Distribution of extracellular matrix related proteins in normal and cryptorchid ziwuling black goat testes

The Ziwuling black goat is an indigenously in China, their offspring are frequently affected by congenital cryptorchidism. The extracellular matrix (ECM) contains cytokines and growth factors that regulate the development of the testis, and component changes often result in pathological changes. Cryptorchidism is closely related to structural changes in ECM. In this study, the histochemical staining, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and Western blot combined with semi-quantitative analysis was used to describe the distribution of the important ECM components Collagen type IV (Col IV), laminin (LN)and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) in the normal and cryptorchid testes of Ziwuling black goats. Results showed that: The histochemical staining showed that the dysplasia of seminiferous tubules and decreased number of Sertoli cells in cryptorchidism, as well as sparse collagen fiber. Meanwhile, the distribution of reticular fibers is relatively rich. Furthermore, the PAS and AB staining in the interstitial vessels and lamina propria of seminiferous tubules is weak. The immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence revealed that Col IV, LN was strongly expressed in Leydig, Sertoli cells of normal testes and moderately positive in the spermatogonia and spermatids, but HSPG was not expressed in the spermatogonia. However, cryptorchidism, the expression of Col IV, LN and HPSG in Leydig, Sertoli cells significantly decreased, as well as the expression of Col IV and LN in capillary endothelial cells, but HSPG was moderately expressed in spermatogonia. Based on these data, the underdevelopment of spermatogenic epithelium, decreased synthesis function of collagen fibers and Leydig cells develop usually in the cryptorchidism were shown to be closely related to the abnormal metabolism of Col IV and LN. The positive expressed of HSPG in the spermatogonia of cryptorchid testes is related to the compensatory development of spermatogonia.(AU)

Alterações da matriz extracelular esplênica em cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi / Changes in the splenic extracellular matrix in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi

The aim of this study was to study the changes in the splenic extracellular matrix of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi and its correlation to clinical, histopathological, and parasitological aspects. Eighteen dogs were used, separated into three groups: six non-infected animals (control group) and twelve infected animals. The dogs had undefined breed and age, from the township region of São Luís-MA. Paraffined slices of the spleen were stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin (H&E); Gomoris ammoniacal Silver, to mark reticular fibers; and the Immunohistochemistry technique of streptavidin peroxidase to detect amastigote forms of Leishmania. The morphometrical analyses were done using the KS300 program and the images analysis system Kontron Elektronic/Carl Zeiss, Germany. The results showed that there is a significant increase in the deposition of collagen fibers in the spleen, compared to control animals, showing significant differences for symptomatic and asymptomatic animals. Positive correlations were found between the presence of the parasite in the tissue and collagen deposition. Symptomatic animals showed higher collagen deposition in the spleen, which can be associated to the high parasitism found in the tissue. The results showed that there is an intense fibrogenesis in the spleen in the canine visceral leishmaniasis, thus being associated to the parasitism of the tissue and thedegenerative processes of the disease.(AU)

Objetivou-se estudar as alterações da matriz extracelular no baço de cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi correlacionando-as com aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e parasitológicos. Foram utilizados 18 cães, divididos em três grupos: seis animais não infectados (grupo controle) e doze animais infectados. Todos sem raça e idade definidas, provenientes da região do Município de São Luis-MA.  Cortes parafinados do baço foram corados pela Hematoxilina e Eosina (H&E); Prata amoniacal de Gomori, para marcação das fibras reticulares e pela técnica Imuno-histoquímica da estreptoavidina-peroxidase para detecção de formas amastigotas de Leishmania. As análises morfométricas foram feitas utilizando-se o programa KS300 e o sistema de análise de imagens Kontron Elektronic/Carl Zeiss, Germany. Os resultados mostram que há um aumento significativo da deposição de fibras colágenas no baço quando comparadas aos animais controles, revelando diferenças significativas entre os animais sintomáticos e assintomáticos. Encontraram-se correlações positivas entre a presença do parasitismo tecidual e a deposição de colágeno. Os animais sintomáticos apresentaram uma maior deposição de colágeno no baço, que pode estar associada ao maior parasitismo tecidual encontrado. Os resultados demonstram que na leishmaniose visceral canina há uma fibrogênese intensa no baço, sendo esta associada ao parasitismo tecidual e a processos degenerativos decorrentes da doença. (AU)

Alterações da matriz extracelular esplênica em cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi / Changes in the splenic extracellular matrix in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi

The aim of this study was to study the changes in the splenic extracellular matrix of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi and its correlation to clinical, histopathological, and parasitological aspects. Eighteen dogs were used, separated into three groups: six non-infected animals (control group) and twelve infected animals. The dogs had undefined breed and age, from the township region of São Luís-MA. Paraffined slices of the spleen were stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin (H&E); Gomoris ammoniacal Silver, to mark reticular fibers; and the Immunohistochemistry technique of streptavidin peroxidase to detect amastigote forms of Leishmania. The morphometrical analyses were done using the KS300 program and the images analysis system Kontron Elektronic/Carl Zeiss, Germany. The results showed that there is a significant increase in the deposition of collagen fibers in the spleen, compared to control animals, showing significant differences for symptomatic and asymptomatic animals. Positive correlations were found between the presence of the parasite in the tissue and collagen deposition. Symptomatic animals showed higher collagen deposition in the spleen, which can be associated to the high parasitism found in the tissue. The results showed that there is an intense fibrogenesis in the spleen in the canine visceral leishmaniasis, thus being associated to the parasitism of the tissue and thedegenerative processes of the disease.

Objetivou-se estudar as alterações da matriz extracelular no baço de cães naturalmente infectados com Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi correlacionando-as com aspectos clínicos, histopatológicos e parasitológicos. Foram utilizados 18 cães, divididos em três grupos: seis animais não infectados (grupo controle) e doze animais infectados. Todos sem raça e idade definidas, provenientes da região do Município de São Luis-MA.  Cortes parafinados do baço foram corados pela Hematoxilina e Eosina (H&E); Prata amoniacal de Gomori, para marcação das fibras reticulares e pela técnica Imuno-histoquímica da estreptoavidina-peroxidase para detecção de formas amastigotas de Leishmania. As análises morfométricas foram feitas utilizando-se o programa KS300 e o sistema de análise de imagens Kontron Elektronic/Carl Zeiss, Germany. Os resultados mostram que há um aumento significativo da deposição de fibras colágenas no baço quando comparadas aos animais controles, revelando diferenças significativas entre os animais sintomáticos e assintomáticos. Encontraram-se correlações positivas entre a presença do parasitismo tecidual e a deposição de colágeno. Os animais sintomáticos apresentaram uma maior deposição de colágeno no baço, que pode estar associada ao maior parasitismo tecidual encontrado. Os resultados demonstram que na leishmaniose visceral canina há uma fibrogênese intensa no baço, sendo esta associada ao parasitismo tecidual e a processos degenerativos decorrentes da doença.

Histological characteristics of the corpus luteum of Nelore cows in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy / Características histológicas do corpo lúteo de vacas Nelore nos terços inicial, médio e final da gestação

Foram avaliadas características morfológicas do corpo lúteo de 48 vacas Nelore gestantes obtidos de abatedouros. Os ovários com o corpo lúteo foram coletados, identificados e divididos em três grupos, considerando o estágio da gestação determinado pelo tamanho do feto: Grupo I - onze animais com gestação até 90 dias; Grupo 2 - vinte animais com gestação de 90 a 180 dias, e Grupo 3 - 17 animais com gestação de 180 a 261 dias. Todos os corpos lúteos foram dissecados, submetidos a processamento histológico e avaliados utilizando microscopia de luz. As características morfológicas das células luteais esteroidogênicas não mudou durante a gestação. Porém, foi observado um aumento de tecido conjuntivo, fibroblastos e matriz extracelular durante o final da gestação. Células em degeneração foram observadas em todos os períodos da gestação, mas com maior intensidade no fim do terceiro trimestre. Grânulos foram observados após a coloração com Tricrômico de Gomory e Xylidine Ponceau, caracterizados como grânulos de proteína. Nenhuma explicação foi encontrada na literatura para coloração de grânulos pelo Tricrômico de Gomory.(AU)

Role of Nitric Oxide in the Remodelling of Extracellular Matrix in Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration of Dogs and Pigs

Myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) or endocardiosis is a heart valve disease that occurs in many mammalian species, especially in humans, dogs and pigs. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the MMVD development. NO can be indirectly evaluated by the nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) expression and by the histochemical reaction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d). The aim of this study was to evaluate NOS activity, by NADPH-d reaction, in the anterior leaflet of dogs with regular mitral valves and in those with MMVD, as well as in young swine and old females, comparing the reaction level with the degree of endocardiosis disease and also the histological alterations. Twelve mitral valves of dogs and 22 of swine were used for the research. All the valves were macroscopically analyzed for the occurrence or not of endocardiosis. They were fixed in a 4% paraformaldehyde, exposed to NADPH-d reaction, routinely processed and microscopically evaluated for the detection of mucopolysaccharides (MPS) deposition, collagen degeneration, fibrosis and level of endocardiosis. In dogs, relation was observed between higher intensity of the NADPH-d reaction, higher endocardiosis degree, MPS deposition as well as the collagen degeneration. No alteration in color was observed in pigs´ valves during NADPH-d reaction. In conclusion, NO works in canine mitral valve remodeling extracellular matrix and plays an important role in endocardiosis disease. In swine, the lack of reaction reinforces the absence of macroscopical endocardiosis lesions, suggesting restrict NO action or major differences in the structures of swine valves.(AU)