Pathological studies on central nervous tissues of rats infected with Rattus serotype hantavirus (SR-11 strain).

Newborn rats inoculated intraperitoneally with a hantavirus strain (SR-11) developed neurological signs such as ataxia and limb paralysis. The main histological lesions were scattered and multiple neuronal degeneration and necrosis with eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (CIB) in the brain, spinal cord and ganglia. Immunohistochemically, the viral antigen was detected in neurons, capillary endothelial and glial cells throughout the nervous tissue and CIB were identified as consisting of hantaviral antigen (nucleocapsid protein). Ultrastructurally, CIB in the neurons consisted of an accumulation of granular or filamentous materials, or both. They were seen near a well-developed Golgi apparatus and associated with well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and increased numbers of ribosomes. The present results suggested that this virus strain was highly infective in neurons of the newborn rats and that excess production of viral antigen which accumulated as CIB resulted in the neuronal changes.     

An immunohistochemical study of the gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the Korean tree squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris corea.

The regional distribution and relative frequencies of gastrointestinal endocrine cells were studied immunohistochemically in the gastrointestinal mucosa of Korean tree squirrels. Seven kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. Although a large number of 5-hydroxytryptamine-immunoreactive cells were seen throughout the gastrointestinal tract, they were most predominant in the duodenum. A moderate number of glucagon-immunoreactive cells which were restricted to the cardia and fundus of the stomach was also observed. Bovine chromogranin-immunoreactive cells were numerous in the cardia and pylorus of the stomach, found in moderate numbers in the fundus, duodenum and large intestine, but rare in the jejunum. Porcine chromogranin-immunoreactive cells were found in moderate numbers in the stomach but were rare in the duodenum. Gastrin/cholecystokinin-immunoreactive cells were abundant in the pyloric gland region but scarce in the duodenum. Bovine pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells were observed to be rare and found only in the pyloric gland region. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were distributed moderately in the stomach but were few in number in the intestine. No insulin-immunoreactive cells were found in the gastrointestinal tract of Korean tree squirrels. These results suggest that although the Korean tree squirrel is a herbivorous rodent, the distribution pattern of its gastro-entero-endocrine cells is rather similar to that reported for omnivorous animals.     

Zur Entwicklung der Eierstocks- und Eileiterarterien Japanischer Wachteln (Coturnix coturnix japonica) nach dem Schlupf

On the post-hatching development of the arteries supplying the female reproductive organs of Japanese quails
A total of 57 Japanese quails of the following age groups were used for this study: 2 days, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after hatching. Tensol cement for the corrosion casts was injected via the aortic arch.
In the female Japanese quails, the A. ovarica (sinistra) to the ovar the following four arteries related to the oviduct were typically present: A. oviductalis cranialis, A. oviductalis cranialis accessoria, A. oviductalis media , and A. oviductalis caudalis.
The A. oviductalis cranialis and A. oviductalis cranialis accessoria appeared first at the age of about 4 weeks and from then on developed uniformly. At the age of 5 weeks a surprisingly rapid development of the A. oviductalis media and A. oviductalis caudalis could be observed. Thus at the age of 6 weeks all four oviduct arteries were well developed and often demonstrated in the already laying (sexually mature) animals an enormous amount of hypertrophy.     

Influence of Adrenalectomy on the Developing Rat Thymus During Peri-Weaning Period

Adrenalectomy of 17-, 18- and 19-day-old male and female rats did not cause any changes in the weight of thymus 4 days later. Adrenalectomy on day 20 of age induced a significant hypertrophy of the thymus 4 days later. These results indicate that on day 20 of age, just before weaning, the thymus is under some inhibitory regulation by the adrenal gland.     

Adrenal Renin is Localized in Lysosomal Granules

Both renin and cathepsin B were co-localized in identical granules of adrenocortical cells. At day 16 of gestation, many renin-containing granules were observed and gold particles showed homogeneous intragranular distribution; whereas, those for cathepsin B was distributed heterogene-ously. At day 18 of gestation, renin immunoreactivity was decreased or undetectable, whereas cathepsin B was still demonstrated at the same level as on day 16 of gestation.