Oviduct cyst observed together with a uterine serosal inclusion cyst in the Anatolian water buffalo – a case report

The aim of this study was to report the oviduct cyst together with uterine serosal inclusion cysts observed in a 5-year-old female Anatolian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). General examination of the animal before slaughtering revealed no health problems. Blood was collected from jugular vein and serum was separated. Serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations were determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Uterine and oviduct samples were obtained from the buffalo after slaughter. These samples were processed routinely and stained with haematoxylin and eosin stain for histopathological examination. A corpus albicans together with a follicle in a diameter of 1.6 cm, located on the left ovary was detected during ultrasonographic examination performed in a water bath of the genital organs after slaughter. Serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations were determined as 23 pg/ml and 0.53ng/ml, respectively. Cysts demonstrating multifocal serosal form of location in uterine horns were seen. Cysts similar to the uterine cysts were seen also in the oviduct. Cystic structures in a diameter ranging from 0.3 cm to 1 cm were observed in uterine horns, whereas cystic formations in a diameter ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm were seen in the mesosalpinx of the right and left oviducts. The cysts were surrounded by epithelium differing from a single layer of flat epithelium to cubic epithelium. This is the first study describing the oviduct cyst observed together with uterine serosal inclusion cysts in Anatolian water buffalo. Bubalus bubalis, genital tract, reproduction Serosal inclusion cysts are structures developing mesotelium due to rapid uterine contractions during involution of the uterus in the postpartum period (McEntee 1990). The high level of oestrogen in the oestrous cycle may act as a causative factor by increasing contractions of the uterus (Vural et al. 2004). These cysts do not appear to have any effect on fertility but cyst formation may be associated with hormonal dysfunction (Schlafer and Miller 2007). Serosal inclusion cysts are observed either in solitary or multifocal form frequently during ovariohysterectomy in dogs (Kennedy and Miller 1993; Vural et al. 2004; Schlafer and Gifford 2008) and cats (Godfrey and Silkstone 1998) and are found coincidentally in water buffaloes during slaughter at slaughterhouses (Saxena et al. 2006). The aim of our study was to report the oviduct cyst observed together with uterine serosal inclusion cysts in an Anatolian water buffalo.