The annual testicular cycle of the domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

A morphometric study was conducted on the testis of the domestic quail Coturnix coturnix japonica to determine testicular kinetics. We investigated the variability along the year of testicular parameters such as seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height and amount of meiotic figures of maturing spermatids in the seminiferous epithelium and of sperm in the tubular lumen. The results of morphometric analysis showed the occurrence of an annual testicular cycle defined by four distinct phases: a resting phase (at the end of summer), a recrudescence phase (in the fall), a proliferative phase (at the end of winter and beginning of spring), and a regression phase (spring and summer). We also observed that the testes of adult quails present elevated and maximal spermatogenic activity in fall-winter (short-day period) and at the beginning of spring, respectively, and lower values in spring and summer (long-day periods), with minimum values at the end of summer

MORPHOMETRIC AND BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF RAT PROSTATE AND SEMINAL-VESICLE FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SYMPATHECTOMY WITH GUANETHIDINE

Selective chemical sympathectomy of the internal genital organs of adult male rats was undertaken by chronic treatment with low doses of guanethidine. Biochemical and morphometric methods revealed that removal of sympathetic innervation prevents fructose secretion in the prostate and seminal vesicle, in addition to promoting reduced efficiency of delivery by the latter

Effects of guanethidine-induced sympathectomy on the spermatogenic and steroidogenic testicular functions of prepubertal to mature rats

Selective chemical sympathectomy of the internal genital organs of prepubertal to mature male Wistar rats was performed by chronic treatment with low doses of guanethidine. Sympathetic denervation caused an increase in intratesticular progesterone levels in prepubertal and early pubertal rats in addition to a decrease in androstenedione and testosterone levels in prepubertal animals, thus indicating a decrease in the conversion of progesterone into androgen, probably by blocking the steroidogenic enzymatic pathway at the 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 desmolase level. A lower degree of testicular maturation, probably related to reduced androgen activity, was observed in prepubertal and early pubertal sympathectomized rats. Concentration of spermatozoa, on the other hand, was increased in the enlarged cauda epididymidis of late pubertal and mature denervated animals. This result is discussed in terms of the impairment of epididymal mechanisms of seminal emission, fluid resorption and spermatozoal disposal

Seasonal morphology of the domestic quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) testis

A histological study was conducted on the testes of adult domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) over a year. The results revealed a clear variation of testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, and the thickness and composition of the germinal epithelium over the year. The highest testicular weights were detected at the end of the autumn and during the winter (short-day period), reaching a maximum, together with spermatogenic activity, in September (long-day period in the southern hemisphere). In contrast, both testicular weight and spermatogenic activity were markedly decreased at the end of spring and during summer (long-day periods in the southern hemisphere)

Utilização de implante ósseo cortical alógeno conservado em glicerina para preservação de membro torácico: estudo experimental em cães A limb sparing surgery with the use of a cortical allograft preserved in glicerin: an experimental study in dogs

A técnica de preservação de membro é uma alternativa à amputação em cães com osteossarcoma do esqueleto apendicular. OBJETIVO: O desenvolvimento da técnica preservadora aos moldes da original descrita por Straw¹. MÉTODOS: O procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado com modificações, substituindo-se o método de conservação dos implantes pela glicerina e o cimento ósseo utilizado no preenchimento do canal medular do implante pela poliuretana de mamona, e para avaliação da incorporação do implante foram feitos exames clínico, radiográfico e histopatológico em diferentes tempos pós-operatórios. RESULTADOS: Observada a boa função do membro no pós-operatório, a formação de calo ósseo e fechamento das linhas de interfaces com remodelação óssea em avaliação radiográfica e ao exame histopatológico foi notada a reabsorção do implante ósseo com sua substituição por tecido conjuntivo fibroso e tecido ósseo compacto, neovascularização e presença de infiltrado inflamatório plasmocitário. CONCLUSÕES: A poliuretana de mamona mostrou-se uma boa substituta ao cimento originalmente utilizado, aumentando a resistência do implante, sem causar reações do tipo corpo estranho e sem sua osteointegração. O implante ósseo conservado em glicerina apresentou ação osteoindutora e osteocondutora, sem sinais de rejeição; desta forma, a glicerina mostrou ser uma meio alternativo viável. Portanto, a técnica de preservação do membro, com suas modificações, caracterizou-se como alternativa à técnica original e à amputação do membro para cães com osteossarcoma de esqueleto apendicular.<br>A limb-sparing surgery can be an alternative treatment to amputation for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the development of this surgical technique, similar to the original, described by Straw¹, with changes in the procedure of the allografts preservation, and in the bone cement chose to be used intramedullary. METHODS: The surgery was performed in six health dogs, with the osteotomy of one-third of the radio and ulna, section of the distal margin in the radio-carpal joint and reconstruction using a cortical allograft preserved in 98% glycerin. The allograft's medullar channel was filled with a polymer extracted from castor oil (Ricinus communis) and a long dynamic compression plate were used to fix this allograft on the radio, carpal joint and 3rd metacarpal bone, with the arthrodesis of the carpal joint. A medio-lateral radiographs was performed immediately posteoperatively and with 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after surgery, to evaluate the allograft incorporation. The histopatological evaluation was done with 90, 120 and 150 days after surgery. RESULTS: Was notice a bone callus formation on the radiogrhphs exams by 60 days after surgery and bone bridges were closing the interfragmentary space, with remodeling by 90 days. We have noticed resorption of the grapht, with formation of a connective tissue and new bone around the polymer on the histophatological evaluation. A neovascularization and inflammatory cells in the connective tissue was noticed with a decreased in the inflammatory process with the time. CONCLUSIONS: The polymer extracted from castor oil showed to be a good substitute for the bone cement originally used in the limb-sparing surgery, increasing the graft resistance with no foreign body reaction or osteointegration. The allograft preserved in glycerin presented onteoinduction and osteocondution actions, with new bone formation, and no signs of rejection, then, the glycerin showed to be a good alternative preservation procedure. Therefore, the modified technique can be considered an alternative to the original limb-sparing surgery and to amputation for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma, studies still deserve to be done with sick animals

Osteointegração de osso bovino desvitalizado, hidroxiapatita de coral, poliuretana de mamona e enxerto autógeno em coelhos Devitalized bovine bone, porous coralline hydroxyapatite, castor beans polyurethane and autograft implants in rabbits

OBJETIVO: Estudar comparativamente implantes de osso bovino desvitalizado, hidroxiapatita porosa de coral, poliuretana de mamona e enxerto ósseo autógeno no reparo de defeito ósseo de 6x10mm em fêmur de coelhos. MÉTODOS: Noventa e seis coelhos Nova Zelândia distribuídos em 4 grupos conforme o material de preenchimento do defeito ósseo. Após seguimento de 4 e 12 semanas, as peças foram submetidas a análise macroscópica, microscópica, radiográfica, tomográfica e histométrica. Aos resultados aplicou-se testes estatísticos de Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Fisher, “t” de Student e quiquadrado. RESULTADOS: O enxerto ósseo autógeno mostrou maior potencial osteogênico; o osso bovino desvitalizado produz maior reação inflamatória, maior número de cavidades císticas e lentidão de integração; a hidroxiapatita porosa de coral mantém a radiodensidade inicial; os implantes de osso bovino desvitalizado e poliuretana de mamona mostraram radiodensidades aumentadas conforme foram invadidos pelo tecido ósseo neoformado. CONCLUSÃO: O implante de osso bovino desvitalizado induz reparação tecidual guiada mais lenta quando comparado ao enxerto ósseo autógeno e aos implantes de hidroxiapatita porosa de coral e poliuretana de mamona.<br>PURPOSE: To study comparatively devitalized bovine bone, porous coralline hydroxyapatite, castor beans polyurethane implants and autograft in the repair of 6x10mm bony defect in femur of rabbits. METHODS: Ninety six New Zealand rabbits were distributed in 4 groups conforms the material of replacement of the bony defect. After following of 4 and 12 weeks, the pieces were submitted the macroscopic, microscopic, radiographic, tomographic and histometric analysis. To data was applied Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Fisher, t-Student and qui-square statistical tests. RESULTS: The autograft showed greatest osteogenic potential; the devitalized bovine bone produces larger inflammatory reaction, larger number of cystic cavities and slowness integration; the porous coralline hydroxyapatite maintains the initial radiodensity; devitalized bovine bone and castor beans polyurethane implants showed increased radiodensities as they were invaded by the bony formation. CONCLUSION: Devitalized bovine bone implants induces slower bony formation, when compared to the autograft, porous coralline hydroxyapatite and castor beans polyurethane implants