Seasonal morphology and immunoreactivity of cytokeratin and atrial natriuretic peptide in dromedary camel poll glands

Poll glands are characteristic feature of dromedary camels; although they yield a yellowish offensive secretion, especially during rutting (breeding) season, their function is not yet exactly specified. The present study shows the seasonal morphology and immunoreactivity of cytokeratin (CK) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the camel poll gland; the result could clearly specify the role of the gland in camel reproduction. Poll glands are compound tubulo-alveolar in structure. During rutting season, the secretory units showed wide lumina and simple squamous epithelium surrounded by myoepithelial cells; the lumina became narrower and the epithelium changed to simple cuboidal during non-rutting season. Many glandular lobules showed abundant interlobular connective tissue with fewer and smaller secretory units during non-rutting season compared to rutting season. Positive CK and ANP immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of secretory units and ducts together with the myoepithelial cells and blood vessels. Although CK immunoreactivity was more intense during rutting season in comparison to non-rutting season, there was no seasonal variation in ANP immunoreactivity. During both seasons, while the glandular capsule, connective tissue septa, interstitium showed negative CK immunoreactions, they reacted moderately to ANP. In conclusion, the poll gland undergoes annual structural and functional changes which are suggested to correlate with the male seasonal sexual behaviour. Further, the biological role of CK and ANP proteins together with their immunohistochemical expression in the camel poll gland suggests a stimulatory effect in the glandular secretory cells, and hence, they might modify camel sexual activity.     

Light and Electron Microscopic Study of Perineal Gland in the Grasscutter (Thryonomys Swinderianus, Temminck 1827)

The perineal glands were identified in the zona cutanea of the anal canal of males more than 4 months old. These glands are organized on a lobular model made up of sebaceous cells and isolated by connective parietal cells. The paler in colour the sebaceous cells, the more lipid vacuoles they contain. PAS-negative and Sudan III-positive secretions were demonstrated in these cells. Electron microscopy showed that the intracellular organelles were well-developed, which is a mark of high metabolic activity and storage by the glandular cells. Cystic vesicles were found in the lobules. The size and number of these cysts were variable. The position of the cyst cells and the variability of their size suggest that they are formed after lysis of some holocrine secretory cells. These observations suggest a progressive maturation of the gland towards its secretory site. No specific secretory duct for the purpose of draining secretions was observed, however, there were possible discharge pathways, although with no real walls, as is found for the biliary canaliculi.     

Zur pränatalen Entwicklung der Glandula mandibularis und Glandula parotis der Katze

The prenatal development of the cat's mandibular and parotid gland was examined by means of serial section of 36 cat embryos at 14–62 days of development. Both glands were excised from the epithelium of the primitive oral cavity and branched up to day 36 of the branching phase into a specific connective tissue. This tissue contained besides fine collagenous fibres, a high amount of proteoglycans. In the subsequent separation phase, ducts and acini differentiated themselves in primitive lobules which were separated by connective tissue. In the prenatal differentiation phase, from about day 50 up to birth, intercalated ducts and striated ducts were formed. In the acini, mucous and serous cells contained different amounts of complex carbohydrates. This secretory component changed shortly before birth.     

Seasonal variations in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of the African straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum)

The study investigated seasonal changes in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Seminal vesicles of forty-eight bats were examined during the early rainy, late rainy and peak dry seasons, using gross anatomical, histological and ultrastructural techniques. The interlobular connective tissue septa from the external capsule demarcated the glandular parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubulo-alveolar glands. A simple cuboidal epithelium of mono- or bi-nucleated cuboidal cells lined the glandular mucosa during the rainy season. This was replaced by a bistratified cuboidal epithelium, whose upper layer of cells showed evidence of degeneration, during the dry season. The PAS-positive secretory products appeared to be numerous during the rainy season, but few and clumped together during the dry season. The mean gross weight, interlobular septal thickness, acini diameter and epithelial height of the glands varied significantly with season. Ultrastructural features of the secretory cells during the rainy season showed well-developed cytoplasmic organelles, numerous electron lucid secretory vesicles and electron-dense granules. Secretory epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles are very active during the rainy season, while regeneration of degenerated epithelium in preparation for the next reproductive cycle occurs during the dry season.     

Gross,Histological and Ultrastructural Features of the Bulbourethral Gland in the Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The present study examines the structure and ultrastructure of the bulbourethral glands in 10 sexually matured male greater cane rats raised in captivity. Following anaesthesia, the rats were perfusion‐fixed transcardially and the bulbourethral glands dissected out. Upon morphologic and morphometric analysis, the Cowper's glands were observed to have an average volume of 0.24 ± 0.08 ml, a diameter of 6.3 ± 0.6 mm and weighs 0.199 ± 0.06 g. The paired, gourd‐shaped tubuloalveolar glands were surrounded by dense connective tissues and separated into lobules by capsular septae. Each lobule consists of endpiece/secretory units and excretory ducts lined by simple glandular epithelium and pseudo‐stratified epithelium, respectively. The round end pieces consisted of 8–10 pyramidal to columnar epithelial cells with flattened, basally located nuclei and granule‐filled cytoplasm that bounded a narrow glandular lumen. The striking ultrastructural features of these secretory cells were the presence of some granules with uniform electron density and those with regions of lesser density as well as the absence of secretory vacuoles. Another unique characteristic of these secretory granules is the presence of electron dense strands radiating from their surfaces. The apical surfaces of the cells were also studded with abundant microvilli. From the findings, the structure of bulbourethral glands in the greater cane rat shows more resemblances to that of humans than to its rodent phylogeny. These findings serve as additional knowledge in the structural interpretation of the bulbourethral gland and its secretory products.     

Scanning electron microscopic features of the ovine interdigital sinus

This article describes the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) features of the ovine interdigital sinus. The lumen was filled with a dense secretory material and quite a number of hairs embedded in the luminal content. For SEM purposes, the sinus was divided into three parts: base, body and neck. At the cut surface, the wall exhibited significant folds which were almost absent in the base, the very short blind end of the sinus. The wall had three layers: epidermis, dermis and fibrous capsule. Stratified epithelium with a prominent keratin layer faced the lumen. The inner surface was similar to the skin surface; however, it was coarser due to folds. The fibrous capsule was composed mainly of dense connective tissue, constituting the outermost layer of the wall. The dermis contained common skin structures including sebaceous glands, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles and apocrine glands. Sebaceous glands appeared as groups of bubbles if they were not collapsed. Apocrine glands generally appeared as a group of coiled tubules. They frequently exhibited apocrine blebs, which is a feature of apocrine secretion. SEM was able to locate some secretory vesicles in the lumen of apocrine tubules which is frequently filled by secretory content. Thus, the apocrine tubules exhibited classical features of apocrine secretion.     

Occurrence of retrovirus-like particles in various cellular and intercellular compartments of the venom glands from Bothrops jararacussu

Retrovirus-like particles were detected in venom glands from Bothrops jararacussu during electron microscopy. Type C-like particles were found inter- and intracellularly in gland and vessel lumina and scattered in the connective tissue. They were about 100 nm in diameter, with an electron dense core and bilaminar external membrane. Shapes suggestive of a budding process from the plasma membrane were also observed. Less frequently, type A-like particles, about 80 nm diameter with an electronlucent core, appeared in association with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum of the secretory cells.     

Immunohistochemical study on the expressions of neuropeptides in the superficial and deep gland of the third eyelid of pigs

The superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) and deep gland of the third eyelid (DGTE) are classified as accessory lacrimal glands. The aim of the present study was to immunohistochemically investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH), substance P (SP), galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the porcine SGTE and DGTE. We demonstrated the distribution patterns of VIP, DβH, SP, NPY and galanin in the nerve fibres in the SGTE and DGTE. None of somatostatin-, PACAP- and CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres were found in the SGTE and DGTE. The majority of VIP- and DβH-IR nerves fibres were found near to glandular acini, tubules, secretory ducts and blood vessels in the SGTE and DGTE. VIP-IR nerve fibres were found in external connective tissue in SGTE and DGTE and only in interlobular connective tissue in the SGTE. DβH-IR nerve fibres were found in interlobular and external connective tissue in the DGTE but not in the SGTE. Single galanin-, SP- and NPY-IR nerve fibres were observed in close proximity to acini and tubules in the SGTE and DGTE. Single galanin-, SP-, NPY-IR nerve fibres were found in close proximity to the secretory ducts in the DGTE, however only SP-IR nerve fibres were found near to the secretory ducts in SGTE. In conclusion, our research aims to highlight some aspects of SGTE and DGTE innervation in pigs and may also be a source of basic knowledge for further studies.     

Comparative morphology of esophageal mucosa and submucosa in dogs from 1 to 337 days of age

Scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and morphometric analyses were used to examine the morphology of the tunica mucosa-tela submucosa of the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal parts of the esophagus of healthy dogs from birth to 337 days of age from 3 litters of dogs whelped and reared under controlled conditions. Apart from the absence of a lamina muscularis mucosae from the cervical part of the esophagus of all dogs examined, little regional variation was detected. However, morphologic variation associated with age was observed. The number and complexity of microplicae on surface epithelial cells, as observed with the scanning electron microscope, increased with age, particularly between 1-day-old and 21-day-old dogs. Although scanning electron microscopy revealed typical duct openings from the submucosal glands in 1-day-old dogs, light microscopy revealed few functional glands. These glands gradually developed into a complex strata of tubules and acini during the time that secretory activity and the volume fraction of the tunica mucosa-tela submucosa occupied by glands increased with age. The presence of ciliated cells in the esophagus of 1-day-old dogs was apparent with scanning electron and light microscopes. Ciliated cells were always most abundant in the abdominal part of the esophagus. Finally, morphometric analyses revealed a significant increase in epithelial and connective tissue compartment thicknesses, as well as a marked increase in the volume fraction occupied by glands between 1 day and 161 days after dogs were whelped. A smaller decrease in all 3 measures occurred between 161 and 337 days after the dogs were whelped.     

Lipomatous infiltration of the canine salivary gland

Benign connective tumours of the canine salivary glands are rare. This report describes lipomatous infiltration of parotid or submandibular salivary glands in seven dogs in which the glands were enlarged as a result of infiltration by fat cells; they appeared to have been successfully treated by local excision. The precise cause of the lipomatous infiltration in the dogs is unclear but different causes of similar lesions in humans are discussed.     

牛蛙不同体部皮肤的组织学研究

通过制作石蜡切片,并利用苏木精—伊红染色法进行染色,对牛蛙不同部位的皮肤进行组织学观察;利用图像处理软件Image J 4.21测量皮肤厚度,运用SPSS 17.0软件对不同部位的皮肤厚度进行单因素方差分析。镜下观察组织切片可见,牛蛙的皮肤分为表皮和真皮,表皮由外向内可分为3层：角质层、颗粒层和生发层,真皮由疏松层和致密层组成。疏松层主要由网状结缔组织构成,也包括一些色素、颗粒腺和黏液腺。色素主要分布于表皮下的结缔组织中,颗粒腺和黏液腺的间隙的结缔组织中也有少量色素。鼓膜皮肤厚度显著小于其他部位皮肤厚度（P〈0.05）,前肢、后肢、泄殖孔的皮肤厚度差异不显著（P〉0.05）。不同部位皮肤分布的色素细胞、颗粒腺、黏液腺数量也不同,内侧的黏液腺多于外部,而颗粒腺在表皮分布多,在深层分布少。     

Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an der Blut-Milch-Schranke der laktierenden Milchdrüse des Rindes

Light and electron-microscopic investigation of the blood-milk-barrier in lactating cow udders This paper reports a light and electron microscope (TEM) study of the blood-milk-barrier in the lacting mammary gland of the cow. The morphometric analysis of thick sections showed a significant difference between the posterior left quarter and the both right quarters of the udder. The distance between the endothelium of the capillary in the perialveolar connective tissue and the basal membrane of the secretory epithelium measures 2.33 μm. The thick sections used here have some important advantages over paraffin-embedded sections (cut at 5 μm), especially in connection with morphometric investigations. The electronmicroscope observations revealed the following remarkable structures in the blood-milk-barrier:

• 1 The endothelium of the capillaries in perialveolar connective tissue contains many pinocytotic vesicles and possesses pseudopodic structures.
• 2 The myoepithelial cells do not appear continuously and are therefore only indirectly related to the barrier.
• 3 The basal system contains special folds of epithelial cells.

     

The structure of the lachrymal glands of the domestic fowl and of the duck.

The histology of the lachrymal glands of the duck and fowl is similar. In both birds the gland is a compound tubulo-acinar structure, lobulated and invested by a thin connective tissue capsule. Foci of lymphocytes, but few plasma cells, are found in the glands. Moderately acidic mucosubstances predominate in the gland of the fowl whereas sialomucins are found in that of the duck. Neutral lipids were detected only in the gland of the fowl.     

Morphological Study of the Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) Tongue

This study described the morphological features of the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) tongue using light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The keratinized filiform papillae were distributed all over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue and contained small processes. They were changed into a cylindrical shape in the body and conical shape in the root. The fungiform papillae were found on the apex and margin of the tongue. Few taste pores were observed on the dorsal surface of each papilla. The foliate papillae on the margins of the tongue were composed of several laminae and epithelial fissures. Taste buds were not seen within the non‐keratinized epithelium. The vallate papillae were six in total and arranged in a “V” shape just rostral to the root. Each papilla was surrounded by a groove and pad. Taste buds were seen within their lateral walls. Lyssa was visible on the ventral surface of the tongue tip and was found as cartilaginous tissue surrounded by thin connective tissue fibres. The core of the tongue was composed of lingual glands, skeletal muscle and connective tissue. These glands were confined to the posterior portion of the tongue and were composed of many serous cells and a few mucous cells. The results of this study contributed to the knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the tongue of wild mammals and provided data for the comparison with other mammals.     

不同品种和年龄牛胆囊的比较组织学研究

通过对八例健康黄牛和健康小牛胆囊的比较组织学观察，我们发现，牛胆囊中以颈部粘膜皱臂明显，体部渐平坦，底部最少。粘膜上皮为单层柱状上皮，内有少量杯关细胞，大部分胆囊可见有淋巴滤泡，但是在血管周围未见淋巴和异染细胞的浸润，证明滤泡的形成与胆囊感洒无关。这种淋巴滤泡在黄牛胆囊中较多，水牛胆囊仅见一例。在黄牛和水牛胆囊中，均有腺体存在，黄牛的腺体明显多于水牛。腺体分为浆液腺、粘液腺和混合腺。老龄牛胆囊中腺     

Microscopy of the echidna sublingual glands

The secretory units and duct system of the echidna sublingual glands exhibit subtle architectural modifications to accommodate the viscous secretion produced by these glands. The glands are compound tubular glands, the secretory units of which are elongate with open lumina and consist only of mucous cells. Closely packed spindle-shaped myoepithelial cells invest the secretory units, but are absent around the ducts. The branched secretory tubules open into an abbreviated duct system characterized by wide lumina. Striated ducts normally associated with the second portion of the intralobular duct system are absent. The duct system shows the most obvious modification of general salivary gland architecture presumably to accommodate the viscous secretion propelled from the secretory units by surrounding myoepithelial cells.     

Cytoarchitectural differences of myoepithelial cells among goat major salivary glands

Previously, the distribution of myoepithelial cells (mecs) in the salivary glands was studied by both immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy; however, little was elucidated concerning their morphological features, especially in goats. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the cytoarchitecture of the mecs in goat major salivary glands (parotid, mandibular, and sublingual glands) and the nature of the saliva secretion. The cytoarchitectural features of the mecs were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemically. The secretory endpieces in the parotid gland are of the pure serous type, but in both the mandibular and sublingual glands they are of the mixed type. In all studied glands, the intercalated ducts were covered by mecs which, unlike the large stellate cells that surrounded the secretory endpieces, were spindle-shaped with few cytoplasmic processes. Interestingly, the mecs were found to bulge on the basal surfaces of the serous acini and intercalated ducts in all glands and to be in close contact to the seromucous tubules surface in the mandibular and sublingual glands forming a continuous network around it. In conclusion, the differences in the degree of development of the mecs as well as the number of their cytoplasmic processes may be correlated with the nature of the secretion and the number of the secretory granules. Thus these observations may have some relevance in the diagnosis of atrophy and pathogenic conditions of these glands.     

Glandular structures in the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in the guinea pig

The morphology of the pancreatic duct system did not receive much attention as compared to the microanatomy of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. The histological peculiarities of the excretory duct system are of major importance especially in laboratory animals like guinea pigs. The paper describes the histological peculiarities of the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in guinea pigs. The pancreatic tissue samples were collected from five guinea pigs. For histological investigation, several pancreatic fragments underwent fixation in 10% buffered formalin and were later processed by the standard paraffin technique. Subsequentially, tissue sections were stained by Goldner's trichrome staining. The mucous substances were assessed by Alcian blue and Periodic acid–Schiff staining methods. The interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig present a simple columnar epithelium surrounded by a thick layer of dense connective tissue. The aforementioned epithelium of the main pancreatic ducts includes principal cells, goblet cells and basal cells. Additionally, the ductal epithelium presents occasional unicellular multiloculated intraepithelial mucous glands and prominent extraepithelial glands. The latter adopts a simple or compound tubular feature. The mucus elaborated by the three glandular types is mostly neutral in goblet cells, predominantly acidic in extraepithelial ductal glands, and a similar amount of acidic and neutral mucin in intraepithelial glands. In conclusion, the epithelium-associated mucous glands in the interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig are restricted not only to goblet cells. A substantial mucous discharge probably with a protecting role against irritative pancreatic juice derives from the main ductal intraepithelial and extraepithelial glands.