Ultimobranchial body cyst in an adult horse: clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features.

A 9-y-old Mangalarga Marchador gelding was referred to a veterinary hospital because of a swelling on the upper right side of the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed a multilocular structure adjacent to the thyroid gland with low echogenic content suggestive of fluid. The mass was removed surgically. Histologically, the cystic cavities in the surgical sample were filled with abundant eosinophilic secreta and lined by cuboidal, segmentally ciliated, columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells. Segmental crowding of the multilayered lining of the cyst was noted. Immunohistochemistry suggested the presence of both C cells and follicular cells, given the positivity of the immunomarkers calcitonin and TTF-1, respectively. The histogenesis of ultimobranchial cysts is uncertain. Based on clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical identification, the cystic structure in this case is compatible with an ultimobranchial body cyst.

Morphological, histological and ultra-structural studies on the ultimobranchial body of goat (Capra hircus).

Ultimobranchial body (UBB) remnant was considered as an enigma till the last few years, then it was recognized as a necessary organ where it is the origin of the parafollicular cells. The samples were fixed and processed for the histological and electron microscopic examination. Macroscopically, the UBB remnant appeared as a white mass at the end of the cranial one-third of the thyroid lobe. It was composed of solid cell nest, cluster of cells and small thyroid follicles. Transmission electron microscope showed some round cells containing euchromatic nuclei, numerous parafollicular cells with darkly stained granules and paler ones. It also showed some mast cells with heterochromatic nuclei and large darkly stained granules. The parafollicular cells were distributed throughout the thyroid gland but concentrated within the UBB remnant. To our knowledge, our findings represent very unique histological manifestations specially the ultra-structural ones which revealed an original finding about the new clear type of cells suggested to be a UBB remnant and ensure those of the light microscope.

Thyroid Adenoma of Probable Ultimobranchial Body Origin: A Case Report.

Solid cell nests are generally believed to represent remnants of the ultimobranchial body, which can be found in the normal thyroid gland, occasionally associated with other branchial pouch remnants such as salivary gland, cartilage, and adipose tissue. We describe the case of a 44-year-old man incidentally found to have a large tumor in the left lobe of the thyroid. The tumor was a circumscribed growth consisting of distinctly lobulated proliferation of solid to cystic epidermoid cell nests and thyroid follicles in a fibromatous stroma, which merged into abundant adipose tissue and focally myxoid matrix. The solid epidermoid cell nests resembled solid cell nests and exhibited a p63+, GATA3+, galectin-3+, TTF1-, PAX8-, thyroglobulin- phenotypes, while the follicles were p63-, GATA3-, galectin-3-, TTF1+, PAX8+, and thyroglobulin+. RAS mutations were not found. This thyroid tumor may represent a hitherto undescribed "ultimobranchial body adenoma" in human.

Thyroid Tubercle of Zuckerkandl May Not Arise from the Ultimobranchial Body: Results from Histological Analysis.

Thyroid tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ) is a nodule arising from the posterolateral thyroid, considered to be a remnant of the ultimobranchial body (UB). Considering that C cells and solid cell nests also arise from the UB, we hypothesized that these would be present in the TZ. We examined the presence of C cells and solid cell nests in the TZ using the histological analyses of 21 patients with grade 2 or 3 TZs following Pelizzo's grading system. Out of 21 TZs, 19 (90.5%) were located in the right lobe of the thyroid. Microscopically, solid cell nests were found within the TZ in 1 case (4.8%), and within the main thyroid tissues in 3 cases (14.3%). Calcitonin-positive C cells were scattered within the TZ in 1 case (4.8%), and within the main thyroid tissue in 15 cases (71.4%). The distribution of C cells within the main thyroid tissue was denser than that within the TZ. The above-mentioned results indicated the lack of C cells and solid cell nests in the TZ. Although the TZ may have an embryological origin different from that of ordinary thyroid tissue, it is unlikely that the remnants of the UB are involved in the formation of the TZ.

[Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid gland].

The paper characterizes sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia, a rare thyroid tumor, including histological and immunohistochemical features. The authors give their observation of a 26-year-old patient. The immunohistochemical findings (positive p63 and TTF-1 tumor cell nuclear staining) show the dual nature of a tumor arising from the cells of the ultimobranchial body and follicular epithelium.

Histological alterations in the ultimobranchial gland of teleost Heteropneustes fossilis in response to chlorpyrifos treatment.

In this study, an experiment was performed on Heteropneustes fossilis for short-term (1.76 mg/L chlorpyrifos, i.e., 0.8 of 96-h LC50) and long-term (0.44 mg/L chlorpyrifos, i.e., 0.2 of 96-h LC50) exposure. The fish were sacrificed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in the short-term experiment and after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in the long-term experiment. On these intervals, blood was collected and analysis of serum calcium was done. Ultimobranchial glands were also fixed for histological study. The serum calcium levels of H. fossilis exhibit a decline after 24 h following exposure to chlorpyrifos. This decrease continues until the end of the experiment (96 h). The serum calcium levels of chronically exposed fish exhibit a decrease on day 7. Thereafter, the levels continue to fall progressively until the end of the experiment (28 days). The ultimobranchial gland of chlorpyrifos treated fish exhibits no histological change up to 48 h. After 72 h, there is a decrease in the staining response of cytoplasm of the ultimobranchial cells. The nuclear volume of these cells is slightly decreased. After 96 h following chlorpyrifos exposure, these changes become exaggerated. In chlorpyrifos-treated fish there is no change in the histological structure of the ultimobranchial gland up to 14 days. After 21 days, the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells stain feebly and the nuclear volume of these cells exhibits a decrease. Following 28 days treatment, the nuclear volume of these cells records a further decrease and the gland depicts vacuolization and degeneration at certain areas.

Ultimobranchial gland of a freshwater teleost, Heteropneustes fossilis, in response to cadmium treatment.

Heteropneustes fossilis were subjected to 288 mg/L (0.8 of 96 h LC(50)) and 72 mg/L (0.2 of 96 h LC(50)) of cadmium chloride for short-term and long-term experiments, respectively. After sacrificing the fish, the blood was collected on 24, 48, 72, and 96 h in short-term and after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in long-term experiment and analyzed for plasma calcium levels. Also, ultimobranchial glands were fixed on these intervals. The plasma calcium levels of short-term cadmium-exposed fish remain unchanged after 24 h. The levels exhibit a progressive decrease from 48 h onwards. The fish exposed to cadmium for 7 days exhibit a decrease in the plasma calcium level. Thereafter, the levels progressively decrease till the end of the experiment (28 days). Up to 72 h exposure of the fish to cadmium, the ultimobranchial gland exhibits no histological change. After 96 h, a decrease in the staining response of the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells has been noticed. The nuclear volume of these cells records a slight decrease. Up to 14 days of cadmium exposure, there is no change in the histological structure of ultimobranchial gland. After 21 days following the exposure, the ultimobranchial cells exhibit a slight decrease in the staining response of the cytoplasm and the nuclear volume of these cells records a decrease. Following 28 days cadmium exposure the nuclear volume exhibits a further decrease, and degeneration and vacuolization sets in.

Influence of calcitonin administration on ultimobranchial and parathyroid glands of pigeon, Columba livia.

Pigeons were divided into two numerically equal groups (A and B) containing 30 specimens each. Birds from group A were intraperitoneally injected daily with 0.1 mL/100 g body wt of vehicle (0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 4.3 containing 0.1% gelatin). Specimens from group B were intraperitoneally injected daily with 1 microg/100 g body wt of salmon calcitonin. Six birds were sacrificed from each group 2 h after the last injection on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, and 15th day of the experiment. After collection of blood samples, ultimobranchial and parathyroid glands were fixed for histological studies. In calcitonin-treated C. livia, the plasma calcium levels exhibit a progressive decline from day 1 till day 5. On day 15, the levels become more or less similar to the control value. No change has been noticed on day 1 in the plasma phosphate levels of calcitonin-treated C. livia. The levels decrease progressively from day 3 to day 5; thereafter, it exhibits an elevation so that on day 15, normal plasma phosphate levels is achieved. The ultimobranchial gland of C. livia exhibits no change up to day 5 following calcitonin treatment. The nuclear volume of ultimobranchial cells exhibits a decrease on day 10. This response progresses up to day 15. Few degenerating cells are also discerned following 15 days calcitonin treatment. The parathyroid gland of calcitonin-treated C. livia exhibits no histological alteration up to day 3. The nuclear volume of parathyroidal cells exhibits a progressive increase from day 3 till the close of the experiment (day 15). Moreover, the gland exhibits more compactness on day 10 and day 15. Few degenerating cells are encountered after day 15 following calcitonin treatment.

Immunohistochemistry of ultimobranchial thyroid carcinomas in seven slaughtered cows and one bull.

Eight thyroid gland epithelial tumors were found in 7 cows and 1 bull in a retrospective study of thyroid gland lesions in slaughtered cattle. All tumors were classified as ultimobranchial thyroid carcinomas based on morphology and immunohistochemistry. All tumors consisted of solid sheets and nests of polygonal to oval epithelial cells, with more sparsely dispersed colloid-filled follicles. Connective tissue separating nests of epithelial cells varied from delicate fibrovascular stroma to dense collagenous stroma. Fusiform epithelial cells with rare neural fibers and ganglion cells were present in 1 tumor. Cells within solid areas of these tumors were immunoreactive for calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neuron-specific enolase, and synaptophysin. Colloid and follicle cells were immunoreactive for thyroglobulin. Few follicle cells also were reactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide. Neoplastic cells invaded the fibrous capsules in all 8 cattle. These tumors represented proliferation of a mixed population of undifferentiated cells, C cells, and thyroid follicular epithelial cells, presumably derived from the thyroid ultimobranchial bodies. These ultimobranchial carcinomas in slaughtered cattle are comparable to ultimobranchial tumors described in dairy bulls and the intermediate type of thyroid gland carcinomas (mixed thyroid medullary carcinomas) described in human beings.

Solid cell nests of the thyroid: light microscopy and immunohistochemical profile.

The morphological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical findings of seven cases of solid cell nests (SCNs) of the thyroid are described. Light microscopy showed two cell types forming the SCNs, which we refer to as "main cells" and "C cells." In all cases "mixed thyroid follicles" (a unique structure lined by follicular epithelium and epidermoidlike cells) were observed in which the histochemical study confirmed the presence of intraluminal acid mucins. Adult adipose tissue and cartilage were found in one case and foci of cartilage were observed in another case in association with the SCN. Immunohistochemical studies showed positivity of "main cells" for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), high- and low-molecular weight keratins, neurotensin, and somatostatin. "C cells" were positive for calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and chromogranin. The two cell types in SCNs were consistently negative for thyroglobulin. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-positive cells were found in the vicinity of the SCN. The unusual association of adipose tissue and cartilage as well as the results of the extended immunohistochemical study in this series provides further support to the belief that SCNs and "mixed thyroid follicles" represent remnants of the ultimobranchial body and should be considered normal components of the thyroid gland.

[The effect of weightlessness on amphibians. The ultimobranchial body]. / Vliianie nevesomosti na amfibii. Ul'timobrankhial'naia zheleza.

C-cells of Pleurodeles waltilii ultimobranchial bodies (ULT) were studied after a series of two-week spaceflight on the biosatellites. It was shown that under conditions of weightlessness the hypertrophy of ULT and calcitonin secretion activation occurred. Calcitonin accumulated into the ULT which resulted in metaplasia of the surrounding tissues, organ calcification and C-cells death. After landing, the regenerative processes which were not manifest in weightlessness occurred. They were similar to those of embryonic development of the organ.

[Tissue of ultimobranchial origin in normal and pathologically altered thyroid gland]. / Tkan' ul'timobrankhial'nogo geneza v normal'noi i patologicheski izmenennoi shchitovidnoi zheleze.

Heterogeneity of the thyroid parenchyma and the sources of development of its main components are considered. The least studied are components originating from the ultimobranchial body to which "the second" system of the ultimobranchial follicles and solid epithelial cell nests belong. The data on the incidence, topography and age dynamics of these nests are presented. Their histochemical and immunocytochemical characteristics are given. Hypothesis on a possible role of solid cell nests as a source of various cell types in the thyroid as well as on their probable participation in the genesis of mixed thyroid tumours is discussed.

Solid and cystic ultimobranchial body remnants in the thyroid.

In this study we determined the incidence rate (89%) and characterized the morphology of ultimobranchial body (UBB) remnants found in 18 serially sectioned neonatal thyroid glands. Although UBB remnants are often referred to as solid cell nests, we found cystic features in 55%. Ciliated columnar cells were seen in 23%. One contained a large pseudo-papilla. The UBB cells had nuclei with features reminiscent of papillary carcinoma nuclei in that they were enlarged, oval, and contained finely dispersed chromatin when compared with follicular cell nuclei. Both papillary carcinomas and UBB remnants are common, occur as tiny, solid, or cystic thyroid entities in patients of all ages, may contain papillary structures, and share some common nuclear features. Therefore, it is important to include UBB remnants in the differential diagnosis of minute thyroid entities and to recognize their morphologic features.

Ultimobranchial body and parathyroid gland of the parrot Psittacula psittacula in response to experimental hypercalcemia.

Psittacula psittacula when subjected to long term hypercalcemia by intramuscular injections of vitamin D2 (20,000 I.U.) on alternate days and by increasing dietary calcium, exhibit a rise in the serum calcium level after 10, 20 and 30 days of treatment as compared to their corresponding controls. The ultimobranchial cells show progressive hypertrophy up to 20th day of the treatment. From 20th day till the end of the experiment (30 days) these cells show feeble staining response. The parathyroid glands suffer from degenerative changes due to its inactivity under chronic hypercalcemia.

Hyperplastic and neoplastic changes in ultimobranchial remnants and in parafollicular (C) cells in bulls: a histologic and immunohistochemical study.

Thyroid glands from 64 bulls with hyperplastic and/or neoplastic changes in ultimobranchial remnants and in the parafollicular (C) cell system were studied structurally and with immunohistochemical methods. Antibodies against thyroglobulin, calcitonin, somatostatin, and neurotensin were used to detect these substances. Two different types of changes were observed. One change was hyperplasia and neoplasia of the ultimobranchial remnants that affected all their epithelial constituents. These included ultimobranchial follicles, cysts and tubules, as well as solid nests formed by basophilic immature cells which were functionally undifferentiated and unreactive with all the antisera used. Differentiated follicular cells that formed thyroid follicles and cribriform structures with immunohistochemical evidence of thyroglobulin production were also found. In addition, differentiated light and cytoplasm-rich cells were scattered in the walls of the thyroid follicles, ultimobranchial follicles, cysts and tubules as well as in the solid component. They were argyrophilic and reacted with antibodies against calcitonin and somatostatin. The other change was a diffuse or multifocal hyperplasia of the parafollicular (C) cells that was present in other parts of the thyroid parenchyma--sometimes with gradual development of sclerotic tumors that had been exclusively formed by these cells. They corresponded to light cytoplasm-rich cells seen in the ultimobranchial lesions that were argyrophilic and harbored material reactive with antibodies against calcitonin and/or somatostatin. The changes observed in the parafollicular cell system resembled lesions seen in human thyroid glands with the familial variant of medullary carcinoma as well as those reported in thyroid glands of patients with longstanding hypercalcemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Structure and behaviour of ultimobranchial gland in response to vitamin D3--induced hypercalcemia in male Clarias batrachus.

Hypercalcemia was induced in Clarias batrachus by treating them with vitamin D3 (5,000 I.U./100 g body wt.) and/or 0.5% solution of CaCl2. The animals were killed on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 13th and 17th days after the initiation of the experiment. Histological preparations of the ultimobranchial gland (UBG) were made. The gland exhibits nuclear hypertrophy, hyperplasia and loss of staining response corresponding to the rise in serum calcium levels. At later intervals, the UBG shows exhaustion and degeneration which is evident from vacuolization and nuclear shrinkage of the ultimobranchial cells after day 13 in groups B and C and day 9 in group D.

[Ultimobranchial cysts in goitrous thyroids of sheep at high altitude]. / Ob ul'timobrankhial'nykh kistakh v zobno-izmenennykh shchitovidnykh zhelezakh u obets v usloviiakh vysokogor'ia.

Histomorphology of ultimobranchial cysts of thyroid glands of sheep is presented. The average incidence of cysts in sheep was 17.3%. The cysts have some characteristic features indicating their ultimobranchial origin: the presence of inhomogeneous "foamy" colloid staining positively for glycosaminoglycans, heteromorphism of the cells lining the internal surface of the cysts, and the presence of ciliary cells among them. The detection of ultimobranchial cysts in sheep with strumous thyroid glands not only extends the concept of the species appurtenance of these formations but also indicates the possibility of frequent occurrence of ultimobranchial cysts in hyperplastic processes of strumous and neoplastic nature which is of great diagnostic and prognostic significance.