O tubo abdominal do macho de Agylla argentea Wlk: (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae)

O autor descreve a glândula odorífera, situada no abdômen do macho de Agylla argentea, do ponto de vista anatômico e histológico. A glândula encontra-se no fundo da cãmara genital de uma grande área glandular da hipoderme de um pincel irradiador. Cada célular possui uma comprida cerda odorífera. O aparêlho copulador é aberto por meio de um acréscimo da pressão no interior da cavidade abdominal. Atrás da parte ventral da câmara genital está situado um grande saco traqueal, que em virtude da pressão aumentada, se enche de ar e se dilata para trás, de modo que a região ventral da câmara genital é expulsa, formando um tubo que se projeta ao ar livre. Êste movimento é facilitado por uma grande dobra anular da parede membranosa da câmara genital. Pela mesma pressão um "corpo piriforme", situado na cavidade genital e possuindo uma cutícula elástica, é dilatado e deformado, dando, em seguida, ao tubo citado a sua forma. Encontramos na extremidade do tubo a glândula e o pincel irradiador, cujas cerdas estão divergindo. O retôrno para o estado de repouso verifica-se como processo automático que se inicia quando a pressão interna diminui e o corpo piriforme volta à sua forma original. É muito provável que a secreção da glândula da asa do macho, já descrita em outro trabalho, evite a reação de fuga da fêmea, enquanto a glândula abdominal estimula a fêmea para a própria cópula.

Caracterización de la privación y de la pobreza en Catalunya

Este trabajo contribuye a la escasa literatura sobre la evaluación multidimensional del nivel de bienestar de los individuos más desfavorecidos de nuestra sociedad. Se distingue claramente entre pobreza monetaria y privación multidimensional, para proceder entonces a su cuantificación y caracterización empleando una base de datos nueva (PaD) para Cataluña y utilizando, por vez primera, una metodología que nos permite considerar de forma conjunta la pobreza y la privación. Nuestros resultados empíricos deberían informar a la política social. Aportamos evidencia nueva sobre viejas y nuevas relaciones entre situaciones de desventaja económica y características de los individuos, algunas de las cuales invitan a reconsiderar viejas concepciones. This paper contributes to the scarce literature on the multidimensional assessment of the well-being of the worse off individuals. We document and characterise monetary poverty and multidimensional deprivation using a new database (PaD) for Catalonia. The econometric methodology we employ allows for a join analysis of poverty and deprivation, which has not been seen before. Our empirical findings should be informative for social policy. We provide new evidence on old and new relations between situations of economic disadvantage and individual characteristics, some of which invite to reconsider old conceptions.

Estudos anatômicos e histológicos sôbre a sub-família Triatominae (Heteroptera, Reduviidae): parte XVIII: estígmas respiratórios de Triatoma infestans

O aparelho respiratório de Triatoma infestans, na fase adulta, consta de 9 pares de estígmas, traquéias e traquéolas. Os estígmas dispõem-se em 2 pares torácicos e 7 pares abdominais. É estudado o mecanismo responsável pela abertura e fechamento dos mesmos. A forma, estrutura e situação de todos os espiráculos constituem fatos novos e interessantes, no estudo dêste grupo. Os estígmas torácicos apresentam forma semelhante, diferenciando-se, porém, outros detalhes, o possuir ou não uma zona reforçada de exocutícula, que serve de ponto de implantação aos músculos. O 1º par torácico fica situado na zona látero-ventral da região anterior do mesotórax; enquanto que 2.º par dispõe-se na linha lateral, na região anterior do metatórax. Ambos ficam encobertos por escleritos do tórax, sendo que no 1.º par, o pronoto é o responsável, e no 2.º par, os epiméron e méron do mesotórax e metatórax. Os estígmas abdominais são em número de 7, sendo que o 1.º par, até o presente, não havia sido mencionado na literatura, e não segue a mesma linha de orientação que os demais. Êste encontra-se na região látero-dorsal, da zona intersegmental do tórax com o abdômen. Os demais espiráculos, estão situados na região látero-ventral. Êste 1.º par de estígma abdominal parece ter importância como caráter filogenético, uma vez que se repete em alguns Triatomíneos, como por exemplo: T. sordida, T. maculata, T. vitticeps, P. megistus e R. prolixus. A explicação que encontramos para a sua localização está ligada diretamente ao desaparecimento do 1.º esternito abdominal e atrofia do 1.º tergito abdominal. Nossos estudos encontram apôio na II parte dêste trabalho, quando nos referimos à disposição do sistema traqueal. Todos os estígmas, torácicos ou abdominais,, apresentam modificações que servem para protegê-los contra estranhos em suspensão no ar. Os espiráculos torácicos apresentam apenas um dispositivo de proteção; o 1.º abdominal dois, e, finalmente, os abdominais ventrais, três. Êstes elementos são estudados com precisão no presente trabalho.

Sôbre o órgão abdominal glandular de Arilus carinatus (Forster, 1771): (Heteroptera, Reduviidae)

Descreve-se um órgão glandular, encontrado na fêmea de Arilus carinatus, de um tipo ainda desocnhecido em insetos. Localiza-se, em forma de um saco membranoso, nos dois lados da linha ventral, entre os 8º e 9º segmentos abdominais. O órgão é expulso por um aumento da pressão interna da cavidade abdominal e volta ao estado de repouso, no interior do corpo, por meio de contração muscular. A vesícula retal volumosa forma, em direção distal, um amplo divertículo, do qual partem dois "tubos retais" que penetram nas vesículas membranosas, tendo na superfície destas uma abertura em forma de fenda. A hipoderme do divertículo, bem como a de uma região da vesícula retal e da parte basal dos tubos retais é glandular. A secreção possui um cheiro intenso e ardido que lembra o gás de acetileno. Trata-se, provàvelmente, de uma glândula repugnatória. Não se sabe nada sôbra a ocorrência do aparelho no macho e em outras espécies de Reduviídeos.

Estudos anatômicos e histológicos sôbre a sub-família Triatominae (Heteroptera, Reduviidae): Parte XX: estudo comparado dos estigmas nas espécies mais importantes

É feito um estudo comparado sôbre a estrutura e o mecanismo dos estigmas de Triatoma vitticeps, Triatoma maculata, Triatoma sórdida, Triatoma brasiliensis, Rhodnius prolines e Panstrongyius megistus com os de Triatoma infestans, anteriormente já tratados. É, assim, elaborada uma tabela comparativa sôbre o tamanho e localização, dos espiráculos torácicos e abdominais, nas espécies citadas. Os estigmas mesotorácicos nas espécies do gênero Triatoma apresentam-se com várias modificações morfológicas, porém, não tão significantes como as encontradas em Panstrongyius megistus e Rhodnius prolixus. Seu mecanismo mostra acentuadas diferenças morfológicas. De um modo geral, os estigmas mesotorácicos possuem uma zona dorsal e outra ventral, que se diferenciam nas diferentes espécies e gêneros. A abertura do átrio para o exterior faz-se, perpendicularmente ao eixo maior do corpo do inseto. Nota-se uma região onde a cutícula é mais espêssa e que serve de base para a implantação dos músculos destinados ao seu funcionamento. O côndilo, que varia quanto à forma, nos diversos Triatomíneos, não é evidenciado nos estigmas metatorácicos. Os espiráculos metatorácicos encontram-se ocultos, totalmente, pelos escleritos do mesotórax e metatórax. O aspecto morfológico do mesmo é semelhante ao do mesotorácico, porém, apresenta algumas diferenças. Os espiraculos abdominais são em número de 8 pares. O 1.º par está situado na região látero-dorsal da membrana intersegmental, entre o tórax e o abdômen. Em Rhodnius prolixus o estigma apresenta-se circundado por zonas esclerosadas, em forma de listas. Nos demais Triatomíneos os escleritos estigmatíferos são semelhantes e menos reforçados. A forma e a estrutura e o mecanismo dêstes estigmas variam em todas as espécies citadas, Encontram-se 3 elementos de proteção à traquéia que se limita com o átrio. São eles: 1) rêde protetora que recobre parcialmente a entrada do estigma, semelhante a um peritrema; 2) côndilo interno que comanda a entrada e saída do ar das traquéias; e 3) falsos espinhos, situados no átrio e que variam de tamanho e espessura nos diferentes Triatomíneos. Finalmente, observa-se o VIII par de estigmas abdominais, cuja forma, mecanismo e localização o diferenciam dos demais. Êste par encontra-se citado por alguns autores, porém, na realidade, sua estrutura só é apresentada no presente trabalho.

Anomalia em Coscinodiscus oculus-iridis ehrenberg, 1839 (Diatomácea)

The author describes an anomalous specimen in diatom Coscinodiscus oculus-iridis Ehr., 1839, caught from Guanabara Bat, (22º 51' 8" Lat. S. - 43º 14' 3" Long. W. G.); its dorsal face (fig. 1), is different from the ventral one, (fig. 2).

Anatomy and histology of Embolyntha batesi MacLahlan, 1877 (Embiidina)

The Embioptera are rather generalized insects whose internal anatomy is simple and not subject to great modifications. For this reason these insects form an ideal group for elementary anatomical and histological studies (fig. 2). The digestive tract is a long, simple tube without convolutions or diverticulae from the buccal cavity to the rectum. The buccal structures are of the chewing type. The oesophagus and ingluvia are differentiated only by slight dilation of their walls. In nymphs and females the proventriculus is very distinct due to folds which flatten as the structure becomes packed with food. The enteron is the largest in such forms and in both sexes limited caudally by the Malpighian tubules. The proctodeus has six large rectal papillae. The nervous system is complete with only the fifth abdominal segment lacking a ganglion in the metathorax includes the ganglion of the first abdominal segment. The brain exhibits very clear structure in histological sections. The tracheal system includes two pairs of thoracic spiracles and eight abdominal pairs. Only th metathoracic spiracle has an air expiration function; all others serve for inspiration. Various structures in the spiracles protect the atrium. The circulatory system includes a long, simple dorsal vessel which extends forward from the ninth abdominal segment into the cranium. It opens anteriorly near the circumoesophageal connectives. The dorsal vessel has a pair of ostia and valves corresponding to each abdominal and thoracic segment. It lacks the diverticulae or folds commonly found in more highly evolved insects. The excretory system is represented by Malphighian tubules, pericardial cells, and fat-body. The number and disposition of Malpighian tubules is variable within the order. The pericardial cells are localized around the entire dorsal vessel up to the opening of the aorta in the head. The fat-bodies form compact layers in the dorsal and ventral regions of the body. In males they are more developed in the abdominal region. The mandibles, maxillae, and salivary glands are of a simple type with very few cytological modifications. Only the salivary glands which extend into the mesothoracic region show appreciable specialization. The reproductive system is bi-sixual and shows considerable sexual dimorphism. Males have five pair of testes with a metameric disposition, two distinct ducts, two epidymis, and the ejaculatory organs. The accessory glands vary in number and size and open in the anterior portion of the ejaculatory duct. The female reproductive organs are of the panoistic type. The system includes five pairs of ovarioles, two long paired oviducts a small, unpaired oviduct and the spermatheca which opens in the vagina. Reproduction usually involves a union of male and female gametes, and eggs are usually laid in clusters attached to a substrate.

Biomphalaria occidentalis sp.n. from South America (Mollusca basommatophora pulmonata)

A new species of South American planorbid snail, Biomphalaria occidentalis, is described. It is indistinguishable from B. tenagophila (Orbigny, 1835), by the characteristics of the shell and of most organs of the genital system. In B. tenagophila there is a pouch on the ventral wall of the vagina (Fig. 4A, vp), absent in B. occidentalis (Fig. 3A), and on the ventral wall of the vagina (Fig. 4A, vp), absent in B. occidentalis (Fig. 3A), and the prepuce is much wider than the penial sheath, its width increasing distalward (Fig. 4, ps,pp), whereas in B. occidentalis the prepuce is wider than the penial sheath but keeps about the same width all along (Fig.3, ps, pp). The two species are biologically separate by absolute reproductive isolation. The geographical distribution of B. occidentalis is shown in Fig. 14. So far it has been found in the Brazilian states of Acre, Amazonas (?), Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná, and in Paraguay. Its type-locality is Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do sul, where it was collected from several biotopes related to affluents of the Aquiduana river, chiefly Córrego Prosa and Córrego Ceroula. Specimens were deposited in the following malacological collections: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro; Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan; and British Museum (Natural History).

Lymnaea Diaphana; a study of Topotypic specimens (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae)

A description of the species Lymnaea diaphana King, 1830 is presented, on the basis of material collected at its type-locality, San Gregorio, on the north coast of the Strait of Magellan, in the Chilean province of Magallanes. It may be identified by the following characters taken together: adult shell over 10 mm in length, whorls inflated, regularly convex, separated by a well-marked suture, aperture ovate occupying about half the shell length; renal organ forming an approximately right angle with the ureter; pouch of the oviduct well noticeable high on the right ventral surface and on the right side of the nidamental gland; uterus bent to the right into an approximately right angle; body of the spermatheca projected into the pulmonary cavity and adhered to the pericardium and to the roof of the pulmonary cavity; spermiduct highly sinuous, folding dorsalward between the left half of the oviduct and the left shoulder of the nidamental gland, and then winding on ventralward to reach the prostate on the middle line; prostate voluminous, convex on the left, pushed in on the right, with a deep dorsal furrow corresponding to a fold which projects into the prostatic lumen and is more developed at the fore half of the organ; apical end of the penial sheath with about six minute protuberances corresponding to inner chambers; prepuce from about as long about twice as long as the penial sheath, with some variation beyond those limits; lateral teeth of the radula basically tricuspid, with a usually simple ectocone which may show a bifid or trifid point. A diagnosis between lymnaea diaphana and three other lymnaeids which also occur in South America and were previously studied by the author - L. columella, L. viatrix and L. rupestris - is presented.

New morphological data on Opecoeloides pedicathedrae Travassos, Freitas & Buhrnheim, 1966 (Digenea: Opecoelidae)

New morphological data on the ventral sucker of Opecoeloides pedicathedrae with ten papilliform processes, original figures and measurementes, are reported.

Interleukin- 2 production during murine infection by Leishmania mexicana amazonensis

Highly susceptible BALB/c mice, resistant C57B1/6 and their F1 progeny (BDF1) were infected subcutaneously in the foot pad with Leishmania mexicana amazonenesis. At various times after infection, spleen or draining popliteal lymph node cells were assayed for their capacity to generate Interleukin-2 (I1-2) by Concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation. In both BALB/c and C57B1/6 strains there was a transient increase in their capacity to produce I1-2, from the 3rd to the 10th week post-infection. Return to pre-infection levels ocurred between 13th to 16th week post-infection in all three strains. BALB/c mice always produced higher titers of 11-2 than C57B1/6, but such differences were statistically significant only at 3 and 10 weeks post-infection. BDF1 mice had titers similar to those observed in BALB/c mice. I1-2 production by ConA-stimulated lymph node cells was lower as compared to the spleen, but with a similar pattern among the three mice strains. Our data show that susceptibility to infection by l. mexicana amazonenesis is not associated with deficient ConA-stimulated I1-2 production.

Physa Marmorata Guilding, 1828 (Pulmonata: Physidae)

A description of Physa marmorata Guilding, 1828, based on material collected at its type-locality, the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, is presented. The shell is thin, horn-colored, surface very glossy, diaphanous. Spire acute, elevated; protoconch distinct, rounded-conical, reddish-brown; five not shouldered, broadly convex whorls with subobsolete spiral lines and thin growth lines. Aperture elongated, 1.4-2.0 times as long as the remaining shell length, narrow obovate-lunate; upper half acute-angled,lower half oval,narrowly rounded at the base, outer lip sharp, inner lip completely closing the umbilical region; a very distinct callus on the parietal wall; columellar lip with a low ridge gradually merging into the callus. ratios: shell width/shell length = 0.44 - 0.52 (mean 0.47); spire length /shell lenght = 0.33-0.41 (mean 0.39); aperture length/shell lenght = 0.59-0.67 (mean 0.62). Oral lappets laterally mucronate, foot spatulate with deeply pigmented acuminate tail. Mantle reflection with 6-10 short triangular dentations covering nearly half the right surface of the body whorl, and 4-6 covering a part of the ventral wall. Body surface with tiny dots of greenish-yellow pigment besides melanin. Renal tube tightly folded in toa zigzag course. Ovotestis diverticula acinous, laterally pressed against each other around a collecting canal. Ovispermiduct with well-developed seminal vesicle. oviduct highly convoluted, merging into a less convoluted nidamental gland which narrows to a funnel-shaped uterus and a short vagina. Spermathecal body oblong, more or less constricted in the middle and somewhat curved; spermathecal duct uniformly narrow, a little longer than be body. About 20 prostatic diverticula, simple, bifurcate or divided into a few short branches, distalmost ones assembled into a cluster. Penis long, nearly uniformly narrow; penial canal with lateral opening about the junction of its middle and lower thirds. Penial sheath with a bulbous terminal expasion the tip of which isinserted into the caudal end of the prepuce. Prepuce shouldered, much wider than the narrow portion of the penial sheath. Penial sheath/prepuce ratio about 2.08 (1.45-2.75). The main extrinsic muscles of the penial complex are a retractor, with a branch attached to the bulb, and another to the caudal end of the penial sheath; and a protractor, with a branch attached to the shoulder of the prepuce and adjoining area of the penial sheath, and another to the caudal end of the penial sheath. Egg capsule C-shaped, with 10-30 elliptical eggs (snails 10mm long) measuring about 1.10 mm (0.90-1.32) through the long axis and surrounded by an inner and an outer lamellate membranes. Jaw a simple obtusely V-shaped plate. radula will be described separately.

Role of cytokines in secondary lymphoid organ development

Summary Secondary lymphoid organs are sites of antigen presentation, clonal expansion of B and lymphocytes, and affinity maturation of B lymphocytes. In the intestine, these immune functions occur mainly in Peyer's patches (PP). PP develop through the interplay of two main cell types, haematopoietic cells and meserichyrnal cells. One particular haematopoietic cell type was identified as the inductive cell type in the formation of both PP and lymph nodes and was therefore designated as lymphoid tissue inducer cell. For a successful PP organogenesis, the crucial molecular components involved in the crosstalk of inducer cells and their mesenchymal target cells are adhesion molecules, lymphotoxin (LT) family members, and cytokines. In particular, the interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) expressed on inducer cells is absolutely required. To investigate the contribution of the ligand for the IL-7R. the cytokine IL-7, in the process of PP formation, we analyzed double transgenic (TG) mice. These mice resulted from an interbreeding of an IL-7TG mouse strain where the transgene is under the control of the MHC class II promoter with a second transgenic mouse strain, which overexpresses a transactivator for MHC class II genes. Double TG offsprings revealed higher levels of IL-7 mRNA occuring earlier in embryogenesis. Consequently, double TG mice showed a striking phenotype with a 3- to 5-fold increase in PP numbers compared to single IL-7TG or control littermates. Analysis of embryonic double TG intestines demonstrated that the process of PP development was already elevated during development as early as the embryonic day 16.5. Importantly, inducer cells were significantly increased in numbers in these embryonic intestines. Furthermore, the expression of LT? mRNA, which at this early time point is exclusively expressed by inducer cells, was also increased in double TG animals. These data clearly indicate a direct influence of IL-7 on the expansion of lymphoid tissue inducer cells and on the availability of LT? leading to a higher frequency of developing PP in fetal life. Interestingly, in addition to an enhanced frequency of PP development, in double TG mice, three additional phenotypic differences were observed. i) Lymphocyte infiltration in various non-lymphoid organs, such as stomach, salivary gland, and liver. Subsequent analysis demonstrated that B lymphocytes were predominant within these tertiary lymphoid structures. ii) Ectopic lymph node-like structures containing both B and T lymphocytes were found near the inguinal lymph node. iii) Double TG mice had a severe bone resorption syndrome most likely as a consequence of the pro-osteoclastic effect of IL-7. Taken together, these results show that IL-7 plays a key role in the homeostasis of inducer cells, in the generation of PP in the gut, in the formation of ectopic lymphoid tissue, and in bone resorption. Résumé Les organes lymphoïdes secondaires sont les lieux de présentation des antigènes aux lymphocytes, permettant l'expansion des lymphocytes B et T et la maturation d'affinité des lymphocytes B. Dans l'intestin, ces fonctions immunitaires se déroulent dans les plaques de Peyer (PP). Ces plaques se développent grâce à l'interaction des cellules hématopoïétiques avec des cellules mésenchymales. Un type particulier de cellules hématopoïétiques a été identifié comme cellule inductrice dans la formation des PP et des ganglions lymphatiques et de ce fait a été désigné cellule inductrice des tissus lymphoïdes. Durant l'organogénèse des PP, les composants moléculaires cruciaux impliqués dans l'interaction des cellules inductrices et des cellules mésenchymales sont les molécules d'adhésion, les membres de la famille des lymphotoxines (LT) et les cytokines. En particulier, le récepteur de l'interleukine 7 (IL-7R) exprimé par les cellules inductrices est absolument nécessaire. Pour étudier le rôle du ligand de l'IL-7R, l'interleukine IL-7, dans la formation des PP, nous avons croisé une lignée de souris transgénique (TG) surexprimant IL-7 sous contrôle du promoteur MHC class Il avec une lignée de souris transgénique surexprimant un transactivateur des genes MHC class II. Les souris doubles TG présentent une concentration élevée d'ARNm de l'IL-7 durant l'embryogénèse, ce qui résulte en une augmentation du nombre de PP de 3 à 5 fois en comparaison aux souris ayant seul le transgène IL-7 et aux souris contrôles. L'analyse des intestins des souris doubles TG démontre que le processus de développement des PP était élevé dès le jour 16.5 du développement embryonnaire. L'augmentation du nombre des cellules inductrices dans ces intestins embryonnaires est signilicative. De plus l'expression de l'ARNm LT?, qui à ce stade précoce est exclusivement exprimé dans les cellules inductrices, est également augmenté dans les doubles TG. Ces résultats indiquent clairement une influence directe d'IL-7 sur l'expansion des cellules inductrices des tissues lymphoïdes et sur la synthèse de LT? induisant une augmentation des PP se développant durant la vie foetale. En plus du développement accru des PP dans les souris doubles TG, trois différences phénotypiques ont été observées. i) L'infiltration lymphocytaire dans différents organes non-lymphoïdes, comme l'estomac, les glandes salivaires et le foie. Des analyses complémentaires ont demontré que les lymphocytes B étaient prédominants dans ces structures lymphoïdes tertiaires. ii) Des structures de ganglions lymphatiques ectopiques contenant des lymphocytes B et T ont été trouvées près des ganglions lymphatiques inguinaux. iii) Les souris doubles TG présentent un syndrome de résorption osseuse sévère probablement dû à l'effet pro-osteoclaste d'IL-7. Globalement, ces résultats montrent que IL-7 joue un rôle clé dans l'homéostasie des cellules inductrices dans la génèse de PP de l'intestin, dans la formation des tissus lymphoïdes ectopiques et dans la résorption osseuse.

Biological materials in colorectal surgery: current applications and potential for the future.

Biological materials are increasingly used in abdominal surgery for ventral, pelvic and perineal reconstructions, especially in contaminated fields. Future applications are multi-fold and include prevention and one-step closure of infected areas. This includes prevention of abdominal, parastomal and pelvic hernia, but could also include prevention of separation of multiple anastomoses, suture- or staple-lines. Further indications could be a containment of infected and/or inflammatory areas and protection of vital implants such as vascular grafts. Reinforcement patches of high-risk anastomoses or unresectable perforation sites are possibilities at least. Current applications are based mostly on case series and better data is urgently needed. Clinical benefits need to be assessed in prospective studies to provide reliable proof of efficacy with a sufficient follow-up. Only superior results compared with standard treatment will justify the higher costs of these materials. To date, the use of biological materials is not standard and applications should be limited to case-by-case decision.

Immunocytochemical localisation of microtubule-associated proteins 1b and 2 in the developing rat spinal cord.

The straightforward anatomical organisation of the developing and mature rat spinal cord was used to determine and interpret the time of appearance and expression patterns of microtubule-associated proteins (MAP) 1b and 2. Immunoblots revealed the presence of MAP1b and 2 in the early embryonic rat spinal cord and confirmed the specificity of the used anti-MAP mouse monoclonal antibodies. The immunocytochemical data demonstrated a rostral-to-caudal and ventral-to-dorsal gradient in the expression of MAP1b/2 within the developing spinal cord. In the matrix layer, MAP1b was found in a distinct radial pattern distributed between the membrana limitans interna and externa between embryonal day (E)12 and E15. Immunostaining for vimentin revealed that this MAP1b pattern was morphologically and topographically different from the radial glial pattern which was present in the matrix layer between E13 and E19. The ventral-to-dorsal developmental gradient of the MAP1b staining in the spinal cord matrix layer indicates a close involvement of MAP1b either in the organisation of the microtubules in the cytoplasmatic extensions of the proliferating neuroblasts or neuroblast mitosis. MAP2 could not be detected in the developing matrix layer. In the mantle and marginal layer, MAP1b was abundantly present between E12 and postnatal day (P)0. After birth, the staining intensity for MAP1b gradually decreased in both layers towards a faint appearance at maturity. The distribution patterns suggest an involvement of MAP1b in the maturation of the motor neurons, the contralaterally and ipsilaterally projecting axons and the ascending and descending long axons of the rat spinal cord. MAP2 was present in the spinal cord grey matter between E12 and maturity, which reflects a role for MAP2 in the development as well as in the maintenance of microtubules. The present description of the expression patterns of MAP1b and 2 in the developing spinal cord suggests important roles of the two proteins in various morphogenetic events. The findings may serve as the basis for future studies on the function of MAP1b and 2 in the development of the central nervous system.