The Ductus Epididymis of the Alpaca: Immunohistochemical and Lectin Histochemical Study

Our objective was to characterize epithelial cells lining the epididymal duct (caput, corpus, cauda) of the alpaca using AE1/AE3 cytokeratin antibodies and a battery of different lectins: Con-A, UEA-I, LTA WGA, GSA-II, GSA-IB4, SBA, PNA, ECA, DBA, MAL-II and SNA. Sialidase digestion and deglycosylation pre-treatments were also employed. The principal cells (PCs) along the epididymis showed differences in immunostaining patterns toward keratin antibodies. Lectin histochemistry demonstrated variations in the content and distribution of glycosidic residues of glycoconjugates in different epididymal regions. In particular, staining of the Golgi zone in the epithelial PCs was interpreted as evidence for synthesis and secretion of O- and N-linked oligosaccharides. In the caput, the apical mitochondria-rich cells contained mainly β-GalNAc, subterminal α-GalNAc, α-Gal and Neu5Ac α2,3Gal residues. Conversely, in the corpus they were particularly rich in α-GalNac and β-Gal-(1–3)- d -GalNAc linked to sialic acid moieties. Basal cells mainly expressed β-GalNAc and α-Gal in the caput, α-Gal in the corpus and α-Fuc and β-GalNAc in the cauda. The differences in immunostaining patterns and in lectin histochemistry in the alpaca epididymis reported in this investigation seem to be related to regional differences in function.     

An Histological Study of Thyroid Abnormalities in the Domestic Cat

Abstract— The thyroid gland in seventy-five cats has been examined. Abnormalities are by no means uncommon and cases of adenomas, adenomatous goitre, colloid goitre, carcinoma and amyloidosis are described.
Résumé— –On examina la glande thyroide de soixante-quinze chats. Les anomalies n'y sont pas rares du tout. L'auteur décrit des cas d'adénomes, de goitres adénomateux, de carcinomas, et de dégénérescences amyloides.
Zusammenfassung— Es sind die Schilddrüsen von fünfundsiebzig Katzen untersucht worden. Missbildungen treten keineswegs selten auf, und es werden. Fälle von Drüsengeschwulsten, adenoma-tösem Kropf, Gallertkropf, Krebs und Amyloidose beschrieben.     

Localization of Oestrogen Receptors in the Epididymis During Sexual Maturation of the Domestic Cat

Oestrogens are involved in regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation and are essential for male fertility. To study the role of oestrogens on epididymal function in the domestic cat, we analyzed the localization patterns of oestrogen receptors (ERs) within the epididymis of juvenile, pubertal and adults using immunohistochemistry. Cat epididymal tissues obtained during routine castrations were fixed in chilled Bouin's solution and processed for immunohistochemistry with ER-specific antibodies. For a certain receptor type, ER localization was influenced by donor age. In the juvenile epididymis, ERα was localized in the nuclei of epithelial cells of efferent ducts and undifferentiated epithelium of the ductus epididymis. During puberty, ERα localization in the undifferentiated epithelium of the epididymis shifted from the nuclei to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Oestrogen receptor-α level was highest in the pubertal and adult epididymis, especially within the cytoplasm and in plasma membranes of caput epithelial cells. This finding was suggestive of a role in fluid reabsorption within the efferent ducts and the epididymis. In corpus and cauda regions, ERα was less abundant, suggesting a minor role for oestrogens in sperm storage areas. Interestingly, localization of ERβ was neither influenced by age nor location within the epididymis and was ubiquitous throughout. Results demonstrate that oestrogen actions within the epididymis may be predominantly mediated through ERα during sexual maturation in the domestic cat.     

Histological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Canine Ovary

In the present study, 15 canine ovaries without morphological lesions were examined histologically and immunohistochemically by using a large number of proteins including AE1/AE3, cytokeratin7 (CK7), CK13, CK20, vimentin, desmin, alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), calponin, S100, Neurofilaments, Inhibinalpha, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and neuron-specific enolase. Ovarian structures observed in this study included surface epithelium (SE), cortical tubules (CT), tunica albuginea (TA), stromal cells (SC), internal endocrine cells (IE), rete ovarii (RO) and fallopian tubes (FT). SE, CT, RO and FT were broadly immunoreactive for desmin. Besides AE1/AE3 and vimentin, desmin was also closely linked to these structures. Rete ovarii forming a reticular structure showed a positive reaction to S100. Surface epithelium was immunoreactive for PLAP at a significantly high level. In conclusion, these results indicate a specific segment of immunoreactivity as well as the broad range of immunoreactivity in canine ovary. The distinct patterns of immunoreactive for various kinds of proteins will play an important role in facilitating their identification and discrimination even in a normal canine ovary with a complex structure.     

Histological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Equine Anovulatory Haemorrhagic Follicles (AHFs)

Anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles (AHFs) are often the reason for ovulation failure in the mare. As the underlying factors that lead to AHF development are not well understood, it was of interest to investigate the vascularization of AHFs compared with normal follicles and corpora lutea (controls). In the present study, the ovarian cell populations investigated immunohistochemically included granulosa and luteal cells as well as various vascular structures. None of these cell types showed differences in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) between control ovaries containing normal follicles and corpora lutea and ovaries with AHFs. In contrast, a considerable reduction in the proportion of Flk-1-expressing cells, together with a decreased intensity of staining, was apparent in the AHFs. This greatly reduced expression of Flk-1 in the luteinized cells and the vascular structures of AHFs may lead to a distinct decrease in the potential pro-angiogenic activity of VEGF-A in these structures compared with the situation in normal follicles and corpora lutea. Furthermore, the authors suspect that the distinct expression of angiopoietin2 and VEGF-A seen in the cells within the inner fibrous layers of the AHFs was caused by hypoxia resulting from deficient vascularization, as suggested by the irregularity of the capillaries present in the luteinized wall of the AHF. In addition, whereas LH-receptor (LH-R) expression occurred uniformly in all stages of development of the corpora lutea in normal control ovaries, there was highly variable labelling for LH-R in all the AHFs examined, thereby indicating a possible numerical deficiency of LH-receptors in AHFs. The authors concluded that, despite the apparent expression of sufficient VEGF-A in the AHFs allows ovulation and corpus luteum formation, a relative lack of receptor, Flk-1, effects the pro-angiogenic activity of VEGF-A which could be a reason for ovulation failure associated with AHF formation.     

二乙基己烯雌酚对成年仓鼠附睾肥大细胞数量分布的影响

成年雄性仓鼠经皮下连续注射二乙基己烯雌酚(DES)7 d后,用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法(MTB)和阿尔新蓝番红染色法(AB S)研究DES对附睾肥大细胞的形态大小、类型和数量分布的影响。结果表明:仓鼠附睾肥大细胞为结缔组织型肥大细胞,多分布于附睾头与附睾尾的被膜和间质中。试验组的肥大细胞常见于附睾管近旁,多呈脱颗粒状。虽然试验组与对照组的肥大细胞大小相近,但试验组的肥大细胞数量增多,尤其是附睾尾间质中肥大细胞增加明显(P<0.01)。     

肉用公牛附睾注药绝育育肥技术的研究与推广Ⅰ.附睾注药绝育方法的研究

通过向每侧公牛附睾尾注射自制的"绝育1号"2.5 mL,能使附睾组织结构破坏,形成不可复性损伤,精子无法通过,其绝育效果确实可靠.该技术操作方法简单,无不良反应,便于推广.     

驯鹿支气管和肺组织学研究

驯鹿支气管的组织结构清晰,分为粘膜层、粘膜下层和外膜.粘膜层由粘膜上皮和固有膜构成.粘膜下层含气管腺;外膜未见软骨组织.驯鹿的肺外表面被覆一层浆膜,肺实质除间质组织外,由肺内的导管部和呼吸部构成.肺内的导管外膜未见到软骨组织.导管部粘膜皱襞发达,粘膜肌层厚.呼吸部肺泡Ⅱ型细胞相对较多.     

大雁生殖系统的解剖学和组织学研究

实验对生殖季节与非生殖季节的大雁生殖系统进行了组织学研究。大雁雌性生殖系统左侧发育，右侧退化。生殖系统由卵巢、输卵管、交际器组成。输卵管包括漏斗部、蛋白分泌部、峡部、子宫与阴道五个部分。卵巢表面无浆膜覆盖，覆以单层生殖上皮，由浅部的皮质和深部髓质组成，皮质内含各级卵泡。雄性生殖系统由精巢、输精管、睾丸旁导管系统和交接器组成。精巢的基本结构单位为曲精细管，外层包被着浆膜，其下是白膜，白膜结缔组织伸入精巢实质部，呈网状分布，繁殖季节的睾丸实质内充满曲细精管。     

Expression of Occludin in Canine Testis and Epididymis

Tight junctions (TJ) in inter-Sertoli junctional areas and epididymal epithelia are important for the formation of blood-testis barrier (BTB) and blood-epididymal barrier (BEB). In this study, the expression of occludin, an integral member of the TJ, was verified in canine testis and epididymis. Both low molecular weight (MW) (25-28 kDa) forms as well as high MW (68-72 kDa) forms of occludin were detected in the testis and epididymis using Western blot. The relative amount of the high MW forms of occludin vs low MW forms was higher in the testis than in the epididymis. Some difference in the composition of different MW forms of occludin was found along the segments of epididymis, suggesting the possible correlation between cellular composition of occludin proteins and paracellular permeability of epithelia along the epididymal tubule. In the testis, intense occludin immunoreactivity was found in the basally located inter-Sertoli junctional area. Diffused immunoreactivity of occludin was also found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. A similar pattern of zonula occludens-1 immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, suggesting that occludin was not confined to the inter-Sertoli junctional areas and that subcellular localization of occludin in the Sertoli cells was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis in canine testis. In the epididymis weak immunoreactivity was found in the apical sides and cytoplasm of epithelial cells.     

蓝孔雀泌尿系统的组织学研究

蓝孔雀主要泌尿器官有肾脏和输尿管.肾表面有极薄的结缔纽织被膜,部分表面覆有浆膜.被膜的结缔组织伸入实质形成含量较少的小叶间和肾小管间结缔组织,内有淋巴组织和丰富的毛细血管.实质主要由大量肾小叶构成,每个肾小叶形似梨状,内有许多肾单位.肾小叶分皮质部分和髓质部分,可是没有明显的界限.皮质部分有中央静脉,中央静脉周围有肾小体.肾单位分皮质型肾单位(爬行动物型)和髓质型肾单位(哺乳动物型),输尿管管壁由黏膜层、肌层、外膜构成.     

Essential Fatty Acids and the Cat

Abstract— The physiology of essential fatty acid metabolism in the cat is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those aspects of the n:6 and n:3 fatty acids, their metabolites and interactions, which relate primarily to the skin. The functional roles, if known, of the fatty acids are discussed. Recent clinical research into the use of essential fatty acid supplements in the management of feline dermatoses is presented. Current indications for the therapeutic supplementation with essential fatty acids are summarised.     

Somatic Chromosomes of the Cat

The number of chromosomes of the cat (Felis domestica) was determined at 38, and both the X and the Y chromosomes have submedially situated centromeres. X is of medium size while Y is one of the smallest chromosomes of the complement. For practical purposes, the chromosomes have been divided into groups according to their appearance.     

Tonometry in the Dog and Cat

Abstract— A review is presented of the methods, procedure and value of the use of tonometry in the dog and cat.
Résumé— L'auteur passe en revue les méthodes, les techniques et la valeur de l'emploi de la tonométric chez le chien et le chat.
Zusammenfassung— Es wird eine Übersicht über die Methoden, das Verfahren und die Bedeutung der Tonometrie bie Hund und Katze gegeben.     

银狐睾丸组织细胞学研究

根据公狐生殖生理特点，对其睾丸组织细胞学进行研究，一方面了解公狐的繁殖生物学，细胞生物学和发育生物学特点，另一方面为生产应用和推广狐狸人工授精技术提供理论依据。研究表明，狠狐睾丸组织发育也是季节性变化，而且其重量的增加与精细管上皮的发育和精子细胞的增多有直接关系。     

Ventral Rhinotomy in the Dog and Cat

The nasal cavities of 14 dogs and three cats were explored surgically using a ventral rhinotomy. The exposure achieved through this approach was considered to be equal to a dorsal rhinotomy. One animal died during the immediate postoperative period from perforation of a gastric ulcer. The other animals recovered well and had no significant complications. The long-term survival of the animals was consistent with previous reports for their diseases. Ventral rhinotomy is no more difficult than dorsal rhinotomy, has less patient morbidity and fewer postoperative complications, and is more cosmetically acceptable.