Incidence and type of bicuspid aortic valve in two model species

Incidence and type of bicuspid aortic valve in two model species. MC Fernández 1,2, A López-García 1,2, MT Soto 1, AC Durán 1,2 and B Fernández 1,2. 1 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, Spain. 2 Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, Spain. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most frequent human congenital cardiac malformation, with an incidence of 1–2% worldwide. Two morphological types exist: type A (incidence 0.75–1.25%) and type B (incidence 0.25–0.5%), each with a distinct aetiology and natural history. Currently, ten animal models of BAV have been described in two different rodent species: one spontaneous Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model of BAV type A and nine mutant laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) models of BAV type B. It remains to be elucidated whether the mutations leading to BAV in these models are typespecific or whether there are inter-specific differences regarding the type of BAV that hamsters, mice and humans may develop. To solve this issue, we have characterized the incidence and types of BAVs in four inbred, two outbred and two hybrid lines of Syrian hamsters (n=4,340) and in three inbred, three outbred and one hybrid lines of laboratory mice (n=1,661) by means of stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, we have reviewed and calculated the incidence and type of BAVs in the published papers dealing with this anomaly in mice. Our results indicate that the Syrian hamster develops BAVs type A and B including a variety of morphologies comparable to those of humans, whereas the mouse develops only BAVs type B with a short spectrum of valve morphologies. Thus, inter-specific differences between human and mouse aortic valves must be taken into consideration when studying valve disease in murine models. This work was supported by P10-CTS-6068.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. P10-CTS-6068

Different laboratory mouse strains show distinct coronary artery patterns

Different laboratory mouse strains show distinct coronary artery patterns. MC Fernández 1,2, A López-García 1,2, M Lorenzale 1, V Sans-Coma 1,2, AC Durán 1,2 and B Fernández 1,2. 1 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, Spain. 2 Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA), University of Málaga, Spain. The C57BL/6 (BL/6) mouse strain is one of the most common models in research involving laboratory animals, particularly on studies of the cardiovascular system. It has been reported (Fernandez B, et al. J Anat 2008 212(1):12–18) that this strain presents an unusual coronary artery (CA) pattern, including congenital CA anomalies, which are clinically relevant in humans. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether this pattern is strain-specific or appears in other mouse populations. We used stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and a corrosion cast technique in 597 adult mice belonging to three inbred strains (BL/6, Balb/c, DBA/2), three outbred stocks (CD1, OF1, NMR1), two hybrid lines (129sv x BL/6, CD2F1) and wild mice. Lock-like ostium was only detected in BL/6 mice, whereas left septal artery, accessory ostium, high take-off, intramural course, and solitary ostium of one CA in aorta were present in different laboratory strains and in wild mice. However, each mouse population showed a specific incidence of these coronary conditions. These results should be taken into account when studying the murine coronary system, especially in CA occlusion experiments and in studies on cardiovascular development involving murine mutant lines. In addition, we propose that several laboratory mouse strains may serve as appropriate animal models to study several clinically relevant human congenital anomalies of the CAs. Our results suggest that some of these CA anomalies are subject to a simple mode of inheritance. This work was supported by P10-CTS-6068 and PI- 0888-2012.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. P10-CTS-6068. PI-0888-201

Ultraestructura y desarrollo de la pared celular del grano de polen del olivo (Olea europaea): II. Zona apertural

En el estadía de joven microspora, la zona de las tres aperturas de l grano de Ol ea europaea presenta una diferenciación de la endexina en forma de lente biconvexa, con estructuras lame lares en su interior . La zona basal de la exina va disminuyendo hasta desaparecer en la región de l as aperturas, al mismo tiempo que lo hace l a parte escul t urada, que también se hace mínima en la zona central de la apertura . Durante la vacuolación de la microspora se i nicia la formación de la intina, que en las aperturas adquiere forma de bolsa o casquete cargada de túbulos, formados de evaginaciones del plasmal ema . El número de estos túbulos aumenta considerablemente a lo largo de la formación del grano bice l ul ar siendo siempre su contenido poco denso. La lente biconvexa de la endexina desaparece com9, tal , al producirse un aumento de volumen del grano y como consecuencia de una mayor extensión de la región apertura!. En la parte externa y central de la apertura se observa materi al fibrilar denso a los electrones. En el pqlen maduro los túbulos de l a intina apertura! de jan de estar en contacto con e l plasmalema, siendo su contenido cada vez más denso a los electrones. Previa a la dehiscencia de la antera, la zona apertura! est á muy abultada, desapareciendo en el ápice cualquier componente de la exi na. Se discu ten nuestros resultados en relaci ón con los de otros autoresIn t he stage of the young microspore of Olea eur opaea, the endexine presents a differentiation in the zone of the three apertures which is lens- shaped in form, with lamellated structure with i n. The basal zone of the ex ine becomes thinner until i t di sappears, and similarly t he sculptured part al so becomes minimal in the central zone of the aperture . During microspore vacuolation t he fo r mation of intine starts. In the apertur es the i nti ne takes the form of a bag 1 l oaded wi th tubul es 1 which are m a de out o f plasmal ema evaginations. The number of these tubules increases during the formation of the bicellular pollen grain whose contents are a l ways non dense . The biconvex l ens on the endexine disappears as such be cause of the increase in grain size and as a consequence of t he extension in the area of t he aperture . At the outer surface of the pollen apertures fi brillar el ectron dense material can be observed. In the mature grain the tubules of the apertura! intine lose contact wi th the plasmal enma and t heir contents be come dense to electrons. Prior to the dehiscence of the anther, thP. zone of the apertures is very bul ky and no component of the exine is present in t he aperture apex. Our resul ts are discussed i n relation to those or other author s

Uréter ectópico en el perro : a propósito de dos casos clínicos

A propósito de dos casos clínicos de uréter ectópico en una perra Fax Terrier de siete meses y un Bichón Frissé de 5 meses de edad, el autor hace un breve recuerdo de las manifestaciones clínicas, así como de los medios diagnósticos y quirúrgicos para la resolución del problema del uréter ectópico en el perro.On the finding of two cases of ectopic ureter in a female, seven months old Fox- Terrier,and five months old Bichon Frisse the author makes a short review of tbe clinical signs diagnostics and surgical procedures for the resolution and surgical correction of the ectopic ureter in the dog

Ultraestructura y desarrollo de la pared celular del grano de polen del olivo (Olea europaea): I. Zona interapertural

Se hace un estudio ultraestructural de la pared del grano de polen del olivo (Olea europaea), relacionando su desa rrol l o can la evolución de l grano , desde el estado de microspora j oven hasta l a dehiscencia de l a a ntera . Cuando la microspora se encuentra libre en el 16cul o de la antera ya es tá totalmente definida la exi na . Durante la vacuolación de la microspora se consol ida la exina estructurada por un aporte de e sporopolenina . En este tiempo también se i nicia la deposición de la i ntina. Durante la f ormación del gr ano bicelular se deposita entre l as arcadas de l a exina, una cubierta externa de materi al fi brilar densa a los electrones , procedente del t a pe tum, y presum i blemente de naturaleza proteica . Finalmente, c uando la a ntera ya está preparada para l a deh i scencia, se comple t a l a pared del g r ano con un mater ial de apar i encia l ipídica. La presencia de est e material e n el lócul o de la antera coincide con la degeneración del tapetum.The sequen ti al development of the wall of t he pollen gr ain of the olive (Olea europaea) from young microspore stage t o anther dechiscence i s descri bed. When the microspore i s released from t he tetrad and t he cal lase spec i al wall is degr aded , the exine is clearly establ ished. At t he time of vacuolation of the microspore cytoplasm the exine structur e i s consol idated wi th new sporopollenin from t he tapetum and this coi ncider wi t h t he o nset of intine development . Dur i ng t he formation of the bicel l ular g r ain, a fibril lar e l ectron dense coating material i s found i n t he i nterbacul at" s pac es . This coating probably has a protein nature produced f r om tapetum . Final l y , when the anther is r eady for deh iscence , t he pollen grain wal l is completed wi th a weak grey- stained dense mass which i s pro bably lipoida l in nature , located between t he exi ne arcade . The appear a nce ol these l i p idic globul es coinc ides •Ni th t he degeneration of tapetum ce l l

Contribution to ehtno-genetic chatacterisation of anandalusian canine dog racial group

We are analysing a sample of 53 animals (16 males and 37 females) of Andalusian mouse hunter dogs or caves dog, with a view to obtain their ethnogenetic characterisation. From our results we have concluded that this population is a racial group presenting a great homogeneity in the variables and zoometric indexes studied, as in the phaneroptical aspects. Their morphology is as a small format, probably elipometrics, with proportional leg length, brevilineous cephalic and body proportions. This population present a three-coloured coat, generally white colour on the body and “black and tan” on the head; the hair is short and smooth, the mucosae is black and the iris brown. With respect the bite, the most frequent are the tweezers form and the scissors, also in few animals we have found the absence of premolars.Se analiza una muestra de perros ratoneros o bodegueros compuesta por 53 ejemplares de los cuales 16 eran machos y 37 hembras, con objeto de lograr una caracterización etnogenética. De los resultados obtenidos concluimos que se trata de una agrupación racial que presenta gran homogeneidad tanto en las variables e índices zoométricos estudiados como en los aspectos fanerópticos. Morfológicamente se trata de animales de formato pequeño, posiblemente elipométricos, ni lejos ni cerca de tierra, y de proporciones braquicéfalas y brevilíneas en cuanto a sus proporciones cefálicas y corporales respectivamente. Fanerópticamente esta población presenta una capa tricolor, generalmente blanco en el cuerpo y negro-fuego en la cabeza, el pelo corto y liso, la pigmentación de las mucosas negras y el iris castaño. En cuanto a la mordida los tipos más frecuentes son en tijera y pinza, y en un escaso número de ejemplares existe ausencia de premolares