Lipopolysaccharides induce changes in the visceral pigmentation of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura: Leiuperidae)

Testicular morphometric changes in neotropical anurans from agroecosystems

One of the causes of the global decline of amphibians is agricultural activity, responsible for causing habitat fragmentation and bringing a range of agrochemicals and fertilizers in the environment, compounds with a potential disrupting effect on non-target organisms, such as frogs. Exposure to these compounds has numerous harmful effects on the testes of these animals, which can compromise reproduction and, consequently, the maintenance of their communities. In this context, we compared the morphology and morphometry of the testes of three species of neotropical anurans (Physalaemus cuvieri, Dendropsophus minutus, and Boana albopunctata) from an agricultural area and a conservation unit. Histologically, the testicular morphology of the species was similar for both environments; however, morphometrically, there was a difference in the measured testicular parameters (locular area and area of spermatogenic cysts). Physalaemus cuvieri presented higher averages of locular and spermatogonial area in the agricultural environment, whereas the area occupied by the spermatozoa was smaller. Additionally, the testicular pigmentation, which is only present in this species, was greater in animal from the agricultural area. In D. minutus, the locular, spermatogonial, and sperm areas showed lower values in the agricultural area, whereas in B. albopunctata, the opposite pattern was found, with the area of the locule, spermatocytes, and spermatozoids being higher. Agricultural activities influence the testicular metric parameters in different species, and our results suggest that D. minutus is most sensitive to anthropic pressures. The least sensitive species is B. albopunctata. We highlight the importance of evaluating different species, since each species responds differently to agricultural activities.

Pigmentation of the aortic and pulmonary valves in C57BL/6J x Balb/cByJ hybrid mice of different coat colours

Neural crest-derived melanocytes have been recorded in several parts of the mammalian heart but not in the pulmonary valve. We report here the presence of melanin-containing cells in the leaflets (cusps) of both the aortic and pulmonary valves. A total of 158 C57BL/6J x Balb/cByJ hybrid mice exhibiting four coat colours, namely black, white, agouti and non-agouti brown, were examined. We sought for any relationship between the presence of melanocytes in the valves and the coat colour of the animals. The pigmentation levels of the leaflets were accomplished using a scale of five pigment intensities. White mice lacked pigment in the heart. In 10.5% of the remaining animals, there were melanocytes in the pulmonary valve leaflets. Thus, this is the first study to report the presence of such cells in the pulmonary valve of mammals. Melanocytes occurred in the leaflets of the aortic valves of 87.2% of mice. The incidence of melanocytes and the pigmentation level of the leaflets did not statistically differ according to the coat colours of the animals. This disagrees with previous observations, indicating that the amount of melanocytes in the heart reflects that of the skin. The incidence and distribution of melanocytes in aortic and pulmonary valves are consistent with the notion that the formation of the arterial valves is mediated by specific subpopulations of neural crest cells. We hypothesize that melanocytes, even not producing melanin, may be more frequent in the heart than previously thought, exerting presumably an immunological function.

LPS-induced alterations in reproductive organs and liver pigmentation in the toad Rhinella diptycha (Bufonidae)

Anurans can be naturally infected by the bacterium Escherichia coli (Migula, 1895) Castellani and Chalmers, 1919, which contain lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in their external membrane. LPS affects reproductive functions in mammals and extracutaneous pigmentary system of anurans. Besides the functional gonad, bufonid amphibians have an undeveloped female organ (Bidder’s organ), whose function is poorly known. We aimed to investigate the effects of LPS on testis and Bidder’s organ germ cells and on liver pigmentation in the toad Rhinella diptycha (Cope, 1862). Animals were inoculated with 0.1 mL of saline solution (control) or LPS solution (18 mg/kg) and then euthanized after 24 or 48 h. The organs were processed for histology and then evaluated with morphometric analysis. The LPS decreased the area of bundle spermatozoa and increased lumen spermatozoa, while in Bidder’s organ, the number of degenerating oocytes decreased. Liver melanin increased after 24 h and decreased after 48 h. Our results suggest that LPS delays the release of spermatozoa, possibly due to alterations in serum levels of testosterone and (or) gonadotropins, which may also explain fewer degrading cells in Bidder’s organ. Increased melanin in the liver was expected due to the bactericidal role of this pigment. Thus, LPS affected reproductive organs and induced cytoprotective responses in the liver of amphibians.

Limb regeneration in a direct-developing terrestrial salamander, Bolitoglossa ramosi (Caudata: Plethodontidae): Limb regeneration in plethodontid salamanders

Appendage regeneration is one of the most compelling phenomena in regenerative biology and is extensively studied in axolotls and newts. However, the regenerative capacity in other families of salamanders remains poorly described. Here we characterize the limb regeneration process in Bolitoglossa ramosi, a direct‐developing terrestrial salamander of the plethodontid family. We (1) describe the major morphological features at different stages of limb regeneration, (2) show that appendage regeneration in a terrestrial salamander varies from other amphibians and (3) show that limb regeneration in this species is considerably slower than in axolotls and newts (95 days post‐amputation for complete regeneration) despite having a significantly smaller genome size than axolotls or newts.

The bulbus arteriosus of the holocephalan heart: gross anatomy, histomorphology, pigmentation, and evolutionary significance

This study was designed to determine whether the outflow tract of the holocephalan heart is composed of a myocardial conus arteriosus and a non-myocardial bulbus arteriosus, as is the case in elasmobranchs. This is a key issue to verify the hypothesis that these two anatomical components existed from the onset of the jawed vertebrate radiation. The Holocephali are the sister group of the elasmobranchs, sharing with them a common, still unknown Palaeozoic ancestor. The sample examined herein consisted of hearts from individuals of four species, two of them belonging to the Chimaeridae and the other two to the Rhinochimaeridae. In all specimens, the cardiac outflow tract consisted of a conus arteriosus, with myocardium in its walls and two rows of valves at its luminal side, and an intrapericardial bulbus arteriosus shorter than the conus and devoid of valves. The bulbus, mainly composed of elastin and smooth musculature, was covered by the epicardium and crossed longitudinally by coronary artery trunks. These findings give added support to the viewpoint that the outflow tract of the primitive heart of the gnathostomes was not composed of a single component, but two, the conus and the bulbus. All rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa) examined had pigment cells over the surface of the heart. The degree of pigmentation, which varied widely between individuals, was particularly intense in the cardiac outflow tract. Pigment cells also occurred in the bulbus arteriosus of one of the two hearts of the straightnose rabbitfish (Rhinochimaera atlantica) included in the study. The cells containing pigment, presumably derived from the neural crest, were located in the subepicardium.

Morpho-histology of head kidney of female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: seasonal variations in melano-macrophage centers, melanin contents and effects of lipopolysaccharide and dexamethasone on melanins

In the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, the anterior kidney is a hemopoietic tissue which surrounds the adrenal homologues, interrenal (IR) and chromaffin tissues corresponding to the adrenal cortical and adrenal medulla of higher mammals. The IR tissue is arranged in cell cords around the posterior cardinal vein (PCV) and its tributaries and secretes corticosteroids. The chromaffin tissue is scattered singly or in nests of one or more cells around the epithelial lining of the PCV or blood capillaries within the IR tissue. They are ferric ferricyanide-positive. Leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF)-like reactivity was noticed in the lining of the epithelium of the IR cell cords and around the wall of the PCV and blood capillaries. No staining was observed in the hemopoietic cells. IL-1β- and TNF-α-like immunoreactivity was seen in certain cells in the hemopoietic tissue but not in the IR region. Macrophages were identified with mammalian macrophage-specific MAC387 antibodies and are present in the hemopoietic mass but not in the IR tissue. Pigments accumulate in the hemopoietic mass as melano-macrophage centers (MMCs) and are PAS-, Schmorl's- and Perls'-positive. The pigments contain melanin (black), hemosiderin (blue) and lipofuscin/ceroid (oxidized lipid, yellowish tan), as evident from the Perls' reaction. The MMCs were TUNEL-positive as evident from FITC fluorescence, indicating their apoptotic nature. The MMCs showed significant seasonal variation with their density increasing to the peak in the postspawning phase. Melanins were characterized spectrophotometrically for the first time in fish anterior kidney. The predominant form is pheomelanin (PM), followed by eumelanin (EM) and alkali-soluble melanin (ASM). Melanins showed significant seasonal variations with the level low in the resting phase and increasing to the peak in the postspawning phase. Under in vitro conditions, lipopolysaccharide (10 µg/mL) treatment increased significantly the levels of PM and EM levels both at 16 and at 32 h and the ASM level at 32 h. On the other hand, the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (100 nM) decreased significantly the levels of EM, PM and ASM time-dependently. The results indicate that the anterior kidney is an important site of immune-endocrine interaction.

Rapid color change in fish and amphibians - function, regulation, and emerging applications

Physiological color change is important for background matching, thermoregulation as well as signaling and is in vertebrates mediated by synchronous intracellular transport of pigmented organelles in chromatophores. We describe functions of and animal situations where color change occurs. A summary of endogenous and external factors that regulate this color change in fish and amphibians is provided, with special emphasis on extracellular stimuli. We describe not only color change in skin, but also highlight studies on color change that occurs using chromatophores in other areas such as iris and on the inside of the body. In addition, we discuss the growing field that applies melanophores and skin color in toxicology and as biosensors, and point out research areas with future potential.