Reproductive System, Female

Vagina - Pigment

Narrative
Comment:

Golden brown to darker brown pigment is sometimes seen in the vagina (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Hemosiderin secondary to local hemorrhage is the most common type, but other types may be seen.

Recommendations:

Vagina - Pigment should be diagnosed when it is considered to be relevant to the study (or if it is unclear whether it is relevant to the study) or if it is unusually prominent. Not all pigments have to be diagnosed, as some are ubiquitous in aging animals or are secondary to another disease process (e.g., hemorrhage) and not toxicologically meaningful. The pathologist should use his or her judgment in deciding whether or not the pigment should be diagnosed. Definitive pigment identification is often difficult in histologic sections, even with a battery of special stains. Therefore, a diagnosis of "pigment" (as opposed to diagnosing the type of pigment, e.g., hemosiderin or lipofuscin) is most appropriate. The pathology narrative should describe the morphologic features of the pigmentation. When pigment is diagnosed, it should be given a severity grade.

References:

National Toxicology Program. 1998. NTP TR-477. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 1-Chloro-2-propanol (Technical Grade) (CAS No. 127-00-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Drinking Water Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/9756
  • Image of pigment in the vagina from a female F344/N rat in a chronic study

    Vagina - Pigment in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study. The arrows indicate the pigment in the vagina.

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Vagina - Pigment in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study. The arrows indicate the pigment in the vagina.
Vagina - Pigment in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study. The arrows indicate the pigment in the vagina.
Vagina - Pigment in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is golden brown pigment in the cells and interstitium of the vagina (arrows).
Vagina - Pigment in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is golden brown pigment in the cells and interstitium of the vagina (arrows).

Authors

Gabrielle Willson, BVMS, Dip RC Path, FRC Path, MRCVS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Karen Y. Cimon, DVM, MS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Karen S. Regan, DVM, DABT, DACVP
Pathologist
Regan Path/Tox Services, Inc.
Ashland, OH  

Darlene Dixon, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Fellow, IATP
Group Leader, Molecular Pathogenesis Group
National Toxicology Program Laboratory
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC