Occurrence and Distribution of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Knee Joint Carilage in Healthy and Osteoarthrotic Dogs

According to clinical studies, degenerative diseases of canine joints lead to higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in synovial fluid. The goal of the present study was to examine the intraarticular distribution of LDH in healthy and osteoarthrotic knee joints in order to identify possible sources of LDH in synovial fluid. As synovial LDH concentrations neither correlate with the number of leukocytes nor with synovitis, our investigation focused on the articular cartilage. Samples from healthy and osteoarthrotic knee joints were fixed and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunocytochemistry (ICC). In addition, fresh cartilage samples were investigated cytochemically by the tetrazolium‐formazan reaction. Analyses of blood and synovial fluid samples were used to confirm the absence of inflammatory disease. Morphology of articular cartilage was assessed macroscopically and by means of TEM. IHC revealed highest levels of LDH in chondrones and a diffuse labelling of the matrix with a distinctive decrease in signal from superficial to deeper cartilage layers. Ultrastructural localization by ICC showed LDH to be present in the cytoplasm of all chondrocytes and confirmed the density gradient in the matrix. Labelling was absent from nuclei and from pericellular rims. Cytochemistry confirmed the distribution pattern and, thus, expanded our findings beyond immunological evidence by providing proof of enzymatic activity of LDH in articular cartilage. The present results indicate that LDH is transferred from chondrocytes to the cartilaginous matrix. We suggest, therefore, that LDH found in synovial fluid originates from the articular cartilage and that osteoarthrotic processes promote LDH release from the cartilaginous matrix.     

In this issue – June 2011

Computer model predictions and field observations of anthelmintic resistance in sheep · Dangers of off‐label use of barium selenate · Elbow luxation in dogs and cats · Prognosis of joint infections in adult horses · Omentalisation for mediastinal abscess in a dog · Adenoviruses in lizards     

Exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to nonylphenol is associated with an increased chloride cell fractional surface area

Nonylphenol is a biodegradation product of a widely used group of non-ionic detergents. Because of its ubiquitous distribution and persistence, nonylphenol is present in surface waters as a pollutant. Little is known about its biological effects at environmentally relevant concentrations other than its action as a xenoestrogen. The goal of the present paper was to study the trout gill surface epithelium as the major interface between fish and water in view of possible morphological alterations due to exposure to nonylphenol. Rainbow trout were intermittently exposed to 10 micrograms/l nonylphenol and gill samples from experimental and control animals were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Gill surface epithelium was scrutinised for changes in chloride cell density and their status regarding cell surface modifications. In addition, chloride cell fractional surface area (CCFA) was determined by morphometrical methods. Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant increase of CCFA in animals exposed to nonylphenol as compared to control animals (P = 0.0001). Semi-quantitative assessment of the other parameters suggested a higher chloride cell density and a larger proportion of chloride cells bearing microvilli. Taken together, these results provide evidence that exposure of trout to nonylphenol is associated with a substantial increase in the active interface of chloride cells with water. We interpret these findings as being a means to further the fish's capacity for calcium exchange.     

The Glandular Chambers of the Placenta of the Bitch in the Second Third of Pregnancy (day 30–44): An Ultrastructural, Ultrahistochemical and Lectinhistochemical Investigation

The present study represents the first comprehensive investigation of the glandular chambers of the placenta of the bitch. We examined the glandular chambers by SEM, TEM, ultrahistochemical and lectinhistochemical methods. The glandular epithelium is a high columnar epithelium with club-shaped apical protrusions bearing short microvilli. The epithelium forms extensive folds which fill up most of the lumen of the glandular chambers. Proceeding to the placental labyrinth, the glandular chambers are covered by the tips of the chorionic tufts. The trophoblast and the glandular epithelium are separated by a thick layer of secretions. The ultrastructure cytology of the columnar epithelium is characterized by several Golgi complexes and abundant apical-located mucus vesicles with a positive dialysed iron reaction. Lectin histochemistry reveals in general a strong reaction of these mucus vesicles with all lectins used. The mucus in the lumen of the glandular chamber reacts strongly with WGA. NeuWGA, LPA and ConA. The trophoblastic villi projecting into the lumen of the glandular chambers are covered by a pseudostratified epithelium consisting of a flat basal layer and a superficial columnar one. Its cytoplasm is filled with large fusing vacuoles containing longish screw-shaped structures. No morphological equivalent of absorption is found. According to the ultrastructure of the trophoblast, the significance of the mucus in the glandular chambers in stopping the invasive growth of the trophoblast is discussed.