Evaluation of Collection and Distribution of Samples for Histological, Stereological Analysis and Cell Culture of Canine Mast Cell Tumors

Objective: To collect high quality, representative tissue material from tumors and manage its distribution to different laboratories. Design: Prospective controlled study. Animals: Thirty-six dogs with mast cell tumors. Procedures: The samples were submitted for the following analyses: stereology; histopathology; cell culture; breakdown for cytogenetic analysis of chromosomes (based on the Boxer breed published genome); Cell lysis for Real Time PCR and quantification of gene expression of CX 43, 32 and E-cadherin in canine mast cells. Results: Cytogenetic chromosome analysis, 90.9% of the samples were considered to be of good quality. For gene expression quantification of CX 43, 32 and E-cadherin in canine mast cell tumors (MCT), 95.5% of samples were considered to be of good quality. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: We seek to assess the importance of surgical collection and post-surgical tissue preparation on laboratory testing by collecting surgical material appropriately to allow accurate diagnosis and reliable clinical prognosis and minimize errors caused by inadequate preparation of samples.