LUTEINIZING-HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE, ESTROGEN, AND PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS IN CANINE MAMMARY LESIONS AND TUMOR-CELL LINES

Nineteen canine mammary lesions were analyzed for estrogen receptor (E R), progesterone receptor (PR) and luteinizing hormone releasing hormo ne receptor (LHRHR) cor?tent. In addition, nine previously established canine mammary tumor cell lines with known ER and PR were analyzed fo r LHRHR. The incidence of receptors in the mammary tumor lesions was 2 1% for LHRHR, 10% for ER and 30% for PR. Statistical correlation was n ot observed between receptor status and diagnosis of malignant, benign , ol hyperplastic lesions. A relationship between LHRHR and ER and PR content of canine mammary lesions or cell lines was nor evident. The p resence of functional hormone receptors offers opportunity for hormona l treatment of mammary cancel which may not be completely treatable by surgery. The observation of LHRHR in canine mammary tumors may offer therapeutic interventions other than surgery for mammary tumors unresp onsive to antiestrogens.