Spermathecae of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus: a histological and histochemical view

Ucides cordatus is the most commercially, important mangrove crab in Brazil. In spite of its economic importance, there are few studies of its reproduction, in particular the female reproductive system. The present study describes the histology and histochemistry of the spermathecae of U. cordatus. Adult females were can lit monthly from July 2004 through June 2005, at Iguape, State of São Paulo. The crabs were anaesthetized, and their spermathecae removed and fixed in Davidson's fluid, following the histological routine for paraffin. The slides were stained with HE, xylidine Ponceau, PAS, alcian blue (pH 1.0 and 2.5), Sudan black B and picrosirius-haematoxylin. Histologically, the spermathecae possesses a capsule of conjunctive tissue, rich in collalgen fibres, which surrounds the secretory columnar epithelium. In the lumen, individual sperm packets are not observed; the spermatophores are intermixed with the seminal fluid and secretions of the spermathecae itself. A large proportion of the free spermatozoids and spermatophores are arranged in homogeneous masses in the proximal part of the spermathecae. The secretion produced by the columnar epithelium appears to promote the movement of the gametes to the fertilization chamber, in a ventral position, allowing fertilization of the oocytes. Histochemically, the secretion produced by the columnar epithelium was strongly positive for neutral polysaccharides, positive for acid polysaccharides, and weakly positive for proteins and lipids. Tills secretion forms a glycoprotein matrix which is associated with maintenance of the spermatophores, which can remain stored for long periods.

Emprego dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta na colite de derivação fecal : estudo em ratos Wistar

Diversion colitis is a chronic inflammatory process affecting the dysfunctional colon, after a colostomy. It is postulated that nutritional deficiency of the colonic epithelium by the absence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) is one of the factors responsible for the appearance of DC and that their employment could reverse the morphological changes of the mucosa. The treatment of choice for fecal diversion colitis (DC) is the reconstruction of the intestinal tract, although they suggested therapeutic options using enemas. This study evaluates the effect of SCFA in atrophy and inflammation in excluded colonic segments before and after the installation DC. Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 10 for each group), submitted colostomy with distal colon exclusion. Two control groups (A1 and B1) received rectally administered physiological saline, whereas two experimental groups (A2 and B2) received rectally administered short-chain fatty-acids. The A groups were prophylactically treated (5th to 40th days postoperatively), whereas the B groups were therapeutically treated (after postoperative day 40), for 07 days. Histological sections stained with HE were used for histological analysis of the thickness of the colonic mucosa excluded (t- Student p ≤0.05). Inflammatory reaction of the lamina propria and mucosa were measured with scores previously established (Mann Whitney p ≤ 0.05). There was a significant thickness recovery of the colonic mucosa in group B2 animals (p = 0.0001), which also exhibited a significant reduction in the number of eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells in the lamina propria (p = 0.0126) and in the intestinal lumen (p = 0.0256). Group A2 did not prevent the mucosal atrophy and significant increases in the numbers of lymphocytes (p=0.0006) and 50 eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells in the lamina propria of the mucosa (p = 0.0022). Therapeutic use of short-chain fatty-acids significantly reduced eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cell numbers in the intestinal wall and in the colonic lumen; it also reversed the atrophy of the colonic mucosa. Prophylactic use did not impede the development of mucosal atrophy

Gross and microscopic observations on the lingual structure of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei-gervais and d'orbigny, 1844)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Performance and ruminal morphologic characteristics of Saanen kids fed ground, pelleted or extruded total ration

The aim of the present study was to determine feed intake and average weight gain and to evaluate the ruminal morphologic characteristics of Saanen kids slaughtered at 30, 45 and 60 days of age, according to a completely randomized design. Thirty-six non-castrated male Saanen kids were fed ground total ration, pelleted total ration, or extruded total ration. Feed intake and refusals were controlled daily and the animals were weighed at birth and then once a week. Newborn kids received a milk replacer and were weaned at 45 days. Immediately after slaughter, the animals were eviscerated, the entire digestive apparatus was removed from the carcass. The reticulo-rumen was separated, emptied, washed and weighed. Samples were collected from the dorsal sac, pillar area and ventral sac of the rumen, fixed for about 24h in Bouin's solution, dehydrated, embedded in Histosec and cut into 5 mu m sections. Results showed that dry matter intake (DMI) at weaning and post-weaning and weight gain were higher (P < 0.05) in animals that received the pelleted total ration. The weight of the reticulo-rumen accompanied body development and was heavier in these animals. Histologically, after weaning ruminal papillae were more developed in animals that received pelleted total ration. Length of papillae increased with increase of age. The ratio of papillary height to papillary width increased with age in the ventral sac and until weaning (P > 0.05). We conclude that the pelleting process of the total ration favored increased intake, with a 46.7% increase in weight gain and increase in rumen weight and papillae length, suggesting that best results are obtained with this processing. In general, no difference was observed between the results obtained with extruded and ground total ration, although animals fed extruded total ration showed an increase in rumen weight and papillae width. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Physiological and morphological responses to feeding in broad-nosed caiman (Caiman latirostris)

Broad nosed caiman are ectotherm sauropsids that naturally experience long fasting intervals. We have studied the postprandial responses by measuring oxygen consumption using respirometry, the size changes of the duodenum, the distal small intestine, and the liver, using repeated non-invasive ultrasonography, and by investigating structural changes on the level of tissues and cells by using light- and electron microscopy. The caimans showed the same rapid and reversible changes of organ size and identical histological features, down to the ultrastructure level, as previously described for other ectothermic sauropsids. We found a configuration change of the mucosa epithelium from pseudostratified during fasting to single layered during digestion, in association with hypertrophy of enterocytes by loading them with lipid droplets. Similar patterns were also found for the hepatocytes of the liver. By placing the results of our study in comparative relationship and by utilizing the phylogenetic bracket of crocodiles, birds and squamates, we suggest that the observed features are plesiomorphic characters of sauropsids. By extending the comparison to anurans, we suggest that morphological and physiological adjustments to feeding and fasting described here may have been a character of early tetrapods. In conclusion, we suggest that the ability to tolerate long fasting intervals and then swallow a single large meal as described for many sit-an-wait foraging sauropsids is a functional feature that was already present in ancestral tetrapods.

Structural features of the epididymal region of the domestic duck (Anas plathyrynchos)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação histológica da próstata de cães adultos sexualmente intactos

Avaliou-se histologicamente a próstata de 30 cães adultos e idosos sexualmente intactos que apresentavam ou não sintomatologia clínica de doença prostática, e verificou-se a incidência de possíveis alterações da glândula. Dentre as alterações encontradas, a hiperplasia prostática benigna constituiu o diagnóstico mais comum, 85,6% (n=24), seguida por prostatite crônica, 64,3% (n=18), displasia do epitélio glandular, 42,8% (n=12), atrofia do epitélio glandular, 39,3% (n=11), infiltrado inflamatório focal, 25% (n=7), dilatação glandular focal, 21,4% (n=6), prostatite aguda, 7,1% (n=2), metaplasia escamosa, 3,6%, (n=1), metástase de neoplasia sistêmica, 3,6% (n=1) e abscesso prostático, 3,6% (n=1). Como em muitos casos os cães são assintomáticos, ressalta-se a importância da realização rotineira de exames clínicos específicos, como o toque retal e a ultrassonografia, para o diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento das afecções prostáticas.

Avaliação da expressão das moléculas HLA de classe I não clássicas HLA-G E HLA-E em espécimes gástricas de pacientes acometidos com a bactéria Helicobacter Pylori

The expression of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) and human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) in physiological and pathological processes remains unknown, it is believed that these molecules play a fundamental role in the establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance by inhibiting the functions of immunocompetent cells. In literature we found no published study involving the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with expression of HLA-G and HLA-E. The objective this study is investigated the expression of this protein in gastric biopsies of patients with the bacterium H. pylori. Sixty-four biopsies of the patients with diagnosis of infection by H. pylori were evaluated to expression of HLA-G and HLA-E. The samples were stratified according to the presence of carcinoma or peptic ulcers. Patients without H. pylori were used to control. To investigate the expression of this protein were used immunohistochemistry technique with monoclonal antibody anti-HLA-G and anti-HLA-E. Other criteria such as analysis of the inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin-eosin) and identification of H. pylori (Giemsa) were analyzed. We detected HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in the most samples containing ulcer and gastric carcinoma. In negative control group was not detected the presence of HLA-G and HLA-E. The presence of H. pylori seems modulate the expression of HLA-G and HLA-E, favoring the evolution of infection, giving different degrees of gastric lesion in epithelium of these patients

Avaliação citológica em base líquida de fármacos moduladores estrogênicos

Hormone therapy is an important tool in the treatment of breast cancer and tamoxifen represents one of the most important drugs used in this type of treatment. Recently other drugs based on the inhibition of aromatase had been developed, this enzyme is responsible for the synthesis of estrogenic esteroids from the androgenic ones. The objective of this study would be the development of a quantitative cytological model of murine estral analysis that allowed the characterization of different hormone drugs effect over vaginal epithelium. The technique of monochromatic staining with Evans blue (C.I. 23860) showed to be efficient in the qualitative and quantitative classification of the cycle. It had been observed differences in the cytological standard of animals submitted to the studied drugs; tamoxifen presented a widening of phases of lesser maturation (diestrais), while anastrozole and exemestane increased the duration of the phases of larger maturation (estrais). The data were analysed through a cubical non linear regression (spline) which allowed a better characterization of the drugs, suggesting a proper cytological profile to the antagonism of the estrogen receptor (tamoxifen), aromatase competition (anastrozole) and inhibition of the enzyme (exemestane)

Limbal autograft transplantation in a dog with alkali-induced ulceration

Descreve-se um caso de um animal da espécie canina, fêmea, sem raça definida, de três meses de idade, com histórico de apatia, contato prévio com produto alcalino (hidróxido de sódio) e relutância em abrir o olho direito. Ao exame oftálmico, foram observados blefarospasmo, fotofobia, epífora, quemose discreta, hiperemia conjuntival, e edema corneal difuso com comprometimento do limbo. Foram realizados o teste da fluoresceína positivo e o Teste Lacrimal de Schirmer 32mm min-1. Com base nos achados, firmou-se o diagnóstico de úlcera por álcali e realizou-se transplante autógeno do limbo. No pós-operatório, observou-se vascularização corneal a partir do terceiro dia e sua intensificação, em número e calibre, nos dias subseqüentes. Também foram observadas mínimas áreas de transparência corneal. Os resultados obtidos permitem admitir que o transplante autógeno de limbo é procedimento factível para o manejo da terapia de úlceras de córnea por álcali.

Sclerocorneal limbal stem cell autograft transplantation in dogs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of ethyl-cyanoacrylate and octyl-cyanoacrylate on experimental corneal lesions in rabbits

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Iatrogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a dog

Anormalidades quali-quantitativas em componentes primários da lágrima podem alterar a dinâmica do filme lacrimal, comprometendo sua função. O filme lacrimal é composto por lipídios, uma fração aquosa e por mucoproteínas. A ceratoconjuntivite seca (CCS) é uma enfermidade freqüentemente diagnosticada em cães, caracterizada pela deficiência da fração aquosa do filme lacrimal, resultando em dessecação e inflamação da conjuntiva e córnea, dor, doença corneana progressiva e redução da visão. Devido à contribuição significativa da glândula da terceira pálpebra na produção da porção aquosa do filme lacrimal, a remoção desta glândula, quando prolapsada, constitui-se em importante causa de CCS iatrogênica. Este trabalho relata um caso clínico de ceratoconjuntivite seca iatrogênica, em um cão da raça Boston Terrier de 10 meses de idade, causada pela remoção cirúrgica da glândula lacrimal da terceira pálpebra, quando esta encontrava-se prolapsada.

Ceratomicose em equinos

O cavalo, dado o seu meio ambiente, está sujeito a afecções frequentes da córnea e da conjuntiva, tecidos oculares bastante expostos a bactérias e fungos, principalmente Aspergillus spp. e Fusarium spp. As ceratites ulcerativas bacterianas e fúngicas, bem como as ceratites fúngicas não ulcerativas, caracterizadas principalmente pelo abscesso estromal, são frequentes nessa espécie. Ocorrida a lesão inicial, perpetua-se um ciclo vicioso, com liberação de citocinas inflamatórias, que desencadeiam uma rápida e severa infiltração corneal por células polimorfonucleares. A córnea torna-se sujeita à destruição por enzimas proteolíticas liberadas pelos micro-organismos e por células inflamatórias, capazes de desencadear a dissolução estromal e a perfuração do bulbo ocular. O tratamento clínico para a resolução da doença corneal e o controle da uveíte reflexa deve ser agressivo e associado, muitas das vezes, à terapia cirúrgica. Este artigo discorre sobre a fisiopatologia e o tratamento da ceratomicose em equinos.

Ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of Saanen goats of different ages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)