Ocular squamous cell carcinoma in Holstein cows from the South of Brazil.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate 10 cases of bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnosed in Holstein or Holstein-crosses cows.

Materials and Methods: The investigation was performed exclusively in OSCC cases diagnosed in the State of Paraná and Santa Catarina. A combination of two previously existing histopathological classifications systems was used. The tissue samples were tested for immunoexpression of p53 and p16 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bovine herpesvirus and papillomavirus.

Results: A positive correlation between number of mitotic figures and tissue invasion was found. Anaplasia parameters did not correlate well with tumor invasion of deeper tissues and mitotic counts. Six of 10 OSCC cases were in animals with heavily pigmented eyes. Immunoexpression of p53 and p16 was observed in 3 cases each. Bovine herpesvirus and papillomavirus were not detected by PCR.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that OSCC occurrence is most likely multifactorial with genetic, phenotypic, and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease.