Influence of oestrogen receptor-α gene expression on cervical patency in pyometric bitches

Canine pyometra is a common, serious and potentially life-threatening reproductive disorder affecting intact female dogs, usually during the dioestrus phase of the oestrous cycle. The study focused on the factors concerned with cervical patency in pyometric dogs. Twelve clinical cases confirmed of pyometra, open (Group I, n = 6), closed (Group II, n = 6) and six healthy dogs in dioestrous phase (Group III) were utilized for the study. All bitches were subjected to ovariohysterectomy (OHE) under standard anaesthetic protocol. Sections of the cervix were collected and stored in RNA later for gene expression studies. Levels of mRNA expressions for estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) was determined by real time quantitative PCR reaction (qRT-PCR). No significant difference in the expression of ER-α between the groups could be noticed. The study concluded that ER-α wasn’t involved in controlling the cervical patency.