Effect of a single application of coumestrol and/or dimethyl sulfoxide, on sex hormone levels and vaginal cytology of anestrus bitches

Main Article Content

Sheila Peña-Corona
Pablo León
Enrique Mendieta
Maximiliano Villanueva
Arturo Salame
Dinorah Vargas
Guillermo Mora
Héctor Serrano
Alejandro Villa-Godoy

Abstract

Veterinaria México OA
ISSN: 2448-6760

Cite this as:

  • Peña-Corona S, León P, Mendieta E, Villanueva M, Salame A, Vargas D, Mora G, Serrano H, Villa-Godoy A. Effect of a single application of coumestrol and/or dimethyl sulfoxide, on sex hormone levels and vaginal cytology of anestrus bitches. Veterinaria México OA. 2019;6(1) doi: 10.22201/fmvz.24486760e.2019.1.656.

Canine overpopulation continues to be a problem with serious public health implications, despite a diversity of programs and strategies that have been implemented for its control. Coumestrol (COU) is an organic compound with estrogenic activity, thus having the potential to alter reproduction in mammals. COU is commonly dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) before ad­ministration; however, evidence indicates that DMSO is not inert. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of either a single oral administration of COU diluted in DMSO or of DMSO-alone, on serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), on vaginal cell pattern, and on anestrus and diestrus lengths in bitches. Fifteen anestrus female dogs received either a single commercial dog food biscuit (Control, n=5), a biscuit with 600 μg of COU/kg diluted in 20 μL of DMSO (COU, n=5), or a biscuit with 20 μL of DMSO (DMSO, n=5). Circulating P4, E2, and changes in vaginal cytology, were assessed within the first month after treatment administration. Hormone levels were also measured from months 2-6 post-treatment. Mean differences were analyzed by the GLM procedure for repeated measures. COU enhanced serum E2 levels, and DMSO increased serum P4, number of vaginal anucleated superficial cells, and diestrus length. All dogs were deemed healthy based on all periodical clinical exams, but abnormal mammary gland growth and/or galactorrhea were observed in two COU and one DMSO-treated bitches. The findings of the present study expose the need to reevaluate previous reports of use of COU in bitches, and perhaps in other mammals.

Figure 1. Progesterone (A) and estradiol (B) serum levels in anoestrous bitches receiving a commercial dog food biscuit alone (Control; n=5), a biscuit with coumestrol diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (COU; n=5), or a biscuit with only dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; n=5). a,b Different letters within sampling day indicate difference between treatments (P<0.05).
*specifies statistical increase on post-treatment days 21 (P<0.0048) and 28 (0.0008). Data are presented as LSM ± standard error.

 

Keywords:
Coumestrol dimethyl sulfoxide estradiol progesterone vaginal cells bitches

Article Details

Author Biographies

Sheila Peña-Corona, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad de México 04510, México

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología.

Graduate student

Pablo León, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Ciencias de la Salud

Graduate student

Enrique Mendieta, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Ciencias de la Salud

Profesor titular

Maximiliano Villanueva, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud

Graduate student

Arturo Salame, Departamento de Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Departamento de Reproducción

Dinorah Vargas, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad de México 04510, México

Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología

Técnica Académica

Guillermo Mora, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud

Graduate student

Héctor Serrano, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Ciudad de México, 09340, México

Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud

Alejandro Villa-Godoy, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad de México 04510, México

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología.

Profesor Titular C, Definitivo

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