Cyantraniliprole impairs reproductive parameters by inducing oxidative stress in adult female wistar rats.

Cyantraniliprole is a synthetic insecticide used to control pests of up to 23 different types of crops. It is able to modulate ryanodine-like calcium channels, which are widely found in the organism of insects and mammals. The objective of this research was to verify the possible reproductive effects of adult female Wistar rats exposure to cyantraniliprole. Animals (67 days old) were exposed to the chemical at doses of 10 or 150 mg/kg/day, orally, for 28 consecutive days (control animals received only the vehicle). Vaginal secretions were collected during the exposure period to assess the regularity of the estrous cycle; the liver, kidneys, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, uterus, and ovaries were collected and weighed; reproductive organs were assessed for histopathological evaluation and for biochemical markers of oxidative stress and progesterone plasma level was measured. Both doses caused negative changes in the morphology and redox system of the uterus and ovaries. Animals exposed to 10 mg/kg also exhibited higher level of plasma progesterone, elevated levels of lipid peroxidation in reproductive organs, increased superoxide dismutase activity in the uterus and glutathione peroxidase activity on the ovary, while the 150 mg/kg group exhibited an increment in estrous cycle length and diminished uterine glandular epithelium. Based on these results, we conclude that cyantraniliprole may have acted as an endocrine disruptor, and its effects are mediated by oxidative stress.

Ampullae infection of the malpighian tubules of Bombyx mori by Alphabaculovirus / Infecção de células da ampola dos túbulos de malpighi de Bombyx mori pelo Alphabaculovirus

Alphabaculovirus is a genus of the entomopathogenic virus, whose species Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infects the silkworm, Bombyx mori, which is an important insect in the sericulture industry. A geographic isolate of BmNPV was identified in the state of Paraná, Brazil. It was infecting B. mori larvae and various organs and target tissues were identified, however, there was no information about the infection of Malpighian tubules (MT). The MT comprises the excretory system of B. mori and acts in the elimination of toxic substances and in hydroelectrolytic homeostasis. Thus, the present study examined the susceptibility and cytopathology of B. mori MT to BmNPV. To this end, hybrid fifth instar larvae were inoculated with a virus suspension at different days post-inoculation (dpi). MT segments were collected and divided into the ampullae, proximal, medial and distal regions. These were processed for light microscopy and transmission electron analysis. The MT regions revealed differences in susceptibility to BmNPV and the ampullae in its transition area was infected from the sixth dpi; the other regions did not reveal any evidence of infection. The transition area of the ampullae has not been previously described in Lepidoptera and its cytopathology revealed a hypertrophic nucleus with viroplasm, followed by the formation and development of viral polyhedra, which are common characteristics of infections by Alphabaculovirus. Thus, infection of the ampullae of the MT of B. mori by BmNPV, together with other known targets, compromises the metabolic balance of the insect, which results in consequences for silk production and damage to the sericulture sector.

Alphabaculovirus é um gênero de vírus entomopatogênico, cuja espécie Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infecta o bicho-da-seda, Bombyx mori, inseto importante na indústria sericícola. Um isolado geográfico do BmNPV foi identificado no estado do Paraná, Brasil, infectando lagartas de B. mori e vários órgãos e tecidos alvos foram identificados; entretanto, não há informações sobre a infecção do túbulo de Malpighi (TM). O TM compõe o sistema excretor de B. mori, atuando na eliminação de substâncias tóxicas e na homeostase hidroeletrolítica. Assim, o presente estudo, analisou a susceptibilidade e a citopatologia do TM de B. mori ao BmNPV. Para tanto, lagartas híbridas de 5° instar foram inoculadas com uma suspensão viral e em diferentes dias pós-inoculação (dpi), segmentos do TM foram coletados e subdivididos nas regiões da ampola, proximal, média e distal; sendo processados para análises em microscopias de luz e eletrônica de transmissão. As regiões do TM revelaram diferenças na susceptibilidade ao BmNPV e a ampola, na sua área de transição, foi infectada a partir do 6° dpi, já as demais regiões não revelaram quaisquer indícios de infecção. A área de transição da ampola, ainda não havia sido descrita em lepidópteros e sua citopatologia revelou núcleo hipertrófico com viroplasma, seguido da formação e desenvolvimento dos poliedros virais, características comuns das infecções pelo Alphabaculovirus. Assim, a infecção da ampola do TM de B. mori ao BmNPV, somada a de outros alvos conhecidos, compromete o equilíbrio metabólico do inseto, com consequências na produção de seda e prejuízos ao setor sericícola.

Avaliação Morfométrica da Influência da Obesidade Sobre o Tecido Gengival de Ratos com Periodontite Experimental / Morphometric Evaluation of the Influence of Obesity on Gingival Tissue in Rats with Experimental Periodontitis

Objetivo: O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento do tecido gengival de ratos após a indução experimental de obesidade e doença periodontal. Material e Métodos: Vinte e quatro ratos machos (n=24) foram divididos inicialmente em 2 grupos, que foram submetidos a injeções intradérmicas na região cervical de 4g/kg/dia de solução glutamato monossódico (MSG) (grupo OBS) e 1,25g/kg/dia de solução salina (grupo CTL), nos primeiros 5 dias de vida. Aos 70 dias foi induzida a doença periodontal com a colocação de ligadura nos dentes posteriores dos ratos, após esse procedimento 4 grupos, com 6 ratos cada, foram originados: grupo controle sem ligadura (CTL); grupo controle com ligadura (LIG); obeso sem ligadura (OBS), obeso com ligadura (OBSLIG). Aos 100 dias os ratos foram sacrificados, e a hemimandíbula direita de cada rato foi retirada para a análise morfométrica do tecido gengival. Resultados: A altura do epitélio da crista gengival foi significativamente (p<0,05) maior nos grupos com periodontite induzida (LIG 44,26±0,69; OBSLIG 43,30±1,23). A altura do tecido conjuntivo na região média mostrou-se menor nos grupos CTL (237,44±7,38) e OBS (238,17±0,73), sendo estas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p<0,05) em relação aos demais grupos. Conclusão: A obesidade induzida pelo glutamato monossódico não alterou as características dos tecidos epitelial e conjuntivo da região gengival de ratos. (AU)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of gingival tissue upon experimentally-induced obesity and periodontitis in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were initially divided into 2 groups. Animals were subjected to intradermal injections of 4 g/kg/day Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and 1.25 g/kg/day saline solution (control group, CTRL) in the cervical region for their first 5 days of life. At 70 days, the groups were subdivided into 2 other groups. A ligature placed around their 1st mandibular molars was used to induce periodontitis. Accordingly, a total of 4 groups were formed, with 6 animals each: ligature-free control group (CTRL); control group with ligature (LIG); ligature-free obese group (OBS); obese group with ligature (OBSLIG). After 100 days, animals were sacrificed and their right hemi-jaws were dissected for morphometric analysis. Results: The height of the gingival crest epithelium was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the groups with induced periodontitis (LIG 44.26±0.69; OBSLIG 43.30±1.23). The height of the connective tissue in the middle region was found to be lower in CTRL (237.44±7.38) and OBS groups (238.17±0.73), with statistically significant differences (p<0.05) as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: MSG-induced obesity did not change the characteristics of the gingival epithelium and connective tissues in rats. (AU)

Variação sazonal na morfologia dos ductos eferentes distais em codorna doméstica mantida em cativeiro experimental / Morphologic seasonal variability on the distal efferent ducts of domestic quail under experimental captive breeding

Neste estudo diferenças expressivas foram observadas na estrutura dos ductos eferentes distais (DED) de codorna doméstica Coturnix coturnix, da variedade italiana, mantida em cativeiro experimental durante dois anos, durante as quatro estações do ano. A variabilidade morfológica dos DED foi mais marcante na primavera e no outono, eqüivalendo às fases ativa e quiescente do ciclo reprodutivo anual (ciclo testicular) nesta ave. Nessas fases do ciclo, diferenças significativas foram observadas na ultraestrutura das células principais (P) e ciliadas (C) do epitélio de revestimento tubular e nos calibres tubulares. Estes tiveram valores médios maiores na primavera, com valores similares no verão e no inverno, e valores médios menores observados no outono. Na primavera, no citoplasma apical de células P, notou-se maior complexidade organelar, inferindo-se a ocorrência de processos endocitóticos ativos. A quiescência outonal caracterizou-se por redução do calibre tubular dos DED, luz tubular vazia de espermatozóides, degenerações de organelas citoplasmáticas e "debridamentos" citoplasmáticos apicais em células P e C. No inverno e verão, correspondentes às fases recrudescente e regressiva, respectivamente, do ciclo testicular nesta espécie, os dados obtidos foram, de modo geral, similares aos observados na primavera.

Some expressive differences were noted on the distal efferent ducts (DED) morphology in domestic quail of the Italian variety along the year. The birds were maintained on experimental captive breeding along two consecutive years, before the morphologic studies. Morphologic differences on the DED had been more evident in spring and autumn respectively, the active and quiescent phases of the annual testis cycle. Variability more expressive was noted among the principal (P) and ciliated (C) epithelial cells and in tubular diameters of DED, during the two focused seasons. Spring features of DED were marked by relative enlargement of the passageways, with similar results in summer and winter, and characteristic organelle development on the apical cytoplasm of P cells, allowing to conclude presence of active process of endocytosis. Autumn quiescence was marked by an enfolding pattern of all the tubular passageways, lacking of spermatozoa and small amount of heterogeneous material inside their luminal compartments, followed by presence of ultrastructural degenerative features in apical cytoplasm of P cells and C cells in DED passageways. Tubular features verified in DED during winter and summer were minor and similar to those described in spring. Summer and winter were respectively considered the recrudescent and regressive phases of the testis cycle in these species, based on the spermatogenesis cycle analysed in all the seasons of the year as well as on the base the morphologic features here found.

Aquaporin 9 (AQP9) localization in the adult dog testis excurrent ducts by immunohistochemistry.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small, intrinsic membrane proteins that are present in many cell types involved in fluid transport. AQP9 is a major apical water channel that is expressed throughout the efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens, as well as in other regions of the human and rodent male reproductive tract. The target of this study was to examine the expression of AQP9 in epithelial cells in the adult dog efferent ducts, epididymis, and vas deferens. Samples of dog male reproductive tract comprising fragments of the testis; initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda of the epididymis; and vas deferens were obtained from eight adult mongrel dogs. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting procedures were used to show AQP9 localization and distribution. AQP9 expression was not detected either in dog seminiferous tubules or rete testis. However, apical labeling for AQP9 was detected in the different regions of epididymis and vas deferens, with the reaction being less intense in the caput epididymis. Thus, AQP9 is abundantly expressed in dog male reproductive tract, in which it is an important apical pathway for transmembrane flow of water and neutral solutes.

Morphological features of the epididymal epithelium of gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus.

Principal cells of the ducts epididymis of the Mongolian gerbil showed ultrastructural characteristics of lining epithelium cells close related to processes of protein secretion, and transcytosis occurring between adjacent principal cells which were mainly verified in the initial segment. Principal cells also presented roles of fluid phase and adsorptive endocytoses, as well as autophagic and heterophagic lysosomal activities mainly observed in the caput epididymis. Columnar (principal) cells of the corpus epididymidis presented great number of variable vesicles and vacuoles distributed in all the cytoplasmic levels occurring a progressive coalescence pattern among them, which help to guarantee formation of cytoplasmic channels for fluid phase transport between the tubular lumen and epididymal interstitium. Clear cells were presented in the initial segment and predominately in the cauda epididymis epithelium of the gerbil and showed marked ultrastructural characteristics of endocytosis activities occurrence, perhaps directly related to the turnover of fluid phase of spermatozoa stored into the lumen of the distal tail. Other epididymal epithelium cells were verified and described such as basal, halo, apical and dark cells, but they did not presented special ultrastructural features.

Localização histoquímica de algumas hidrolases no epidídimo do gerbilo / Histochemical localization of some hydrolases in the epididymis of the gerbil

Neste estudo verificou-se, principalmente, que a expressão tissular da FoAl esteve presente nas regiões proximais do epidídimo de gerbilo. As reatividades da FoAc e da ATPase foram intensas (fortes), na maioria das regiões do epidídimo caracterizadas, marcadamente ao nível do citoplasma apical das células do epitélio tubular, exceto no corpo epididimal um delgado ístmo de conexão da cabeça à cauda epidiclimárias nesta espécie, com notória hiporeatividade enzimática a praticamente todas as enzimas aqui estudadas. A SDH mostrou também fraca atividade em todas as regiões, e estruturas do ducto epidiclimário do gerbilo, exceto no compartimento intraluminal onde se verificou atividade SDH-intensa nos espermatozóides estocados no lúmen. As reações enzimáticas caracterizadas foram correlacionadas com alguns papéis histofisiológicos tais como a mediação enzimática das fosfatases e ATPase em processos como endocitose, secreção, absorção e processo de transporte ativo das células do epitélio tubular. Uma possível marcação específica de mitocôndrias da peça média dos espermatozóides intraluminais pela SDH foi sugerida, com embasamento em processos metabólicos das mitocôndrias.

This study mainly showed that alkaline phosphatase expression had been present in the proximal regions of the epididymidis ductus of the gerbil which comprised the initial segment and proximal caput. The reactivities of acid phosphatase and ATPase were strong in the proximal and clistal regions of the epididymidis ductus at the level of the apical cytoplasm and epithelium, except at the corpus level, a very thin isthmus located between the caput and cauda epididymidis, and as a general rule a low enzymatic reactive region of the epididymidis of gerbil. SDH revealed also low activities in ali the regions and regional structures of the duct, except into the luminal content formed by storaged spermatozoa, prior on the cauda leveI. The enzymes presented in the epididymidis were correlated to some histophysiological roles such as the enzymatic mecliation of endocytosis, secretion, absorption and active transport concerning to phosphatases and A TPase and a possible mitochondrial role of SDH could occur at the spermatozoa level in which the middle pieces were formed by a great amount of mitochondria.

A rede testicular na cobaia: observaçöes morfológicas e histoquímicas / The rete testis in guinea pig: a morphological and histochemical examination

A rede testicular (RT) da cobaia tem características morfológicas de um tipo intermediário de RT. Esta rede foi caracterizada com cavitária, labiríntica e axial relativamente à disposiçäo de seus canais epiteliais interconectados. Morfologicamente consiste, predominantemente, de câmaras epiteliais interligadas que penetram no parênquima testicular, por uma pequena distância. Os canais e câmaras de todas as partes da rede säo revestidos por epitélio cúbico simples. Reatividades histoenzimáticas fortes foram observadas, predominantemente, na matriz da RT às enzimas fosfatases alcalina e ácida e m-ATPase. Ambas as fosfatases mostraram reatividades médias no epitélio da RT de cobaia, no qual a reatividade da m-ATPase foi fraca. Por outro lado, a NADH-d mostrou reatividade média, porém homogênea, na matriz e no epitélio da RT.

Características morfológicas do ducto deferente no hamster dourado, durante o desenvolvimento pós-natal / Morphological characteristics of the vas deferens in golden hamster, during the postnatal development

Algumas características morfológias do desenvolvimento pós-natal do ducto deferente no hamster dourado, em diferentes idades, säo descritas. Observou-se que embora a morfologia do epitélio deferencial no hamster tenha diferenciaçäo precoce, já sendo observada aos 10 dias de idade, este epitélio mostra um decréscimo de altura celular entre 10 e 60 dias. Contudo, a túnica mucosa, como um todo, näo apresenta um padräo similar ao do epitélio na diferenciaçäo pós-natal. Há uma ligeira variabilidade na composiçäo e quantidade do tecido conjuntivo da lâmina própria, o que provavelmente explicaria a observaçäo no nível da túnica mucosa, durante o desenvolvimento pós-natal. A túnica muscular, a camada mais espessa da parede tubular deferencial, apresentou em forma geral um aumento progressivo entre a idade juvenil de 10 dias e a idade pós-puberal de 60 dias.