Preservation, Handling, And Common Artifacts Of The Endometrial And Testicular Biopsy

Abstract

The value of histologic evaluation of tissues in theriogenology is two-fold: diagnostics utilized for autopsy evaluation (abortion cases) and assessment of changes in tissue structure through biopsy evaluation. Abortion cases involve the evaluation of fetal membranes and fetal organs in addition to any required ancillary diagnostic testing. Any tissue from the reproductive tract can be evaluated from the surgical biopsy perspective and these tissues are frequently evaluated at private diagnostic laboratories and state diagnostic laboratories in terms of general pathology. Specimens in this category include whole testicles after orchiectomy and whole female tubular reproductive tracts cranial to the cervix, and ovaries. Additionally vaginal or vestibular lesions as well as penile and preputial lesions may be evaluated. However, in addition to these commonly submitted surgical pathology specimens, the theriogenologist often submits a unique subset of specimens required to evaluate the potential fertility of a breeding animal, namely endometrial and testicular biopsies. Equine and canine endometrial biopsies and canine testicular biopsies are the most common tissue submitted for evaluation to The Ohio State University Theriogenology and Veterinary Reproductive Pathology Service. Each of these tissues has unique characteristics in terms of preservation and evaluation that can impact the histopathologic evaluation and results received by the submitting clinician. This review will cover the ideal methods of tissue fixation and preservation and will focus on the common artifacts, idiosyncracies and difficulties unique to the interpretation of endometrial biopsies and testicular biopsies.