graviditate war mehr von einem verschobenen P4:E2-Verhältnis geprägt als von einer Hyperprolaktinämie. Insgesamt betrachtet war der Prolaktingehalt im peripheren Blut signifikant erhöht. Bei der Analyse der Einzelfälle fiel auf, dass eine Hyperprolaktinämie in unterschiedlicher Ausprägung vorlag. Bei nahezu allen Hündinnen, die die volle Symptomatik am Ende des Metöstrus, zu Beginn des Anöstrus aufwiesen, ließ sich eine Hyperprolaktinämie feststellen. Nur dann korrelierten die klinischen Zeichen mit einer erhöhten Prolaktinkonzentration im peripheren Blut. In den meisten Fällen lag die Östradiol-17β-Konzentration im Referenzbereich.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Die Untersuchung gibt einen Hinweis darauf, dass eine alleinige Antiprolaktingabe nicht in allen Fällen einer Lactation sine graviditate angezeigt ist, sondern der Zeitpunkt des Auftretens der klinisch relevanten Symptome und der aktuelle Prolaktinwert im Therapiekonzept Berücksichtigung finden sollten.

Key words

Lactatio falsa - hormone profile - prolactin - progesterone - oestradiol

Schlüsselwörter

Lactatio falsa - Hormonprofil - Prolaktin - Progesteron - Östradiol

Supplementary material



Publication History

Received: 22 February 2021

Accepted: 10 May 2021

Article published online:
22 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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