Abstract
Objectives
Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is suspected when heat signs occur in spayed
individuals, but further diagnostic procedures are necessary to exclude
other possible oestrogen sources, such as the adrenal gland or exogenous
supplementation. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by granulosa cells
or Sertoli cells, serves to differentiate sexually intact from
gonadectomised animals and has been described in dogs as a tool for
diagnosing ORS. The aim of this study was to evaluate if AMH determination
can be used to diagnose ORS in cats.
Methods
AMH was measured with a chemiluminescence immunoassay in serum samples of 15
sexually intact, 9 spayed and 16 cats with a history of heat signs after
spaying. Abdominal ultrasound (n = 13), vaginal smears (n = 7), progesterone
measurement (n = 5) and laparotomy (n = 14) were used to determine the
presence of ovarian tissue. After surgery, a histological examination of the
obtained tissue was performed in the cats with suspected ORS.
Results
In 15 cats with ORS the AMH serum concentrations were significantly higher
than in spayed cats (n = 10; P = 0.025) and significantly
lower than in sexually intact cats (n = 15; P = 0.001).
Among the cats with ORS, the highest AMH serum concentrations were measured
in the queens with cystic ovarian alterations and in one cat from which a
whole ovary was obtained. The cat with the lowest AMH serum concentration
had a simultaneous high progesterone serum concentration. Cats with ORS did
not show any heat signs after surgical removal of the ovarian tissue.
Conclusions and relevance
A single determination of AMH in blood serum is a useful diagnostic tool for
the diagnosis of ORS in cats, regardless of the hormonal activity of the
remnant ovarian tissue.
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