Association of maternal pancreatic function and foetal growth in rats treated with DFU, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor

Constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenase isoforms have been detected in various mammalian tissues. Their activity is blocked by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may induce various side reactions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of DFU, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function and the immunoexpression of both COX isoforms in maternal and foetal rat pancreases. The compound was administered to pregnant Wistar rats once daily from the 8th to the 21st day of gestation. Glucose level and amylase activity were determined in the maternal sera. Maternal and foetal pancreases were examined histologically. Immunoexpression of COX-1 and COX-2 was also evaluated. Both biochemical parameters, as well as the histological structure of the pancreas were undisturbed in the dams and their foetuses. The maternal glucose level was found to be an important factor for foetal growth. Strong cytoplasmic COX-1 immunostaining was observed in acinar secretory cells, whereas in islets the immune reaction was weak. Endocrine cells also revealed strong cytoplasmic COX-2 staining in the maternal and foetal pancreases. Acinar cells exhibited nuclear reaction, which was strong in the foetal but weak in the maternal pancreases. No differences in COX immunoexpression were found between the DFU-exposed and the control groups in either mothers or foetuses. It should be stressed that DFU administered throughout mid and late pregnancy in rats did not change maternal or foetal pancreatic morphology or immunoexpression of either of the main COX isoforms in the organ

Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclooxygenase isoforms in distinguishing and accessory structures of synovial joints in rat foetuses

Joint formation is a developmental process regulated by various factors including bone morphogenetic proteins, transforming and growth factors, etc. Recently, a high expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in the foetal cartilaginous elements was also revealed. On the other hand, various joint and skeletal abnormalities were seen in laboratory animal and human offspring, exposed in utero to several COX inhibitors. Immunoexpression of constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenase isoforms was evaluated in various articular structures of untreated and unfamiliar 21-day-old male rat foetuses. Both COX isoforms were detected in the articular cartilage and joint capsule, as well as in the intra-articular disc of the temporomandibular joint and meniscus of the knee joint. COX-1 immunostaining was revealed in the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint and the labrum of the hip and shoulder, whereas COX-2 immunoreactivity in those structures was not found. It could be concluded that both constitutive and inducible COX isoforms are physiologically expressed in various structures of synovial joints in rat foetuses at the end of prenatal development

Sebaceous glands - unusual histological finding in the uterine cervix

Sebaceous glands have been extremely rare findings in the female genital system. Excluding the vulva and recent findings, very few cases have been described. The origin of the lesions remains a topic of speculation. However, it appears that prolonged irritation induces a metaplastic response in the ectocervical epithelium. A new case of sebaceous glands in the ectocervix of a 46-year-old woman is reported. The lesions were unexpectedly found in a hysterectomy specimen. The procedure was carried out for multiple leiomyomas of the uterine corpus. Histological examination revealed three mature sebaceous glands located distally to the transformation zone, which opened directly onto the surface epithelium. It could be concluded that sebaceous glands in the ectocervix are rare lesions of unclear origin and low clinical significance. However, the glands could potentially be associated with sebaceous carcinoma of that anatomical site

Blue nevus of the endocervix

The mucosa of the uterine cervix is normally devoid of melanocytes; therefore, melanin-containing lesions are very rare in this site. A new case of a common blue nevus in the cervix of a 57-year-old woman is reported. The lesion was an incidental finding in a total hysterectomy specimen performed for atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Gross and histological examination revealed minute dark macula on the mucosa of the posterior aspect of the endocervical canal, composed of loose conglomerates of spindle-shaped and dendritic cells located superficially within the stroma, containing multiple brownish granules, which exhibited positive immunostaining for HMB45 and melan A. Although the blue nevi seem to be lesions of low clinical significance, they require careful differential diagnosis with malignant melanoma, especially in scanty endocervical curettage or cervical biopsy specimens. Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 1: 62-6

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen

A case of accessory spleen located in the tail of the pancreas in a stillbirth male foetus is reported. The congenital anomaly was revealed at autopsy. The intrapancreatic spleen was well demarcated and was composed of red and white pulp; however, same pancreatic ducts were intermingled with the splenic parenchyma. As well as the intrapancreatic lesion another minute accessory spleen was also found at the hilum of the proper organ. Since a lack of morphological features of trisomy 13 syndrome were found in the foetus, the ectopic spleens were regarded as incidental findings

The activity and immunoexpression of cathepsin D in rat male reproductive organs

Cathepsin D is a cysteine endopeptidase that belongs to the lysosomal enzyme family. The aim of the study was to evaluate the enzyme immunoexpression and activity in selected male genital organs in mature Wistar rats. The activity of cathepsin D was measured spectrophotometrically in homogenates of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed in the ductus deferens. Enzyme activity was found in the following sequence: testis>epididymis>dorsal prostatic lobe>seminal vesicle>lateral prostatic lobe>ventral prostatic lobe. Although there were differences in enzyme activity between various organs of the male reproductive system, cathepsin D immunoreactivity was seen exclusively in the Sertoli and Leydig cells in the testis

Anatomical variances and dimensions of the superior orbital fissure and foramen ovale in adults

The aim of the study was the retrospective morphological analysis of selected structures of the middle cranial fossa, i.e. foramen ovale and superior orbital fissure, in relation to the external head and cranial diameters in adults from the Lublin region (Poland). The study was performed on data collected during computed tomography examinations of 60 individuals (age 20–30 years), without any cranial or brain abnormalities. Based on the post-processing reconstructions, 3-dimensional views of the skull and head were obtained. The length and width of both structures, as well as thickness of the frontal, temporal, and occipital squamae, were measured. The morphology of the ovale foramina and superior orbital fissures were checked. The length and width of the skull and head were the only parameters that significantly differed between males and females. The thickness of the frontal and temporal squama was insignificantly lower in males than in females. Almond and oval shapes were the most typical for the foramen ovale. The superior orbital fissure was found as a wide form — with or without accessory spine originating from its lower margin or as a laterally narrowed form. The length and width of the foramen ovale were insignificantly higher in males than in females. The same results were found for the area of the right superior orbital fissure. The thickness of the frontal and occipital squamae influenced the thickness of the temporal squama. The analysed individuals had asymmetrical, oval, or almond-shape ovale foramina. Unlike the seldom visible laterally narrowed form of the superior orbital fissure, a wide form with or without accessory spine was the most commonly observed. The diameters of both superior orbital fissures and ovale foramina indicated the asymmetry of the neurocranium. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 263–271

Morphology of the foramen magnum in young Eastern-European adults

Background: The foramen magnum is an important anatomical opening in the base of the skull through which the posterior cranial fossa communicates with the vertebral canal. It is also related to a number of pathological conditions including Chiari malformations, various tumours, and occipital dysplasias. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphology of the foramen magnum in adult individuals in relation to sex. Material and methods: The morphology of the foramen magnum was evaluated using 3D computer tomography images in 313 individuals (142 male, 171 female) aged 20–30 years.Results: The mean values of the foramen length (37.06 ± 3.07 vs. 35.47 ± 2.60 mm), breadth (32.98 ± 2.78 vs. 30.95 ± 2.71 mm) and area (877.40 ± 131.64 vs. 781.57 ± 93.74 mm2) were significantly higher in males than in females. A significant, positive correlation was found between foramen length and breadth. Significant correlations were reported for breadth and area of the foramen magnum and corresponding external cranial diameters in females. Round as well as longitudinal and horizontal oval-like types of the foramen shape were established according to the breadth/length index of the structure. All the cranial and foramen measurements were significantly higher in individuals with round-like type of the foramen magnum. Conclusions: There was a sexual dimorphism of the foramen magnum among the examined individuals. It was related mainly to its linear diameters and area, not to the shape. Unlike males, female skulls had higher correlation between the examined parameters of the foramen and proper external cranial measurements, which indicates more homogeneous growth in girls

Early postnatal development of the lumbar vertebrae in male Wistar rats: double staining and digital radiological studies

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological developmental changes of male rats’ lumbar vertebrae during the first 22 days after birth. Morphology and mineralisation of lumbar vertebrae were evaluated using double-staining and digital radiography system, which allowed vertebral width and optical density to be determined. Pup weight, crown-rump length, body mass index and vertebral width increased during postnatal period and significantly correlated with their age. Bone mineralisation, as measured by optical density, did not show any significant differences. The complete fusion of the primary ossification centres had a cranio- -caudal direction and started on day 19 after parturition but was incomplete by day 22. It could be concluded that, unlike significant age-related increase of vertebral size, mineralisation was only slightly elevated during evaluated postnatal period. The method described is supplementary to alizarin red S staining as it provides both qualitative and quantitative data on mineralisation in a similar manner to micro computed tomography but does not allow 3 dimensional and microarchitecture examination

Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms in the rat foetal and maternal digestive tract

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide and prostanoids, is widely expressed in mammalian organs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of the constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2 respectively) in the oesophagus, stomach and the small and large bowels of untreated rat dams and foetuses on gestational day 21. The localisation of the COX isoforms was similar in the maternal and foetal organs, although the intensity of the reaction for COX-2 was stronger in the foetuses. Cytoplasmic COX-1 immunostaining was found in myocytes of the muscularis propria, muscularis mucosae and the blood vessels. It was also positive in the endothelial cells, scattered stromal cells of the lamina propria and the ganglion cells of the nerve plexus in the bowels. Apart from the keratinised layer, a strong reaction was revealed in the stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus and forestomach. Negative or weakly positive staining was found in the mucus-secreting cells covering the surface, gastric pits and pyloric glands, as well as in the parietal cells and the chief cells. Weakly positive COX-1 immunostaining was observed in epithelial cells of the small intestine crypts, but in some cases enterocytes and goblet cells covering villi were also positive. In the colonic mucosa weak COX-1 staining was typical of the absorptive, and goblet cells. The COX-2 immunostaining was nuclear and/or cytoplasmic. An inconsistent positive reaction was seen in the muscle of the muscularis mucosae, muscularis propria and the blood vessels. Positive staining was also found in scattered stromal cells of the lamina propria and adventitia and the ganglion cells. Weak nuclear staining was found in the stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus and forestomach. Unlike the strong foetal reactivity in the epithelial cells of the glandular stomach, a negative or weakly positive reaction was seen in the maternal parietal and/or mucous-secreting surface stomach cells. Some epithelial cells of the crypts both in the small and large bowel were also COX-2 positive. In conclusion, constitutive and inducible COX isoforms were detected in the digestive tract of pregnant female and in foetuses. COX-1 was the predominant isoform in both the adult and foetal organs. (Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 24-31)