Reinke's Crystals in an Interstitial Cell Tumour of a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Contents One case of interstitial cell tumour in the testicle of a New Zealand White rabbit was reported. The rabbit was 9-years old and had monolateral testicular lesion. There was enlargement of left testis and the lesion were seen on the cut surface. Light microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystals of Reinke that resembled to the features observed for this tumour in human. Immunohistochemically, this tumour was positive for vimentin.     

Haemorheological Variables in a Rat Model of Hypertriglyceridaemic Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity is a heterogeneous condition of variable aetiology, generally associated with pathologies such as arterial hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes and cardiac disease. These conditions, either themselves or because of the various treatments used, may further modify blood rheology in an arbitrary manner. Therefore, analyses of changes in the blood rheology induced by obesity in humans have had differing and controversial results. In our laboratory, a model of hypertriglyceridaemic obesity is provided by an inbred rat strain; the genotype from the IIMb/Fm strain, presenting a syndrome of moderate obesity with apparent peripubertal onset, associated with hypertriglyceridaemia and glucose intolerance that turns into diabetes. The genotype, originated from the same IIM/Fm stock, represents the control.The present study describes a comparative analysis of the variables determining the rheological behaviour of the blood in obese and control strains. Our results, agreeing with some other studies performed in humans, confirmed the haemorheological changes associated with obesity, and the fact that these changes became more evident in the presence of pathologies such as diabetes. It appears that triglyceridaemia, cholesterolaemia and hyperglycaemia may influence the rheological behaviour of the cell membrane and this damage may provoke a decrease in erythrocyte deformability and, consequently, hyperviscosity of the blood.     

富硒麦芽对二乙基亚硝胺诱发大鼠肝癌血管生成的影响

试验选择雄性SD大鼠100只,体重100~120 g,随机分成3组。试验Ⅰ组日粮中添加富硒麦芽（SEM）使硒含量达到3.0 mg/kg;试验Ⅱ组为模型组;试验Ⅲ组为阴性对照组,不诱癌不加SEM;试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ日粮中分别添加亚硒酸钠使硒含量达到0.1 mg/kg。试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组饮水中添加100 mg/L二乙基亚硝胺（diethylnitrosamine,DEN）诱癌,维持DEN摄入量每天约10 mg/kg体重,连续16周,然后改饮普通灭菌水至18周末。试验Ⅲ组始终以普通灭菌水自由饮用。18周末,处死大鼠。利用免疫组织化学法分析大鼠肝肿瘤微血管密度（microvessel density,MVD）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的表达。结果表明,SEM组MVD和VEGF表达较模型组显著降低。因此,表明SEM对肝肿瘤血管生成有抑制作用,下调VEGF表达可能是其抑制肿瘤血管生成的主要机理之一。     

Interstitial pH and Pressure in the Dependent Biceps Femoris Muscle of Laterally Recumbent Anesthetized Horses

Interstitial pressure and pH in the dependent biceps femoris muscle were measured in anesthetized, laterally recumbent horses. The mean (+/- standard deviation) interstitial pressure in 10 horses was 19.70 +/- 0.15 mmHg in the 30 to 180 minute interval after induction of anesthesia. Pressures of this order have been associated with reduction in muscle perfusion. Mean (+/- standard deviation) interstitial pH in six horses decreased from 7.07 +/- 0.30 to 6.73 +/- 0.21 between 45 and 150 minutes of anesthesia. These results indicated the presence of circulatory compromise to intracompartmental structures.     

子宫内膜异位症大鼠模型复制

取Wistar大鼠30只,用手术移植的 方法把自体子宫内膜组织2块分别移植到壁 腹膜与子宫系膜处,建立子宫内膜异位症大 鼠模型。术后4周,再次开腹,观察异位内膜 的存活情况、与周围组织的粘连程度及病理 学变化。结果发现腹膜和子宫系膜处移植内 膜的成活率及病灶的体积差异无显著性(P >0.05),腹膜处病灶与周围组织的粘连程度 显著轻于子宫系膜处病灶(P<0.01),移植 物外观呈囊状,表面有血管,光镜下观察见子 宫内膜细胞、间质细胞、腺体和血管,与正常 在位内膜相比腺体减少。该模型复制方法简 便,成功率高,是研究子宫内膜异位症较理想 的动物模型。     

Malignant Mixed Sex Cord-stromal Tumour in a Stallion

A 30-year-old Standardbred stallion was examined for unilateral scrotal swelling. Physical and ultrasound examinations revealed a painless enlarged left testis with a non-homogeneous echogenicity, when compared with the controlateral testis. The stallion underwent left unilateral orchiectomy. Grossly, the excised testis was irregularly enlarged (12 x 9 x 9 cm; weight: 530 g) and firm. The sections showed that testicular parenchyma was replaced by a lobulated, greyish-white mass, which involved the epididymal head. At microscopy, a dual Leydig and Sertoli cell tumour component could be seen. Neoplastic Sertoli cells were prevalent and presented pleomorphic cells, mitotic figures and occasional vascular invasion. Tumour patterns showed tubular and solid areas, cord-like or diffuse in appearance, among which newly formed Leydig cell nests and low-density fibrillar bundles were interposed. Immunohistochemically, a weak to moderate immunostaining for vimentin, AE(1)/AE(3) cytokeratin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and CD99 antigens was found in the growing Sertoli cells, whose nuclear MIB-1 labelling index scored 13 +/- 2%. The Leydig tumour cells, on the other hand, displayed a moderate to strong positivity for alpha-inhibin, vimentin, AE(1)/AE(3) cytokeratin, neurone-specific enolase and CD99. On the basis of these findings, a diagnosis of malignant mixed sex cord-stromal tumour was made.     

Bilateral Testicular Leydig Cells Tumour in a Donkey

A rare case of a bilateral Leydig cells tumour located in the testis of a 15-year-old donkey slaughtered normally is presented. Histologically, the testicular tumour showed neoplastic Leydig cells arranged in solid growth as a pseudoadenomatous packet type. To our knowledge, this is the first bilateral Leydig cells tumour, a neoplasm never reported in the donkey.     

大鼠骨肉瘤模型的建立

为建立大鼠骨肉瘤动物模型的方法, 用30只6周龄SD大鼠随机分为3组,将大 鼠骨肉瘤细胞系UMR 106分别以105,106, 107个数量注入大鼠股外侧皮下。接种后,每 周观察肿瘤生长情况,测量肿瘤直径,绘制肿 瘤生长曲线,连续5周。第6周取肿瘤病理 材料,常规切片,HE染色,光镜下观察。结果 105个细胞及106个细胞组肿瘤生长情况不 佳;107个细胞组肿瘤发生率达到100%。说 明大鼠骨肉瘤细胞系UMR 106具有较强的 致瘤性,应用该细胞系建立的动物模型为骨 肉瘤综合治疗奠定了动物实验基础。     

Dose-effect Study of Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance in a Weaned Rat Model

The present study investigated the doseeffect relationship of graded levels of lipoic acid supplementation on growth performance and small intestinal development in a weaned rat model.Seventy-two weaned Sprague-Dawley rats,were fed semipurified diets(n=12),either unsupplemented(group Ⅰ)or supplemented with 12.5,25,125,or 250 mg/kg body weight(BW)fipoic acid(groups Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ,and Ⅵ),with 200 mg/kg BW aureomycin as the antibiotic control(group Ⅱ).The experiment lasted 21 days.Growth performance was not significantly different (P＞0.05)between rats under the antibiotc control (group Ⅰ)and rats fed low levels(12.5 and 25 mg/kg BW)of lipoic acid(groups Ⅳ and Ⅳ).In contrast,high level(125 and 250 mg/kg BW)lipoic acid supplementation(groups Ⅴ and Ⅵ)(P＜0.05)reduced weight gain,feed consumption,and feed efficiency.In addition,high levels(125 and 250 mg/kg BW)of lipoic acid significantly(P＜0.05)reduced the villus height/crypt depth ratio,as well as the numbers of lactobacillus.total aerobes.and total anerobes in the gastrointestinal tract compared with the other treatments,which meant that high levels of lipoic acid impaired intestinal morphology and disordered the balance of intestinal microbiology.Furthermore,the results showed that high leveIs of lipoic acid supplementation(P＜0.05)elevated interferonγ and intefleukin-2,but dramatically(P＜0.05)depressed interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 compared with the low levels of lipoic acid supplementation and the control group,which indicated that high levels of lipoic acid would induce bias of Th1/Th2 lymphocytes.Taken together,the results indicate that lipoic acid supplementation can't improve growth performance and intestinal development of normal animals,especially,high levels(≥125 mg/kg BW)of lipoic acid supplementation restrained growth performance and intestinal development,in association with unbalance of certain cytokines.     

Angiogenesis and cerebral neoplasia

Angiogenesis is a fundamental process in reproduction and wound healing. It is a tightly regulated process causing neovascularization. However, if angiogenesis becomes unregulated, it may be responsible for several disease processes such as brain tumour growth and metastasis. An understanding of the factors implicated in angiogenesis and its inhibition is essential if they are to be exploited as possible clinical treatments for brain tumours. Unfortunately, there are multiple factors known to be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, and hence, the clinical application of any single agent may not be effective. This article summarizes the processes of blood vessel formation in the brain, examines the angiogenic factors that are important in the nervous system and discusses their role in brain tumour development and possible treatment.     

Angiogenesis in Developing Follicle and Corpus Luteum

Angiogenesis is a process of vascular growth that is mainly limited to the reproductive system in healthy adult animals. The development of new blood vessels in the ovary is essential to guarantee the necessary supply of nutrients and hormones to promote follicular growth and corpus luteum formation. In developing follicles, the pre-existing endothelial cells that form the vascular network in the theca layer markedly develop in response to the stimulus of several growth factors, mainly produced by granulosa cells, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The angiogenic factors also promote vessel permeability, thus favouring the antrum formation and the events inducing follicle rupture. After ovulation, newly formed blood vessels cross the basement membrane between theca and granulosa layers and continue a rapid growth to sustain corpus luteum development and function. The length of luteal vascular growth varies in cycling and pregnant animals and among species; both angiogenesis and subsequent angioregression are finely regulated by systemic and local factors. The control of angiogenic development in the ovary could be a useful tool to improve animal reproductive performances.     

Angiogenesis and vascular regression in the ovary

Angiogenesis is prominent during development and downregulated in the adult. Strictly controlled angiogenesis in the healthy adult occurs cyclically in the ovary and corpus luteum, which therefore make an excellent model with which to study vascular growth. Dysfunctional or uncontrolled angiogenesis is involved in a number of diseases and is responsible for growth and dissemination of tumours. This review focuses on the following aspects of the ovary: the gross and microscopical anatomy of the blood vessels, described mainly--but not exclusively--in the bovine; vascularization of the follicle before and after ovulation; angiogenesis in the developing and the mature corpus luteum as well as in the corpus luteum of pregnancy. The potential mechanisms of vascular regression during luteolysis and the potential role of vascular growth in dominance and atresia of follicles will be described. Furthermore, recent research on ovarian angiogenic and potential anti-angiogenic factors including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), angiopoietin and metalloproteinase inhibitor will be presented. Finally, the role of hormones including FSH, LH, sexual steroids, prostaglandins, prolactin, oxytocin and activin/inhibin in ovarian angiogenesis will be summarized. Future research is likely to yield valuable information that can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of diseases characterized by disregulated angiogenesis and vascular regression.     

Spironolactone, but not Eplerenone, Impairs Glucose Tolerance in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Although some clinical studies have suggested that spironolactone (SPL), a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist, appears to increase the blood glucose levels, experimental studies have not supported this notion. Here, we investigated the effect of SPL on blood glucose levels in SHR/NDmcr-cp(cp/cp) (ND) rats, an animal model of metabolic syndrome, in comparison with that of eplerenone (EPL), another MR antagonist. At the same dose of 100 mg/kg, SPL and EPL increased the urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio to a comparable extent, indicating that both agents have similar renal MR antagonistic efficacy in ND rats. Interestingly, SPL but not EPL significantly increased the level of blood glucose. The oral glucose tolerance test revealed that treatment with SPL led to glucose intolerance. The levels of serum insulin and adiponectin, regulators of the blood glucose level, were virtually unaffected by treatment with SPL. On the other hand, SPL induced a marked increase in the blood level of aldosterone, known to be a risk factor for insulin resistance. These results demonstrate that in comparison with EPL, SPL characteristically impairs glucose tolerance in an animal model of metabolic syndrome, in association with a higher blood level of aldosterone.     

幼龄大鼠环磷酰胺免疫抑制模型中血液学和肠道黏膜免疫指标的观察

为了解幼龄大鼠环磷酰胺免疫抑制模型血液学和肠道黏膜免疫相关指标的变化特点,本研究观察与比较了4周龄雌性SD大鼠在体重、临床表现、血液学、血清生化指标以及肠道黏膜免疫等方面的变化。与对照组相比,幼龄大鼠体重增长缓慢(P<0.05);外周血白细胞总数、嗜中性粒细胞数、淋巴细胞数、单核细胞数与网织红细胞数显著降低(P<0.05);血清球蛋白含量显著减少(P<0.05);小肠派氏结数、杯状细胞数、肠道内淋巴细胞数和分泌型Ig A量均显著减少(P<0.05);其余血清生化指标以及肠道绒毛发育未见显著影响。研究表明,幼龄大鼠固有免疫与获得性免疫水平在模型中均受到显著抑制,后期固有免疫较获得性免疫恢复程度好。免疫指标中外周血细胞数及小肠派氏结数推荐在模型应用中优先选择。     

Tumour of the Epithelium of the Ciliary Body in a Dog

Abstract— —Tumours of the ciliary epithelium in the dog can be diagnosed clinically, because they are circumscribed and have a characteristic pink colour.
A case is described in which the histological structure corresponds to the adult medullo-blastoma in man.
It is suggested that some pigment in an intraocular tumour is no proof that the tumour originates necessarily from a pigment-forming tissue.
Résumé— —Les tumeurs de l'épithélium ciliaire, chez le chien, peuvent être diagnostiquées clinique-ment parce qu'elles sont circonscrites et ont une couleur rose caractéristique. Un cas dont l'aspect histologique est comparable à celui de médullo-blastome de l'homme est décrit.
Il est avancé que la présence de pigments en petites quantités dans une tumeur intra-oculaire ne suffit pas à prouver que la tumeur provient d'un tissu formant des pigments.
Zusammenfassung— —Die klinische Diagnose von Tumoren des Ziliarepithels beim Hund lässt sich aufgrund ihrer klaren Abgrenzung und der charakteristischen rosa Farbe stellen. Es wird ein Fall beschrieben, in dem der histologische Befund dem eines Erwachsenen-Medulloblastoms beim Menschen entspricht.
Es wird darauf hingewiesen, daß die Anwesenheit von Pigment in einem intraokularen Tumor keineswegs beweist, daß dieser Tumor seinen Ursprung in pigmentbildendem Gewebe hat.     

Atypical Interstitial Pneumonia in Cattle

Atypical interstitial pneumonia is described as two clinical syndromes in young cattle. One syndrome occurs in animals which have clinical evidence of pneumonic pasteurellosis, responds initially to treatment for one to two days and then develops acute signs of atypical interstitial pneumonia. The second syndrome involves acute respiratory distress in young calves due to atypical interstitial pneumonia with antecedents of enzootic pneumonia. The postmortem lesions are described along with discussion of the possible pathogenesis of the condition and treatment.     

Interstitial lung fibrosis and emphysema in a standardbred horse: A case report

A horse with severe work-intolerance was examined. Neither clinical nor radiographic examination suggested the presence of emphysema and lung fibrosis.     

Interstitial cell tumor and Sertoli cell tumor in the testis of a cat

Testicular tumors are rarely reported in cats. We describe a case of interstitial cell tumor and Sertoli cell tumor in a cat that developed aggressive behavior and inappropriate urination 7 years after it was obtained from a shelter as an allegedly castrated 2 year old. At physical examination, the urine odor and the presence of penile papillae implied testosterone production. Testes were not palpable, but the left testis was found in the scrotum by surgical exploration and was mostly replaced by the 2 tumors. The interstitial cell tumor, but not the Sertoli cell tumor, was immunohistochemically positive for Melan-A, consistent with steroid production. Behavior improved after excision of the testis and penile papillae began to regress, but the cat was euthanatized 3 1/2 months after castration at the owner's request. Neither tumor had metastasized. The right testis was never found and was presumed to have been removed during the reported castration procedure.