Establishment of a rescue program for anorectal malformations induced by retinoic acid in mice.

AIMS OF STUDY: Retinoid-mediated signal transduction plays a crucial role in the embryogenesis of various organs. We previously reported the successful induction of anorectal malformations in mice using retinoic acid (RA). Retinoic acid controls the expression of essential target genes for cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and apoptosis through a complicated interaction in which RA receptors form heterodimers with retinoid X receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether the retinoid antagonist, LE135, could prevent the induction of anorectal malformations (ARMs) in mice. METHODS: Retinoic acid was intraperitoneally administered as 100 mg/kg of all-trans RA on E9; and then the retinoid antagonist, LE135, was intraperitoneally administered to pregnant ICR strain mice on the eighth gestational day (E8), 1 day before administration of RA (group B) or on E9, simultaneously (group C) with RA administration. All of the embryos were obtained from the uteri on E18. Frozen sections were evaluated for concentric layers around the endodermal epithelium by hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: In group A, all of the embryos demonstrated ARM with rectoprostatic urethral fistula, or rectocloacal fistula, and all of the embryos showed the absence of a tail. In group B, 36% of the embryos could be rescued from ARM. However, all of the rescued embryos had a short tail that was shorter than their hind limb. The ARM rescue rates in group B were significantly improved compared to those in group A (P < .01). In group C, 45% of the embryos were rescued from ARM, but all of the rescued embryos had short tail. The ARM rescue rate in group C was significantly improved compared to that in group A (P < .01). However, there was no significant difference in the ARM rescue rate between group B and Group C. CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence that in the hindgut region, RAR selective retinoid antagonist, LE135, could rescue embryos from ARM. However, the disturbance of all-trans RA acid was limited to the caudal region. Further study to establish an appropriate rescue program for ARM in a mouse model might suggest a step toward protection against human ARM in the future.

Resección laparoscópica del utrículo prostático en niños / Laparoscopic resection of the prostatic utricle in children

Introducción. La mayor parte de los niños intervenidos de malformaciones anorectales (MAR) presentan algún tipo de disfunción intestinal. Un adecuado seguimiento de este aspecto marcará su calidad de vida. Material y métodos. Seleccionamos una muestra de 20 niños intervenidos de MAR mediante anorectoplastia sagital posterior (ARSP) y cuyo seguimiento no pudo realizarse adecuadamente. Tras contactar telefónicamente con ellos, son citados, entrevistados y explorados en nuestra consulta. Analizamos las variables relacionadas con la continencia y evaluamos la calidad de vida de los pacientes.Resultados. Reunimos 12 niñas y 8 niños. Rango de edad entre (..) (AU)

Introduction. The prostatic utricle is an embryological remnant from Müllerian duct tissue. Most prostatic utricles are a sympomatic ,but they may manifest as a urinary tract infection or an incontinence. Material and method. Surgery consists in a cysto-urethroscopy and can nulation of the prostatic utricle with a ureteral catheter (Fogartyner 4) and the cystoscopy left in situ to facilitate identification and mobilization. A 10 mm port through a umbilical incision and two more (..) (AU)

[Cyst of the prostatic utricle]. / Quiste de utrículo prostático.

Presentation of a case of prostatic utriculus cyst which due to its size and the patient's history suggested a differential diagnosis with a urethral or vesical diverticulum. Awareness of frequent association to urethral malformations and azoospermia would be very useful when choosing a treatment strategy in such cases.

Fetal prostate growth and development.

Normal fetal and newborn prostates were studied to evaluate growth patterns, histogenesis, and secretory activity. Whole cross-sectioned prostates harvested from 107 necropsies of fetuses and newborns ages 20 weeks gestation to 1 month of age were used. Development of the prostate occurred in three stages: bud stage (20-30 weeks gestation), bud-tubule stage (31-36 weeks gestation), and acinotubular stage (37-42 weeks gestation). Squamous metaplasia often appeared in the urethra, utricle, and primary lobular ducts, and occasional microcysts were noted. PAS and alcian blue-PAS positive secretion were present in 65% of the specimens by 20-30 weeks gestation and in over 87% of the specimens by 37 or more weeks gestation. Secretory activity was most prominent in the lateral regions of the peripheral zone. Prostate-specific antigen was only weakly detected throughout the prenatal period and was not related to secretory activity as evidenced by the PAS technique.

Hemospermia owing to utricular cyst: embryological summary and surgical review.

We report the first case of hemospermia owing to a utricular cyst. The embryologic distinction between utricular cysts, which are of endodermal origin, and müllerian duct cysts, which are of mesodermal origin, is described. The surgical management of utricular and müllerian duct cysts is reviewed, stressing the difficulty and hazards of attempts at complete excision and the efficacy of less heroic surgical procedures.

[Prostatic utricle cysts (Müllerian duct cysts) (author's transl)]. / Quistes del utrículo prostático (quistes del conducto de Müller).

Authors report two cases of prostatic utricle cysts, one of which was operated. They collect from literature 20 other cases in children aged ten years or less. Natural history of patients is reported. They also comment on the symptoms and associated anomalies and conclude discussing diagnostic and operative procedures available in these patients.