Anatomical structure of the brachial plexus in the merlin (Falco columbarius).

This study aimed to document the detailed features of the morphological structure and the innervation areas of the brachial plexus in Merlin (Falco columbarius). The skin and muscles of five adult male Merlins were dissected under the stereo microscope. The Merlin had two plexus trunks. The accessory brachial plexus consisted of ventral rami C10 and C11. C11 was divided into two branches: the cranial and caudal. The brachial plexus was composed of a rather complex network involving the ventral rami of C11-C13, T1 and T2. In addition, a thin branch from the last two cervical sympathetic nerves participated in the plexus formation. C12, C13 and T1 had rather thick trunk. C12, C13 and T1 were also involved in the formation of the brachial plexus emerging after 1 cm from the foramen inter-vertebrale as three trunk roots.

Subgross and macroscopic investigation of the coeliac artery in the chinchilla (chinchilla lanigera).

The knowledge of branching and variations of the coeliac artery is clinically important, especially in the surgical operations and non-surgical treatments.Moreover, the chinchillas abdominal region have been used as a model in some surgical experimental researches. In this frame, we have aimed to explain the branching of this artery in the chinchillas detailedly. A total of 10 adult, healthy,male chinchillas (chinchilla lanigera) were used to investigate the origin and the course of the coeliac artery and its branches. Coloured latex was injected into the carotid arteries, following conventional anatomical applications. The results indicated that the coeliac artery was divided into 4 branches such as left gastricartery, hepatic artery, splenic artery and gastrolienal artery. The left gastric artery was a continuity of the coeliac artery and the main vessel of the stomach. The hepatic artery was divided into the left lateral branch, the left medial branch and the right branch. The splenic artery was covered by the pancreas tissue and sent branches to the pancreas. The gastrolienal artery was supplying the fundus of the stomach and the dorsal extremity of the spleen. We believe that the findings will be of help to the researchers interested in the anatomical area, surgeons and experimental researches.

Renal expression and functions of aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 4 in cattle.

Aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP 4 are members of the aquaporin water channel family that play an important role in reabsorption of water from the renal tubular fluid to concentrate urine. Studies of renal AQPs have been performed in human, rodents, sheep, dogs and horses. We studied nephron segment-specific expression of AQP 1 and AQP 4 using immunohistochemical staining on paraffin sections of bovine kidneys. AQP 1 was moderately expressed in endothelium of the cortical capillary network, vasa recta, and glomerular capillaries. AQP 4 was moderately expressed only in cytoplasm of epithelial cells in proximal tubules. We concluded that AQP 1 and AQP 4 in the bovine kidney showed some differences from other species in renal trans-epithelial water transport.

Poppy seed oil protection of the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion in rats.

The brain is highly sensitive to hypoxia; this is true particularly of parts that are crucial for cognitive function. The effects of hypoxia are especially dramatic in the hippocampus. We evaluated the potential protective effects of poppy seed oil on the number of hippocampus cells and the serum antioxidant/oxidant status after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion (CIR). Eighteen rats were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group without CIR. Group 2 received poppy seed oil daily by oral gavage at a dose of 0.4 ml/kg, while group 3 was given 0.4 ml/kg saline solution by oral gavage per day; these treatments were continued for one month. Groups 2 and 3 were subjected to CIR induced by clamps on two points of both of the carotid arteries for 45 min followed by 45 min re-perfusion. There were significant decreases in the number of hippocampus cells between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 1 and 3. The mean cell number in group 2 was not significantly different from that of group 3. The serum nitric oxide levels in CIR groups were elevated significantly compared to controls, and were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 3. The glutathione levels were increased significantly in the poppy seed oil treated group compared to the saline CIR groups. The malondialdehyde levels were markedly increased in group 3 compared to both groups 1 and 2. Our study suggests that poppy seed oil can improve antioxidant defense capacity after CIR, although this treatment did not alter significantly the frequency of cell death.

The ovarian and uterine arteries in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

The purpose of this study was to describe arteries supplying the ovaries and uterus in the chinchilla. Five healthy adult female chinchillas were used. In order to reveal the arterial network by dissecting under a stereoscopic microscope, latex coloured with red ink was injected through the common carotid artery. The ovaries of the chinchilla are supplied by the arteriae ovaricae which formed end-to-end anastomoses with the cranial termination of the arteria uterina. Soon after leaving the aorta abdominalis, the arteriae ovaricae extended 2-3 mm caudolaterally, then released 1 branch and extended caudally and bifurcated into 2 further branches. One of these supplied branches to fat tissue. The other branch coursed caudally and anastomosed with the arteria circumflexa ilium profunda and dispersed into fat tissue. The arteria ovarica further subdivided into 2 rami ovaricae. The origins of the uterine arteries were exclusively from the left arteria iliaca externa. The arteria uterina gave a branch to the arteria umbilicalis and consecutive branches which supplied to the ureter, urinary bladder and cranial aspects of the vagina. It also gave rise to 2-3 branches to the cervix and further supplied 10-12 meandering branches to the uterine horns. The arteria uterina gave rise to many tortuous arteries to the uterus and provided 2 further branches to the ovary.

Subgross and macroscopic investigation of blood vessels originating from aortic arch in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

A total of 10 adult, healthy, male chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) were used to investigate the vessels originating from aortic arch. Coloured latex was injected into the carotid arteries following conventional anatomical applications in all the chinchillas examined. The brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery arose from the aortic arch at the level of the second intercostal region in the thoracic cavity. The right and left subclavian arteries detached branches at the level of first intercostal region and divided into the following vessels: internal thoracic artery, dorsal scapular artery, vertebral artery, superficial cervical artery and axillar artery. The vessels originating from the aortic arch displayed some significant differences in chinchillas compared to rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, porcupines and other laboratory rodents.

The right coronary artery is absent in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

A total of 10 adult, healthy, male chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) were used to investigate the origin, course, and termination of the coronary arteries. Coloured latex was injected into the carotid arteries following conventional anatomical applications. In all the chinchillas examined, the left coronary artery was the single coronary artery. The right coronary artery was missing. Additionally, a small vessel originating from the cranial border of the aorta was observed in one chinchilla. The left coronary artery divided into the paraconal, interventricular and left circumflex rami. The left marginis ventricular ramus arose from the paraconal interventricular ramus in eight chinchillas, and from the left circumflex ramus in two. The ventricular and septal branches of the left coronary artery ran subepicardially at the beginning mostly parallel to the muscle fibres, also surrounded by a thin adipose tissue. It was concluded that the only left coroner artery supplied blood to the heart in the chinchilla.

Gross morphological features of plexus brachialis in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).

This study documents the detailed features of the morphological structure and the innervation areas of the plexus brachialis in the chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). The animals (5 female and 5 male) were euthanased with ketamine hydrocloride and xylazine hydrocloride combination, 60 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, respectively. Skin, muscles and nerves were dissected under a stereo-microscope. The brachial plexus of the chinchilla is formed by rami ventrales of C5-C8, T1 and T2, and possesses a single truncus. The subscapular nerve is formed by the rami of the spinal nerves originating from C6 (one thin ramus) and C7 (one thick and 2 thin rami). These nerves innervate the subscapular and teres minor muscles. The long thoracic nerve, before joining with the brachial plexus, obtains branches from C6 and C7 in 5 cadavers (3 male, 2 female), from C7 in 4 cadavers (2 male, 2 female) and from C6-C8 in only 1 female cadaver. These nerves disperse in variable combinations to form the extrinsic and intrinstic named, nerves of the thoracic limb. An undefined nerve branch originates from the rami ventrales of C7, C8 and T1 spinal nerves enter the coracobrachial muscle.

Gross morphological and histological features of larynx, trachea and syrinx in Japanese quail.

This study aimed at observing gross morphological and histological characteristics of the larynx, trachea and syrinx in Coturnix coturnix japonicum (Japanese quail). Sixteen mature quails were divided into two groups. Eight animals were stained with 0.1% methylene blue for 15 min, followed by 50% and 70% ethyl alcohol solution for gross morphological examination. For the observation of histological characteristics the larynx, trachea and syrinx were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Six-micron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. There were three rows of papillae which were located oral (one row) and aboral (two rows) aspects of the mound. The cricoid cartilage was triangular in shape. Only the inlet of the larynx was covered by the olfactory mucosa whereas the rest was covered by the respiratory mucosa. There were 83-91 tracheal rings which were gradually narrowed from the cranial to the caudal direction. No overlapping occurred between the rings. The last few tracheal rings did not fuse dorsally and formed the tympanium. The pessulus possessed connection with the last tracheal ring and the first bronchial ring. Moreover, it was like a semiprism in shape at the region of bifurcation being vertical in direction. The syrinx was formed by the paired, C-shaped and incomplete bronchial syringeal cartilages. The mucosa of the syrinx was lined with a pseudo-stratified layer of prism-shaped epithelium. There were nine or 14 C-shaped cartilaginous primary bronchi.

Gross morphological features of the lung and air sac in the Japanese quail.

This study was conducted to reveal the morphological characteristics of the lung and air sacs in Coturnix coturnix japonica (Japanese quails). Ten quails were allocated into two groups. Tracheas of 5 quails with neoprene latex and 5 quails with methylmetacrylate were injected to fill the trachea and air sacs. Latex embalmed animals were stored in 10% formaldehyde solution for two months. Animals given methylmetacrylate were maserated in 30% potassium hydroxide at 40 degrees C for two days. Lungs were located in the dorsal part of the thorax and very close to the thoracic vertebrae and ribs. Shorter than the dorsal border, the ventral border lied between the 3rd and 6th ribs. Cervical, clavicular, cranial thoracic, caudal thoracic and abdominal sacs were identified. These sacs had connection with the 3rd, 4th and 5th lateroventral and 4th mediolateral bronchi. Saccus cervicalis was located on the left and right portions of the vertebrae cervicales et thoraricae with a pronounced communication ventromedially. However, the cervical sac aeration of only all cervical vertebrae was present in this study. Humerus was a non-aerated bone. Pneumatic foramen was absent and did not aerate the sternum. Cranial thoracic sac connected to the 1st, 2nd and 4th medioventral bronchi and gave no diverticulum for aeration. Cranial thoracic sac received air through the 4th medioventral and the 1st and 2nd lateroventral bronchi. Left and right abdominal air sacs paramedially produced diverticulum femorale, but this diverticulum did not enter the femur.