164 research outputs found
Brain Mass and Encephalization Quotients in the Domestic Industrial Pig (Sus scrofa)
open6siIn the present study we examined the brain of fetal, newborn, and adult pigs raised for meat production. The fresh and formalin-fixed weights of the brain have been recorded and used, together with body weight, to calculate the Encephalization Quotient (EQ). The weight of the cerebellum has been used to calculate the Cerebellar Quotient (CQ). The results have been discussed together with analogue data obtained in other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla (including the domestic bovine, sheep, goat, and camel), domesticated Carnivora, Proboscidata, and Primates. Our study, based on a relatively large experimental series, corrects former observations present in the literature based on smaller samples, and emphasizes that the domestic pig has a small brain relative to its body size (EQ = 0.38 for adults), possibly due to factors linked to the necessity of meat production and improved body weight. Comparison with other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla indicates a similar trend for all domesticated species.openMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graïc, Jean-Marie; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, SalvatoreMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graic, JEAN-MARIE; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, Salvator
Differential lectin binding patterns in the oviductal ampulla of the horse during oestrus
We investigated the oligosaccharide sequence of glycoconjugates,
mainly sialoglycoconjugates, in the horse oviductal
ampulla during oestrus by means of lectin and pre-lectin
methods such as the KOH-neuraminidase procedure to
remove sialic acid residues and incubation with N-glycosidase
F to cleave N-linked glycans. Ciliated cells displayed N-linked
oligosaccharides throughout the cytoplasm. The cilia
glycocalyx expressed both N- and O-linked (mucin-type)
oligosaccharides, both showing a high variety of terminal
sequences. In the most non-ciliated cells, the whole cytoplasm
contained N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal
αGal as well as mucin-type glycans with terminal Forssman
pentasaccharides. In a few scattered non-ciliated cells, the
whole cytoplasm displayed sialylated N-linked oligosaccharides
with terminal Neu5Ac-GalNAc and O-linked glycans terminating
with neutral and/or αGalNAc, Neu5Acα2,6Gal/
GalNAc, Neu5AcGalβ1,3GalNAc. Supra-nuclear granules,
probably Golgi zones, of non-ciliated cells showed mainly O-linked
glycans rich in sialic acid residues. The luminal surface
of non-ciliated cells showed N-linked oligosaccharides,
containing terminal/internal αMan/αGlc, βGlcNAc and terminal
αGal, as well as mucin-type oligosaccharides terminating
with a large variety of either neutral saccharides or
sialylated sequences. Apical protrusions containing O-linked
oligosaccharides with terminal Forssman pentasaccharide,
Neu5Ac-Galβ1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-GalNAc were seen in nonciliated
cells scattered along the epithelium. These findings
show the presence of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal
ampulla epithelium of the mare and the existence of different
lectin binding profiles between ciliated and non-ciliated
(secretory) cells, as well as the presence of non-ciliated cell
sub-types which might determine functional differences
along the ampullary epithelium of mare oviduct
Modulation of Morphology and Glycan Composition of Mucins in Farmed Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Intestine by the Multi-Strain Probiotic Slab51®
Probiotics have become highly recognized as supplements for poultry.Since gut health can
be considered synonymous withanimal health, the effects of probiotic Slab51® on the morphology
and the glycan composition of guineafowlintestine were examined. The probiotics were added in
drinking water (2 x 1011 UFC/L) throughout the grow-out cycle.Birds were individually weighed
andslaughtered after four months. Samples from the duodenum, ileum and caecum were collected
and processed for morphological, morphometric, conventional and lectin glycohistochemical studies.
The results were analyzed for statistical significance by Student’s t test. Compared with control
samples, probiotic group revealed (1) significant increase in villus height (p < 0.001 in duodenum
and ileum; p < 0.05 in caecum), crypt depth (p < 0.001 in duodenum and caecum; p < 0.05 in ileum)
and goblet cells (GCs) per villus (p < 0.001) in all investigated tracts; (2) increase in galactosel,3Nacetylgalacyosamine(
Gall,3GalNAc)terminating O-glycans and l,2-fucosylated glycans secretory
GCs in the duodenum; (3) increase in 2,6-sialoglycans and high-mannose N-linked glycans secretory
GCs but reduction in GCs-secreting sulfoglycans in the ileum; (4) increase in Gall,3GalNAc
and high-mannose N-linked glycans secretory GCs and decrease in GCs-producing sulfomucins
in the caecum; (5) increase in the numbers of crypt cells containing sulfate and non-sulfated acidic
glycans. Overall, dietary Slab51® induces morphological and region-specific changes in glycoprotein
composition of guinea fowl intestine, promoting gut health
Testicular activity and sperm glycoproteins in giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea
The reproduction of male giani red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea, collected from thè late
winterto thè summer in thè north-western lonian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), was investigated using
histological and histochemistry methods. Seasonal changes in thè spermiogenesis and thè glycoprotein
pattern were found and sperm glycoproteins matured as gametes moved from thè testis to
thè terminal ampliila. In serial sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin thè testicular activity
appeared to be discontinuous. In late winter thè testes had no meiotic activity and thè seminiferous
epithelium consisted of interkinetic spermatogonia and spermatozoa. In spring, spermiogenetic
activity was high and thè seminiferous epithelium mainly consisted of spermatocytes and spermatozoa
while in summer, thè testes were again inactive since both spermatocytes and spermatozoa
were lacking. The use of twelve different lectins indicated that thè intratesticular spermatozoa
from late winter to summer contain surface binding sites for SNA, MAA, Con A and KOH-sialidase
(si)-WGA. In March and July they also exhibited nuclear and cytoplasmic reactivity for SNA and
Con A. In thè hemispermatophore thè spermatozoa displayed a more complex lectin-binding pattern
because they also reacted with PNA, DBA, HPA, OSA II. The staining with DBA, KOH-si-
DBA, and OSA II showed differences between thè spermatozoa from late winter-spring
hemispermatophores and summer hemispermatophores: thè former showed a nuclear affinity
whereas thè latter displayed surface and/or cytoplasm staining. No reaction was observed with
SBA, GSAI-B4, UEA I, and LTA
Differential surface glycoprofile of buffalo bull spermatozoa during mating and non-mating periods
The buffalo has a seasonal reproduction activity with mating and non-mating periods occurring from late autumn to winter and from late spring to beginning of autumn, respectively. Sperm glycocalyx plays an important role in reproduction as it is the first interface between sperm and environment. Semen quality is poorer during non-mating periods, so we aimed to evaluate if there were also seasonal differences in the surface glycosylation pattern of mating period spermatozoa (MPS) compared with non-mating period spermatozoa (NMPS). The complexity of carbohydrate structures makes their analysis challenging, and recently the high-throughput microarray approach is now providing a new tool into the evaluation of cell glycosylation status. We adopted a novel procedure in which spermatozoa was spotted on microarray slides, incubated with a panel of 12 biotinylated lectins and Cy3-conjugated streptavidin, and then signal intensity was detected using a microarray scanner. Both MPS and NMPS microarrays reacted with all the lectins and revealed that the expression of (i) O-glycans with NeuNAcα2-3Galβ1,3(±NeuNAcα2-6)GalNAc, Galβ1,3GalNAc and GalNAcα1,3(l-Fucα1,2)Galβ1,3/4GlcNAcβ1 was not season dependent; (ii) O-linked glycans terminating with GalNAc, asialo N-linked glycans terminating with Galβ1,4GlcNAc, GlcNAc, as well as α1,6 and α1,2-linked fucosylated oligosaccharides was predominant in MPS; (iii) high mannose- and biantennary complex types N-glycans terminating with α2,6 sialic acids and terminal galactose were lower in MPS. Overall, this innovative cell microarray method was able to identify specific glycosylation changes that occur on buffalo bull sperm surface during the mating and non-mating periods
Distribution of sialoglycoconjugates in the oviductal isthmus of the horse during anoestrus, oestrus and pregnancy: a lectin histochemistry study
The distribution of sialic acid residues as well as other glycosidic
sugars has been investigated in the horse oviductal isthmus
during anoestrus, oestrus and pregnancy by means of
lectin and pre-lectin methods. Ciliated cells and non-ciliated
(secretory) cells exhibited different lectin binding profiles
that were found to change during the investigated stages.
Ciliated cells did not show any reactivity in the basal cytoplasm,
while the supra-nuclear cytoplasm displayed a few of
oligosaccharides with terminal and internal amannose (Man)
and/or aglucose (Glc) during oestrus and pregnancy and a
moderate presence of oligosaccharides terminating in afucose
(Fuc) during oestrus; cilia exhibited a more complex glycoconjugate
pattern for the presence of oligosaccharides terminating
in N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), GalNAca1,3
GalNAca1,3galactose(Gal)b1,4Galb1,4N-acetylglucosamine(
GlcNAc), Fuc, sialic acid (Neu5Ac)-aGalNAc belonging
or not to the GalNAca1,3GalNAca1,3 Galb1,4 Galb1,
4GlcNAc sequence, and.aGalNAc and Neu5Aca 2,6Gal/GalNAc
increased during oestrus. Cilia displayed terminal Galb1,3
GalNAc in pregnancy, terminal aGal in anoestrus and pregnancy
and terminal or internal D-GlcNAc during anoestrus
and pregnancy, respectively. The whole cytoplasm of non-ciliated
cells showed oligosaccharides terminating with
aGalNAc, Neu5Aca2,6Gal/GalNAc, Neu5Ac GalNAca
1,3GalNAca1,3Galb1,4Galb1,4GlcNAc during the investigated
stages, as well as GlcNAc in anoestrus and pregnancy.
The supra-nuclear zone of non-ciliated cells exhibited
oligosaccharides with terminal Galb1,4GlcNAc and internal
Man during oestrus and pregnancy as well as terminal aGal
and Fuc in oestrus and Neu5Ac-Galb1,3GalNAc in pregnancy.
The luminal surface of non-ciliated cells showed glycans
terminating with aGalNAc and/or Neu5Ac GalNAca1,3
GalNAca1,3Galb1,4Galb1,4GlcNAc in all specimens, oligosaccharides
with terminal Galb1,4GlcNAc and internal Man during
oestrus and pregnancy, Neu5Ac a2,6Gal/GalNAc in
anoestrus and oestrus, and glycans terminating with
Galb1,3GalNAc, Neu5A aca2,3 Galb1, 4GlcNac, Neu5ac-
Galb1,3GalNAc, Neu5Ac-Galb1,4 GlcNAc in pregnancy.
These findings show the presence of sialoglycoconjugates in
the oviductal isthmus of the mare as well as the existence of
great modifications in the glycoconjugates linked to different
physiological conditions
Further observations on the sensitive innervation of some bird’s proctodeum
The AA. studied the autonomic and sensitive somatic innervation of some female bird's proctodeum, through the properly modified Ruffini's gold chloride method. The vegetative component was constituted by ganglion cells of different size, isolated or grouped to form ganglia, found along the course of nerve trunks or in the concurrent point of different nerve bundles. The sensitive somatic innervation was represented by free and encapsulated endings differently distributed in the thickness of the wall. The former were composed of thin networks, while the latter, located more frequently in the muscular tunica and in the subadventitial connective, were composed of encapsulated receptors classified as Pacini, Pacini-like and Herbst corpuscles. The morphology of these receptors was described and hypotheses were brought up about their probable functional role. The AA. also found, even if very rarely, helicoidal collagen fibres around nerve fascicles
Ultrastructural study of cultured ovine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.
Ovine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (oBM-MSCs) represent a good animal model
for cell-based therapy and tissue engineering. Despite their use as a new therapeutic tool for several
clinical applications, the morphological features of oBM-MSCs are yet unknown. Therefore, in this study
the ultrastructural phenotype of these cells was analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
The oBM-MSCs were isolated from the iliac crest and cultured until they reached near-confluence. After
trypsinization, they were processed to investigate their ultrastructural features as well as specific surface
marker proteins by flow cytometry and immunogold electron microscopy. Flow cytometry displayed
that all oBM-MSCs lacked expression of CD31, CD34, CD45, HLA-DR whereas they expressed CD44, CD58,
HLAI and a minor subset of the cell population (12%) exhibited CD90. TEM revealed the presence of two
morphologically distinct cell types: cuboidal electron-lucent cells and spindle-shaped electron-dense
cells, both expressing the CD90 antigen. Most of the electron-lucent cells showed glycogen aggregates,
dilated cisternae of RER, moderately developed Golgi complex, and secretory activity. The electron-dense
cell type was constituted by two different cell-populations: type A cells with numerous endosomes,
dense bodies, rod-shaped mitochondria and filopodia; type B cells with elongated mitochondria, thin
pseudopodia and cytoplasmic connectivity with electron-lucent cells. These morphological findings could
provide a useful support to identify “in situ” the cellular components involved in the cell-therapy when
cultured oBM-MSCs are injected
Effects of Mefepronic Acid (2-Phenoxy-2-Methyl Propionic Acid) on Hepatic Metabolism and Reproductive Parameters in Postpartum Dairy Cows.
This study investigates the effects of mefepronic acid (MA), a PPAR-α agonist, on hepatic metabolic functions and reproduction of postpartum dairy cows. Sixty Friesian cows were divided into Group A (administered 5g of MA IM, within 24 hrs after calving, on the 3rd and 5th day postpartum) and Group B (control). All the cows were blood sampled within 24 hrs of calving (Day 0), on Day 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 postpartum. On plasma, metabolic and biochemical parameters were determined. Liver biopsies were performed on Day 0, 15 and 30 for the evaluation of hepatic lipid and glycogen content. Reproductive parameters were also evaluated. In Group A, blood HDL, glucose and cholesterol increased till the end of the study, in accordance with the histological results. PPAR-α immunopositive cells increased in liver slices of Group A, too. Reproductive parameters improved in Group A. This study highlights the beneficial effects of mefepronic acid on the hepatic metabolism and reproductive parameters of post-partum dairy cows
Histochemical analysis of glycoconjugates in the domestic cat testis
The localization and characterization of
oligosaccharide sequences in the cat testis was
investigated using 12 lectins in combination with the ßelimination
reaction, N-Glycosidase F and sialidase
digestion. Leydig cells expressed O-linked glycans with
terminal aGalNAc (HPA reactivity) and N-glycans with
terminal/internal aMan (Con A affinity). The basement
membrane showed terminal Neu5Aca2,6Gal/GalNAc,
Galß1,3GalNAc, a/ßGalNAc, and GlcNAc (SNA, PNA,
HPA, SBA, GSA II reactivity) in O-linked oligosaccharides,
terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc (RCA120 staining)
and aMan in N-linked oligosaccharides; in addition,
terminal Neu5Aca2,3Galß1,4GlcNac, Forssman
pentasaccharide, aGal, aL-Fuc and internal GlcNAc
(MAL II, DBA, GSA I-B4, UEA I, KOH-sialidase-WGA
affinity) formed both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides.
The Sertoli cells cytoplasm contained terminal Neu5Ac-
Galß1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-ßGalNAc as well as internal
GlcNAc in O-linked glycans, aMan in N-linked
glycoproteins and terminal Neu5Aca2,6Gal/
GalNAc in both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides.
Spermatogonia exhibited cytoplasmic N-linked
glycoproteins with aMan residues. The spermatocytes
cytoplasm expressed terminal Neu5Aca2,3Galß1,4
GlcNAc and Galß1,3GalNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides,
terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc and a/ßGalNAc
in N-linked glycoconjugates. The Golgi region showed
terminal Neu5aca2,3Galß1,4GlcNac, Galß1,4GlcNAc,
Forssman pentasaccharide, and aGalNAc in O-linked
oligosaccharides, aMan and terminal ßGal in N-linked
oligosaccharides. The acrosomes of Golgi-phase
spermatids expressed terminal Galß1,3GalNAc,
Galß1,4GlcNAc, Forssmann pentasaccharide,
a/ßGalNAc, aGal and internal GlcNAc in O-linked
oligosaccharides, terminal a/ßGalNAc, aGal and
terminal/internal aMan in N-linked glycoproteins. The
acrosomes of cap-phase spermatids lacked internal
Forssman pentasaccharide and aGal, while having
increased a/ßGalNAc. The acrosomes of elongated
spermatids did not show terminal Galß1,3GalNAc,
displayed terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc and a/ßGalNAc in
N-glycans and Neu5Ac-Galß1,3GalNAc in O-linked
oligosaccharides
- …