​Do Female Dogs Produce Estrogen?
Do Female Dogs Produce Estrogen?
Did you know that a female dog's ovary contains hundreds of eggs in various stages of maturation? Each egg is contained in a tiny sac called a follicle. A hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the development of these eggs. Once mature, these eggs can produce their own hormones. Estradiol 17B is produced by the follicles during the follicular stage of the dog's reproductive cycle.
Ovarian remnant syndrome
The symptoms of ovarian remnant syndrome are similar to those of a female dog in heat. Symptoms of an ovarian remnant syndrome in a female dog may include vulvar swelling, bloody discharge and attracted to male dogs. Treatment for female dogs with ovarian remnant syndrome may involve exploratory laparotomy. However, the symptoms may persist in a few months or years.
Ovarian remnant syndrome in female dogs is uncommon. It can be a result of improper placement of the clamps, poor visualization of the surgical field, or revascularization of the ovarian cortex. This condition has been reported only in dogs, cows, and cats, and is not associated with difficult ovariohysterectomy. Despite this difficulty, the disease can be successfully treated with proper surgical techniques.
Surgical treatment for ovarian remnant syndrome involves removing the remaining ovarian tissue. This procedure should be done while the dog is in heat or shortly after. This allows for a better view of the remaining ovarian tissue. The uterine stump is left above the cervix, and the hormonal effects of the ovarian remnant make the remaining uterus prone to infection. Although surgery is an effective way to cure female dogs with ovarian remnant syndrome, the surgical procedure can have serious side effects.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts in female dogs can vary in size and affect one or both ovaries. They are contraindicated in dogs, as they may impair a bitch's reproductive potential. Surgical removal of a cyst or the whole ovary may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Veterinarians may also perform ovariohysterectomy to remove the cysts.
Previous studies of ovarian cysts in dogs have provided valuable information about the disease, but additional details on the connection between gross pathology and endocrinology are needed to understand the full potential of the disease. The number of ovarian cysts per dog does not appear to affect the concentration of progesterone and oestradiol-17ss in blood plasma. The concentration of steroid hormones in ovarian cyst-fluid does, however, correlate with the amount of these steroid hormones in blood plasma. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the gross pathology of the disease and evaluate its endocrine parameters.
The size of the polycystic left ovary is measurable, and it is associated with hair, cartilage, and bone tissue. Cyst-fluid was collected from one to 15 cysts per dog, with a range of sizes from 0.1 to 5.5 cm in diameter. Cyst-fluid was collected from the ovaries, whereas the uterus showed no signs of pregnancy. The ovarian cysts were not malignant, but the dog had a large uterine tumor.
Vasalgel
The treatment of overproduction of estrogen in female dogs depends on the cause, extent, and sex of the affected dog. In most cases, definitive treatment involves surgical neutering, spaying, or testing. Masses and cysts can be removed through an incision or a small scope instrument, or the testicles can be completely removed. If the treatment fails, it may take up to four weeks to reverse the overproduction of estrogen.
