Pectoralis major and triceps brachii cross-sectional area measured on different planes: the effect on the muscle size-strength relationship.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-used technique to assess muscle size and can be acquired on different planes. Pectoralis major (PM) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles are often acquired and analyzed on the axial plane, however it is unknown if anatomical cross-sectional area (CSA) calculated from different planes will affect the muscle size-strength relationship. Thus, the first aim of the present study was to identify if the CSA of the PM and TB measured on different planes presents a similar muscle size-strength relationship. A secondary aim was to investigate if the quantification of CSA of the PM and TB muscles are similar between sagittal and axial plane. METHODS: Fifteen males underwent an MRI examination, and after that, one-repetition maximum (1RM) test was performed. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between 1RM and PM CSA measured on the axial and sagittal plane (r≤0.81), while the relationship with TB CSA was only good on the axial plane (r=0.65) and not significant on the sagittal plane (r=0.27). ICC between planes was excellent for PM CSA (0.96) with Bland-Altman procedure showing agreement between planes (d=0.376; P=0.612). Contrarily, TB CSA ICC was week (0.07), with Bland-Altman procedure showing no agreement between planes (d=-24.49; P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: CSA measured at axial plane from PM and TB muscles showed a significant relationship with 1RM, while only PM CSA on the sagittal plane showed a significant relationship with 1RM. Finally, it was demonstrated that PM images showed a great reliability between planes, which was not true for TB muscle.

Annual reproductive cycle of males of the great fruit-eating bat, Artibeus lituratus: Testicular variations, abiotic regulation and sperm analysis.

Artibeus lituratus is one of the most well-known bat species in the Neotropics, probably due to its high abundance and the ability to inhabit urban areas. It plays an important ecological role in the ecosystem due to its ability to disperse seeds, which contributes to the regeneration of degraded areas. Actually, the species has been used as an important experimental model for ecotoxicological studies of the impact of pesticides on male reproduction. Despite that, the reproductive pattern of A. lituratus is still controversial due to inconsistent descriptions of the reproductive cycle. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the annual variations of the testicular parameters and sperm quality of A. lituratus and analyze their responses to annual variations in abiotic factors in the Cerrado area in Brazil. Testes of five specimens were collected each month for one year (12 sample groups) and submitted to histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Analyses of the sperm quality were also performed. Results demonstrate that A. lituratus presents a continuously active process of spermatogenesis throughout the year, with two significant peaks in spermatogenic production (September-October and March), which indicates a bimodal polyestric pattern of reproduction. These reproductive peaks seem to be related to an increase in proliferation and, consequently, in the number of spermatogonia. Conversely, seasonal variations in testicular parameters are correlated with annual fluctuations in rainfall and photoperiod but not with temperature. In general, the species presents smaller spermatogenic indexes with a similar sperm quantity and quality to other bat species.

Morphophysiology of the male reproductive accessory glands of the bat Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera).

Mormoopidae is an exclusive Neotropical family of bats, distributed from southern Mexico to northeastern Brazil. Possibly due to its endemic distribution and very low occurrence (rarity), descriptions of their reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) are still lacking. Thus, this study aims to characterize the male RAGs of Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera). Results demonstrate that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus is composed of a prostatic complex, comprising two regions (ventral and dorsal prostates); urethral (Littre) glands, a pair of bulbourethral and ampullary glands, with the absence of seminal vesicles. The ventral prostate has an atypical epithelium, due to its holocrine secretion; which contains numerous PAS-positive globular vesicles. The dorsal prostate has a cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, containing fluid PAS-negative secretion. The ampullary glands present cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, with secretion varying from granular and PAS-negative to fluid and PAS-positive. Urethral glands are dispersed in the submucosa of the urethra, while the bulbourethral glands are located in the penile root. Both glands have cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium with PAS-positive globular secretion. In conclusion, we propose that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus possibly evolved from a common emballonurid ancestor, shared with the families Phyllostomidae and Noctilionidae, but with the development of an exclusive apomorphy, the ampullary glands.

Comparative analysis of male reproductive accessory glands in bats Histiotus velatus (Vespertilionidae), Molossus rufus (Molossidae), and Peropteryx leucoptera (Emballonuridae).

Despite the high number of species and wide geographic dispersion, reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) of bats have traditionally received little attention in the literature, with some species not even having a basic description of their composition and structure. Thus, this study aimed to analyze and compare the composition, anatomy, and histology of male RAGs of bat species belonging to three of the largest (cosmopolitan) bat families: Vespertilionidae (Histiotus velatus), Molossidae (Molossus rufus), and Emballonuridae (Peropteryx leucoptera), in order to understand the variations in the bat RAGs. The results showed that the RAGs of H. velatus, M. rufus, and P. leucoptera are composed of an intra-abdominal prostatic complex, associated with the urethra, urethral glands, and a pair of inguinal bulbourethral glands; without ampullary glands or seminal vesicles. The prostatic complex can be composed of two (M. rufus and P. leucoptera) or three (H. velatus) prostatic regions, and can be compact (P. leucoptera), semi-lobed (M. rufus), or multilobed (H. velatus). Each prostatic region has unique and distinct characteristics, with the ventral region presenting a holocrine nature, exclusive to bats; while the dorsal and/or dorsolateral regions have similar characteristics to the ventral prostate of rats and to the human peripheral zone.

Muscle volume vs. anatomical cross-sectional area: Different muscle assessment does not affect the muscle size-strength relationship.

Muscle volume (MV) and anatomical cross-sectional area (CSA) are used as measures of muscle-size, but determining these from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a very time-consuming process. Additionally, it is unclear if the use of different muscle size assessments (all vs. reduced number of slices images) would impact the muscle size-strength relationship. Thus, this study aimed to investigate if muscle size calculation by using a reduced or all slices images from pectoralis major (PM) would maintain a similar muscle size-strength relationship with bilateral maximal dynamic and isometric contractions on a bench press exercise. Twenty-four healthy males underwent an MRI examination to measure PM muscle size, and maximal isometric and dynamic contractions (by one repetition maximum, 1RM) were performed. Correlations between maximal isometric voluntary force (MVF) and dynamic strength (1RM) with muscle size variables [three images from the largest part of PM (CSA3MAX), three images accounting for the shape -first image, middle image, final image- of the PM (CSA3), and MV] were performed. The correlation between 1RM with MV, CSA3, and CSA3MAX were 0.84, 0.832, and 0.727 (p < 0.001), respectively. The correlation between MVF with MV, CSA3, and CSA3MAX were 0.738, 0.733, and 0.604 (p < 0.001), respectively. Overall, PM MV and CSA3 exhibit a stronger and similar muscle size-strength relationship during maximal dynamic and isometric tests than CSA3MAX. Therefore, a reduced number of slices (CSA3) could be used as an alternative to considerably reduce the time of analysis without compromise muscle size-strength relationship.

Deep endometriosis: medical or surgical treatment?

Deep endometriosis (DE) is classically defined as disease that infiltrates structures by more than 5 mm, such as bowel, ureters, bladder and vagina. The two major symptoms related to DE are pain and infertility. A lot of debate goes on upon the best treatment choice for DE. Treatments include medical therapy with oral progestins or combined contraceptives, and surgery for resection of DE nodules. In this review we focus on the best option treatment for the symptomatic patients with DE not seeking conception. We performed a narrative review of literature searching for the latest evidence on efficacy and outcomes of medical and surgical treatment of DE patients. Results showed that 2/3 of patients with DE will be satisfied with hormonal treatment, and surgery will be effective in improving QoL in most patients with DE. Most studies published regarding surgical outcomes involve bowel endometriosis, and their complication rates should not be extrapolated to all DE. DE that does not infiltrate pelvic viscera accounts for most cases of DE. Together with DE affecting the urinary tract, a much lower rate of severe complications is reported when compared to bowel endometriosis. This distinction should influence decision making. Medical treatment should be first option for non-complicated DE patients not seeking conception. Surgery should be indicated for those who do not tolerate nor improve with medical treatment, as well as those cases complicated by visceral impairment.

The prostate of the bat Artibeus lituratus: Seasonal variations, abiotic regulation, and hormonal control.

The prostate is an important gland that contributes to the male reproductive process, producing secretions that are essential for maintaining ideal conditions for the survival of sperm. Studies indicate a wide variation in the occurrence, morphology, and physiology of this gland in mammals, especially in bats, with this variation being related not only to the number of regions and their degree of compaction/lobulation but also to fluctuations in their functioning throughout the year. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the annual morphological and physiological variations of the male prostate of Artibeus lituratus and analyze their responses to annual abiotic variations and hormonal control. Sixty sexually adult males of A. lituratus were analyzed in this study, with five specimens collected monthly. Blood samples were submitted to serum hormone measurements and the prostates were morphologically, morphometrically, and immunohistochemically analyzed. The results indicated that the two prostatic regions (ventral and dorsal) of A. lituratus had different morphology, as well as different physiology and regulation. Annual fluctuations in abiotic factors seemed to influence the dorsal region more than the ventral region. Conversely, variations on testicular factors, such as testosterone and estradiol, influenced the ventral region more than the dorsal region. Despite these differences, both prostatic regions were strongly synchronized to the main reproductive peak of the species in September. The holocrine pattern of the ventral prostate was not directly affected by abiotic factors or by factors released by the testes.

The process of testicular regression also impacts the physiology of the epididymis of the bat Molossus molossus, although with a delay in epididymal response due to sperm storage.

Responsible for post-testicular maturation, concentration, protection and sperm storage, the epididymis is an organ that can be easily subdivided into three segments: caput, corpus and cauda. Each epididymal region displays different morphology and functions within the sperm maturation process. Despite the great importance of this organ, studies on its morphology and hormonal control in bats remain scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to morphologically analyze the epididymis of the bat Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae), in order to evaluate its morphological and morphometric variations, as well as some aspects of its hormonal control during the annual reproductive cycle. For this purpose, 60 sexually adult males were used in this study, comprising five specimens collected monthly for one year to form 12 sample groups. The epididymis was subjected to morphological, morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. The results demonstrated that the processes of total testicular regression and posterior recrudescence suffered by M. molossus also impacts the physiology of the epididymis, however, a delay in the epididymal response is seen due to the storage of sperm. Similar to other mammals, the epididymis of M. molossus has a large predominance of principal and basal cells. The epididymal seasonal variations appear to be directly correlated to rainfall and photoperiod, but not to temperature. Meanwhile, epididymal physiology appears to be regulated, at least partially, by the expression of the androgen receptor in epithelial cells, which has agonist effects on cell proliferation.

Annual reproductive cycle of males of the bat Molossusmolossus: Seasonal bimodal polyestry, testicular regression, and some aspects of the hormonal control.

Bats are mammals that play a fundamental role in the regulation of the ecosystems by, for example, controlling the insect populations. Therefore, insectivorous species, such as Molossusmolossus, have become the target of great scientific interest. Despite the different studies that exist on the species, there is still no consensus regarding its reproduction. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the morphophysiology and some aspects of the hormonal control of the testes of M. molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae), by evaluating its morphological and morphometric variations throughout the annual reproductive cycle. Sixty sexually adult males of M. molossus were used in the study, with five specimens collected each month for one year, forming 12 sample groups. The testes of each bat were submitted to morphological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Molossusmolossus presented an annual reproductive cycle with two peaks of spermatogenic activity, one in April and the other in September, and a period of total testicular regression in December, which has never been described. The cycle appeared to be regulated by rainfall and was, at least partially, controlled by the expression of the androgen receptor in Sertoli cells, which has agonist effects on cell proliferation.

Extrapelvic Endometriosis: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature on patients with extrapelvic deep endometriosis. DATA SOURCES: A thorough search of the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Studies in the last 20 years that reported on primary extrapelvic endometriosis were included (PROSPERO registration number CRD42019125370). TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The initial search identified 5465 articles, and 179 articles, mostly case reports and series, were included. A total of 230 parietal (PE), 43 visceral (VE), 628 thoracic (TE), 6 central nerve system, 12 extrapelvic muscle or nerve, and 1 nasal endometriosis articles were identified. Abdominal endometriosis was divided into PE and VE. PE lesions involved primary lesions of the abdominal wall, groin, and perineum. When present, symptoms included a palpable mass (99%), cyclic pain (71%) and cyclic bleeding (48%). Preoperative clinical suspicion was low, the use of tissue diagnosis was indeterminate (25%), and a few (8%) malignancies were suspected. Surgical treatment for PE included wide local excision (97%), with 5% recurrence and no complications. Patients with VE involving abdominal organs - kidneys, liver, pancreas, and biliary tract - were treated surgically (86%) with both conservative (51%) and radical resection (49%), with 15% recurrence and 2 major complications reported. In patients with TE involving the diaphragm, pleura, and lung, isolated and concomitant lesions occurred and favored the right side (80%). Patients with TE presented with the triad of catamenial pain, pneumothorax, and hemoptysis. Thoracoscopy with resection followed by pleurodesis was the most common procedure performed, with 29% recurrence. Adjuvant medical therapy with gonadotropin-releasing hormone was administered in 15% of cases. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all cases of nonthoracic and nonabdominal endometriosis. Common symptoms were paresthesia and cyclic pain with radiation. Surgical resection was reported in 84%, with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Extrapelvic endometriosis, traditionally thought to be rare, has been reported in a considerable number of cases. Heightened awareness and clinical suspicion of the disease and a multidisciplinary approach are recommended to achieve a prompt diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes. Currently, there are no comparative studies to provide recommendations regarding optimal diagnostic methods, treatment options, and outcomes for endometriosis involving extrapelvic sites.

Immunophenotyping lymphocyte and acute phase proteins in canine X-linked muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common X-linked muscular disease affecting humans. The Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy model (GRMD) is considerthe most suitable for several studies. This assay aims to quantify lymphocyte subpopulations CD4, CD5, and CD8, and standardize, the serum electrophoretic profile, to understand their contribution to the pathologic process in normal Golden Retriever dogs (GR group) and dystrophic´s (GRMD group), through the umbilical cord blood, in dogs aged from 2 to 3 months (GR II and GRMD II), and in dogs over 1 year of age (GR III and GRMD III). No significant differences were observed between the CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations of the groups studied. The CD4+ and CD5+ lymphocyte subpopulations were significantly higher in the GRMD III group compared to the GR III group. Twenty-two different proteins in the gel were identified. The serum concentrations of the proteins belonging to the GR I and GRMD I groups were significantly lower than those of the other groups. We show that expression of acute phase proteins are worst during the aging of the dogs. We hope to expand knowledge to better understand the GRMD model and the translational data.

Effectiveness of an immunohistochemical protocol for Leishmania detection in different clinical forms of American tegumentary leishmaniasis.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a neglected disease widely distributed in Latin America. In Brazil, it is caused by different Leishmania species belonging to the Subgenera Viannia and Leishmania. ATL diagnosis is routinely based on clinical, epidemiological, parasitological and immunological (delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test-DTH) evidences. The main objective of this work was to determine the efficacy of a previous immunohistochemical (IHC) method developed by our group. Seventy eight skin biopsies from patients with different ATL clinical forms and origins were evaluated. The method was previously standardized in ATL patients from the municipality of Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil, all infected with Leishmania (V.) braziliensis. Here, it is evaluated in patients from the North, Southeast and Midwest regions of Brazil. Clinical, parasitological (biopsy PCR) and immunological (Montenegro skin test-MST) diagnosis were performed prior to IHC procedure. The IHC procedure detected 70.5% of the cases having a high agreement with MST diagnosis (kappa=0.84). A distinguished contribution of this work is that IHC succeed in diagnosing some negative DTH patients. Those were infected with Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, commonly causing the anergic form of the disease. In conclusion, IHC succeed in detecting ATL caused by different Leishmania species from various geographic regions and clinical status. Although it was not able to detect ATL in all patients, it was better than MST providing an additional tool for the diagnosis of ATL patients. There was no significant correlation between clinical forms and histological features including the presence of necrosis.

Immunohistochemical study of hepatic fibropoiesis associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Hepatic fibropoiesis has been confirmed in canine visceral leishmaniasis. In fibrotic disease, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play an important role in fibropoiesis, undergoing activation by TGF-ß to acquire characteristics of myofibroblasts. These cells show extensive capacity for proliferation, motility, contractility, collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix component synthesis. The aim of this work was to identify markers of HSC activation in 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Eight uninfected dogs were used as controls. Alpha-actin (α-SMA), vimentin and cytokeratin were investigated by immunohistochemistry as HSC markers. The cytokine TGF-ß in tissue was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All infected dogs showed higher numbers of reticular fibres than controls. Fibropoiesis found in infected dogs was always associated with the presence of parasites and chronic granulomatous hepatitis. Positive correlation was found among fibropoiesis, parasite tissue load and expression of α-SMA. There was no correlation between fibropoiesis, vimentin and cytokeratin markers. The expression of cytokine TGF-ß was higher in infected dogs than in controls, but not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. These results confirm previous work describing the intense hepatic fibropoiesis in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum, but now associated them with overexpression of TGF-ß, where α-SMA may be a superior marker for activated HSC cells in CVL.

A potential link among antioxidant enzymes, histopathology and trace elements in canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a severe and fatal systemic chronic inflammatory disease. We investigated the alterations in, and potential associations among, antioxidant enzymes, trace elements and histopathology in CVL. Blood and tissue levels of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in mixed-breed dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum chagasi, symptomatic (n = 19) and asymptomatic (n = 11). Serum levels of copper, iron, zinc, selenium and nitric oxide, and plasma lipid peroxidation were measured. Histological and morphometric analyses were conducted of lesions in liver, spleen and lymph nodes. We found lower blood catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity to be correlated with lower iron and selenium respectively. However, higher activity of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase was not correlated with the increase in copper and decreased in zinc observed in infected animals compared to controls. Organ tissue was characterized by lower enzyme activity in infected dogs than in controls, but this was not correlated with trace elements. Lipid peroxidation was higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic and control dogs and was associated with lesions such as chronic inflammatory reaction, congestion, haemosiderin and fibrosis. Systemic iron deposition was observed primarily in the symptomatic dogs showing a higher tissue parasite load. Dogs with symptomatic CVL displayed enhanced LPO and Fe tissue deposition associated with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. These results showed new points in the pathology of CVL and might open new treatment perspectives associated with antioxidants and the role of iron in the pathogenesis of CVL.

The endogenous cytokine profile and nerve fibre density in mouse ear Leishmania major-induced lesions related to nociceptive thresholds.

Several reports have shown that cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions are painless, suggesting that Leishmania infection interferes with pain perception. Comparisons of inflammation-induced hyperalgesia between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice have been little explored in the literature, and comparative data regarding nociception in leishmaniasis are non-existent. In susceptible BALB/c mice and resistant C57BL/6 mice that were intradermally inoculated with a low dose of Leishmania major in the ear, we investigated the variation in nociception over a 12-wk period post-infection and this variation's association with the structure of nerve fibres and the presence of endogenous cytokines that are classically considered hyper- or hypo-nociceptive. Infected BALB/c mice presented susceptibility and severe lesions. Infected C57BL/6 mice exhibited resistance and healing lesions. The immune response involved pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion, respectively. The infection-induced hypoalgesia in BALB/c mice after wks 9 was accompanied by decreased levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in ear tissue with intact nerves. C57BL/6 mice showed short-lived hyperalgesia in wks 2, which was related to increased local levels of IL-6, KC/CXCL-1, TNF-α and IL-10 and a decrease in nerve density. The increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, KC/CXCL-1 and TNF-α levels during hyperalgesia suggested a role for these mediators in afferent nerve sensitisation, which was secondary to the inflammatory damage of nerve fibres stained by PGP 9.5. In contrast, the mechanisms of hypoalgesia may include the downregulation of cytokines, the preservation of the structure of nerve endings, and as yet uninvestigated unidentified differences in neurotransmitter release or a direct role of the parasites in the context of the progressive and permissive inflammatory response of BALB/c mice.

Ecto-nucleotidase activities of promastigotes from Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis relates to parasite infectivity and disease clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis has been associated with a broad range of clinical manifestations ranging from a simple cutaneous ulcer to destructive mucosal lesions. Factors leading to this diversity of clinical presentations are not clear, but parasite factors have lately been recognized as important in determining disease progression. Given the fact that the activity of ecto-nucleotidases correlates with parasitism and the development of infection, we evaluated the activity of these enzymes in promastigotes from 23 L. braziliensis isolates as a possible parasite-related factor that could influence the clinical outcome of the disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our results show that the isolates differ in their ability to hydrolyze adenine nucleotides. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between the time for peak of lesion development in C57BL/6J mice and enzymatic activity and clinical manifestation of the isolate. In addition, we found that L. (V.) braziliensis isolates obtained from mucosal lesions hydrolyze higher amounts of adenine nucleotides than isolates obtained from skin lesions. One isolate with high (PPS6m) and another with low (SSF) ecto-nucleotidase activity were chosen for further studies. Mice inoculated with PPS6m show delayed lesion development and present larger parasite loads than animals inoculated with the SSF isolate. In addition, PPS6m modulates the host immune response by inhibiting dendritic cell activation and NO production by activated J774 macrophages. Finally, we observed that the amastigote forms from PPS6m and SSF isolates present low enzymatic activity that does not interfere with NO production and parasite survival in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest that ecto-nucleotidases present on the promastigote forms of the parasite may interfere with the establishment of the immune response with consequent impaired ability to control parasite dissemination and this may be an important factor in determining the clinical outcome of leishmaniasis.

Alterações do trato digestório de cães da raça Golden Retriever afetados pela distrofia muscular / Changes of the digestive tract of Golden Retriever dogs affected by muscular dystrophy

O modelo experimental canino Golden Retriever portador da Distrofia Muscular (GRMD) é o melhor substituto entre os modelos animais para estudar a Distrofia Muscular de Duchenne. Além da musculatura estriada, a doença pode afetar a musculatura estriada cardíaca e a musculatura lisa, e desta forma, o funcionamento do trato digestório, já que o músculo liso é o elemento primário dos órgãos tubulares. Através de estudo morfológico descritivo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a distrofia muscular afeta a arquitetura geral do trato digestório e como se dispõe sua estrutura muscular em animais afetados. Foram realizadas avaliações descritivas macro e microscópicas com colorações de Hematoxilina-Eosina, Tricrômio de Masson e Picrosirius. Entre os resultados apresentados, verificou-se que o esôfago e o fígado dos animais afetados encontraram-se alterados, assim como o estômago não ocupava seu lugar habitual. O músculo diafragma apresentava-se atrofiado e diferenças histológicas foram encontradas na camada muscular do sistema gastrointestinal, em geral. Outras estruturas do tubo digestório de GRMDs apresentaram-se de maneira similar a de um animal normal.

The experimental canine model Golden Retriever carrier of Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD) is the best substitute of animal models to study Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Above striated muscle, the disease can affect the heart and smooth muscle, so the functioning of the digestive tract, as the smooth muscle is the primary element of tubular organs. Through morphological description, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the muscular dystrophy affects the overall architecture of the digestive tract and how is willing this muscular structure. Were evaluated macroscopic and microscopic optical description staining with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and Sirius. The esophagus and liver of affected animals were altered. The stomach of the animals did not occupy the usual space. The diaphragm muscle had atrophied. The general histological structure of the digestive tract presented in a manner similar to a normal animal. Changes and histological differences were found in the muscle layer.