Altered artery mechanics and structure in monocrotaline pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension in rats, induced by an injection of monocrotaline, is associated with changes in the wall structure of the pulmonary arterial bed. We have studied the effects of this remodeling on mechanical properties of cylindrical pulmonary artery segments from rats 21 days after monocrotaline (MCT) injection. Resting and active (KCl induced) circumference-tension relationships were established for segments of extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary arteries isolated from the hilum and the fifth lateral branch from the axial pathway (all preacinar). The thicknesses of the vessel wall, the media, and adventitia were measured at several positions around the circumference of the artery by computerized analysis of histological cross sections of the segments fixed at a standard circumference. Resting and active stress were also calculated. The study shows that active circumferential tension and active stress are reduced in vessels from MCT-treated rats. Based on our findings, it is unlikely that altered contractile function of preacinar arteries contributes significantly to the increased vascular resistance seen in this model.

Multimodality treatment of locally advanced breast carcinoma

Forty patients with 41 locally advanced breast lesions at stages IIIA and IIIB and the inflammatory stage were treated with combined-modality therapy from July 1980 to August 1985. Treatment included induction chemotherapy consisting of three cycles of fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride, and cyclophosphamide, followed by mastectomy in those patients whose lesions were operable (n = 28), and resumption of chemotherapy. Nine patients received postoperative radiation therapy. The mean follow-up was 34 months. Greater than 50% reduction in tumor size was achieved in 72% of patients after three cycles of chemotherapy. Overall, local control was achieved in 85% of patients with 59% survival and 53% disease-free survival, while 10% of patients developed local recurrences. Excluding lymphedema of the upper extremity (n = 2) and inflammatory carcinomas (n = 4), local control was achieved in 96% of patients, with 75% survival and 68% disease-free survival, while 4% of patients developed local recurrences. The rate of disease-free survival was 71% in patients with partial response to chemotherapy, contrasted with 43% in patients who did not respond or only minimally responded to chemotherapy. Actuarial five-year survival, based on life-table analysis, was calculated to be 46% for the group overall, 58% for the group excluding lymphedema of the upper extremity and inflammatory carcinoma, and 56% for the 28 patients undergoing mastectomy.

Upper extremity fractures in the acute spinal cord injured patient

Fifty-three long bone upper extremity fractures in 46 patients with recent spinal cord injuries were reviewed with reference to the outcome of operative versus nonoperative treatment. Twenty-four fractures had surgery and 29 fractures were treated nonoperatively. Criteria used in assessing outcome included range of motion, time to union, total rehabilitation time, and orthopedic and medical complications. Humeral fractures had similar outcomes with either operative or nonoperative treatment. Radial nerve injury occurring with humeral fractures prolonged the rehabilitation time. All three combined radial and ulnar fracture treated surgically developed synostosis whereas two of the three nonoperatively treated fractures had other orthopedic complications. Nondisplaced radial fractures responded appropriately to closed treatment. Displaced radial fractures treated nonoperatively had a high incidence of malunion. All ulnar fractures were treated operatively, and all achieved acceptable range of motion and fracture healing at the time of discharge. Medical complications such as deep venous thromboses and decubitus ulcers occurred more frequently in the nonoperatively treated group (28%) than in the operatively treated group (4%). Standard guidelines for upper extremity fracture care apply to the patient with a spinal cord injury. However, operative stabilization may be associated with a decreased risk of medical complications in these patients.

Distribution of 5 alpha-reductase in the epididymis of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and dependence of the epididymis on systemic testosterone and luminal fluids from the testis

The activity of 5 alpha-reductase was much higher in the caput and corpus epididymidis than in the cauda epididymidis. Orchidectomy caused a reduction in 5 alpha-reductase activity in the caput and corpus epididymidis, and regression of the epithelium and reduction in mass of all regions of the epididymis. Subsequent testosterone therapy caused a substantial increase in amount of epithelium and overall mass of the cauda epididymidis but showed little or no increase in any of the responses measured in the caput and corpus epididymidis. We concluded that the caput and corpus epididymidis of the tammar respond to factors other than testosterone, probably some constituent in the luminal fluid, and therefore are homologous with the initial segments of the epididymis in eutherians.

Pathogenesis of experimental reovirus tenosynovitis in chickens: influence of the route of infection

Four groups of specific pathogen-free, day-old chicks were infected experimentally with an avian arthrotropic reovirus strain R2 by four different routes:--oral, subcutaneous, foot-pad and intra-articular. These groups were followed sequentially to study: pathological changes in the hock joints and liver; cloacal virus shedding and the presence of virus in hock joints; serological responses as determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), agar gel precipitation (AGP) and virus neutralization tests. All 4 infected groups developed arthritis or tenosynovitis with synovial hyperplasia and lymphocytic infiltration. Foot-pad and intra-articular routes of infection were found to advance the disease process by 2 to 3 weeks after infection by these routes were associated with superficial degenerative changes in articular cartilage. Antibodies were detected at 2 to 3 weeks p.i. by all 3 methods, but there were no significant differences between the patterns of serological response in the infected groups. Injection into the foot-pad appears to be the most convenient and effective parenteral route of experimental infection.

Studies of fluid and spermatozoal transport in the extratesticular genital ducts of the Japanese quail

Stereological studies of the spermatic ducts of the quail were carried out for comparison between different parts of the system and those of other species, and to provide a basis for future physiological studies. Duct length, surface areas and volumes of various components of the ducts were determined. Values were subsequently used to calculate net fluxes of fluid across the duct epithelium, spermatozoal velocity and the distribution of spermatozoa throughout the system. It was concluded that the extratesticular spermatic ducts are divided into 2 main parts: (1) the ductuli efferentes where spermatozoa spend a brief period (8 minutes) and which are adapted for considerable net fluid reabsorption (100 microliters/cm2/h), and (2) the connecting ducts, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens where spermatozoa spend a longer period (24 hours) and which are involved in little net fluid transport (0.14-2.1 microliter/cm2/h). Most spermatozoa (92.3%) are located in the ductus deferens. The velocity of spermatozoal transport is much the same through the quail spermatic ducts (0.37 mm/min) as through the mammalian epididymis, the difference between classes in the duration of spermatozoal transport being due to differences in the distance that they travel. In a comparison between estimates of spermatozoal concentration using stereological methods and direct counts of spermatozoa in samples collected using micropuncture procedures it was concluded that both methods gave similar results.

Inhibition of aminoimidazoquinoxaline-type and aminoimidazol-4-one-type mutagen formation in liquid reflux models by L-tryptophan and other selected indoles

The essential amino acid L-tryptophan (L-Trp) was found to be an effective inhibitor of the development of mutagenicity (Ames test) in liquid-reflux models known to produce identified IQ-type mutagens, such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), and in reflux models recently developed in our laboratory that have been found to produce novel IQ-"like" mutagens (aminoimidazol-4-ones), which we have identified as 2-amino-1-methyl-5-propylideneimidazol-4-one (TCP-1), and 2-amino-5-ethylidene-1-methylimidazol-4-one (TCP-2 or ACP). Selected indoles other than L-Trp were also found to be effective inhibitors of mutagen formation in these same reflux models. A mechanism of inhibition of mutagen formation based on the preferential reaction of mutagen precursor aldehydes with the indole-ring nitrogen of these inhibitors, rather than with creatinine, is indicated, and a new "concerted condensation model" for the formation of IQ-type mutagens proposed.

Regulation of the elemental composition of the epididymal fluids in the tammar, Macropus eugenii

Micropuncture, microanalytical and microelectrode techniques were used to study electrochemical aspects of 7 elements and fluid in the ductuli efferents and ductus epididymidis of the tammar. Rete testis fluid was isosmotic with blood and had a lower pH. It also contained lower concentrations of bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur and higher concentrations of potassium and chloride than blood. The luminal fluid was acidified further during passage through the sperm ducts and all of the elements which were studied moved in or out of the lumen, usually against an electrochemical gradient. The ductuli efferents reabsorbed 87% of the fluid leaving the testis without changing the intraluminal concentrations of sodium, potassium and calcium, but the concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur increased. The caput epididymidis reabsorbed about half the fluid entering it: sodium concentrations decreased and those of potassium and phosphorus increased. There was also some fluid reabsorption and an increase in the values of potassium and phosphorus in the corpus epididymidis. There was little net transport of fluid in the cauda epididymidis; sodium, chloride, magnesium and phosphorus concentrations decreased and potassium values increased. Studies involving filtration through a dialysis membrane of blood and fluid from the rete testis and cauda epididymidis showed that, whilst some of the calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur was associated with high molecular weight compounds in blood, the association was not significant in the reproductive fluids.

Mechanical properties and structure of isolated pulmonary arteries remodeled by chronic hyperoxia

Normobaric hyperoxia is known to cause pulmonary hypertension with major restructuring of the walls of large and small pulmonary arteries. This study reports the effects of 21 days of exposure to 87% oxygen on the resting and active mechanical properties and structure of pulmonary arterial segments. Segments from the hilar region, extrapulmonary and proximal preacinar, and selected distal preacinar regions were studied. Resting and active (KCl-induced) tension:circumference curves were determined for each vessel. Morphometric measures were made of vessels fixed at a standard circumference using computerized planimetry. The areas of the media and adventitia as well as vessel wall thickness were increased in hyperoxic vessels. The walls of segments from the hypertensive rats demonstrated an increased stiffness based upon analysis of vessel resting tension:circumference relationships while the tangent modulus (a measure of stiffness normalized to tissue dimensions) was unchanged. Paradoxically, despite medial hypertrophy in the pulmonary vessels remodeled by hyperoxia, active tension was reduced. This study reveals that the resulting hypertensive state is not readily explained by an inherent increase in the maximal contractile capabilities of the remodeled vessel. Rather, obliteration of vessels in combination with increased resting stiffness appear to be the basis for pulmonary hypertension induced in hyperoxia.

Pulmonary artery structural changes in two colonies of rats with different sensitivity to chronic hypoxia

Chronic hypoxia causes more severe pulmonary hypertension in the Hilltop colony of Sprague-Dawley rats than in the Madison colony and also greater polycythemia and vasoconstriction. This study examines the structural features of the pulmonary artery bed, another contributing factor to hypoxic hypertension. After 14 days of hypobaric hypoxia, in Hilltop rats, more of the intraacinar arteries became muscular, and the medial thickness of intraacinar and preacinar arteries was greater. In Hilltop control rats, muscle was found in more intraacinar arteries, but, paradoxically, acute hypoxic vasoconstriction was less. Thus, while in chronic hypoxia increased muscle correlates with pulmonary hypertension, in control rats the reserve seems to be true. The increased muscle in control Hilltop rats could, however, predispose to the greater muscularization seen after chronic hypoxia.

Demonstration in live chickens of the carrier state in infectious laryngotracheitis

Two separate groups of nine-week-old specific pathogen free cockerels maintained in isolation were infected with a field strain of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus, either by intratracheal or combined intranasal and supraconjunctival inoculation. Birds were monitored for virus shedding from five sites on alternate days during the acute phase and three times weekly until week 17. They were then treated with cyclophosphamide on three consecutive days and thereafter swabbed daily. During the acute phase clinical signs were observed and virus was recovered from ocular and nasal sites for up to six to eight days. Initially after the acute phase no virus could be detected. However, from the seventh week after infection intermittent, apparently spontaneous shedding was detected in four of five birds in each group. There was no clear effect of cyclophosphamide treatment on re-excretion patterns, possibly because of the high levels of virus shedding already occurring. Thus, a carrier state for ILT virus has been demonstrated experimentally in live clinically recovered birds.

Changes in protein composition of the luminal fluids along the epididymis of the tammar, Macropus eugenii

Micropuncture samples of luminal fluid were collected from the rete testis and along the epididymis. Quantitative analyses showed that the ductuli efferentes reabsorb about half the protein leaving the testis. Considerable protein is secreted by the caput epididymidis (initial segment) and there is a net loss of protein from the corpus and cauda epididymidis. Denatured, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that there are 5 proteins in rete testis fluid which are not present in blood (Mr of 14,700, 22,800, 24,100, 43,000 and 44,800). One of these proteins (Mr 14,700) is lost from plasma in the ductuli efferentes and 2 (Mr 43,200 and 44,800) are lost in the corpus epididymidis. Twelve proteins appear in the epididymal plasma and are not present in rete testis fluid or blood: 6 appear in the caput epididymidis (Mr 30,000, 31,000, 32,300, 17,400, 18,700 and 21,400), 3 in the corpus epididymidis (Mr 12,800, 39,800 and 90,600) and 3 in the cauda epididymidis (Mr 10,900, 56,300 and 63,000). A protein with the same molecular weight as a blood protein (149,500) accumulates in the corpus and cauda epididymidis. None of the samples of luminal fluid contained particulate matter other than spermatozoa, indicating that the tammar is a useful animal for micropuncture studies.

The effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist on experimental endometriosis in the rat

The effect of a Salk LRH analogue (Antagonist I) on growth of endometrial explants in the intact female rat was studied. Subcutaneous injection of the analogue was begun 3 weeks after transplantation of a section of endometrium to the peritoneal wall. The animals were laparotomized and the volume of the explant (length X width X height) in mm was measured with calipers on day 1 of treatment. The animals were injected daily for 3 weeks with 50, 250 or 500 micrograms of Antagonist I at which time the animals were again laparotomized and the volume of the explant measured. Eight weeks after cessation of treatment the animals were sacrificed and the volume of the explant measured. The degree of inhibition of explant growth was directly correlated with the amount of Antagonist I administered; a significant inhibition was obtained with doses of 250 or 500 micrograms. Eight weeks after cessation of treatment all explants demonstrated renewed growth, although explants in rats which had been treated with 250 or 500 micrograms had returned to only 51 and 61% of their initial volume, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the LRH antagonists may be useful in the treatment of endometriosis although at doses considerably higher than those of the super agonists.

Impact of worksite health promotion on health care costs and utilization. Evaluation of Johnson & Johnson's Live for Life program

This study explores the relationship between exposure to a comprehensive worksite health promotion program and health care costs and utilization. The experience of two groups of Johnson & Johnson employees (N = 5192 and N = 3259) exposed to Live for Life, a comprehensive program of health screens, life-style improvement programs, and worksite changes to support healthier life-styles, was compared with that of a control group (N = 2955) over a five-year period. To account for baseline differences, analyses of covariance produced adjusted means for inpatient hospital costs, admissions, hospital days, outpatient costs, and other health costs. Mean annual inpatient cost increases were $43 and $42 for two Live for Life groups vs $76 for the non-Live for Life group. Live for Life groups also had lower rates of increase in hospital days and admissions. No significant differences were found for outpatient or other health care costs.

Restriction endonuclease patterns of some European and American isolates of avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus

Eleven isolates of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (nine European and two American) were compared by restriction endonuclease analysis of their DNA after radiolabeling with 32P. Digestion with KpnI gave identical cleavage patterns for all the European isolates, but the two American viruses (one field and one vaccine) showed some differences from them and from each other. In the case of the American vaccine strain, however, these differences were only minor. After BamHI digestion, only the American field isolate appeared to be different, whereas with HindIII, all 11 isolates were identical.

Occupational and spatial mobility of temporary Mexican migrants to the U.S.: a comparative analysis

"U.S. job and spatial mobility are compared here for recent returnee migrants from two Mexican areas--Rio Grande, Zacatecas, in the interior; and Nueva Rosita-Muzquiz, Coahuila, near the U.S. border. Results suggest that the interior migrants fit a hierarchical migrant model: they move up the urban hierarchy from U.S. rural areas to towns and cities, experiencing substantial job mobility at first, but little after reaching the urban sector. Border migrants fit a shuttle migrant model: they return to the same job and place year after year, experiencing little or no spatial and occupational mobility, although they tend to hold somewhat higher status jobs."

Management of pancreatic trauma

The majority of patients who sustain penetrating blunt trauma to the pancreas can be managed with sump drainage, including those with gunshot wounds to the head of the pancreas. Pancreatico-duodenectomy may be indicated in 2 to 3 percent of cases of pancreatic injury. Patients who require resection of 80 percent or more of the pancreas and do not have splenic injury should be considered for a Roux-Y anastomosis to the distal pancreas after ductal injury has been proved. Severe injuries to the body of the pancreas are best managed by distal pancreatectomy. The mortality rate due to pancreatic injury has been less than 3 percent and rarely is the cause of death. To support this conclusion, few normotensive patients die, and no patient with an isolated pancreatic injury in our series died. The severity of injury often dictates the appropriate treatment. A conservative approach is indicated for most pancreatic injuries, resulting in shorter operating time and less blood loss in the unstable patient with multiple injuries. Most important is identification of ductal injury at the initial operation and institution of surgical drainage.

Reovirus-induced tenosynovitis: persistence of homologous challenge virus in broiler chicks after vaccination of parents

Broiler chicks from a parent flock previously vaccinated with a commercial tenosynovitis (viral arthritis) vaccine were challenged when one day old with a virulent form of the vaccinal reovirus strain. A group from unvaccinated parents was similarly challenged. At three weeks after infection it was found that, while maternal antibody reduced the incidence of lesions of tenosynovitis by about 50 per cent and also the amount of virus in the gut when compared with the group without maternal antibody, the rates of recovery of virus from the hock joints were very similar. The possible epidemiological importance of persistent virus in the joints of clinically protected chicks is discussed.

Evaluation of antibiotic therapy following penetrating abdominal trauma

Postoperative infection accounts for significant morbidity and mortality following penetrating abdominal trauma. During a 2 1/2-year period, December 1980 through June 1983, 257 patients sustaining penetrating abdominal injury were initially treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Following the patient's written consent, they were prospectively randomized to receive, prior to surgery, intravenous clindamycin 600 mg every 6 hours and tobramycin 1.2 mg/kg every 6 hours (CT), or cefamandole 1 gm every 4 hours (M), or cefoxitin 1 gm every 4 hours (C). The antibiotics were continued for 48 hours. Major organ injuries in the three groups were comparable. The overall infection rate was significantly less in the cefoxitin group (13%), compared to cefamandole at 29%, and was comparable to the combination of clindamycin/tobramycin at 20%. The most significant difference followed colon injury. There were 96 patients who sustained colon injuries and the infection rate was CT 33%, M 62%, and C 19% (p = 0.002). If nonoperative wound infections were excluded from the colon group and only severe infections were evaluated, the infection rate was CT 18%, M 38%, and C 13% (p = 0.021). The infection rate was higher in the shock patients and tended to increase as age increased. Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent aerobes isolated along with anaerobes. Five of six Bacteroides isolates from major infections occurred in the cefamandole group; two of which were in bacteremic patients. The hospital stay corresponded with infection rates, being 11.4 days (CT), 13.1 days (M), and 9.4 days (C). The results of this study indicate that cefoxitin is comparable to the combination of clindamycin/tobramycin and superior to cefamandole when used before surgery in patients sustaining penetrating abdominal trauma. The study suggests that antibiotic coverage should be against aerobes and anaerobes. Routine administration of an aminoglycoside is unnecessary.

The temporal distribution of an arthrotropic reovirus in the leg of the chicken after oral infection

One-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) light hybrid chicks were infected orally with an arthrotropic reovirus strain R2. At 2, 5, 8 and 10 weeks post infection (p.i.) birds were killed and tissues were taken from 7 sites in the leg for virus isolation and titration. Over the 10-week period the highest number of isolations was made from the hypo-tarsal sesamoid bone (89.7% of such specimens), followed in turn by digital flexor tendons (66.7%), articular cartilage at the hock (64.1%), gastrocnemius tendon (61.5%), head of the femur (56.4%), joint swab (30.8%) and synovial membrane at the hock (20.5%). Swabbing of the hock joint, although technically the simplest sampling method, was one of the least successful for virus recovery. Virus isolations from the articular cartilage at the hock gradually increased during the 10 weeks p.i. but decreased in the other tissues. Best correlations between the presence of gross tendon lesions and virus isolation were at 5 and 8 weeks p.i. With one exception, virus could always be recovered from specimens of hock articular cartilage which had gross lesions. For diagnostic purposes it is recommended that specimens from several birds in an infected flock, both with and without gross lesions, should be examined for virus, and the hypotarsal sesamoid bone and hock cartilage would be the tissues of choice.

Serological response and virus shedding of chickens inoculated with reovirus via different routes

A comparison of the serological responses to a reovirus administered by the eye-drop, intramuscular, oral and subcutaneous routes was made in three-week-old chickens. Their patterns of virus shedding were also compared. All four routes resulted in an antibody response and no virus excretion in faeces more than two to three weeks after administration. The oral route represented the most favourable route for live reovirus vaccine administration.

Ultrastructure of the epididymis of the tammar, Macropus eugenii, and its relationship to sperm maturation

The ductus epididymidis of the tammar is lined by an epithelium composed of principal, mitochondria-rich, apical and basal cells, and intraepithelial leucocytes. The epithelium is structurally differentiated into 6 zones referred to as the initial segment, middle segment (3 subdivisions) and terminal segment (2 subdivisions). The occurrence of the initial, middle and terminal segments corresponds quite closely to the anatomical differentiation of the epididymis into a head, body and tail. The initial segment epithelium in the tammar is lower and has shorter and more slender stereocilia than in other mammals which have been described. Otherwise, the structure of the epithelium has similar characteristics in the tammar to that described in other mammals. Spermatozoa begin to develop the capacity for motility within the initial segment, but only show structural signs of maturation in the middle segment. The sperm head rotates through 90 degrees in the proximal subdivision of the middle segment. The cytoplasmic droplet is detached and spermatozoa develop the capacity for motility in the middle subdivision of the middle segment. The cytoplasmic droplets are phagocytosed by the epididymal epithelium of the middle segment. Sperm storage appears to be the main function of the terminal segment.

The effect of a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) agonist (Wy-40,972), levonorgestrel, danazol and ovariectomy on experimental endometriosis in the rat

The effect of the LRH agonist, Wy-40,972, levonorgestrel or danazol on growth of endometrial explants in the intact female rat was studied. Sc injection of a single compound was begun 3 weeks after transplantation of a section of endometrium to the peritoneal wall. The animals were laparotomized to determine growth of the explant on day 1 of treatment. Injections were continued for 3 weeks at which time the animals were again laparotomized and the condition of the explant examined. Eight weeks after cessation of treatment the animals were sacrificed and the growth of the explant recorded. One or 30 micrograms of the LRH agonist produced a consistent inhibition of explant growth during treatment that was comparable to that obtained by ovariectomy. However, 8 weeks after cessation of injection, the majority of explants exhibited renewed growth while all of the explants in the ovariectomized rats were only visually present. These result suggest that inhibiting or eliminating ovarian steroid production alone will not produce a permanent regression of the endometrial explant. Treatment with 30 micrograms danazol produced no effect and 1, 30 or 100 micrograms levonorgestrel produced none to limited inhibition of explant growth. However, 8 weeks after cessation of treatment explants in animals treated with either levonorgestrel or danazol were smaller in size than recorded prior to treatment. Thus, the inhibiting action of the peptide is rapid, whereas that of the steroids is, apparently, delayed. The observed activity of steroidal and non-steroidal compounds in this study demonstrates the usefulness of a rat model in the study of endometriosis.

Metastatic carcinoid tumor of the appendix. Report of a case and review of the literature

A case of regional metastatic carcinoid of the appendix is presented and the literature reviewed for indications for right colectomy. Five cases of lymph-node metastasis from primary appendiceal carcinoids less than 2 cm in diameter have been reported. There is no reported case of systemic metastasis occurring after appendectomy for a carcinoid with a diameter of less than 2 cm. Perineural involvement, lymphatic invasion, mesoappendiceal invasion, histologic appearance, and location of the tumor in the appendix seem to be unreliable predictors of clinically significant regional node involvement. It is concluded that a right colectomy is indicated only in patients with carcinoid tumors of the appendix 2 cm or more in diameter, or with residual tumor at the margin of resection.

Sperm maturation, fluid transport, and secretion and absorption of protein in the epididymis of the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

Extratesticular sperm maturation in the echidna mainly occurs in the initial segment of the ductus epididymidis. The process involves the development of motility, migration and loss of the cytoplasmic droplet, a decrease in permeability to Congo red and the formation of sperm bundles. The spermatozoa are supported in the bundles by a matrix of electron-dense material; the bundles are very motile is undiluted samples of luminal fluids. Micropuncture studies of anaesthetized echidnas showed that the ductuli efferentes absorb 74% of the fluid and 46% of the soluble protein that enters them. The initial segment of the ductus epididymidis absorbs 83% of the fluid which enters it, and its secretions increase the concentration of protein in luminal fluid by 107%. Denatured, linear-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of micropuncture samples showed that 1 protein (apparent M4 = 100 500) which is not present in blood plasma is present in rete testis fluid, and a glycoprotein which is present in rete testis fluid (apparent Mr = 78500) is absorbed by the ductuli efferentes. Six proteins which are not present in blood plasma are secreted into the initial segment of the ductus epididymidis; 5 are glycoproteins (apparent Mr = 48500, 39000, 32000, 20500 and 19000) and one (apparent Mr = 82500) is not. The most prominent electrophoresis bands corresponded to the glycoproteins with apparent molecular weights of 48500, 20500 and 19000.

Blastocyst attachment in the ovariectomized rat treated with an intrauterine injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH)

Pregnant rats were bilaterally ovariectomized on day 3 and the blastocysts were maintained in a state of delayed implantation by the daily sc injection of 4 mg progesterone from day 3 to 6. On the morning of day 6 the rats received an intrauterine injection of 1 mg LRH in the right horn. A second group of rats was treated as above and was additionally injected with 2 mg of indomethacin on day 5 and 1 mg on the morning of day 6. Fifteen min prior to autopsy the animals were injected iv with a 0.5% solution of Evans Blue. The presence of uterine blue bands and the number of blastocysts recovered from the right and left (control) horns were recorded at 0.25, 0.5, 1.2 and 4 h after the injection of LRH. It was determined that the number of blastocysts flushed from the treated horn was significantly reduced below that of the control left horn within 15 min and at every autopsy interval thereafter. In addition, blue bands appeared in the treated horn as early as 15 min after the injection of LRH demonstrating that implantation had occurred in a few instances. No blue bands appeared in the control horns. The injection of indomethacin did not inhibit the attachment or implantation of blastocysts or the presence of blue bands in the treated horn. A possible role for blastocyst oestrogen is discussed.

Organ culture studies on adenoviruses isolated from tenosynovitis in chickens

Five strains of adenovirus isolated from tenosynovitis in chickens were examined for their ability to grow in vitro in pieces of explanted tendon from 20-day-old chicken embryos from light or heavy breeds. Replicate tendon organ cultures (TOCs) were infected with three concentrations of each strain of virus and supernatant fluids were assayed for virus at intervals after infection up to 11 days. Two strains grew well in TOC, one moderately well, and the other two failed to grow. A strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an agent not associated with tenosynovitis, also failed to grow. TOC from broiler embryos seemed slightly more susceptible to the two actively growing viruses than explants from a light breed. Growth of the adenovirus was demonstrated by immuno-fluorescence staining of sections of TOC but the appearance of stained antigen was dependent on virus titre. One of the strains which showed no activity in TOC grew in tracheal organ cultures (TrOC), as did one which multiplied in tendon, and NDV. In a more prolonged experiment, one of the viruses was found to persist in TOC at high titre for at least 37 days. The likelihood of the in vitro behaviour of these adenoviruses reflecting that occurring in vivo in tendon tissue of infected chickens is discussed.

Ultrastructure of the ductus epididymidis of the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus

It is concluded that the ductus epididymidis of the echidna is divided into only two structurally distinct segments which are each homogeneous along their length. The initial segment in the echidna is structurally very similar to the initial segment proper in the epididymis of all other mammals which have been studied, whereas the terminal segment is structurally quite different from the terminal segment in other mammals. The terminal segment in the echidna is involved in considerable apocrine secretion of highly membranous material. The secretions gradually degenerate and occupy a large proportion of the lumen of the duct.

Production, transport, maturation, storage and survival of spermatozoa in the male Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix

Male Japanese quail have relatively large testes (2.26% of body weight), a rapid rate of spermatogenesis (14.4-15.8 days) and an efficient production of spermatozoa (92.5 x 10(6)/g testis per day). The daily output of spermatozoa is high (308 x 10(6) per bird, 2.08 x 10(6) per g body weight). The total number of extragonadal spermatozoa was 308 x 22 x 10(6) per bird. Spermatozoa were transported through the genital ducts in about 1 day, maturing quickly in the epididymal region and stored briefly in the ductus deferens. Spermatozoa isolated in the ductus deferens by ligatures around the duct rapidly lost the capacity for motility after 3 days. It is concluded that, compared to mammals such as the rat, the reproductive strategy of the quail involves the rapid production, maturation and transport of spermatozoa through the reproductive tract, in association with a limited capacity to store spermatozoa for long periods within the male genital ducts.

Sterological Analysis of the Epididymis of the Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus, and Wistar Rat

The gonadal index of the echidna (0.5) is smaller than that in the rat (O.95), although the former value varies considerably with body condition. Mean values (�SE) are given for the following parameters determined for each zone or segment of the epididymis of the echidna and rat: direct measurements of duct diameter and height of the lining epithelium; stereologically determined estimates of duct length, surface area of luminal border. and volumes of the various components of parenchyma and stroma. When only cylindrical ducts are considered, estimates such as volumes and surface areas of components of the ducts may be satisfactorily calculated from the direct measurements of duct dimensions and stereological estimates of duct length. Further, when direct measurements are made on suitably orientated profiles they provide the more precise and expedient method of determining the values. In both species, spermatozoa become concentrated in the ductuli efferentes, which are packed less densely in their supporting stroma (mainly adipose tissue) than in the ductus epididymidis (supported by a loose connective tissue). The structure and dimension of the initial segment of the ductus epididymidis of the echidna (initial segment proper) is homogeneous along its length and much longer (11.04 m) than all the initial segments in the rat (1.34 m) even when the lengths are scaled for body or testis weights. However, the post-initial segment (terminal segment) in the echidna (0.5 m) is much shorter than that in the rat (2.07 m). Villi within the terminal segment of the echidna epididymis increase the surface area of the luminal border to 2.3 times the area of a similar duct without villi.

The Structure of the Male Genital System of the Port Jackson Shark, Heterodontus portujacksoni, with Particular reference to the Genital Ducts

The testes of H. portusjacksoni are paired cylindrical organs with a germinal ridge running longitudinally along the ventral surface. The latter produces ampullae which contain Sertoli and germinal cells, and which migrate dorsally as spermatogenesis proceeds. They evacuate near the dorsal surface of the testis to release spermatozoa, large oval eosinophilic bodies (Sertoli cell bodies) and small eosinophilic particles. All of the genital ducts are lined by a ciliated epithelium. In the rete testis it is a low columnar type; the ducts consist of the conducting tubules, which convey ampullae across the testis, and the longitudinal testis canal, which runs along the dorsal surface of the testis. Six ductuli efferentes (lined by a low pseudostratified columnar epithelium) leave the testis, course dorsally through the epigonal organ and mesorchium, and enter the epididymis. Subsequently, pairs of ductuli efferentes successively join together to form a short common ductulus efferent which then continues as the ductus epididymidis. The latter has two structurally distinct regions: the initial segment is a narrow, convoluted, pigmented duct with a very tall pseudostratified epithelium; the terminal segment is wider than the initial segment, unpigmented and lined by a low pseudostratified epithelium. It is very convoluted proximally, but widens and becomes less convoluted distally; its distal 5 cm (ampulla of ductus epididymidis) is straight and contains a muscular wall. Very few Sertoli cell bodies are present in the terminal segment of the ductus epididymidis. However, except for the ampullary region the duct receives secretions (including irregularly shaped eosinophilic bodies) from Leydig's gland (a series of branched tubular glands). Secretions from these glands seem to be involved in the formation of spermatozoa into spherical bundles. The structure of the clasper and siphon are assessed in terms of their function and significance for taxonomical purposes.

Studies of the deferent ducts from the testis of the African elephant, Loxodonta africana. III. Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of the ductuli efferentes

The epithelium of the ductuli efferentes is composed of ciliated, principal, halo and basal cells. The supranuclear cytoplasm of ciliated cells is penetrated by particularly long cilial rootlets which are surrounded by numerous elongate mitochondria. Microtubules are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the cells. The spaces between the microvilli of principal cells form canaliculi which penetrate the apical cytoplasm and appear to be involved in endocytotic activity. The supranuclear cytoplasm contains oval mitochondria and numerous vacuoles. Both ciliated and principal cells contain poorly developed Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, but numerous supranuclear dense bodies are usually present. Supranuclear and basal accumulations of dense bodies were identified as lipofuscin; they were the source of brown pigmentation in the proximal two thirds of the ductuli efferentes. The halo cells were probably macrophages. They occurred quite frequently and contained crescent shaped nuclei and large accumulations of lipofuscin material.

Isolation of viruses from outbreaks of suspected tenosynovitis (viral arthritis) in chickens

Specimens from the legs of chickens from 84 outbreaks of suspected tenosynovitis were examined for the presence of viruses by culture in chick embryo lung or liver cell monolayers. All samples were from broilers or broiler breeders, ranging in age from dead-in-shell embryos to 36 weeks old. Twenty-five outbreaks (29.8 per cent) yielded viruses of which 12 were reoviruses alone, 12 adenoviruses alone, and one, a mixture of both types of virus. Rupture of the gastrocnemius tendon was seen in 12 outbreaks and viruses were isolated from six of these: three were reoviruses and three were adenoviruses. Approximately half the affected flocks from which specimens were received were in the six to 14 week age range. With one exception, all the reovirus isolations were made from chickens of 11 weeks or under, while adenovirus isolations showed more scatter with regard to age.

Studies of the deferent ducts from the testis of the African elephant, Loxodonta africana. I. Structural differentiation

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Histoplasmosis of bone

A case of histoplasmosis of bone manifested by a single punched-out lesion in the humerus is reported in a man with asymptomatic mild chronic disseminated histoplasmosis. Roentgenologically evident lesions of bone due to Histoplasma capsulatum are rare, and this is the only report of a large punched-out lytic lesion. Such lesions are common in disseminated histoplasmosis due to the African strain H. duboisii. Although H. duboisii has been accorded species differentiation, there are only two clearly defined differences, compared to H. capsulatum. One is morphologic (size of yeast cell), and the other is a different clinical disease spectrum. Many believe that this organism is best viewed as a stable variant of H. capsulatum. At times, the two strains are indistinguishable morphologically, and at times, as in the case reported, there may be clinical similarities in their respective disease entities.

Structural differentiation of the male genital ducts of the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Seven ductuli efferentes radiate from the testis of the echidna and join the ductus epididymidis either directly or after joining one of their neighbours. They are pigmented brown and appear to be structurally and functionally similar to the ductuli efferentes of therian mammals. The epididymis is anatomically differentiated into a large head and small tail which appear to be, respectively, larger and smaller than the similar regions of the epididymis of scrotal mammals; they also contain, respectively, larger and smaller proportions of the animals' extragonadal spermatozoa. Only the head of the epididymis is adjacent to the testis: the tail and the ductus deferens are distal to the testis. The ductus epididymis is also histologically differentiated into two segments (initial and terminal segments) which correspond precisely with the anatomical differentiation. The initial segment is structurally similar to the initial segment of the epididymis of scrotal mammals (i.e. tall epithelium with long stereocilia, a farily homogeneous supranuclear cytoplasma containing Golgi apparatus and a low concentration of spermatozoa in the lumen). The terminal segment has adaptations of the duct (as in scrotal mammals) for the storage of spermatozoa such as a wide lumen containing a high concentration of spermatozoa, low epithelium and thick layers of periductal muscle. However, it is peculiar in that the duct epithelium is thrown into folds and it is involved in considerable apocrine secretion.

Luminal composition and maturation of spermatozoa in the genital ducts of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

The mean spermatocrit and sodium, potassium and protein concentrations of fluid collected from the rete testis of the elephant were similar to values described for the ram. Sperm maturation, as assessed by the location of the cytoplasmic droplet in the middle pice, occurred in the distal head and the isthmus of the epididymis (middle segment). Spermatocrit determinations indicated that 96% of the fluid leaving the testis was reabsorbed by the efferent ducts and proximal initial segment, and 53% of the remainder was reabsorbed in the more distal parts of the head of the epididymis (initial and proximal middle segments). Sodium was reabsorbed in the same concentration as luminal fluid and not in amounts equimolar with potassium. The potassium concentration increased from 12.1 mequiv./l in rete testis plasma to 64.8 mequiv./l in the proximal head of the epididymis. About two thirds of the protein in rete testis fluid (3.8 mg/ml) was reabsorbed by the efferent ducts and more was absorbed by the head of the epididymis.