Modified Estrogen-Progesterone Induction Method of Mammary Gland Hyperplasia in Rats.

In female Wistar rats, mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) was modeled according to a modified protocol involving estrogen-progesterone induction and taking into account the duration of the estrous cycle of this animal species. MGH was induced over four 7-day cycles; each cycle included subcutaneous administration of 17ß-estradiol (0.5 mg/kg) for 4 days, injection of progesterone (5 mg/kg) on day 5, then 2 days without injections. In females with MGH, a significant increase in the height and diameter of the nipples of the mammary glands was recorded, two types of changes were observed in the gland tissue: tubuloalveolar and lobuloalveolar hyperplasia. The study confirmed the development of MGH in rats by a modified method.

[Use of computer technologies for studying the morphological characteristics of the iris color in anthropology].

Digital images of the iris were received for study peculiarities of the iris color during the anthropological examination of 578 students aged 16-24 years. Simultaneously with the registration of the digital images, the visual assessment of the eye color was carried out using the traditional scale of Bunak, based on 12 ocular prostheses. Original software for automatic determination of the iris color based on 12 classes scale of Bunak was designed, and computer version of that scale was developed. The software proposed allows to conduct the determination of the iris color with high validity based on numerical evaluation; its application may reduce the bias due to subjective assessment and methodological divergences of the different researchers. The software designed for automatic determination of the iris color may help develop both theoretical and applied anthropology, it may be used in forensic and emergency medicine, sports medicine, medico-genetic counseling and professional selection.

Location of neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdaloid body projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Experiments were performed on rats using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase with the aim of identifying cells in the individual structures of the central nucleus of the amygdaloid body (CNAB) innervating the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Labeled cells were seen in the ipsilateral CNAB throughout its rostrocaudal extent. The largest number of labeled neurons was seen in the middle third of the nucleus in the area corresponding to the intermediate subnucleus of the CNAB. Occasional cells were located in the medial and lateral subnuclei of the CNAB. Labeled neurons in the intermediate subnucleus were oval cells or cells of indeterminate shape.

Involvement of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus in the innervation of the descending colon and rectum in cats.

Studies in anesthetized (urethane, 1.5 g/kg, i.p.) cats using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase addressed the locations and morphometric characteristics of neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus of the spinal cord innervating the descending colon and rectum. Marker solution was injected beneath the serous membrane of the study areas of the large intestine. Transcardiac perfusion with fixative solution was performed 48 h later and frontal sections of the sacral segments of the spinal cord were prepared; these were processed by the Mesulam method (1978). The results showed that these areas of the large intestine receive innervation from neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus located in spinal cord segments SI, SII, and SIII. The largest number of labeled cells was seen in segment SII. The neurons of this nucleus innervating the study areas of the large intestine formed two longitudinally distributed group (a lateral and a dorsal), the cells of which differed in terms of size and the orientation of the long axis. The largest number of labeled cells was seen in the lateral group.

[Participation of sacral parasympathetic nucleus in the innervation of the descending colon and the rectum in cats].

The localization and morphometric features of the preganglionic neurons of the spinal sacral parasympathetic nucleus innervating the descending colon and the rectum, were studied in cats, anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg intraperitoneally) using the method of retrograde horseradish peroxidase transport. The solution of the marker was injected under the serosa of the indicated areas of the colon. After 48 h the animals were transcardially perfused with a fixative solution. Frontal sections of the sacral spinal segments were prepared and stained according to M. Mezulam's protocol (1978). It was demonstrated that the indicated areas of the colon were innervated by the neurons of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus, located in SI, SII and SIII segments of the spinal cord. The majority of the labeled cells were observed within SII segment. The neurons of this nucleus, which innervated the indicated areas of the colon, formed two longitudinal groups (lateral and dorsal ones), the cells in which differed by their sizes and longitudinal axis orientation. Most of the labeled cells were detected in the lateral group.

Parasympathetic innervation of the initial segments of the large intestine in cats.

The locations and morphometric characteristics of efferent parasympathetic neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve and the cruciform parasympathetic nucleus of the spinal cord, innervating the area of the ileocecal sphincter and the ascending and transverse segments of the colon, were studied. Horseradish peroxidase solution was injected beneath the serous membranes of these parts of the intestine in urethane-anesthetized cats. After 48 h, animals were subjected to transcardiac perfusion with a fixative mixture and sections of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord were prepared and processed by the Mesulam method. The results showed that all these parts of the large intestine received parasympathetic innervation from neurons in the ventrolateral part of the dorsal motor nucleus, which were uniform in terms of their morphometric characteristics. The number of neurons of this group sending axons to the ileocecal area was greater than the number of neurons innervating the ascending colon. A second group of neurons, which were smaller cells, was located in the same part of the nucleus and innervated the transverse colon. The transverse colon also received innervation from neurons in the cruciform parasympathetic nucleus of the spinal cord.

[Localization of the neurons of the amygdala central nucleus projecting to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus area].

The aim of this study was to identify, using retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in rats, the cells, within distinct divisions of the amygdala central nucleus, innervating hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus area. The labeled cells were found in the ipsilateral amygdala central nucleus in the whole of its rostro-caudal extension. The maximal number of labeled neurons was detected in the middle third of the nucleus, corresponding to the intermediate subnucleus of the central nucleus. Single cells were located in the medial and the lateral subnuclei of the amygdala central nucleus. Labeled neurons of the intermediate subnucleus were represented by the oval cells or the cells of an indefinite form.

[Motor responses of the colon to stimulation of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus neurons].

In acute experiments on urethane-anaesthetized cats, motor responses of different parts of the colon (the proximal and descending parts as well the rectum) to microstimulation of neurons of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) were investigated. The stimulation was carried out by rectangle pulses of current with intensity 100-1000 microA, pulse width 0.5 ms and frequency 10 Hz. It was shown that the microstimulation of the SPN neurons located within SI-SIII segments of spinal cord induced mainly the excitatory motor responses of all regions of the colon. However the most pronounced responses were obtained when the neurons of SII segments were stimulated. On the whole, the responses of rectum to stimulation were greater than responses of the proximal part of the colon. Our results suggest that the SPN neurons located within SII segments play the most important role in reflex control of colon motility.

[Parasympathetic innervation of proximal parts of the colon in cat].

The localization and morphometric features of efferent parasympathetic neurons of the vagus dorsal motor nucleus and of the spinal sacral parasympathetic nucleus innervating the area of ileocaecal sphincter, ascending and transverse colon, were investigated. In urethane anaesthetized cats, the solution of horseradish peroxidase was injected under the serosa of the indicated areas of colon. In 48 hours animals were transcardially perfused with a fixative solution. Sections of the medulla oblongata and the sacral spinal cord were stained using Mezulam's technique (1978). It was shown that all the areas of the colon studied received parasympathetic innervation from the neurons of the ventrolateral part of the vagus dorsal motor nucleus, which were uniform according to their morphometric characteristics. The number of neurons in this group, sending their axons to the ileocaecal area, was greater than the number of neurons, innervating ascending colon. Second group of neurons, that was represented by smaller cells, was located in the same part of the nucleus and innervated transverse colon. Transverse colon had an additional parasympathetic supply from the neurons of the spinal sacral parasympathetic nucleus.

[Structural organization of neurons of spinal ganglia innervating the colon].

The localization and morphological features of viscerosensory neurons of sacral spinal ganglia (SSG), innervating the colon, were investigated. In urethane anaesthetized cats, the solution of horseradish peroxidase was injected under the serosa of ascending and descending parts of the colon as well as of the rectum. After 48 hours animals were repeatedly anesthetized and transcardially perfused. Sections of SSG were stained according to Mezulam protocol (1978). All the regions of the colon studied were shown to receive afferent innervation from neurons of SSG SI, SII and SIII. Maximum number of the labeled cells was detected in SSG SII. The intensity of afferent innervation of the colon by the neurons of SSG was found to increase along its length in cranio-caudal direction.