The distribution of nerves supplying the testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands of Suncus murinus

General Morphological Characteristics of the Results of Experimental Modeling of Aseptic Peritonitis

BACKGROUND

Aseptic peritonitis is a reaction of the local immune system aimed at rejection of a foreign body, which, having antigenic properties, does not (unlike a pathogen) counteract the immune system. The suture materials, namely catgut thread, used in intracavitary surgical operations possess xenogenic properties and can be used for antigenic stimulation of the immune system of the peritoneal cavity. Consequently, we decided to use a catgut suture for antigenic stimulation of the immune system of the peritoneal cavity and to study the morphological features of the results of experimental modeling of aseptic peritonitis in albino rats.

METHOD

The study involved 15 Wistar albino male rats, weighing 286,13 ± 6,26 g. To study the dynamics of destructive changes made by the catgut implant in the peritoneal cavity of the experimental animals, the animals were assigned into three groups in accordance with the time interval of their euthanasia at 3, 7, and 14 days of the experiment.

RESULTS

After modeling an aseptic peritonitis, the investigation the abdominal cavity showed that in four out of five animals of the first group, that is, on day 3 of the experiment, the catgut implant had adhered to the greater omentum. The search for the fifth implant led to an unexpected discovery: we found it conjoined with the second derivative of the visceral peritoneum, similar in structure to the greater omentum, but related to the testes. On day 7, the implant embedded into the peritoneal cavity of the animals, had adhered to the serous formations of the testes in all five cases (100%, three of them - to the left epididymal omentum, and another two - to the right one). On day 14 (n = 5) it was found that in three cases it had adhered to the serous formations of the testes (60%, one of them to the left epididymal omentum, another two - to the right one) and in two cases it had adhered to the greater omentum (40%).

CONCLUSION

During the experiment on implantation of a xenogenic substrate in the form of flat bundles made from the catgut thread into the peritoneal cavity of sexually mature male rats, it was found for the first time that their acceptors were not only the greater omentum, but also two derivatives of the peritoneum, homeomorphic to it and associated with the epididymides, which we reasonably called epididymal omenta and described in details.

Fecal microbiota transplantation from Suncus murinus, an obesity-resistant animal, to C57BL/6NCrSIc mice, and the antibiotic effects in the approach

Introduction

Important studies on the relationship of the intestinal microbial flora with obesity have uncovered profound changes in the composition of the gut microbiota in obese individuals. Animal studies successfully altered body phenotypes by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiome of Suncus murinus (S. murinus), a naturally obesity-resistant animal, and the changes of the gut flora of C57BL/6NCrSIc mice that received gut bacteria transplantation from S. murinus by 16S rRNA gene analysis method. And analyzed and discussed the possible impact of the use of antibiotics before transplantation on the outcome of transplantation.

Results

Our results showed no significant changes in body weight in the FMT group compared to the control (AB) group, but large fluctuations due to antibiotics. There was no change in blood lipid levels between groups before and after FMT. The gut microbiota of S. murinus were enriched in Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, while Bacteroidetes were not detected, and fewer OTUs were detected in the intestine gut in comparison to other mouse groups. Statistically significant differences in alpha diversity were observed between the FMT group and other groups. Furthermore, a beta diversity analysis indicated an apparent structural separation between the FMT group and other groups.

Conclusion

It was suggested that the gut flora of S. murinus was not well established in the gut trace of mice through FMT, and the administration of antibiotics before transplantation was an important factor affecting the overall composition of the gut flora. Although FMT of S. murinus failed to completely colonize the intestinal tract of the mice, it still had a certain effect on the establishment of the intestinal flora of the mice. The unpredictable effects of pre-transplantation antibiotics on the results of transplantation cannot be ignored.

Neuropeptide Profiles of Mammalian Male Genital Tract: Distribution and Functional Relevance in Reproduction

Neuropeptides are secretory peptides characterized by small chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are majorly found in some mammalian neurons and glial cells, where they modulate a variety of physiological homeostasis. In the male genital tract, they are mostly found in the neuronal fibers supplying the vasculature, smooth muscle layer, interstitium, and lamina propria of the tunica mucosa of the various reproductive organs. Functionally, neuropeptides are strongly implicated in vascular temperature regulations, spermatozoa extrusion, epididymal content transportation, and movement of accessory gland secretions. This review provides an overview of neuropeptides with respect to their synthesis, release, and mechanism of actions, with emphasis on the locally acting neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal peptides (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), galanin (GAL), cholecystokinin (CCK), C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and met- and leu-enkephalins (M-ENK and L-ENK) along the male genital tract (i.e., the spermatic cord, testis, epididymis, ductus deferens, and accessory sex organs) of 14 species of mammals and their marked influence on reproduction. This review also revealed from documented reports that the vast majority of neuropeptides present in the autonomic nerve supply to the male genital tract probably coexist with other peptides or with various neurotransmitters (tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta hydroxylase, and 5-hydroxytryptamine). In addition, documented evidence of variation in age, season, and intraspecies differences were identified as notable factors of influence in peptidergic nerve fiber distribution.

Nonscrotal Causes of Acute Scrotum

Acute scrotum is characterized by intense acute scrotal pain, which may be associated with other symptoms and signs such as abdominal pain, inflammation, and fever. Many pathologic conditions can present in this way, most which involve the scrotal contents. Nonscrotal conditions, however, can rarely present clinically only as acute scrotum: among them, renal colic, aneurysm rupture or other causes of retroperitoneal hemorrhage, primary abdominal or pelvic tumors and metastases, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammation, and muscle injuries. The pathophysiologic characteristics of the clinical presentation, clues for diagnosis, and imaging features of a series of nonscrotal lesions presenting clinically with acute scrotal pain are herein reported and illustrated. In patients presenting with acute scrotal symptoms and normal scrotal ultrasound findings, nonscrotal causes of acute scrotal pain should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Therefore, an ultrasound investigation of the abdomen, groin, and thighs is indicated.

Multipathway synergy promotes testicular transition from growth to spermatogenesis in early-puberty goats

BACKGROUND

The microscopic process of postnatal testicular development in early-puberty animals is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, 21 male Yiling goats with average ages of 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days old (each age group comprised three goats) were used to study the changes in organs, tissues and transcriptomes during postnatal testicle development to obtain a broad and deep insight into the dynamic process of testicular transition from growth to spermatogenesis in early-puberty animals.

RESULTS

The inflection point of testicular weight was at 119 days postpartum (dpp), and the testicular weight increased rapidly from 119 dpp to 150 dpp. Spermatozoa were observed in the testis at 90 dpp by using haematoxylin-eosin staining. We found from the transcriptome analysis of testes that the testicular development of Yiling goat from birth to 180 dpp experienced three stages, namely, growth, transition and spermatogenesis stages. The goats in the testicular growth stage (0-60 dpp) showed a high expression of growth-related genes in neurogenesis, angiogenesis and cell junction, and a low expression of spermatogenesis-related genes. The goats aged 60-120 dpp were in the transitional stage which had a gradually decreased growth-related gene transcription levels and increased spermatogenesis-related gene transcription levels. The goats aged 120-180 dpp were in the spermatogenesis stage. At this stage, highly expressed spermatogenesis-related genes, downregulated testicular growth- and immune-related genes and a shift in the focus of testicular development into spermatogenesis were observed. Additionally, we found several novel hub genes, which may play key roles in spermatogenesis, androgen synthesis and secretion, angiogenesis, cell junction and neurogenesis. Moreover, the results of this study were compared with previous studies on goat or other species, and some gene expression patterns shared in early-puberty mammals were discovered.

CONCLUSIONS

The postnatal development of the testis undergoes a process of transition from organ growth to spermatogenesis. During this process, spermatogenesis-related genes are upregulated, whereas neurogenesis-, angiogenesis-, cell junction-, muscle- and immune-related genes are downregulated. In conclusion, the multipathway synergy promotes testicular transition from growth to spermatogenesis in early-puberty goats and may be a common rule shared by mammals.

Morphogenesis of the ventral pancreas anlagen is influenced by the SMA branching pattern

Developmentally, the uncinate process of the pancreas is derived from the ventral pancreatic anlagen, supplied by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and contains pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-rich islets of Langerhans. In contrast, the other parts of the pancreas originate from the dorsal anlagen supplied by the celiac system and contain PP-poor islets. This study was performed to investigate whether morphogenesis of the ventral pancreas anlagen is associated with the pattern of SMA branching. SMA branches to the pancreatic body were dissected in 44 cadavers. The cadavers were divided into two groups: the SMA group in which the SMA gave off branches to the pancreatic body and the General group in which it did not. In the SMA group, the ratio of the diameter of the SMA branch supplying the pancreatic body (SMA branch) to that of the SMA itself was calculated. After dissection was completed, tissues were collected from all pancreatic specimens for HE staining and for immunohistochemistry with PP and insulin antibodies. There were 25 cadavers in the General group and 19 in the SMA group. In 10/19 cadavers from the SMA group, PP-rich islets were confirmed in the pancreatic body. The SMA branch diameter ratio was significantly smaller in the SMA group cadavers with PP-poor islets (n = 9) than in cadavers with PP-rich islets (n = 10) (P < 0.001). These findings suggest a relation between the SMA branching pattern and the distribution of PP cells.