Morphological and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells in porcine ureter

Morphological, morphometric, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells, located in the wall of ureter of 8 months aged pigs were performed. Mast cells were found in all three layers of ureteral wall, but their distribution was irregular and the number unequal. It was established that alcian blue (AB)-positive mast cells were significantly more than toluidine blue (TB)-positive mast cells. A statistically significant smaller number of both AB and TB-stained mast cells were observed in the tunica mucosa. The largest number of mast cells was found in the tunica muscularis. In the adventitia, mast cells were higher in number in the main connective tissue than in the connective tissue near the blood vessels. Mast cells stained with TB showed variably expressed gamma-metachromasia, which was best visible in those situated in the lamina propria of the mucosa. The prevailing parts of mast cells, however, were AB-positive after AB-safranin staining. This was mostly found in mast cells of the tunica muscularis and in mast cells of perivascular location in the tunica adventitia. Immunocytochemically, mast cells were found to be positive for histamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the muscle coat, and to histamine in the adventitia, as well. On the basis of obtained results it was presumed that the mast cells in porcine ureter most probably took part not only in keeping of local homeostasis, but played also an important role of mobility of smooth muscle cells in the middle layer of ureter on one hand, and, on the other, in the adventitial blood vessels.     

Histomorphometrical and stereological study of the oesophagus in the adult male Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

The Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is habitat in the Middle East countries and feed on pine acorns and other seeds. The present study was carried out to investigate the histological and volumetric features of the oesophagus in Persian squirrels. Five adult male Persian squirrels were included in the study. The cervical, thoracic and abdominal oesophagus of all subjects were processed routinely and sectioned in a serial manner. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus and its different layers were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. Histological assessment revealed a non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium lining the mucosa. No glands were seen in the lamina propria and submucosa. Lamina muscularis was present as a distinct layer of smooth muscle cells separating the lamina propria from the tunica submucosa. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct layers of striated muscle fibres: inner circular and outer longitudinal that was intermingled with few scattered smooth muscle fibres especially in the abdominal region. The thoracic region contained more amount of the lamina muscularis and tunica muscularis in comparison to the cervical or abdominal regions. The obtained results revealed that the histological structure of the Persian squirrel oesophagus has differences and similarities with other rodents and even with other species of squirrel. These findings would be useful to improve the knowledge in the areas of histological structure of the rodent digestive system.     

Histological and histochemical study of the proventriculus (Ventriculus glandularis) of common starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

The histological and histochemical structures of the proventriculus of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were examined using haematoxylin and eosin and special staining, that is periodic acid schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, Orcein and Reticulin. All three cranial, middle and caudal parts of the proventriculus were also studied. The study results showed that the wall of the proventriculus consisted of mucosal, submucosal, muscular and serosal tunics. The mucosal tunic presented folds and sulci on its luminal surface. In the first third of the proventriculus, the tunica mucosa characterized by presence of folds lined by stratified squamous epithelium and presence of simple tubular glands in the lamina propria. In the middle and caudal thirds of the proventriculus, the surface was covered by a columnar epithelium, and the branched tubular glands were extended through the lamina propria. From the base of the branched tubular glands, the deep proventricular glands were observed that were compound tubuloalveolar lobules. The surface epithelium of the tunica mucosa and the cells lining the proventricular glands showed a positive reaction to PAS and Alcian blue stainings. In addition, the epithelial cells of the tubular and branched tubular glands showed Masson's trichrome-positive reaction. The submucosal tunic was thin in the proventricular wall. The tunica muscularis was formed by a thin inner layer of longitudinal smooth muscle fibres and a thick outer layer of circular fibres. The serosa consisted of loose connective tissue, rich in blood vessels and covered by mesothelium.     

Das Blutgefäßsystem der Magenwand der Katze*

The blood vascular system of the stomach wall in the cat The results of 19 vascular-injections of the stomach wall in the cat are given. The arterial supply to the parietal surface is derived principally from the left gastric artery, that of the visceral surface from the short gastric branches of the splenic artery. Thus the arterial distribution is similar to the venous drainage. The blood supply of the tunica serosa and the tunica muscularis in the fornix and body regions arises from a common subserosal and muscular plexus. In the pyloric canal the blood supply arises from separate subserosal and intermuscular plexus. The submucosal plexus consists of both arteries and veins: from this, mucosal arteries ascend to a subglandular plexus and thence arterioles supply the capillary plexus of the lamina propria. Venules return the blood through collecting veins to a basal venous plexus, thence through mucosal veins to the submucosal plexus.     

Histomorphology of the stomach, proventriculus and ventriculus of the red jungle fowl

The cranial chamber (proventriculus) and caudal chamber (ventriculus) of the stomach of the Red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus) were examined by means of light microscopy. Both chambers presented folds of the tunica mucosa lined by a simple prismatic epithelium that was positive for neutral mucin. Simple tubular glands occupied the lamina propria of both chambers; in the ventriculus of older birds, they showed a coiled base. These ventricular glands were lined by simple cuboidal cells represented by the chief cells and a few large basal cells. The luminal and tubular koilin rodlets and folds of the ventriculus were positive to periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain. The proventricular glands were situated between the inner and outer layers of the lamina muscularis mucosae. Cells lining the tubulo-alveolar units of the proventricular glands showed a dentate appearance. Vacuoles were not observed, and the cells were negative for Alcian-PAS stain. The tunica submucosa was very thin in the proventricular wall. In the ventriculus, it was not separated from the lamina propria owing to the absence of any lamina muscularis mucosae. The tunica muscularis of the proventriculus was formed by a thick inner layer of circular smooth muscle fibres and a thin outer layer of longitudinal fibres. In addition to these layers, oblique muscle fibres formed the most internal layer of the tunica muscularis in the ventriculus.     

Growth-related micromorphological characteristics of the porcine common carotid artery

The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about the micromorphology of the porcine common carotid artery (CCA) during the period of growth over the bodyweight range of 10–40 kg. CCA samples from German landrace pigs (DL) aged either 2 or 3 months (DL-2 and DL-3) were compared with samples from Göttingen minipigs (GM) aged either 18 or 40 months (GM-18 and GM-40) using transmitted light (phase-contrast mode) and transmission electron microscopy. The GM-18, GM-40 and the DL-3 groups had typical muscular artery histological characteristics. Contrasting to this, the 2-month-old DL pigs had a transitional artery type being characterized by a significantly higher proportion of elastic fibres and a significantly lower number of smooth muscle cells than did the 1 month older DL-3. During the period of maturation, the tunica media of the CCA in GM animals thickened by 1.3× and in DL animals by 2.5× resulting in an overall increased vessel wall thickness. The cumulated thickness of the tunica interna (endothelium, stratum subendotheliale and internal elastic lamina) and the tunica media (including the external elastic lamina) of DL-3 and GM-40 pigs were similar to each other and comparable to that of humans. With an increasing vessel wall thickness, the luminal diameter decreased in GM by 19% and in DL by 11%. Additionally, in the older age groups, GM-40 and DL-3, the internal elastic lamina principally was continuous, but there were also interrupted large segments of elastic lamina separated by gaps. In addition, the principal internal elastic lamina was duplicated in several places.     

Intestinal mucosa develops in a sex-dependent manner in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) fed Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of study was to investigate whether the impact of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the histological structure of the intestine, innervation of the small intestine wall, and basal biochemical serum parameters in Japanese quail was sex dependent.

2. One-day-old healthy male and female Japanese quail were fed either a basal diet containing no yeast (control group) or the basal diet plus 1.5% (15 g/kg of diet) of yeast (S. cerevisiae inactivated by drying). Samples from the duodenum and jejunum were taken from each bird at the age of 42 days. Blood samples were collected at this age and the concentrations of glucose, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and triacylglycerols (TG)), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), amylase (AMY), calcium, phosphorus and iron were determined.

3. Female quail fed diets supplemented with yeast had significantly lower total cholesterol and amylase activity than the control females. The concentration of HDL was higher in the male quail than in the females, irrespective of the treatment. An opposite effect was observed in LDL. The diet treatments influenced the activity of AspAT, which was significantly less in the male quail fed diets with 1.5% yeast.

4. Supplementation with S. cerevisiae increased the myenteron, submucosa and mucosa thickness, villus length and thickness and size of absorptive surface, while the number of villi and enterocytes were decreased in the duodenum in males. Female quail showed an increased absorptive surface in the jejunum. The Meissner (submucosal) plexuses were influenced by the feeding and sex to a greater extent than the Auerbach plexus (in the muscularis propria).

5. The results demonstrated that S. cerevisiae (1.5%) in the diet caused significant positive effects in Japanese quail, exerting an effect on the morphology of the small intestine in a sex-dependent manner.     

Prenatal histomorphological development of the reticulum in fallow deer (Dama dama)

The histomorphological changes occurring in the Dama dama reticulum during prenatal development have been investigated. Twenty‐five Dama dama embryos were used, from the first stages of prenatal life until birth. Differentiation of the reticulum was observed at 23% gestation. By 25% gestation the reticular wall comprised three layers: an internal epithelial layer, a middle layer of pluripotential blastemic tissue and an external layer or serosa. Primary reticular crests were visible at 38% gestation. Secondary reticular crests were observed at 61% gestation. Neuroendocrine cells were detected by synaptophysin (SYP) at 35% gestation, in the lamina propria‐submucosa, tunica muscularis, and serosa. Epithelial Cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) cells were observed at 35% gestation extended throughout the epithelial layers. The glial cells (vimentin –VIM‐ and glial fibrillary acidic protein‐GFAP‐markers) were discerned at 25% and 43% gestation, respectively, in myenteric and submucosal plexuses, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, tunica muscularis, and perivascular connective tissue. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) markers were immunodetected at 75% and 80 gestation, respectively, in the lamina propria‐submucosa, muscularis mucosae, tunica muscularis, serosa, and myenteric plexuses. The prenatal development of the fallow deer reticular mucosa evidenced a considerable precocity similar to that previously reported in goat and red deer.     

Macroanatomical Aspects of the Lumbar Plexus and its Branches in the Sparrowhawk

This study examined the plexus lumbalis and its branches in the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). Fifteen sparrowhawks were used in this study. After administering an anaesthetic to the birds, the body cavities were opened. The birds were fixed with formaldehyde after draining of the blood. The nerves of the plexus lumbalis were dissected separately and photographed. The plexus lumbalis was formed by the union of the branches of the synsacral spinal nerves, which left from the ventrolaterale of os lumbosacrale. The plexus consisted of three (2nd, 3rd and 4th) synsacral spinal nerves. The cranial and caudal nerves originating from the plexus lumbalis were the nervus cutaneous femoris, nervus coxalis cranialis, nervus femoralis, nervus saphenus and nervus obturatorius. The general macroanatomical shape of the plexus lumbalis and the distribution of the nerves originating from this plexus were similar to those of other bird species.     

Microscopic anatomy of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) a histochemical,stereological, and scanning electron microscope study

The present work was designed to investigate the microscopic structure of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) using histochemical staining, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and stereological procedures. Four adult males were included in our study. Serial sections of the entire length of the oesophagus were stained with aldehyde fuchsin, alcian blue (pH 2.5), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus, and the total volume of its different layers, were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. The oesophageal epithelium was a non-keratinized stratified squamous type. Muscularis mucosa was present as a thick layer between lamina propria and submucosa and its thickness was increased toward the stomach. Tunica submucosa was a loose connective tissue containing an oesophageal gland with PAS-positive and AB-positive reactions throughout the submucosa and become denser toward the stomach. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct striated muscle layers, and its thickness was decreased toward the stomach. On SEM images, the cervical and thoracic oesophagus showed shallow folding, while the abdominal part had deeper folds. The present findings indicate that the histological properties of the oesophagus in southern white-breasted hedgehogs have slight similarities with rodents and considering its epithelium, submucosal glands and tunica muscularis more resemble with dog oesophagus. The obtained results may be quite helpful to improve the current knowledge of the histophysiology of the hedgehog gastrointestinal tract as a member of eulipotyplan mammals and as a pet for biologists and veterinarians.     

Histomorphometric and histochemical characteristics of the oesophagus of the greater mouse-eared Bat,Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797)

The aim of this study was to examine the histomorphometric and histochemical structure of oesophagus of the wild-caught greater mouse-eared bat M. myotis. For this purpose, 10 specimens of oesophagus were collected and processed. The oesophagus wall of M. myotis is composed of four layers: tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia. The mucosa is covered by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. There were no glands in the wall of the oesophagus. Tunica muscularis is composed of two muscle layers: internal circular muscular layer and an external longitudinal muscular layer. Histochemical studies revealed that the oesophagus was AB/PAS and PAS positive indicating the presence of acidic and neutral mucosubstances. AB-PAS staining shows that glycoproteins were predominant in the all examined layers of the oesophagus. Because of the absence of oesophageal glands in M. myotis, positive reaction with AB-PAS staining may be due to secretion of salivary glands. Absence of oesophageal glands reflects the functional adaptation as high food passage rate for the insectivorous feeding habits of animals.     

Das Blutgefäßsystem des Enddarms vom Hund (Canis lupus f. familiaris)

The Vascular System in the Large Intestine of Dog (Canis lupus f. familiaris) The vascular System of the large intestine of 10 dogs was examined by means of vascular corrosion casts, histology and transmission-electron microscopy. The tela submucosa contains an arterial and a venous vascular plexus. In broader areas of the submucosa, a deep and a superficial vascular plexus, which are interconnected, can be found. The plexus are orientated parallel to the layers of the intestinal wall. On the one hand, these vessels naturally provide self-sufficiency and drainage of the submucosa, and, moreover, direct branches to the stratum circulare of the muscular layer. On the other hand, the submucosal vascular plexus is the ‘distributional network’ for the functional plexus of the tunica mucosa. The arteries, which ascend to the tunica mucosa, supply a flat arterial network underneath the intestinal glands. Bundles of only a few arteriolae originate from this in order to supply the pericryptal capillaries. In the vicinity of the cryptai orifices, these turn into a network of subepithelial capillaries, which is post-connected to the periglandular capillary plexus. From this ‘terminal circulatory pathway’, the blood is drained off by veins that enter the submucosal plexus. It is characteristic that the postcapillary venules often begin as part of the capillary network. As in other species, the subepithelial capillaries are predominantly lined with a ‘fenestrated endothelium’, whereas the capillaries of the pericryptal areas show a continuous endothelium. The latter contains multiple vesicles that may fuse in order to form transcytoplasmic channels as a morphological equivalent for transcappillar-epithelial and vice versa occurring transport of substances.     

Dilated ureters, renal dysplasia, and chronic renal failure in an African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

An ultrasonographic reproductive health examination of a 26-yr-old female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) revealed bilateral ureteral wall thickening and dilatation. On ultrasonographic examination, the bladder and both ureters were normal near the trigone; however, the cranial-most aspect of each ureter was dilated and thickened for a length of 30-50 cm. The same month, elevated blood creatinine (3.0 mg/dl), and urine protein-creatinine ratio (4.0) were observed. Chronic renal failure was diagnosed based on these abnormalities, and the persistent ureteral dilatation was seen on subsequent ultrasound examinations. Complete blood cell counts, serum chemistries, and urinalyses remained relatively unchanged until 24 mo after diagnosis, at which time azotemia, hypophosphatemia, and hypercalcemia (including elevated ionized calcium) developed. Hydronephrosis of both kidneys and prominent sacculation of the left ureter were noted on ultrasonographic examination. Lethargy, ventral edema, and oral mucosal ulceration acutely developed 30 mo after diagnosis. Although blood urea nitrogen remained elevated, creatinine, total calcium, and ionized calcium returned to within reference ranges at that time. Due to rapid clinical decline and grave prognosis, humane euthanasia was elected. Bilateral ureteral dilatation, dysplasia of the right kidney, and chronic nephritis of the left kidney were identified postmortem.     

The Macroanatomy of the Sacral Plexus and Its Nerves in Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo)

This study was carried out to reveal the formation of the sacral plexus in the Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) and the nerves originating from this plexus. Five EEOs, three of them were male and two were female, were provided from Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of Kafkas University and used as materials. Following the euthanizing of the animals, abdominal cavity was opened. The nerves of plexus sacrales were dissected and photographed. It was detected that the sacral plexus was formed by the ventral ramus of five synsacral nerves. Moreover, it was determined that the roots of the sacral plexus formed three trunks: the truncus cranialis, the truncus medius and the truncus caudalis in fossa renalis. The availability of the n. ischiofemoralis and the availability of n. parafibularis were detected in the EEOs. Five branches were specified as having segregated from the sacral plexus: the n. cutaneus femoralis caudalis, the mutual root of n. fibularis with n. tibialis (n. ischiadicus), the rami musculares, the n. coxalis caudalis and the ramus muscularis. It was observed that the sacral plexus was linked to the lumbar plexus by the n. furcalis, to the pudendus plexus via the n. bigeminus. Consequently, the anatomic structure of the EEO's sacral plexus, the participating synsacral nerves to plexus and the innervation areas of these nerves were revealed.     

Ultrasonography of a ureteral and bladder fungal granuloma caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in a basset hound

A 5‐year‐old, spayed female, Basset Hound was referred for evaluation of a urinary bladder mass. Ultrasonographic images revealed a large, inhomogeneous, hypoechoic mass associated with the dorsal wall of the neck of the urinary bladder and left ureter. Partial cystectomy and left ureteral reimplantation were performed. Histopathology showed a severe inflammatory mass lesion forming multiple granulomas. A DNA sequencing test revealed Scedosporium apiospermum as the causative agent. Susceptibility tests on the isolated strain indicated susceptibility to voriconazole. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing S. apiospermum as a cause of granulomas involving the canine ureterovesicular junction.     

EX VIVO CORRELATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHIC SMALL INTESTINAL WALL LAYERING WITH HISTOLOGY IN DOGS

Canine ultrasonographic intestinal layers have been reported to correlate with histological layering. However, discrepancies have been reported in people, and additional layers visualized. The aim of this method comparison study was to describe ex vivo canine small intestinal layering and correlate it with histology. Small intestinal samples of 12 adult dogs euthanized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal disease were resected immediately following euthanasia, pinned on a Petri dish, and transverse ultrasonographic images acquired in a water bath, using a high‐frequency linear transducer. Transverse histological sections were obtained at the same level. Measurements of the intestinal layers were performed on the ultrasonographic and histological images. No significant statistical differences were noted between the ultrasonographic and histological measurements and strong to very strong (r > 0.7) positive correlation was observed for all layers, except for the serosa, which had a low moderate positive correlation (r = 0.479). In addition to the five established layers, a dual mucosal echogenicity was consistently observed, with seven samples presenting an additional inner mucosal severe hyperechogenicity. Histologically, this dual echogenicity was attributed to the intestinal villi (mildly echogenic) and lamina propria (hypoechoic). The additional inner mucosal severe hyperechogenicity observed in seven samples was attributed to mild‐to‐moderate lacteal dilation histologically. In 4/12 ileal samples, an additional hyperechoic mucosal line was also observed parallel to the submucosa, corresponding histologically to prominent Peyer's patches. Finally, a hyperechoic line was observed within the muscularis of all samples, corresponding histologically to the interface between the muscularis longitudinal and circular layers .     

Ultrasonographic study of a modified axillary approach to block the major branches of the brachial plexus in dogs

ObjectiveTo provide ultrasonographic mapping of the axillary region of dogs to facilitate identification of the major branches of the brachial plexus in relation to the axillary artery.Study designProspective study.AnimalsA total of two dog cadavers and 50 client-owned, healthy dogs weighing >15 kg.MethodsIn Phase 1, anatomical dissections were performed to identify the relation of the major brachial plexus nerves to the axillary artery. In Phase 2, with the dogs in dorsal recumbency with thoracic limbs flexed naturally, the axillary space was scanned using a linear array probe oriented on the parasagittal plane until the axis transverse to nerves was found. Then, the transducer was rotated to a slight lateral angle approximately 30° to midline. The examination aimed to identify the axillary artery and the musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves in addition to determining their position and distribution in four predefined sectors.ResultsThe musculocutaneous nerve was observed in all animals cranial to the axillary artery. The radial, ulnar and median nerves were distributed around the axillary artery, with >90% on the caudal aspect of the axillary artery (sectors 1 and 2).Conclusions and clinical relevanceUltrasonography identified the location of the brachial plexus nerves near the studied sectors, providing useful guidance for performing a brachial plexus nerve block.     

Histomorphometric study of the goat stomach during prenatal development

The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the different structural tissue layers of the goat stomach to study their prenatal growth from mathematical models fitted to these morphometric data. A total of 90 embryos and fetuses were used, from the early stages of prenatal life until birth. The growth rate of the gastric wall was slower than that of body length; rumen was the stomach compartment displaying slowest growth. In the three non‐glandular compartments, the epithelial layer grew faster than the gastric wall itself, while the growth rate of the abomasal epithelium declined in the early stages of development. A decline in growth rate was also observed for the lamina propria and submucosa in rumen and reticulum from the early embryonic stages, whereas in omasum and abomasum these layers continued to grow as gestation progressed. The tunica muscularis displayed consistent growth in all compartments, growing faster than the gastric wall. Serosa thickness increased as gestation progressed, displaying a decline in growth‐rate only in the omasum. In conclusion, the dynamics of gastric wall growth were governed by the growth rate of each of the component tissue layers.     

Catecholaminergic innervation of the equine ureter

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution and density of catecholaminergic nerve fibres and cells in the equine ureter by using immunohistochemical techniques to localise the enzyme tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH). TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) nerve fibres entered the wall of the ureter as adventitial nerve trunks accompanying the blood vessels. These trunks repeatedly branched as they coursed through the muscular layer towards the epithelium, forming muscular, perivascular and subepithelial nerve plexuses. TH-IR nerve fibres were especially numerous in the pelvic and intravesical ends of the ureter. TH-IR cells have also been identified in the equine ureteral wall, usually grouped as adventitial and intramural nerve ganglia. The results of the present study demonstrated that the equine ureter, like that of other mammals, possesses a rich autonomic supply of catecholaminergic (TH-IR) nerve fibres. These morphological data support a role for the autonomic nervous system in the control of ureteral peristalsis.     

Morphological Studies on the Peripheral Circulation of the Ovary in One‐Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Histological examination of the peripheral circulation of the ovary of 18 females of the one‐humped camel revealed a series of blood vessels with special structures. Throttle or occlusive artery was recorded in the ovarian zona vasculosa and in the cortex, and it showed an intimal cushion‐like thickening made up of intimal bolsters that formed of smooth muscle fibres and glomus cells. The smooth muscle cells of the tunica media and the tunica adventitia of throttle artery pursued a circumferential pattern. Anastomosis arteriovenosa included simple bridge‐like anastomotic vessels between arteria and venae, and glomus vessels of typical structure were demonstrated. Glomus organs were recorded in the ovary and were comprised of the tortuous glomus vessels and the related afferent and efferent vessels. Glomus cell complexes also were commonly occur at the cortex ovarii that possessed an extremely convoluted course with a hyperplastic wall and a narrow lumen. Atypical glomus vessels were demonstrated within the ovarian zona vasculosa, and the wall of these vessels was relatively thick and consisted of double tunica media with an intimal bolster. Some vessels contained an intimal bolster device of exclusively glomus cell structure (glomus bolster) with a tunica elastic interna demarcated it from the glomus cell media. Some venae represented several layers of longitudinally arranged smooth muscle fibres in the tunica media. Other venae showed wall with variable thickness. Venae with double muscular tunica media were recorded in the medulla. Some venae showed double internal elastic lamina. Also, venae with thick adventitia contained dispersed smooth muscle fibres were determined. Spirally oriented arteriole and venule were demonstrated within the cortex and medulla ovarii. Gestation sclerosis was demonstrated in ovarian zona vasculosa of pregnant females.