Diabetes mellitus-related morphoquantitative changes in the celiac ganglion neurons of the dog.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disturbance of domestic carnivores and can cause autonomic neurological disorders, although these are still poorly understood in veterinary medicine. There is little information available on the quantitative adaptation mechanisms of the sympathetic ganglia during diabetes mellitus in domestic mammals. By combining morphometric methods and NADPH-diaphorase staining (as a possible marker for nitric oxide producing neurons), type I diabetes mellitus-related morphoquantitative changes were investigated in the celiac ganglion neurons in dogs. Twelve left celiac ganglia from adult female German shepherd dogs were examined: six ganglia were from non-diabetic and six from diabetic subjects. Consistent hypertrophy of the ganglia was noted in diabetic animals with increase of 55% in length, 53% in width, and 61.5% in thickness. The ordinary microstructure of the ganglia was modified leading to an uneven distribution of the ganglionic units and a more evident distribution of axon fascicles. In contrast to non-diabetic dogs, there was a lack of NADPH-diaphorase perikarial labelling in the celiac ganglion neurons of diabetic animals. The morphometric study showed that both the neuronal and nuclear sizes were significantly larger in diabetic dogs (1.3 and 1.39 times, respectively). The profile density and area fraction of NADPH-diaphorase-reactive celiac ganglion neurons were significantly larger (1.35 and 1.48 times, respectively) in non-diabetic dogs compared to NADPH-diaphorase-non-reactive celiac ganglion neurons in diabetic dogs. Although this study suggests that diabetic neuropathy is associated with neuronal hypertrophy, controversy remains over the possibility of ongoing neuronal loss and the functional interrelationship between them. It is unclear whether neuronal hypertrophy could be a compensation mechanism for a putative neuronal loss during the diabetes mellitus.

Muscular dystrophy-related quantitative and chemical changes in adenohypophysis GH-cells in golden retrievers.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive X-linked lethal condition which affects a boy in every 3300 births. It is caused by the absence of dystrophin, a protein occurring especially within the musculoskeletal system and in neurons in specific regions of the central nervous system (CNS). Growth hormone (GH) inhibition is believed to decrease the severity of DMD and could perhaps be used in its treatment. However, the underlying pathological mechanism is not known. The golden retriever muscular dystrophy dog (GRMD) represents an animal model in the study of DMD. In this paper we investigated the morphological aspects of the adenohypophysis as well as the total number and size of GH-granulated cells using design-based stereological methods in a limited number of dystrophic and healthy golden retrievers. GH-cells were larger (32.4%) in dystrophic dogs than in healthy animals (p=0.01) and they occupied a larger portion (62.5%) of the adenohypophysis volume (p=0.01) without changes in either adenohypophysis volume (p=0.893) or total number of GH-granulated cells (p=0.869). With regard to ultrastructure, granulated cells possessed double-layer electron-dense granules which were evenly distributed in the cytosol. Furthermore, these granules in dystrophic animals occupied a larger proportion of GH-granulated cell volume (66.9%; p=0.008) as well as of all GH-cells in the whole pars distalis of adenohypophysis (77.3%; p=0.035), albeit IGF-1 serum concentration was lower in severe cases. This suggests difficulties in the GH secretion that might possibly be associated to dystrophin absence. In contrast to earlier reports, our data suggest that a lower IGF-1 concentration may be more related to a severe, as opposed to a benign, clinical form of muscular dystrophy.

Sex-related macrostructural organization of the deer's brachial plexus.

We describe the morphological organization of the deer brachial plexus in order to supply data to veterinary neuroclinics and anaesthesiology. The deer (Mazama gouazoubira) brachial plexus is composed of four roots: three cervical (C6, C7 and C8) and one thoracic (T1). Within each sex group, no variations are observed between the left and the right brachial plexus, though sex-related differences are seen especially in its origin. The origin of axillary and radial nerves was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 in males and C8-T1 (radial nerve) and C7, C8 and T1 (axillary nerve) in females; musculocutaneous nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C8-T1 (females); median and ulnar nerves was: C8-T1 (males) and T1 (females); long thoracic nerve was: C7 (males) and T1 (females); lateral thoracic nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and T1 (females); thoracodorsal nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and C8-T1 (females); suprascapular nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C6 (females) and subscapular nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C7 (females). This study suggests that in male deer the origin of the brachial plexus is more cranial than in females and the origin of the brachial plexus is slightly more complex in males, i.e. there is an additional number of roots (from one to three). This sexual dimorphism may be related to specific biomechanical functions of the thoracic limb and electrophysiological studies may be needed to shed light on this morphological feature.

New alternative methods to teach surgical techniques for veterinary medicine students despite the absence of living animals. Is that an academic paradox?

Due to a raised ethical mentality, veterinary schools are pursuing methods to preserve animal corpses used for surgical technique classes in an attempt to reduce the use of living animals for teaching. Generally speaking, animal and human bodies are usually preserved with 10% aqueous formalin solution especially for descriptive anatomy classes. Other possibilities include the use of glycerol, alcohol and phenol. At present, new fixatives have been developed to allow a better and longer preservation of animal corpses in order to maintain organoleptic characteristics, i.e. colour, texture, as close as possible to what students will deal with living animals. From 2004, in our college, surgical technique classes no longer use living animals for students' training. Instead, canine corpses chemically preserved with modified Larssen (MLS) and Laskowski (LS) solutions are preferred. The purpose of this study was to investigate comparatively the biological quality of preservation of these two solutions and to evaluate students' learning and acceptance of this new teaching method. Although these fixatives maintain body flexibility, LS solution failed to keep an ordinary tissue colouration (cadavers were intensely red) and tissue preservation was not adequate. By contrast, MLS solution, however, did not alter the colouration of cadavers which was fairly similar to that normally found in living animals. A remarkable characteristic was a very strong and unpleasant sugary odour in LS-preserved animals and therefore the MLS solution was the elected method to preserve cadavers for surgical technique classes. The students' feedback to the use of Larssen-preserved cadavers was very satisfactory, i.e. 96.6% of students were in favour of the use of cadavers for surgical training and on average 91.8% (2002-2003) of students preferred the MLS solution as the chemical preserver, whereas only 8.2% elected LS solution for teaching purposes. From the students' point of view (95.1%) the ideal class would be an initial training in MLS cadavers followed by classes with animals admitted to the Veterinary Hospital.

Some segmental features on the structure of the aortic wall of the dog.

Structural features of segmental parts of the aorta of the dog were studied by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The variability in the wall architecture composition and vascular thickness of the ascending (T2-3 level), thoracic (T7-8 level) and abdominal (L6-7 infrarenal level) segments of the aorta was analysed. Morphological features such as presence of intimal folds, pattern of the medial myoconnective components with segmental variations in the number of elastic lamellae, whose relative number was higher in the thoracic aorta (ascending and descending parts), compared with the abdominal aorta, and a network of connective (stromal) elements formed by elastic and collagen lamellae and fibres in the adventitia were observed. The results were discussed on a histophysiological basis, because small but significant segmental differences had been characterized in the aortic wall structure of the dog.

Basilar artery of the capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris): an ultrastructural study.

The present study investigated the ultrastructural features of the basilar artery of the largest rodent species, the capybara. The study suggests that the general ultrastructural morphological organization of the basilar artery of the capybara is similar to that of small rodents. However, there are some exceptions. The basilar artery of the capybara contains a subpopulation of 'granular' vascular smooth muscle cells resembling monocytes and/or macrophages. The possibility cannot be excluded that the presence of these cells reflects the remodelling processes of the artery due to animal maturation and the regression of the internal carotid artery. To clarify this issue, more systemic studies are required involving capybaras of various ages.

Lymphatic drainage on healthy and neoplasic mammary glands in female dogs: can it really be altered?

The purpose of this research was to study the mammary lymphatic drainage under a macroscopic and mesoscopic view, comparing the vascular pattern of healthy and neoplasic mammary glands injected with drawing ink alcoholic and fluorescein solutions, in 46 mongrel female dogs. The results pointed out that the thoracic gland is drained by the axillary lymph centre, but in mammary neoplasia either superficial cervical or ventral thoracic lymph centres can be involved. Cranial and caudal abdominal glands may be drained by the axillary, inguinofemoral and popliteal lymph centres. However, the popliteal drainage is specific for the healthy caudal abdominal mammary gland. The inguinal gland can be drained by both inguinofemoral and popliteal lymph centres in both neoplasic and healthy conditions. Regarding the mammary lymphatic communications, this research demonstrated that neoplasic glands present more types of anastomosis (40.9%), than healthy glands (33.33%), and an increase in contralateral anastomosis (50%) compared with healthy ones (33%). Given the data, the mammary neoplasia can change the lymphatic drainage pattern in terms of lymph centres and vascular arborization, thus forming new drainage channels and recruiting a larger number of lymph nodes. Lastly, some comments were made about the severity of a specific neoplasic mammary gland and conditions to be considered before making a decision in terms of the most adequate operative procedure, and suggestions for further investigations.

Extrinsic cardiac nerve segments in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris- Linnaeus, 1758). Comparative study in young and adult dogs.

In this paper, important connections between the two main contingents of the autonomic nervous system, intrinsic and extrinsic visceral plexus were analysed. Concerning heart innervation, the territories of extrinsic innervation are very important in the treatment of congenital or acquired cardiopathy, thoracic neoplasia and aortic arch persistence, among others. This research compared young and adult extrinsic cardiac innervation and described the surgical anatomic nerve segments. Animals were perfused with a 10% formaldehyde solution in PBS (0.1 m) (pH 7.4) and submitted to macro- and meso-scopic dissection immersed in 60% acetic acid alcoholic solution and 20% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution. The nerve segments were assigned as: right vagus nerve segment, left vagus nerve segment, right middle cervical ganglion segment, left middle cervical ganglion segment, right caudal laryngeal nerve segment, left caudal laryngeal nerve segment, right phrenic nerve segment and left phrenic nerve segment.

Macro and microstructural organization of the dog's caudal mesenteric ganglion complex (Canis familiaris-Linnaeus, 1758).

The caudal mesenteric ganglion (CMG) is located ventral to the abdominal aorta involving the initial portion of the caudal mesenteric artery. Its macro and microstructural organization was studied in 40 domestic dogs. From the CMG, there were three nerves: the main hypogastric, the left hypogastric and the right hypogastric. The main hypogastric nerve emits two branches: the left colonic nerve and the cranial rectal nerve. Afterwards they give rise to branches to the descending colon (colonic nerves) and rectum (rectal nerves). The cranial rectal nerve, and left and right hypogastric nerves were directed to the pelvic ganglia. The microscopic study permitted the observation of the histological organization of the CMG, which is a ganglionic complex composed of an agglomeration of ganglionic units. Each ganglionic unit is composed of three major cell types: principal ganglion neurones (PGNs), glial cells and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, and they were separated by nerve fibres, septa of connective tissue (types 1 and 3 collagen fibres), fibroblasts and intraganglionic capillaries. Hence, the ganglionic unit is the morphological support for the microstructural organization of the CMG complex. Further, each ganglionic unit is constituted by a cellular triad (SIF cells, PGN and glial cells), which is the cytological basis for each ganglionic unit.

Gross anatomic organization of the capybara's (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) brachial plexus.

The innervation of the capybara thoracic limb was characterized. The following nerves were observed constituting the right and left brachial plexus: n. dorsalis scapulae (C4 and C5; C4, C5 and C6) which innervates the m. serratus ventralis cervicis and m. rhomboideus; n. suprascapularis (C4, C5 and C6; C5, C6 and C7) supplying the m. supraspinatus and the m. infraspinatus; cranial and caudal nn. subscapulares (C5 and C6; C5, C6 and C7) innervating the m. subscapularis; n. axillaris (C5 and C6; C6, C7 and C8) which supplies the m. triceps brachii (caput mediale); n. radialis (C6, C7, C8 and T1; C6, C7 and C8) which innervates the m. triceps brachii (caput longum and caput mediale) and the m. extensor carpi radialis, m. extensor digitorum communis, m. extensor digitorum lateralis; n. medianus joined to the n. musculocutaneus (C6, C7, C8 and T1; C6, C7 and C8) supplying the m. biceps brachii, m. flexor carpi radialis and m. coracobrachialis; n. ulnaris (C6, C7, C8 and T1; C6, C7 and C8) leading to the m. flexor carpi radialis, the m. flexor carpi ulnaris and the m. flexor digitorum superficialis; n. thoracodorsalis (C6, C7, C8 and T1; C6, C7 and C8) supplying the m. latissimus dorsi; n. thoracicus lateralis (C8, T1; C7, C8, T1) which innervates m. pectoralis profundus (caudal portion); n. thoracicus longus (C6, C7; C7, C8) which is distributed to the m. serratus ventralis thoracis. A communication between the n. radialis and n. ulnaris was observed at the left brachial plexus.

Structure and ultrastructure of the celiac-mesenteric ganglion complex in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

A number of neurons of the autonomic nervous system are situated in the ganglia and can be systematically divided into pre-vertebrals, paravertebrals, intramural and para-viscerals. The celiac-mesenteric ganglion, an important pre-vertebral ganglion, is located together with the abdominal aorta and links the central nervous system to the peripheral system, participating in the coordination of peripheral reflexes and principally innervating the stomach, intestines, accessory glands (liver and pancreas). In addition, the celiac-mesenteric ganglion also contributes to the innervation of the spleen and has a role in gastrointestinal motility control. This study examined the structural and ultrastructural aspects of 40 celiac-mesenteric ganglia from domestic dogs. For light microscopy ganglia were included in paraplast and stained with haematoxylin-eosin, picrosirius, toluidine blue, Calleja's and Masson's trichrome. For examination by electron microscopy, the ganglia were submitted to cryofracture, enzyme digestion, hydrolysis and fixed in 5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The celiac-mesenteric ganglion was observed as a ganglionic complex composed of various ganglionic units separated by types I and III collagen fibres, predominantly unmyelinated nerve fibres and continuous capillaries. This complex is surrounded by a double-layer capsule (internal and external). The principal ganglion cells had eccentric nuclei with two nucleoli, the nucleolemma was double and presented nuclear pores. In the cytoplasm there were vesicles of the Golgi apparatus, electron-dense vacuoles, mitochondrias, smooth and granulated endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes. In conclusion, this ganglionic complex, in contrast to similar structures in the enteric nervous system, presents separate ganglionic units in a systematic arrangement related to the extrinsic and specific innervation of the target organs.

Morphological aspects of the capybara stomach (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris): gross and microscopic structure.

The digestive system of the capybara has been investigated because of its coprofagia habits, important for their absorptive activity. These species present differences in terms of gastrointestinal morphological characters when compared with other rodents. Macroscopiclly, the stomach of the capybara is constituted of the following parts: cardiac, pyloric, body, fundic and gastric diverticulum. It presents two curvatures, one big and another small. Externally, the presence of gastric bands (tenias) is observed. With regards to the volumetric view, the gastric capacity varies from 850 to 2010 ml, with an average of 1498.57 ml. So, the stomach of this animal can be classified as a simple stomach, in the format of a curved sack and similar to an inverted letter 'J'. The gastric mucous membrane presents a surface filled by numerous tortuous gastric folds and longitudinally distributed along all its extension. The mucous tunic also possesses recesses located among the successive gastric folds, which were denoted as gastric parts with numerous openings described as gastric pits. In the cardiac part, a glandular epithelium with cardiac glands is noticed containing a lot of parietal and mucous neck cells. The fundic part, body and gastric diverticulum contain proper gastric glands with main, parietal and mucous neck cells. Finally, the pyloric part has pyloric glands with two cellular types, mucous neck and parietal cells.

Ramificaçäo e distribuiçäo do tronco pulmonar em relaçäo aos brônquios, em fetos de bovinos azebuados / Ramification and distribuition of the pulmonary trunk in relation to the bronchus in crossbred zebu cattle

Mediante esta pesquisa, estudamos a ramificaçäo e a distribuiçäo das artérias pulmonares em 20 fetos de bovinos azebuados (13 machos e 7 fêmeas), com idades variando entre 6 e 9 meses. As peças foram fixadas em soluçäo aquosa de formol a 10 por cento, e o método de dissecaçäo da abertura da cavidade torácica desses animais, com vistas à individualizaçäo dos vasos arteriais e brônquios. Da artéria pulmonar direita observou-se que, mais comumente, 15 vezes (75 por cento), parte como primeiro colateral o ramo ascendente, seguido do ramo descendente que acompanham os dois brônquios segmentares do brônquio traqueal, os quais irrigam, respectivamente, a porçäo cranial e caudal do lobo cranial do pulmäo. Logo após este arranjo, surgem o ramo lobar acessório e em seguida o ramo lobar médio. O ramo lobar acessório pode emergir duas vezes (10 por cento) depois do ramo lobar médio ou na mesma altura dele, cinco vezes (25 por cento). Uma única vez (5 por cento) aparecem dois ramos lobares médios. Em cinco preparaçöes (25 por cento), os dois primeiros ramos da artéria pulmonar direita säo vistos a nascer em tronco comum, o ramo lobar cranial. Da artéria pulmonar esquerda nascem mais freqüentemente 18 vezes (90 por cento) como 1º e 2º colaterais os ramos ascendente e descendente, e respectivamente duas vezes (10 por cento) estes ramos provêm de um único colateral, o ramo lobar cranial. Em cada lobo caudal (direito e esquerdo), penetra um ramo lobar caudal (direito e esquerdo) que emite número bastente variado do ramos arteriais (6 a 14) do lado direito e (7 a 16) do lado esquerdo

Os arranjos configurados pela artéria celíaca no pato doméstico (Cairina moshata) / The arrangements configured by the coeliac artery in the domestic duck (Cairina moshata)

Mediante esta pesquisa, estudamos os arranjos configurados pela artéria celíaca em 30 patos domésticos Cairina moshata, sendo 20 machos e 10 fêmeas. Foi realizada a injeçäo de látex corado no sistema arterial e depois as peças foram fixadas em soluçäo aquosa de formol a 10 por cento para posterior dissecaçäo dos vasos arteriais. A artéria celíaca nasce isoladamente da aorta descendente e fornece a artéria proventricular dorsal e a artéria esofágica e a seguir continua-se como tronco de dois outros ramos: esquerdo e direito. O ramo esquerdo emite um vaso que vasculariza a porçäo ventral do proventrículo (artéria proventricular ventral) e porçäo terminal do esôfago e, a seguir, fornece 3 ramos que vascularizam a face lateral esquerda e a margem cranial da moela ou ventrículo, bem como a junçäo pilórica na sua porçäo cranial. Do vaso destinado à margem cranial da moela, surgem artérias ao lobo hepático esquerdo em número de 1 em 5 preparaçöes (16,6 por cento ñ 6,8), 2 em 14 peças (46,66 por cento ñ 9,1) ou 3 em 8 peças (26,66 por cento ñ 8,1). O ramo direito envia inicialmente as artérias esplênicas cujo número foi de 2 em 6 preparaçöes (20 por cento ñ 7,3), 3 em 12 peças (40 por cento ñ 8,9), 4 em 8 peças (26,6 por cento ñ 8,1), 5 em 3 peças (10 por cento ñ 5,5) e 6 em 1 preparaçäo (3,33 por cento ñ 3,3). Em seguida, emite colaterais ao lobo hepático direito que foram em número de 2 em 21 preparaçöes (70 por cento ñ 8,4) ou 3 em 9 preparaçöes (30 por cento ñ 8,4). Ainda, o ramo direito emite artérias endereçadas ao ceco esquerdo em número de 2 em 17 preparaçöes (56,66 por cento ñ 9,1) ou 3 em 13 casos (43,33 por cento ñ 9,1). O ramo direito origina ainda 3 vasos endereçados à face lateral direita da moela (ventrículo), à margem caudal e à junçäo pilórica em sua porçäo mais caudal. A seguir, o ramo direito da artéria celíaca continua-se como artéria parncreaticoduodenal que supre o pâncreas e as porçöes ascendente e descendente do duodeno

Os arranjos configurados pelas artérias mesentéricas cranial e caudal no pato doméstico (Cairina moshata) / The arrangements configured by the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in the domestic duck (Cairina moshata)

Mediante esta pesquisa estudamos os arranjos configurados pelas artérias mesentéricas cranial e caudal em 30 patos domésticos, 20 machos e 10 fêmeas. Foi realizada a injeçäo de látex 650 corado no sistema arterial e a seguir as peças foram fixadas em soluçäo aquosa de formol a 10 por cento para posteriormente serem dissecadas. A artéria mesentérica cranial nasce como um vaso ímpar da aorta descendente à altura da 6ª e 7ª costelas, em situaçäo imediatamente caudal à artéria celíaca. Junto à junçäo íleo-ceco-cólica, subdivide-se basicamente em 3 ramos: o primeiro emite um vaso destinado ao colonreto, anastomosando-se com a artéria mesentérica caudal. O segundo ramo se comporta como tronco para as artérias jejunais, sendo que o número delas varia de 8 a 20. Finalmente, o terceiro ramo destina-se às porçöes principal e final do ceco direito e também ao íleo, vascularizando-os. No atinente ao comportamento da artéria mesentérica caudal, observamos que ela nasce como um vaso ímpar, a partir da aorta descendente, à altura das porçöes caudais dos rins. A artéria mesentérica caudal, na totalidade das peças examinadas, divide-se em 2 ramos: um cranial, que, por sua vez, emite 2 vasos menores para o mesorreto e um ramo caudal, que vasculariza a porçäo terminal do reto, bolsa cloacal e a cloaca

Pesquisa anatômica sobre o funículo umbilical em bovinos azebuados / Anatomical research on the funiculus umbilicalis in zebu cattle

Mediante esta pesquisa, obtivemos dados sobre os aspectos morfológicos da disposiçäo e da constituiçäo das artérias e das veias do funículo umbilical em bovinos azebuados. Utilizamos para isto 30 fetos (13 machos e 17 fêmeas), com idades variando de 2 a 7 meses, cujos vasos umbilicais foram injetados com soluçäo de látex-Neoprene 650 corada e posteriormente dissecados. O comprimento do funículo umbilical variou de 3 a 43 cm em fetos de 2 a 7 meses de idade. Quatro vasos umbilicais (duas artérias e duas veias) e um ducto alantóide constituíam o funículo umbilical desses ruminantes, sendo que existia entre eles uma grande quantidade de gelatina de Wharton e pequenos vasos (vasa vasorum). Todas as estruturas estavam envolvidas pelo epitélio amniótico. Em 28 (93,33 por cento mais ou menos 4,5) dos 30 fetos examinados, observamos uma anastomose interarterial umbilical

O funículo umbilical em bovinos azebuados / The funiculus umbilicalis in crossbred zebu bovines

Nesta pesquisa, obtiveram-se dados sobre os aspectos microscópicos das estruturas vasculares que compöem o funículo umbilical de bovinos azebuados. Para a realizaçäo da pesquisa utilizaram-se funículos umbilicais provenientes de 30 fetos (13 machos e 17 fêmeas). Tanto as artérias quanto as veias apresentavam, na constituiçäo das suas paredes, um repregueamento da túnica íntima que se mostrava bastante característico nas artérias. A túnica média das artérias e veias continha uma musculatura bem desenvolvida, fato que caracterizava esses vasos do tipo muscular. A luz dos vasos arteriais e venosos mostrava-se inicialmente (porçäo justa-fetal) quase obliterada e aumentava à medida que se aproximava da porçäo justa-placentária do funículo umbilical. A quantidade de fibras reticulares, elásticas e colágenas na parede dos vasos umbilicais foi comparada mediante técnicas histológicas específicas. Alguns aspectos inerentes ao ducto alantóide foram também observados