Lectin binding pattern in hyperplastic and metaplastic bullock prostatic tissues after diethylstilbestrol (DES) administration.

FERNÁNDEZ, PE; BARBEITO, CG; PORTIANSKY, EL; GIMENO, EJ

VETERINARY RECORD

BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOC

Año: 2004 vol. 154 p. 298 - 303

0042-4900

Hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia of the prostatic epithelium are conditions induced by estrogens. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been banned from cattle used for beef production due to health risks. The potential use of molecular markers for the detection of illegal oestrogen administration was evaluated. Samples from control bullocks, probably oestrogen treated bullocks and animals sacrificed after 21 and 90 days post a single dose of DES inoculation, were compared. We examined the expression of glycoconjugates using lectinhistochemistry. The lectin-binding pattern was characterised in epithelium and connective tissue. The administration of DES in animals sacrificed after 21 days increases the binding of one lectin (JAC) while the binding pattern for one of the other lectins evaluated (DBA) was increased in animals sacrificed after 90 days. The increase of the sWGA lectin staining was observed in the probably oestrogen treated bullocks and animals sacrificed after 90 days of the inoculation with DES. In addition, sWGA exhibited noteworthy differences in values contrasting controls and the remaining groups. This technique could be a complementary screening method to evaluate whether oestrogen was administered to cattle.