Expression of Oestrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor and Akt in Canine Circumanal Gland Tumours.

Abstract

We investigated the expression of oestrogen receptor alpha (OR-α), progesterone receptor (PR) and Akt in canine circumanal gland tumours. Immunohistochemistry was conducted on seven normal circumanal glands, 30 circumanal gland adenomas and 40 circumanal gland carcinomas. The expression of OR-α and PR was significantly lower in circumanal gland carcinomas than in circumanal gland adenomas. In contrast, the expression of Akt was markedly higher in circumanal gland carcinomas than in circumanal gland adenomas. These results indicate that the progression of canine circumanal gland tumours is influenced by changes in the expression levels of OR-α, PR and Akt. Identifying the molecular mechanisms of canine circumanal gland tumours requires further study.