Histocytological specificities of adrenal cortex in the New World Monkeys, Aotus lemurinus and Saimiri boliviensis

The New World monkey Aotus spp. (night monkeys) are expected for use of valuable experimental animal with the close species of Saimiri spp. (squirrel monkeys). Saimiri is known to show spontaneous hypercortisolemia, although few reports in Aotus. We compared basic states of blood steroid hormones and histological structure of the adrenal glands in two monkeys. Serum cortisol and ACTH levels were statistically lower in Aotus than Saimiri. Conversely, Aotus adrenocortical area showed significant enlargement, especially at the zona fasciculata. Electron microscopic observation at Aotus fasciculata cells revealed notable accumulation of large lipid droplets and irregular shapes of the mitochondrial cristae. These results suggest potential differences in cellular activities for steroidogenesis between Aotus and Saimiri and experimental usefulness in adrenocortical physiology and pathological models.     

A spontaneously occurring malignant ovarian Sertoli cell tumor in a young Sprague Dawley rat

Primary ovarian tumors are generally uncommon in rats used in toxicologic studies. A malignant Sertoli cell tumor was present in the ovary of a 19-week-old female Sprague Dawley rat. Macroscopically, the mass was white and firm, 10 × 13 × 17 mm in size, and located in the right ovary. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of nests of pleomorphic cells, which formed seminiferous-like tubules separated by a thin fibrovascular stroma. The tubules were lined by tumor cells, which had basally located nuclei and abundant eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm. In some areas, the tumor cells were arranged in a retiform growth pattern, mimicking a rete testis/ovarii. Disseminated metastases to the surfaces of the mesentery, spleen and liver were also present. Immunohistochemically, many tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, estrogen receptor α and Ki 67. Some tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratin and inhibin α. These findings closely resemble those of an ovarian-derived human malignant Sertoli cell tumor. From our review of the literature, we believe this is the first report of a spontaneous malignant Sertoli cell tumor in the ovary of a young laboratory rat. This case might provide useful historical control information for rat toxicity studies.     

Cytogenetic analysis and developmental assessment of mouse embryos derived from in vitro fertilization of oocytes reconstructed by meiosis-II chromosome transplantation

An electrofusion methodology for transferring meiosis-II chromosomes (M-II-t) has not been completely established. The present study compared the use of two temperatures (fusion at 37 C for Group A and 25 C for Group B) during an electrofusion procedure for mouse oocyte M-II-t and investigated the cytogenetic normality and developmental competence of embryos derived from in vitro fertilization using oocytes reconstructed by M-II-t. The M-II-t oocytes were fertilized in vitro and cultured to the blastocyst stage; the resultant embryos were analyzed cytogenetically. Subsequently, chromosomal normality of the resultant embryos at the prometaphase stage of first cleavage division and the integrity of the meiosis-II spindles of the reconstructed oocytes were analyzed. The success rate of electrofusion in Group B was 92.1%, which was significantly different from that in Group A (49.2%) (P<0.05). The fertilization rates (A, 80.7%; B, 77.2%) and development rates (A, 70.9%; B, 65.5%) in the M-II-t groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (95.0 and 92.2%, respectively) (P<0.05). The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the Group A embryos (20.5%) at the blastocyst stage was significantly higher than that in the control group embryos (8.5%) (P<0.05), but the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in Group B (12.5%) was not significantly different compared with the other groups. A temperature of 25 C during the electrofusion procedure for M-II-t resulted in a good fusion rate, good development rate, and efficient production of chromosomally normal blastocysts. Furthermore, the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the first cleavage embryos at the prometaphase stage in Group B (9.6%) did not differ significantly from that in the control group (6.6%). The spindle morphology of the M-II-t oocytes in Group B was normal.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of pseudorabies virus spread through neurons innervating the eyeball

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) was inoculated intraocularly into BALB/c mice, and the distribution pattern of cells positive for several neurotransmitters and viral antigens in the eyeball, trigeminal nerve ganglia, and superior cervical ganglia was examined immunohistochemically to clarify the neural route of the virus spread. In the eyeball, substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive cells were detected in the ipsilateral iris and ciliary body, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY)-positive cells were detected in the choloid membrane, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells were detected in the ipsilateral inner nuclear layer of the retina; all these cells contained viral antigens. In the superior cervical ganglia, viral antigen-positive cells containing TH or NPY were found at bilateral sites. In the trigeminal nerve ganglia, viral antigen-positive cells containing SP or CGRP were found at bilateral sites. These findings indicated that the SP- and CGRP-positive ganglion cells of the trigeminal nerve ganglia innervating the iris or ciliary body, and the NPY-positive ganglion cells of the superior cervical ganglia innervating the iris, ciliary body, and choroid membrane served as the route for the virus spread. These findings also suggested that dopaminergic neurons, such as the TH-positive retinal cells and TH-positive ganglion cells of the superior cervical ganglia, served as the route for virus spread.     

Investigation of relationships between cell and pulp properties in Eucalyptus by examination of within-tree property variations

 Relationships between cell and pulp properties were investigated by examining the within-tree property variations in Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus. Properties investigated included proportions of ray and axial parenchyma, thickness of cell walls and cell wall percentages. The characteristics of the ray and axial parenchyma (their proportions and wall thickness) were found to have a significant influence on all measured pulp properties, including paper strength properties. Multiple regression of pulp properties in relation to cell properties revealed that nearly all measured pulp properties were explained by cell properties at the 1% significance level. It was concluded, therefore, that all cell types are important for predicting pulp properties, and it is strongly recommended that tree breeding programs for Eucalyptus include the measurement of all cell types. Received 6 July 1999     

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) progress to date and future plans

The INHAND Proposal (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee (GESC) manages the overall objectives of the project and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups (OWG), drawing upon experts from North America, Europe and Japan.Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date – Respiratory, Hepatobiliary, Urinary, Central/Peripheral Nervous Systems, Male Reproductive and Mammary, Zymbals, Clitoral and Preputial Glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the Integument and Soft Tissue and Female Reproductive System in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a web site – www.goreni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photo-micrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. During 2012, INHAND GESC representatives attended meetings with representatives of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) to begin incorporation of INHAND terminology as preferred terminology for SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) submissions to the FDA. The interest in utilizing the INHAND nomenclature, based on input from industry and government toxicologists as well as information technology specialists, suggests that there will be wide acceptance of this nomenclature. The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.     

Experimental Final Hosts of Metagonimus Hakubaensis (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) and Their Suitability to the Fluke

Seven laboratory mammal and bird species were orally inoculated with 200–1,000 encysted Metagonimus hakubaensis metacercariae that had been isolated from naturally infected lampreys (Lethenteron reissneri) captured in Aomori Prefecture. At 8 and 15 days post-infection, adult flukes were recovered from all of the laboratory animals tested, and therefore, hamster, rat, mouse, dog, cat, chicken and quail were considered as final hosts of M. hakubaensis. Recovery rates of the fluke were higher in dogs and hamsters than in cats, rats, mice, chickens and quails. The flukes recovered from dogs and hamsters showed increased body length and higher fecundity than those recovered from the other hosts. These results indicate that the suitability of dogs and hamsters for M. hakubaensis infection is higher than that of the other laboratory animals.     

牛不同直径卵泡内卵母细胞体外受精后的卵裂率和染色体异常分析

将不同直径牛卵泡内卵母细胞体外成熟培养22h后，对其体外受精后的卵裂率，胚胎发育速度和胚胎染色体异常发生率进行了研究。结果表明，体外受精后48h，直径3－6mm卵泡内卵母细胞外受精后的卵裂率明显高于直径1－2mm和7－10mm卵泡内卵母细胞体外受精后的卵裂率（P＜0．05）。体外受精后48h，直径3－6mm包泡内卵母细胞体外受精后的胚胎的发育速度明显快于直径1－2mm和7－10mm卵泡组胚胎（P＜0．05）。通过对不同卵裂期胚胎的染色体标本分析表明，直径1－2mm卵泡内卵母细胞体外受精后的胚胎染色体异常发生率明显高于直径3－6mm卵泡组（P＜0．05），但与直径7－10mm卵泡组之间无显著性差异。     

牛体外受精卵5～10细胞期单一卵裂球染色体诊断

利用单一卵裂球的染色体诊断牛体外受精5－～10－细胞期胚胎的正常性。牛体外受精后5－～10-细胞期的胚胎用0．5％链霉蛋白酶处理分离单一卵裂球，然后用100ng/ml长春花碱处理10h，制作染色体标本。检查33枚不同发育期胚胎及卵裂球185个，有43．8％的可进行染色体分析（81／185）。结果表明，正常2倍体的发生率为46．9％，染色体异常的卵裂球中，单倍体的发生率为50．6％，显著高于多倍体（2．5％）的发生率（P＜0．001）。单倍体中含有X－性染色体和含有Y－性染色体的性比基本相同。引起单倍体发生的原因可能是由于卵母细胞的孤雌发育或受精过程中精子穿入未成熟卵后由雄性原核产生。