Carotid arteries in the dog: Structure and histophysiology

Light microscopy analysis of the mural structure of the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and external carotid artery in mongrel dog revealed variability in the middle values of vascular diameter and thickness of the intimal plus medial coats and adventitial coat. The vascular diameter did not differ between the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery, but was significantly increased in the common carotid artery from which the other two arteries had origin. The increased thickness of the intimal plus medial coats of the common carotid artery revealed the constant mechanical adjustment of the arterial wall and local shearing stress that occurred among the arterial coats. The adventitial coat of the internal carotid artery was significantly thicker than those of the common carotid and external carotid arteries, with no significant difference noted between the latter arteries. These histomorphometric results were related to the qualitative observations regarding the mural structure of the three arteries analyzed, especially regarding to the increased thickness and structural complexity of the adventitial coat of the internal carotid artery. Perhaps it acted as an external protective sheath of the vascular wall during its long course until the carotid channel. © 2006 Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía.

The lateral geniculate nucleus and visual histophysiology.

"Contribution from the School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley."

Vas Deferens Surface Epithelium of Agouti paca: Fine Structural Features

The surface epithelium of the vas deferens of Agouti paca, a wild and large South American rodent, was basically formed by principal and basal cells being only the principal cells related to endocytosis processes and also secretion taking base on their cytoplasmic ultrastructural features. Principal cell of vas deferens epithelium were characterized mainly by presence of vesicles with several shapes, sizes and internalized content at their apical cytoplasm occurring smaller pits and pale small vesicles seen next to the apical brush border of microvillus. Moreover, coated vesicles, smooth surface vesicles and great vesicles; multivesicular bodies, endosomes and lysosomes were seen. Presence of an apocrine secretory apparatus was also viewed, showing apical cytoplasmic expansions protruding into the vas deferens luminal compartment. The basal flattened cells, without luminal surface contact, occurred next to the basement membrane of the ductus, and did no exhibit special ultrastructural features.

Observações morfológicas no epitélio de revestimento da rede testicular (RT) de codorna (Coturnix coturnix) da variedade italiana

The RT of domestic quail from Italian variety showed mainly an albuginic pattern being represented by tortuous channels lined predominately by a simple cubic epithelium. RT channels extended along the testicular albuginea and penetrates into the epididymal region (ER) through its myoconnective matrix. Passageways were continuous to proximal efferent ducts of the ER. Epithelium lining ultrastructure of RT passageways showed some differences between the spring and the inactive phase at middle fall, concerning the quail testicular reproductive cycle. The features observed in RT epitheliocytes in fall were the low cytoplasmic electrodensity, paucity of supranuclear vesicles, which were abundant and variable in form and shape in spring, and some degenerative aspects of cell organelles mainly in ER lamellae. Moreover, presence of apical cytoplasmic extrusions were verified in the fall. No marked features were seen in the RT ultrastructure during the winter and summer comparatively to the active phase of spring.

Some segmental structural features of the aortic wall of domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus)

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

The ultrastructure of the guinea pig rete testis

The chambers of the rete testis (RT) of guinea pig are lined by a simple epithelium, whose cells are squamous, cubical and columnar in shape. The epithelial cells with distinct shapes were counted and the quantitative analysis of the number of these cells showed relative predominance of cubical cells. The ultrastructural observations showed predominance of membrane interdigitations among the epithelial cells. These cells present common cytoplasmic organelles. The Golgi complex polarity is typical with observation of electronlucent vesicles on the Golgi cis face closely related to rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lamellae, mitochondria and large number of polysomes on the Golgi trans face. These related structures present in Golgi area of RT cells suggest secretory activity which maybe occurs in the RT epithelium. Endocytotic process also occurs in the RT and this function probably concerns the uptake of substances and resorption of seminiferous fluid. Apical cilia present in RT epithelium cells are related with fluid transport and perhaps with chemoreception. Presence of spermatozoa portions enclosed into the cytoplasm of some epithelium cells has been refferred to as spermatophagy. The RT complex is mainly supported by loose connective tissue, with collagen fibres and some Leydig cells. Leydig cells are adjacent to the network channels of the septal part of the RT and apparently are able to secrete inside the RT lumen.

Preliminary assessment of the quantitative relationships between testicular tissue composition and ultrasonographic image attributes in the ram

This study examined the relationships between gross chemical composition and ultrasonographic characteristics of the ram testes. Ten testes from sexually mature Karakul rams were scanned ex situ with an 8-MHz linear-array transducer, in a transverse and longitudinal plane. All ultrasonograms were saved as digital images and subjected to computerized analyses. Crude protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, moisture was determined with an oven-drying method, and fat was measured by the Soxhlet extraction of dried samples. Mean pixel values (r = -0.64, P = 0.04), pixel heterogeneity (standard deviation of pixel values; r = -0.64, P = 0.04) and maximum pixel intensity (r = -0.76, P = 0.01) were all negatively correlated with parenchymal protein content. Pixel heterogeneity correlated directly with extractable lipids (r = 0.66, P = 0.02). The quantitative correlations between echotextural and biochemical parameters found in the present experiment confirm the utility of ultrasonographic imaging combined with computer-assisted image analysis for determining changes in testicular histophysiology. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Actions of oestradiol and progesterone on the prostate in female gerbils: reversal of the histological effects of castration

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

Nickel exposure promotes osmoregulatory disturbances in Oreochromis niloticus gills: histopathological and energy dispersive spectrometry analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise morfológica de brânquias de peixes Oreochromis niloticus (tilápia) expostos ao níquel

Water is an essential factor in maintaining the vital functions of living beings. We have observed a growing commitment of quality, are due to pollution from many sources and even entire watersheds, whether for industrial waste, sewage, or for substances used in farming such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Nickel is the 24th most abundant element on earth, is a heavy metal that, in the form of chloride, is a proven genotoxic and mutagenic. Due to its industrial use, there was considerable increase of its concentration in surface sediments. Fish combine characteristics that make them excellent experimental models for aquatic toxicology studies, which are particularly usable as warn about the potential danger of chemicals or the possibility of environmental pollution. Due to impaired water quality and the few published studies relating the nickel with the tissue change, this study aimed at assessing the consequences of the presence of nickel in the aquatic environment. For this analysis, we used individuals of Oreochromis niloticus, exposed for 96 hours at three different concentrations of nickel dissolved in water compared to a control group. After exposure, the gills were removed and these were analyzed by ultramorphological, histological and histochemical analysis. The results indicate that all concentrations used in the experiment altered the histophysiology of exposed individuals. We observed the following changes: rupture of paviment cells, thus resulting in bleeding, loss of microridges surface of these cells and epithelial loss in the gills of all animals in all treatments with nickel chloride, the histochemical analysis showed non-proliferation of chloride cells. However, there was a dose-dependent increase of mucus cells in all animals. Therefore, nickel has toxic potential to fish, from the smallest concentration used up to twice as permitted by law, indicating... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Ação do desregulador endócrino bisfenol A e da dieta hiperlipídica sobre os lobos prostáticos do gerbilo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)