Glycohistochemical characterization of histologically normal nasal mucosa and enzootic nasal tumor of sheep

Objective-To determine glycohistochemical characteristics of enzootic nasal tumors (ENTs) of sheep, compare results for ENT with those of histologically normal nasal mucosa of sheep, and identify the histologic origin of ENT. Sample-ENT and nasal mucosa samples obtained from cadavers of 5 adult Lacaune sheep with ENT and 5 Lacaune sheep unaffected by ENT, respectively. Procedures-Samples of ENT and nasal mucosa were collected from cadavers of sheep and sectioned. Conventional and lectin histochemical analyses were used to identify glycoconjugates in tissue sections on the basis of their principal chemical groups and principal terminal or internal oligosaccharidic glucidic residues, respectively. Results-ENTs had papillary and tubular portions. Cells in the papillary portion of ENTs had secretion and surface glycoconjugates, which included sulfated glycosaminoglycans and neutral and sialilated glycoproteins. Cells in the tubular portion of ENTs had surface glycoconjugates, which included neutral and sialilated glycoproteins. Both portions of ENTs had C(4)-acetylated sialoderivatives that were not detected in sections of histologically normal nasal mucosa. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The papillary portion of ENTs in sheep may originate from respiratory glands and goblet cells. The tubular portion of ENTs in sheep may originate from olfactory glands. Presence of C(4)-acetylated sialoderivatives in cells of ENTs could confer resistance against pathogens to those cells.     

Normal anatomical and histochemical characteristics of the lacrimal glands in the American bison and cattle

Dorsal lacrimal glands, superior glands of the third eyelid and Harderian glands (deep gland of the third eyelid) from 19 bison and 18 cattle free of apparent ocular disease were examined to compare the normal anatomical properties of these glands. All glands were characterized and measured (length and width). The gross anatomy of the dorsal lacrimal glands was similar, with the exception of a bipartite gland in cattle. The bison's superior gland of the third eyelid and Harderian gland was longer as compared with cattle. A subset of the bison and cattle samples (five bison and five cattle) was sectioned for histological and histochemical analysis. The histology of the dorsal lacrimal and superior gland of the third eyelid revealed tubuloalveolar cells with basophilic vacuolated cytoplasm in bison and eosinophilic granular cytoplasm in cattle. The Harderian glands consisted of a tubuloalveolar anterior part combined with large lumens acini lined with cuboidal epithelium in the posterior part; the posterior part of the bison Harderian gland was more predominant than in cattle samples. Mucosubstance histochemistry revealed acidic and neutral glycoproteins with similar staining patterns in all glands of both species.     

Phylogenic aspects of the amphibian dual olfactory system

The phylogenic significance of the subdivision of dual olfactory system is reviewed mainly on the basis of our findings by electron microscopy and lectin histochemistry in the three amphibian species. The dual olfactory system is present in common in these species and consists of the projection from the olfactory epithelium (OE) to the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and that from the vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The phylogenic significance of subdivisions in the dual olfactory system in the amphibian must differently be interpreted. The subdivision of the MOB into its dorsal region (D-MOB) and ventral region (V-MOB) in Xenopus laevis must be attributed to the primitive features in their olfactory receptors. The middle cavity epithelium lining the middle cavity of this frog possesses both ciliated sensory cells and microvillous sensory cells, reminding the OE in fish. The subdivision of the AOB into the rostral (R-AOB) and caudal part (C-AOB) in Bufo japonicus formosus must be regarded as an advanced characteristic. The lack of subdivisions in both MOB and AOB in Cynops pyrrhogaster may reflect their phylogenic primitiveness. Since our lectin histochemistry to detect glycoconjugates expressed in the olfactory pathway reveals the subdivisions in the dual olfactory system in the amphibian, the glycoconjugates may deeply participate in the organization and function of olfactory pathways in phylogeny.     

Anatomical and histological structure of the tongue and histochemical characteristics of the lingual salivary glands in the Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar,Gray 1830)

1. The aim of the study was to examine the morphology of the tongue and the histochemical features of the lingual salivary glands in this species.

2. The tongue was elongated, terminating in a rather sharp, dagger-like apex. On the surface of the tongue and situated between the body and root of the tongue, two rows of conical papillae, the sharp apices of which pointed towards the posterior part of the tongue, were observed. The keratinised epithelium lining the dorsal surface lacked typical gustatory papillae. However, it was observed that taste buds were present in the epithelium of the lingual body and root. The tongue was supported by a structure composed of hyaline cartilage, the paraglossum, which extended from the lingual root to the apex. Simple branched tubular glands, which were encapsulated by connective tissue, were embedded within the submucosa in the body (anterior salivary glands) and root (posterior salivary glands) of the tongue. It was observed that the secretion of the lingual glands contained neutral mucins, proteoglycans containing carboxylic acid, weak and strong sulphated groups, N-acetylated sialomucins, but lacked glycogen.

3. It was demonstrated that, the general morphological features, papillary distribution of the tongue and the histological structure of the mucosa epithelium and the supportive elements displayed similarity to those of other domestic avian species. It was also determined that, in view of the particular feeding types, in the partridge, the presence of the papillary crest was not correlated with diet.     

Morphological,morphometric and histochemical characterization of the gastric mucosa of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Mucosal morphology, morphometry and mucin histochemistry of the stomach were studied in the one-humped camel. The lining of the stomach was divided into eight grossly identifiable regions. The first region was non-glandular, occupied the body of the first compartment of the stomach and constituted 53.2% of the gastric mucosa. The other seven regions were lined by a glandular mucosa. Histological, histochemical and morphometric investigations have shown that glandular mucosa comprises pseudo-cardiac, cardiac, fundic and pyloric regions. The pseudo-cardiac region was characterized by widely separated short tubular serous glands. It constituted 36.2% of the gastric mucosa; it extended over the entire lining of the second compartment and parts of the first and third compartments. The cardiac region was confined to the initial zone of the third compartment amidst the psuedo-cardiac region but contiguous with the distal end of the gastric groove. It constituted 3.4% of the gastric mucosa and was characterized by neutral and acid mucin positive glands. The fundic and pyloric regions occupied the distal distended part of the third compartment. The fundic region constituted 4.3% of the gastric mucosa. It was packed with typical fundic glands characterized by chief cells, parietal cells and acid mucin positive neck cells. The pyloric region constituted 2.9% of the gastric mucosa. Its glands were positive to acid mucins except for their bases that were positive to neutral mucins. Differences in volume densities of the mucosal components and reactivity of the surface epithelium and gastric pits to mucin stains were noted in the different regions of the stomach.     

Cell-specific activation of aflatoxin B1 correlates with presence of some cytochrome P450 enzymes in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse

Horses may be exposed to aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) via inhalation of mouldy dust, leading to high exposure of olfactory and respiratory tissues. In the present study the metabolic activation of AFB(1) was examined in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse. The results showed covalent binding of AFB(1)-metabolites in sustentacular cells and cells of Bowman's glands in the olfactory mucosa, in some cells of the surface epithelium of nasal respiratory, tracheal, bronchial and bronchiolar mucosa and in some glands in these areas. Immunohistochemistry revealed that cells expressing proteins reacting with CYP 3A4- and CYP 2A6/2B6-antibodies had a similar distribution as those having capacity to activate AFB(1). Our data indicate that the cell-specific activation of AFB(1) correlates with presence of some CYP-enzymes in olfactory and respiratory tissues in horse.     

Anatomical Features and Histology of the Nasal Cavity of One Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

This study was conducted on nine heads of normal adult one-humped camels. The specimens were collected from Cairo slaughterhouse. The nasal cavity in the freshly collected samples were dissected and photographed. The specimens for microscopic studies were fixed in different fixatives and prepared to examine by light and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The nasal cavity of the camel was studied grossly and by using of light and scanning electron microscope. Specimens from different regions of this cavity were subjected to different histological stains and also demonstrated by the acid and alkaline phosphatases. Gross morphological examination of this cavity showed its three parts: rostral part (the nasal vestibule) covered with skin of usual structure then it lined with smooth mucosa. The middle part (respiratory) had dorsal, middle and ventral nasal conchae, but the caudal part (olfactory) contained the ethmoidal concha. The lining mucosa of the camel nasal cavity was similar to that of other mammals, but there were some differences: the respiratory epithelium showed a small number of goblet cells and there were a mixture of acidic and neutral mucins inside the epithelial and glandular mucous cells. Strong acid and alkaline phosphatase reaction was observed in the lining epithelium of the nasal cavity. By SEM, it showed the surface epithelial layer of the nasal cavity mucosa in three regions (vestibule, respiratory and olfactory) and resulted that it was stratified cuboidal to columnar epithelium, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with few goblet cells or olfactory mucosa containing neurosensory olfactory cells. This study aimed to investigate the anatomical features, the histological and histochemical structures of the nasal cavity in one humped camel. The findings of this study were discussed with the previous works in this field with the other domestic animals.     

Histological and histochemical studies on the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal salivary glands of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at the post-hatching period

The postnatal development and histochemistry of mucins of the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal glands in the quails were investigated by means of light microscopy using specific staining for complex carbohydrates. In this study, the tongues were taken from female and male quails from day 1 to day 60 after hatching. The salivary glands in quail's tongue comprised the lingual gland, with lateral and medial (paraentoglossal gland) portions that differ in morphology and histochemical staining, and the preglottal gland, with two lateral portions and one medial portion. The medial portion of the preglottal gland, which extended to the row of the laryngeal papillae on each side of the glottis, was described as the laryngeal gland. The salivary glands were present at hatching and their cells were functionally mature and secreted mucins. In quail of all ages, the histochemical reactions revealed that the cytoplasms of the secretory cells of the preglottal, laryngeal and paraentoglossal gland (medial portion of lingual gland) contained sialomucins and weakly sulphated epithelial mucins. Neutral mucins were absent in the paraentoglossal gland, while a small amount of neutral mucins was present in other glands. The mucins with vicinal diol groups, sialomucins and weakly sulphated epithelial mucins were mixed within the secretory cells of all the glands. All the histochemical reactions were restricted to the supranuclear regions of the secretory cells within the lateral portion of the lingual gland. In conclusion, the contents of mucins in the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal glands varied between different age groups, however, no differences in the glands' histochemistry between male and female quails were observed.     

3-Methylindole-induced nasal mucosal damage in mice

3-Methylindole (3MI) damages nasal olfactory epithelium in mice. Lesions were studied histologically from 30 minutes to 28 days after intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg 3MI/kg. Cellular swelling was apparent in olfactory epithelium by 6 hours after injection of 3MI, while respiratory epithelium was normal. Necrosis of olfactory epithelium and subepithelial glands was diffuse by 48 hours. Subsequent ulceration resulted in epithelial hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, fibroplasia, and ossification. Partially occlusive intranasal fibrous and osseous tissue persisted through 28 days after 3MI injection.     

Histochemical and surface ultrastructural characteristics of the nasal cavity of laughing dove

Ten apparently healthy, adult laughing doves were used to document detailed histological, histochemical and surface ultrastructural features of the nasal cavity and to investigate the structure‐function relationship of the nasal cavity in this species. We observed that the nasal cavity of the laughing dove was composed of three main regions: nasal vestibule, respiratory and olfactory. Each region presented a characteristic epithelial lining. The epithelium varied along the nasal vestibule from keratinized stratified squamous rostrally to non‐keratinized stratified squamous in the middle and stratified cuboidal in the caudal region of the nasal vestibule. The respiratory region was lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and was initially devoid of both goblet cells and cilia, but cilia then appeared and increased gradually in number close to the olfactory region. The caudal part of the respiratory region presented a stratified cuboidal epithelium. Strong alcianophilic, intra‐epithelial mucous glands were identified, starting at the caudal region of the nasal vestibule and extended into the respiratory region. The olfactory region was lined with a pseudostratified epithelium that consisted of three different cell types: olfactory, support cells and basal cells. In conclusion, the current investigation presents new information concerning the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural features of the laughing dove's nasal cavity. Furthermore, the findings of this study may prove to be a valuable contribution to the avian histology and pathology literature.     

Glycocomposition of the apocrine interdigital gland secretions in the fallow deer (Dama dama)

The secretions of the tubular interdigital glands were investigated by conventional (Periodic-Acid Schiff, Alcian-Blue at different pH, Low Iron Diamine and High Iron Diamine) and lectin (Con-A, UEA-I, LTA, WGA, GSA-II, GSA-IB4, SBA, PNA, ECA, DBA, MAL-II and SNA) histochemical methods in adult males and females of different age of fallow deer during the breeding season. Sialidase digestion and deacetylation pre-treatment were also employed in conjunction with lectin histochemistry.The glandular epithelium consisted of a single layer of low columnar cells with typical apical protrusions. No substantial differences of the above histochemical staining in relation to sex and age were observed. Conventional histochemical staining revealed that the interdigital glands secreted neutral glycoproteins whereas acidic glycocomponents did not seem to be present. Lectin histochemical technique allowed us to disclose a great heterogeneity of glycoproteins with N- and O-linked oligosaccharides containing α-d-Man/α-d-Glc, GlcNAc, α-Fuc, terminal β-d-Gal-(1-3)-d-GalNAc, -d-Gal-(1-4)-d-GlcNAc, α-Gal and β-GalNAc residues. β-GalNAc and disaccharide β-d-Gal-(1-3)-d-GalNAc were also found as subterminal to sialyl moieties. The lack of sexual and age-related differences in the glucidic content of the glandular secretions seems to indicate that the glycoderivatives may play only an accessory role in the production of odoriferous signals in fallow deer.     

Macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the oviduct in the sexually mature rhea (Rhea americana)

The morphological characteristics of the oviduct of 12 sexually mature rheas (Rhea americana) were studied. Only the left oviduct is developed as a long tube with a length of 122 +/- 23.1 cm, and is subdivided into infundibulum (15.2 +/- 4.0 cm), magnum (63.3 +/- 9.4 cm), isthmus (5.6 +/- 3.1 cm), uterus (16.0 +/- 4.2 cm) and vagina (11.5 +/- 1.4 cm). The mucous membrane of the oviduct, as a whole, possesses luminal folds covered by ciliated columnar epithelium with secretory cells. The infundibulum part presents a cranial opening with thin and long fimbriae with few tubular glands in caudal tubular portion. In the magnum, the largest portion of the oviduct, the folds are thicker and are filled with tubular glands. The isthmus is short and presents less bulky folds and a few tubular glands. A bag-shaped uterus in the cranial area shows thin folds, and in the caudal region (shell gland) more ramified folds with few tubular glands. The vagina has long luminal folds and a thick muscular tunic; no glands with sperm-storage characteristics have been observed. In conclusion, the oviduct in sexually mature rhea has morphological similarities with the other species of birds already described; however it presents its own characteristics to produce a big egg.     

Spontaneous ovarian neoplasms of the laboratory rat

A wide range of spontaneous tumors of the ovary are reported in a group of 5903 aged female Sprague-Dawley rats of the CD and CFY strains examined since 1978 in this laboratory. The most commonly observed tumor was the tubular adenoma. Others recorded were tubular adenocarcinoma, papillary cystadenoma, papillary cystadenocarcinoma, a Sertoli's cell tumor, benign and malignant granulosa cell tumors, benign thecal cell tumors, and classical mesotheliomas of ovarian origin. A system of classification and nomenclature of the ovarian tumors from this group is advanced.     

Intranasal tumor of the ethmoid olfactory mucosa in sheep.

Intranasal tumors (papillary adenomas or adenocarcinomas) of the ethmoid olfactory mucosa of sheep were investigated by light and electron microscopy. The fine structure of the tumor cells was characterized by the presence of numerous secretory granules. Viral particles, which were morphologically similar to a visna-maedi virus, were detected in all tumor tissues and in 3 of 4 cultures examined. The particles (about 97 nm) had an eccentrically located electron-dense core and numerous spikes on their surfaces. The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities in the tumor cells or the cultured cell from the tumor were greater than those in the normal intranasal tissues or the cultured cells from the choroid plexus. Viral particles similar to herpesvirus were also detected in 1 culture.     

Scanning electron microscopic and histological features of the oral cavity of the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

This investigation was led to depict the structural and functional adaptations of the oral cavity of herbivorous Egyptian tortoises using scanning electron and light microscopes. The SEM showed that the triangular papillary tongue possessed three conical papillary subtypes: the rectangular conical on the tip, the round conical on the rest of the dorsal lingual surface and the elongated conical on the caudal portion of the lingual wing. The presence of the serrated lips with their valves compensated for the absence of the teeth. The rostral part had a vomeronasal opening while the middle part had the choana, but the caudal part had numerous openings of the salivary glands. There are three palatine folds: a single median palatine fold, two peripheral palatine folds and the choanal fold. The current histological results show the keratinized dorsal lingual surface, in which the keratinized layer extended to cover the papillae. Two types of lingual glands, according to their position, are papillary superficial and deep lingual glands. Papillary or superficial glands open in the interpapillary spaces via narrow openings, while the deep glands are surrounded by well-developed muscles and open via wide openings on the dorsal lingual surface. An entoglossal cartilaginous structure of hyaline cartilage was found in the mid- and hindtongue, with numerous chondrocytes lodged within the lacunae. Our results conclude that the oral cavity of the herbivorous Egyptian tortoise was adapted to the dietary and vigorous demands of the Egyptian fauna.     

Histochemistry of the zona pellucida of the ovary of a species with natural polyovulation: Lagostomus maximus (Rodentia,Hystricomorpha, Chinchillidae)

This study reports the histochemistry and the distribution of glycoconjugates (GCs) in the zona pellucida (ZP) of preantral, secondary, tertiary, polyovulatory and atretic follicles of ovaries from non‐pregnant (NPr) and pregnant (Pr) females of Lagostomus maximus. GCs were studied using histochemical and lectin histochemical methods. The viscacha ZP was positive to all the histochemical techniques. In addition, it was observed that the intensity of staining of the ZP was constant in the different follicular stages between both female groups. The lectin histochemical study revealed that ZP was positive for certain lectins (WGA, RCA‐I and CON‐A) and that the labelling did not vary between the different follicular stages, but between the two groups of females. By using both histochemical techniques, it was established that the GCs present in the ZP label the complexity of the area. These results allow us to increase our knowledge on the biology of the viscacha's ovary, particularly contributing to the study of polyovulation.     

Cellular proliferative and telomerase activity in canine mammary gland tumors

In canine mammary tumors, we examined the telomerase activity, proliferative activity by proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry, and percentage of apoptotic cells by the deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. The relationship between these measures and histopathologic malignancy was also investigated. PCNA index was highest in malignant tumors (adenocarcinoma: 27.0%; malignant mixed tumor: 15.7%), followed by benign tumors (adenoma: 4.4%; benign mixed tumor: 5.3%), hyperplasia (2.1%), and normal mammary gland (0.9%). In adenoma and adenocarcinoma, papillary and solid types showing higher cellularity tended to have higher PCNA indices than did cystic and tubular types. Although the TUNEL index was <1% in all cases, the relationship between this measure and histopathologic diagnosis showed the same tendency as observed in PCNA immunostaining. Telomerase activity was detectable in all adenomas, benign mixed tumors, and adenocarcinomas examined. In contrast, all normal mammary glands, hyperplasias, and malignant mixed tumors were negative for telomerase. Relative telomerase activity (RTA) of adenocarcinoma (56.5) was significantly higher than that of adenoma (27.8) and benign mixed tumor (33.9), and a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) was noted between RTA and PCNA index. No significant correlations were noted between either PCNA or TUNEL index and clinical features such as metastasis and tumor diameter. PCNA index and telomerase activity may be useful markers for judging malignancy of canine mammary tumors.     

Immunohistochemical studies on the differential maturation of three types of olfactory organs in the rats

Differential maturation of three types of olfactory organs, the olfactory epithelium (OE), the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the septal olfactory organ of Masera (MO), was examined immunohistochemically in embryonic and newborn rats by the use of antiprotein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) serum. These olfactory organs were derived in common from the olfactory placode as neuroepithelia. In the OE, PGP 9.5-immunopositive olfactory cells first appeared at 13 days of gestation. The OE maturated completely, and showed the same cytological features as in the adult at 20 days of gestation. The MO first appeared as a dense mass of PGP 9.5-immunopositive sensory cells on the most ventrocaudal part of the nasal septum at 15 days of gestation and was evidently isolated from the OE by the decrease of immunopositive cells in the intercalated epithelium between the OE and the MO at 20 days of gestation. However, even at 7 days after birth, the MO did not complete its development and contained sensory cells aggregating in the mass. The VNO was separated from the nasal cavity at 13 days of gestation as a tubular structure of a neuroepithelium including PGP 9.5-immunopositive sensory cells. These cells gradually increased in number in the sensory epithelium of the VNO and extended their dendritic processes to the free surface at 7 days after birth. These findings clarified the differential maturation of these olfactory organs. That is, the OE completes its development before birth, while the MO and VNO after birth.