ABSTRACT
Fifty canine cutaneous growths from various breeds of dogs were assessed for cell proliferation potential employing AgNORs (Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizing Regions) staining. Out of 50 growths, 41 were confirmed as neoplasms based on histopathological examination, which included 24 benign and 17 malignant neoplasms of different tissue origin. Histochemical assessment of AgNORs among the 41 confirmed cases of neoplasms revealed a higher count in malignant tumours in comparison to benign tumours. Highest AgNORs count was recorded in fibrosarcoma (6.98) followed by basal cell carcinoma (5.91) and squamous cell carcinoma (5.57). The lowest count was recorded in hepatoid adenoma (2.31) followed by haemangioma (2.67). AgNOR counts of malignant tumours differed significantly (p<0.01) from benign tumors. Benign tumours had AgNOR values ranging from 2.67 to 4.80 per nucleus, while the malignant tumours had 3.38 to 6.98 per nucleus. A few benign tumours, which showed tendency towards malignancy, expressed higher AgNORs counts. Assessment of AgNORs in this study found to be very useful to differentiate benign, malignant and borderline cases of cutaneous neoplasms.

Key Words: AgNORs, benign, cutaneous, histochemical, malignant, neoplasms