Histology, ultrastructure, and seasonal variations in the bulbourethral gland of the African straw-colored fruit bat Eidolon helvum.

We studied the morphological characteristics and seasonal changes of the bulbourethral gland of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Forty-eight bulbourethral glands were examined using gross anatomical, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural techniques during the early rainy, late rainy, and peak dry seasons. The pear-shaped bilateral bulbourethral glands were located extra-abdominally in the inguinal region. Trabeculae from the capsule divided the parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubuloalveolar glandular acini. The mucosa was covered by a simple columnar epithelium consisting up of principal secretory cells, columnar dense cells and basal cells, which were progressively pronounced during the dry season. The principal cells contained eosinophilic granules, which were PAS positive while the dense cells did not show affinity for the stains. The mean gross weights, acini diameters, and epithelial heights were greater during the rainy season than the dry season. Ultrastructural evaluation showed that the cytoplasm of the principal cells contained well-developed Golgi complexes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and secretory vesicles of varying electron densities and sizes. The secretory vesicles were numerous during the early rainy season, decreased during the late rainy season and were scanty during the peak dry season. The simple columnar epithelium observed during the rainy season was replaced by an undefined stratified epithelium during the dry season, and this was associated with cellular degenerations and regenerations. In conclusion, E. helvum has a typical mammalian bulbourethral gland, with a unique cell type, the dense cell whose functions are not well-understood. The gland exhibits cyclical seasonal variation in structure and secretory activity; being active during the early rainy season (breeding season), and showing the lowest activity during the dry season (non-breeding season). Glandular epithelial cell renewal occurs during the dry season in preparation for the next breeding season.

Análise histoquímica das glândulas anexas do aparelho reprodutor do macho de paca (Cuniculus paca) / Histochemical analysis of the accessory glands of male paca (Cuniculus paca)

Paca is a wild rodent typical of the tropical region. In order to study this species with focus on the proper management and preservation, this study aims to characterize the histochemistry of the accessory glands of the reproductive tract of the male paca. For this purpose, histological sections were stained with Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue (AB), PAS + AB e PAS + Amilase. In the histochemical reaction of the bulbouretral gland was found that the epithelium produces secretion rich in neutral and acid glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, and in some regions produces more than one type of secretion. The epithelium did not contain any glycogen. In the vesicular gland the epithelium had bush border stained by neutral glycoproteins, but no acid glycoproteins, glycogen or glycosaminoglycan. The coagulating gland showed small amount of neutral glycoproteins in the brush border of the epithelium, without glycogen. It is concludes that the accessory glands of paca have histochemical characteristics that share some similarity with other species of the Order Rodentia, with some glands with neutral and acid glycoproteins, mainly in the epithelium of the bulbouretral gland and in the brush border of the other glands.

A paca (Cuniculus paca) é um roedor típico de regiões tropicais. Com a finalidade de estudar esta espécie selvagem para manejo adequado e sua preservação, objetivou-se neste trabalho caracterizar a histoquímica das glândulas anexas do trato reprodutor do macho da paca. Para este fim, cortes histológicos dessas glândulas foram submetidas às reações histoquímicas com Ácido Periódico de Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue (AB), PAS. + AB. e PAS + Amilase. Na glândula bulbouretral foi constatado que o epitélio produz secreção rica em glicoproteínas neutras e ácidas, glicosaminoglicanas, e em algumas regiões produz mais de um tipo de secreção. Não foi observada a presença de glicogênio no epitélio. Na glândula vesicular, seu epitélio em borda em escova corou-se por glicoproteínas neutras e também por substância de composição desconhecida, não contendo glicoproteínas ácidas, glicogênio ou glicosaminoglicanas. Verificou-se presença de pequena quantidade de glicoproteínas ácidas e neutras na próstata, em especial na mucosa, além de glicoproteínas ácidas carboxiladas e sulfatadas em pequena quantidade no tecido conjuntivo da lâmina própria dessa glândula. Por fim, a glândula coaguladora apresentou pequena quantidade de glicoproteínas neutras na borda em escova de seu epitélio e substância de composição desconhecida, sendo ausente o glicogênio. Conclui-se que as glândulas anexas do trato reprodutor da paca apresentam características histoquímicas que compartilham certa similaridade com outras espécies da ordem Rodentia, com a presença de glicoproteínas neutras e ácidas em algumas glândulas, principalmente no epitélio da glândula bulbouretal e na borda em escova do epitélio das demais glândulas.

Análise histoquímica das glândulas anexas do aparelho reprodutor do macho de paca (Cuniculus paca) / Histochemical analysis of the accessory glands of male paca (Cuniculus paca)

A paca (Cuniculus paca) é um roedor típico de regiões tropicais. Com a finalidade de estudar esta espécie selvagem para manejo adequado e sua preservação, objetivou-se neste trabalho caracterizar a histoquímica das glândulas anexas do trato reprodutor do macho da paca. Para este fim, cortes histológicos dessas glândulas foram submetidas às reações histoquímicas com Ácido Periódico de Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue (AB), PAS. + AB. e PAS + Amilase. Na glândula bulbouretral foi constatado que o epitélio produz secreção rica em glicoproteínas neutras e ácidas, glicosaminoglicanas, e em algumas regiões produz mais de um tipo de secreção. Não foi observada a presença de glicogênio no epitélio. Na glândula vesicular, seu epitélio em borda em escova corou-se por glicoproteínas neutras e também por substância de composição desconhecida, não contendo glicoproteínas ácidas, glicogênio ou glicosaminoglicanas. Verificou-se presença de pequena quantidade de glicoproteínas ácidas e neutras na próstata, em especial na mucosa, além de glicoproteínas ácidas carboxiladas e sulfatadas em pequena quantidade no tecido conjuntivo da lâmina própria dessa glândula. Por fim, a glândula coaguladora apresentou pequena quantidade de glicoproteínas neutras na borda em escova de seu epitélio e substância de composição desconhecida, sendo ausente o glicogênio. Conclui-se que as glândulas anexas do trato reprodutor da paca apresentam características histoquímicas que compartilham certa similaridade com outras espécies da ordem Rodentia, com a presença de glicoproteínas neutras e ácidas em algumas glândulas, principalmente no epitélio da glândula bulbouretal e na borda em escova do epitélio das demais glândulas.(AU)

Paca is a wild rodent typical of the tropical region. In order to study this species with focus on the proper management and preservation, this study aims to characterize the histochemistry of the accessory glands of the reproductive tract of the male paca. For this purpose, histological sections were stained with Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian Blue (AB), PAS + AB e PAS + Amilase. In the histochemical reaction of the bulbouretral gland was found that the epithelium produces secretion rich in neutral and acid glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, and in some regions produces more than one type of secretion. The epithelium did not contain any glycogen. In the vesicular gland the epithelium had bush border stained by neutral glycoproteins, but no acid glycoproteins, glycogen or glycosaminoglycan. The coagulating gland showed small amount of neutral glycoproteins in the brush border of the epithelium, without glycogen. It is concludes that the accessory glands of paca have histochemical characteristics that share some similarity with other species of the Order Rodentia, with some glands with neutral and acid glycoproteins, mainly in the epithelium of the bulbouretral gland and in the brush border of the other glands.(AU)

Morfologia e histoquímica das glândulas sexuais acessórias de Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia / Morphology and histochemistry of accessory sex glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus, Didelphidae-Marsupialia

São descritas a morfologia e a distribuição de glicogênio e mucossubstâncias na próstata e nas glândulas bulbouretrais de Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), única espécie do gênero. A próstata é envolvida pelas túnicas adventícia e muscular, e o estroma é formado pelo conjuntivo da mucosa uretral. O parênquima é constituído pelos túbulos secretores, disseminados na mucosa uretral, e que diferem histológica e histoquimicamente nos segmentos cranial, médio e caudal. Essas diferenças morfo-histoquímicas também são observadas nas partes externa, média e interna de cada túbulo. De um modo geral, os três segmentos prostáticos secretam mucossubstâncias neutras, porém o segmento caudal produz também glicogênio. Os três pares de glândulas bulbouretrais (laterais, intermédias e mediais) do Metachirus são envolvidas por uma cápsula conjuntiva e músculo estriado esquelético. O maior par é a bulbouretral lateral que é constituída por longos túbulos secretores de mucossubstâncias neutras. As bulbouretrais intermédias são formadas por túbulos ramificados, que produzem mucossubstâncias neutras, ácidas carboxiladas e ácidas sulfatadas. Os túbulo-ácinos ramificados das bulbouretrais mediais secretam mucossubstâncias neutras. O Metachirus não possui glândulas ampulares, vesículas seminais nem glândulas de coagulação.(AU)

This paper describes the morphology and distribution of glycogen and mucous substances in the prostate and the bulbourethral glands of Metachirus nudicaudatus (Geoffroy, 1803), the only species of the genus. The prostate is surrounded by the tunica adventitia, and muscle and stroma is formed by connective urethral mucosa. The glandular parenchyma consists of secretory tubules, scattered throughout the connective tissue of the urethral mucosa which differs histologically and histochemically in cranial, middle, and caudal segments of the prostate. These morpho-histochemical differences are also observed in the outer, middle and inner parts of the tubular epithelium of each prostatic segment. In general, prostatic segments secrete neutral mucous substances, and the caudal segment also produces glycogen. The three pairs of bulbourethral glands (lateral, intermediate and medial) are surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and skeletal striated muscle. The glandular parenchyma is formed by tubules or branched tubuloacinar, covered by simple epithelium which is characteristic for each pair of glands. The lateral bulbourethral glands and the medial bulbourethral glands produce neutral mucous substances and the secretion of the intermediate bulbourethral glands consists of neutral mucous substances, carboxylated acids, and sulfated acids. The M. nudicaudatus does not have ampullary glands, seminal vesicles or coagulating glands.(AU)

Llama oviductal sperm reservoirs: involvement of bulbourethral glands.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of llama seminal plasma in the formation of oviductal sperm reservoirs. Female llamas with follicles in the mature phase were mated with a bulbourethral glands-removed male. Females mated with nonbulbourethral glands-removed males were used as control. Oviducts were obtained by surgery 24 h after mating. The uterotubal junction and isthmus were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and mucopolysaccharides were identified by Alcian blue staining. To know the proteins probably involved in sperm reservoir formation, SDS-PAGE of seminal plasma (8% and 18% resolving gel) was made. Spermatozoa only adhered to the oviductal mucosa surface of uterotubal junction of females mated with nonbulbourethral glands-removed males confirming that seminal plasma and, in particular, bulbourethral secretions are related with the oviductal sperm reservoir formation. Histological sections showed sperm in the lumen, immersed in substance, positive for acid mucopolysaccharides. Alcian blue staining of seminal plasma proteins SDS-PAGE showed a band of high molecular weight containing mucopolysaccharides, only present in nonbulbourethral glands-removed males. Bulbourethral glands would secrete at least eight different proteins that most likely participate in the process of sperm storage in the oviduct.

Morphology and biometric of the vesicular and bulbourethralglands in castrated and non-castratedSanta Inesbreed sheep

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to determine the topography, biometry and light microscopyimage of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in order to analyze morphologic features of the accessorysexual glands in castrated and non-castrated animals.Materials and Methods:The morphology of theaccessory sexual glands was investigated in 14 adult Santa Inesbreed sheep, weighing 32 kg, on average.Six of them were castrated, and eight, non-castrated. For macroscopic study, the description of these twoglands was carried out, as well as dissection and biometry study. Moreover, weight, length, height andwidth measurements were evaluated. For histological analysis, the vesicular and bulbourethral glands weresampled.Results:The topography of the reproductive glands was similar to bovine species. However, lowermacroscopic measurements (p < 0,05) in the glands of the castrated sheep were evidenced when comparedwith the non-castrated ones. Characteristics such as shape of the glands, composition of the layer mucosa,the lamina propria, muscular, the excretory ducts and the adventitia were determined.Conclusion:Sheepcastration promoted changes in the biometric measures of the glands, which were lower in castrated animals.The morphological and biometric characteristics of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in sheep weredetermined.

Age Related Structural Changes in the Bulbourethral Gland of Gaddi Goat (Capra hircus) / Cambios Estructurales Relacionados con la Edad en la Glándula Bulbouretral de la Cabra Gaddi (Capra hircus)

A study was conducted on the bulbourethral glands of 30 Gaddi goats, divided into three groups of 10 animals in each viz; Prepubertal (1 day old to < 18 months of age), Pubertal (18 months to < 5yrs of age) and Postpubertal (>5yrs of age). The study revealed that the glands grew at a faster speed up-to 6 months of postnatal life after which the pace slowed down considerably. Almost 10 times increase in weight and more than three times increase in all the linear mensurations were observed in prepubertal group from the time of birth. The stroma vs parenchyma ratio which was 80:20 in one-day-old kids showed three times increase in parenchyma in prepubertal animals, and the ratio became 43:57. In one day old kids luminated and non-luminated secretory end pieces were arranged in small groups around widely luminated duct; the forerunner of the central cistern. Initially the gland contained serous as well mucous end pieces; the latter being more preponderant. But in pubertal animals it became a mucous type gland, with only a little numbers of serous end pieces. Histochemically, the glandular acini were reactive to PAS and Alcian blue indicated the presence of glycol-muco-complex in the secretory components of gland.

Se realizó un estudio sobre las glándulas bulbouretrales de 30 cabras Gaddi, divididas en tres grupos de 10 animales cada uno; prepúberes (desde 1 día de edad hasta <18 meses), púberes (desde 18 meses hasta <5 años de edad) y postpuberales (>5 años de edad). El estudio reveló que las glándulas crecen a una mayor velocidad hasta los 6 meses de vida postnatal, después de lo cual el ritmo baja considerablemente. En el grupo prepuberal se observó un aumento casi 10 veces en peso y más de tres veces en todas las mediciones lineales. La relación estroma v/s parénquima fue de 80:20 el primer día postnacimiento, mostrando un aumento de tres veces en el parénquima en los animales prepúberes, llegando a una proporción 43:57. En una de las cabras de un día de edad las piezas terminales secretoras luminal y no-luminal se organizaron en pequeños grupos alrededor del conducto luminal; el precursor de la cisterna central. Inicialmente la glándula contenía piezas terminales serosas y mucosas. Esta última tenía una mayor preponderancia. Sin embargo, en animales puberales se convirtió en una glándula de tipo mucosa, con sólo un pequeño número de piezas terminales serosas. Histoquímicamente, los acinos glandulares reactivos al PAS y azul Alcian indicaron la presencia de glicol-muco-complejos en los componentes de secreción de la glándula.

Anatomical, histological and immunohistochemical study of the reproductive system accessory glands in male viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus).

The anatomy, histology and androgen receptor immunohistochemistry of the prostate (P), seminal vesicles (SV), bulbourethral and coagulant gland (CG) were studied in male viscacha, a seasonally reproductive wild rodent. Two histologically well-defined zones, peripheral and central, were identified in the prostate, according to their relationship with the urethra. The epithelial cells were periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive in the central zone and alcian blue negative in the two zones. The SV are a paired gland, tubular, of tortuous aspect and formed by radial layers. The bulbourethral glands were paired, formed by tubuloalveolar acini and surrounded by a thick layer of skeletal muscle. The CG was multilobulated. The large adenomers showed PAS-positive epithelium and were negative to alcian blue. Androgen receptors in the P, SV and coagulating gland showed variations in their distribution with immunohistochemistry heterogeneous pattern. Finally, the reproductive system accessory glands of male viscacha may be considered as a novel and interesting model for the study of seasonal reproduction in photoperiod-dependent animals.

Association between SNPs within candidate genes and compounds related to boar taint and reproduction.

BACKGROUND: Boar taint is an unpleasant odour and flavour of the meat from some uncastrated male pigs primarily caused by elevated levels of androstenone and skatole in adipose tissue. Androstenone is produced in the same biochemical pathway as testosterone and estrogens, which represents a particular challenge when selecting against high levels of androstenone in the breeding programme, without simultaneously decreasing levels of other steroids. Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with compounds affecting boar taint is important both for gaining a better understanding of the complex regulation of the trait and for the purpose of identifying markers that can be used to improve the gain of breeding. The beneficial SNPs to be used in breeding would have the combinational effects of reducing levels of boar taint without affecting fertility of the animals. The aim of this study was to detect SNPs in boar taint candidate genes and to perform association studies for both single SNPs and haplotypes with levels of boar taint compounds and phenotypes related to reproduction. RESULTS: An association study involving 275 SNPs in 121 genes and compounds related to boar taint and reproduction were carried out in Duroc and Norwegian Landrace boars. Phenotypes investigated were levels of androstenone, skatole and indole in adipose tissue, levels of androstenone, testosterone, estrone sulphate and 17beta-estradiol in plasma, and length of bulbo urethralis gland. The SNPs were genotyped in more than 2800 individuals and several SNPs were found to be significantly (LRT > 5.4) associated with the different phenotypes. Genes with significant SNPs in either of the traits investigated include cytochrome P450 members CYP2E1, CYP21, CYP2D6 and CYP2C49, steroid 5alpha-reductase SRD5A2, nuclear receptor NGFIB, catenin CTNND1, BRCA1 associated protein BAP1 and hyaluronoglucosaminidase HYAL2. Haplotype analysis provided additional evidence for an effect of CYP2E1 on levels of skatole and indole, and for BAP1, HYAL2 and SRD5A2 on levels of androstenone. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study indicate that polymorphisms in CYP2E1, CYP21, CYP2D6, CYP2C49, NGFIB and CTNND1 might be used to reduce levels of boar taint without affecting levels of testosterone, estrone sulphate, 17beta-estradiol or length of bulbo urethralis gland.

Structural and ultrastructural features of boar bulbourethral glands.

The morphological features of boar bulbourethral glands were examined by light and transmission microscopy. Bulbourethral glands are compound tubuloalveolar glands surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and arranged in multiple lobules formed by endpieces and excretory ducts. Endpieces and excretory ducts are both lined by a single epithelium of mucous cells with a basal nucleus. Epithelial cells accumulate secretory granules containing neutral and carboxylated acid mucosubstances and a small amount of sulphated acid mucosubstances. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells varies according to the secretory cycle. In initial stages, the cells show a columnar shape and secretory granules unevenly distributed in the cytoplasm. As the synthesis of mucosubstances progresses, the amount of the secretory granules increases and the cellular shape becomes pyramidal. Secretory granules can contain inclusions and present differences among them according to their different phases of formation. In pyramidal cells, secretory products are released into the lumen by a merocrine mechanism.

A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland.

Cowper's glands are pea sized glands present inferior to the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. They produce thick clear mucus prior to ejaculation that drains into the spongy urethra. Though it is well established that the function of the Cowper's gland secretions is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, knowledge regarding the various lesions and associated complications of this gland is scarce. This review provides a comprehensive report on the development, function and various lesions associated with Cowper's gland.

Potential estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects of permethrin in rats.

Many environmental chemicals including pesticides have been reported to possess hormonal activities, and thus are classified as endocrine disruptors. Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is used worldwide, which provides potential environmental exposure. However, relatively few studies have reported on hormonal activities, particularly estrogenic and androgenic activities of permethrin, and the results of these studies are in some respects contradictory. Therefore, this study investigated the potential estrogenic and androgenic activities of permethrin in vitro and in vivo. We conducted an uterine Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay and an uterotrophic assay for estrogenic activity, and a Hershberger assay for androgenic activity. The CaBP-9k gene, one of the intracellular calcium binding proteins, is estrogen-responsive in the uterus. The rat uterotrophic and Hershberger assays are generally used as in vivo short-term screening assays for detecting the estrogenic and androgenic activities of chemicals, although these assays are still being validated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Northern blot analysis showed the induction of uterine CaBP-9k mRNA level in response to permethrin as well as co-administration of permethrin with E2. In the uterotrophic assay using 18-day-old female rats, subcutaneous treatments with permethrin (10 to 800 mg/kg) for three days increased relative uterine wet weights, and E2-induced uterine weights. These effects were statistically significant at 800 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, permethrin-induced uterine weights were inhibited by the co-administration of ICI 182,780, an antiestrogen. In the Hershberger assay, the administration of permethrin orally to testosterone propionate-treated castrated male rats led to statistically significant reductions in androgen-dependent sex accessory tissue (ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, levator ani and bulbocavernosus muscles, Cowper's gland and glans penis) weights at all doses tested (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg). These results suggest that permethrin might have estrogen-like effects on female rats, but antiandrogen-like effects on males.

Estudio morfológico de la glándula bulbouretral de conejo oryctolagus cuniculus / Morphologic study of the bulbourethral gland of the oryctolagus cuniculus rabbit

El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la morfología de la glándula bulbouretral de conejo (Oryctolagus cuniculus), para, posteriormente, efectuar el estudio morfofuncional. Se utilizaron 5 conejos (oryctolagus cuniculus), obtenidos del bioterio de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera, Chile, durante el período de máxima reproducción. Con la ayuda de una lupa ransor se disecó la región pélvica, retirándose en bloque los componentes anatómicos del aparato genital. Fueron disecadas las estructuras anatómicas cuyos conductos terminaban el la uretra y se aisló la glándula bulbouretral. Las muestras fueron fijadas en Bouin y procesadas para su inclusión en paraplast. Se realizaron cortes seriados de 5 µm de espesor, los cuales fueron teñidas para las observaciones histológicas e histoquímica. El estudio morfológico y las fotografías se realizaron utilizando un microscopio Carl Zeiss, Axiolab, con cámara MC 80 DX. Los resultados mostraron que la glándula bulbouretral del conejo es única, que está rodeada por el músculo bulboglandular y una cápsula fibrosa. De forma cuboidea, alargada en sentido anteroposterior, con ductos cortos que se abren en la pared posterior de la uretra. La glándula se encuentra relacionada con la próstata y parapróstata y está muy vascularizada. Es de tipo alveolar, cubierta de tejidos muscular estriado y conectivo, formado principalmente por fibras colágenas y elásticas, las cuales penetran en su interior dividiéndola en dos lóbulos y subdividiendo cada uno de ellos en lobulillos menores. El estudio histoquímico reveló la presencia de gránulos de glucógeno, mucosustancias neutras y ácidas, sulfatadas y no sulfatadas. La diferencia morfológica observada en la población celular, de la glándula bulbouretral del conejo, se debe, posiblemente, al estado secretorio en que se encuentra

Variaciones morfológicas estacionales de las glándulas bulbouretrales de la chinchilla laniger, Grey en cautiverio / Seasonal morphological variations of bulbourethral, glands of chinchilla laniger, Grey in captivity

Se describió la morfología de las glándulas bulbouretrales de la Chinchilla laniger (GREY) en cautiverio. El estudio fue realizado en animales adultos (2 a 3 años de edad), a través de un año, con el objeto de detectar posibles variaciones estacionales. Se cuantificaron las siguientes variables en este roedor nativo de Sudamérica : peso corporal y glandular, índice órgano-somático (IOS), grosor de la pared, diámetro de la mucosa glandular y altura del epitelio. Los valores máximos se encontraron entre mayo y julio y los mínimos , entre noviembre y febrero los cuales presentaron diferencias estacionales significativas (p< 0,05), con excepción del peso corporal, que no mostró variaciones durante el año (p> 0,05). Además, se hizo el análisis histoquímico para la detección de algunos carbohidratos con las técnica de PAS, diastasa-PAS, Azul de Alcian pH1 y pH 2,5, lo que demostró la presencia de glicoproteínas neutras con reacción PAS intensa (+++) entre octubre y abril y leve a moderada (+ / ++) entre mayo y septiembre y ausencia de glicógeno. Las glicoproteínas sulfatadas y ácidas no mostraron cambios durante el periodo estudiado y la intensidad de reacción fue de leve a moderada (+ / ++). Se podría concluir, que las glándulas bulbouretrales de la Chinchilla laniger en cautiverio, presentan la mayor actividad secretora durante el período otoño-invierno (estaciones caracterizadas por periodos cortos de luz). Los resultados obtenidos entre mayo y julio son coinsidentes con la máxima actividad reproductiva descrita para la especie

[Cowper's gland: anatomic, physiological and pathological aspects]. / Glandes de Cowper: aspects anatomique, physiologique et pathologique.

Cowper's glands are small appendages of the male genital tract, that are sometimes observed on intravenous urography voiding films. They are involved in the immune defence of the genitourinary tract, play a role in fertility, and secrete many glycoproteins, including PSA. They can be visualized in the form of a duct image parallel to the urethra, sometimes associated with opacification of the gland on IVU. This image can be differentiated from a fistula, extravasation of contrast agent, urethral duplication, or an artefactual image, by the course parallel to the urethra, the upper limit not exceeding the urogenital diaphragm, and the position of the orifice. These glands can be affected by neoplastic, infectious, stone and especially cystic disease: syringocele. The physician should think of these glands in patients with unusual genitourinary symptoms in order not to miss disease of these organs, and to prescribe appropriate treatment.

Effect of castration on serum concentrations of gonadal hormones, insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins in male pigs.

Ten male pigs (Large White x Landrace), 7 months old, were randomly allocated to two experimental groups. Five of them were castrated and the other five served as controls. Sera were collected on the day of castration and 1, 5, 6 and 7 weeks after castration for hormone assay. There was a significant rise in the splenic and pancreatic weights in the castrates (P < 0.01). The weights of prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the castrates, which is attributed to a fall in testosterone levels (P < 0.001). The fall in oestradiol concentrations (P < 0.001) in castrates confirms that the testis is the major source of oestrogens in males. Although there was no significant change in the body weight, serum IGF-I levels were elevated in the castrates as compared to the controls after 5, 6 and 7 weeks (P < 0.001). IGFBP bands of 43 and 39 kda predominate in both control and experimental groups indicating that castration had no effect on the IGFBP pattern. It is suggested that the increase in IGF-I levels may be due to uncoupling of GH/IGF-I axis induced by the decrease in steroid concentrations due to castration.

Histochemical study of the human bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands.

Human bulbourethral glands were reacted histochemically and immunohistochemically to identify glycoproteins, some androgen metabolic enzymes, and VIP-like immunoreactivity. Neutral/acid mucosubstances were detected in the cytoplasm of the tubuloalveolar and ductal cells. 3 beta-, 17 beta-, and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, G6PD, and 6PGD reactivity were intense in all the glandular epithelium. Small amounts of VIP-positive fibres were observed around the secretory elements.

Variaçäo sazonal da atividade secretória das glândulas genitais acessórias masculinas de tatus Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 / Seasonal variation of the secretory activity of male genital accessory glands of armadillos Dasypus novemcintus Linnaeus, 1758

Estudaram-se a morfologia, a histoquímica e a atividade secretória das glândulas genitais acessórias masculinas de 52 tatus Dasypus novemcinctus, capturados durante o período de um ano no estado de Minas Gerais, Sudeste do Brasil. Variaçäo sazonal mais acentuada foi apresentada pelas vesículas seminais, cujos tamanho, peso, acúmulo de secreçäo e concentraçöes de frutose e ácido cítrico aumentaram consideravelmente durante a estaçäo chuvosa(outubro-janeiro) e diminuíram na estaçäo seca (junho-agosto). Variaçäo menos pronunciada foi observada no peso e no acúmulo de secreçäo da próstata. Já as glândulas bulbo-uretrais näo apresentaram indícios de alteraçäo em sua atividade secretória ao longo do ano

Histology, glycogen and mucosubstances histochemistry of the bulbo-urethral glands of the Philander opossum (Linnaeus, 1758).

The histology and histochemistry of glycogen and mucosubstances were studied in the 3 pairs of bulbo-urethral glands (Cowper's glands) of the Philander opossum. The glands are covered externally by connective tissue and below it by striated muscle. The stroma is scant in elastic fibers whereas the reticular ones form a delicate network around the adenomeres. The lateral and intermediate bulbo-urethral glands are formed by long and ramified tubuloalveoli presenting thin wall when filled with homogeneous secretion. The glandular ductus are lined with columnar epithelium and present a sinus at the final portion. The medial bulbo-urethral glands are the smallest and they are formed by long and ramified tubuli. The secretory epithelium shows acidophilic and clear cells. The acidophilic secretion in the lumen is globous or irregular. Neutral mucosubstances were demonstrated in all bulbo-urethral glands, whereas glycogen was found in the intermediate and the medial glands. With reference to acidic mucosubstances, the intermediate glands secrete sulfomucin while the medial glands elaborate sialomucin.

Contribuiçäo ao estudo morfológico das glândulas anexas do trato reprodutor masculino em cobaia (Cavia porcellus, L.): estruturas das glândulas coaguladoras de semên e bulboretrais / Morphological study of the male acessory sex glands in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus, L.): structures of semen coagulating glands and bulbourethral

As características morfológicas das glândulas coaguladoras de sêmen e bulbouretrais säo reexaminadas, na cobaia, ao nível do microscópio óptico. As glândulas coaguladoras säo formadas por três túnicas distintas e superpostas: a mucosa, revestida por epitélio cilíndrico simples, alto, e ativamente secretor; a muscular lisa com dois estratos distintos, circular interno e longitudinal externo; e delgada adventícia fibrosa. O epitélio repousa sobre delgada membrana basal e uma delicada lâmina própria, de tecido conjuntivo frouxo, separa a mucosa da muscular, subjacente. Estas glândulas foram consideradas como parte do complexo prostático, mas de acordo com nossas observaçöes, em verdade, elas estabelecem estreita sintopia com a parte distal das vesículas seminais, em cuja estrutura se incluem. Elas também fazem relaçäo com o lobo dorsal da próstata. As glândulas bulbouretrais têm composiçäo acinar alveolar e descarregam sua secreçäo, através de ductos múltiplos, na uretra membranosa. A secreçäo das bulbouretrais se mistura à das outras glândulas anexas na uretra membranosa. A coagulaçäo do líquido seminal parece ser o principal papel da secreçäo combinada de ambas as glândulas