Dicephalic Parapagus Conjoined Twins in a Large Fruit-eating Bat, Genus Artibeus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae).

Conjoined twinning is an embryological anomaly rarely reported in wild mammals and with only two previous records in Chiroptera. Here, we report a case of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins in the Neotropical phyllostomid genus Artibeus. These twins are males and present separated heads and necks, but a conjoined trunk with an expanded upper thoracic region. They developed two complete forelimbs and two complete hindlimbs, all laterally to the trunk. There is a volume in the upper midback and between the heads that resembles a third rudimentary medial forelimb, but X-ray images only suggest the presence of medial skeletal elements of the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapulae) in this region. The X-ray images also show that vertebral columns run separated from head until the base of lumbar region, where they form a single structure. Using ultrasound images, we detected the presence of two similarly sized and apparently separated hearts. The accumulation of study cases like this will help in the understanding of patterns and process behind this phenomena, and collection material plays a key role in this context.

Immunocytochemical study of the distribuition of endocrine cells in the pancreas of the Brazilian sparrow species Zonotrichia Capensis Subtorquata (Swaison, 1837)

In the present study, we investigated types of pancreatic endocrine cells and its respective peptides in the Brazilian sparrow species using immunocytochemistry. The use of polyclonal specific antisera for somatostatin, glucagon, avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP), YY polypeptide (PYY) and insulin, revealed a diversified distribution in the pancreas. All these types of immunoreactive cells were observed in the pancreas with different amounts. Insulin- Immunoreactive cells to (B cells) were most numerous, preferably occupying the central place in the pancreatic islets. Somatostatin, PPA, PYY and glucagon immunoreactive cells occurred in a lower frequency in the periphery of pancreatic islets.

Os tipos de células endócrinas e seus respectivos peptídeos reguladores foram estudados imunocitoquimicamente no pâncreas do tico-tico, espécie Zonotrichia capensis subtorquata, empregando-se o método imunocitoquímico ABC - Peroxidase (Complexo Avidina - Biotina - Peroxidase) e anti-soros específicos para somatostatina, ao glucagon, ao polipeptídeo pancreático aviário (PPA), ao polipeptídeo YY (PYY) e à insulina. Todos estes tipos de células imunorreativas foram observadas no pâncreas em quantidades diferentes. As células imunorreativas à insulina (células B) foram as mais numerosas, ocupando preferencialmente, a região central das ilhotas pancreáticas. As células endócrinas imunorreativas à somatostatina, PPA, PYY e glucagon localizaram-se predominantemente na periferia das ilhotas.

Immunocytochemical study of the distribuition of endocrine cells in the pancreas of the Brazilian sparrow species Zonotrichia Capensis Subtorquata (Swaison, 1837).

In the present study, we investigated types of pancreatic endocrine cells and its respective peptides in the Brazilian sparrow species using immunocytochemistry. The use of polyclonal specific antisera for somatostatin, glucagon, avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP), YY polypeptide (PYY) and insulin, revealed a diversified distribution in the pancreas. All these types of immunoreactive cells were observed in the pancreas with different amounts. Insulin-Immunoreactive cells to (B cells) were most numerous, preferably occupying the central place in the pancreatic islets. Somatostatin, PPA, PYY and glucagon immunoreactive cells occurred in a lower frequency in the periphery of pancreatic islets.

Absence of interceptive effect in rats treated with Solanum lycocarpum (St. Hil).

The interceptive effect of the powder of Solanum lycocarpum (St. Hil) (Solanaceae) fruit, used as a hypoglycemic agent by diabetic patients in Minas Gerais state (Brazil), was evaluated to observe possible effects upon zygote and pre-embryo transport in rats, since it contains solamargine and solasonine from which a 3beta-acetoxipregna-5,16-dien-20-one is obtained as well as an alkaloid with stereospecific configuration to the synthesis of steroid hormones. Inseminated rats received an aqueous suspension of 100 mg of the lobeira powder/kg of body weight, by oral gavage, from the 1st to the 4th day of pregnancy. A control group received 5 mL of distilled water in the same schedule. The pregnant rats were weighed at the beginning of treatment and on sacrifice day. Animals were killed on the 5th day of pregnancy. The oviducts and uterine horns were removed and flushed with saline solution to count expanded blastocysts. It was concluded that administration of lobeira did not cause maternal toxicity, alteration of the pre-embryo transport or reduction of the number of expanded blastocysts.

Histogenesis and histochemistry of the secretion plate: detection of glycans and neutral glycoproteins synthetized by the epithelial components of the gizzard mucosa of Gallus gallus.

A study about the genesis of the inner lining which covers the mucous membrane of the chicken gizzard was made and histochemical test were employed to detect the presence of carbohydrate in the epithelial components of the mucous membrane. The histochemical treatment of the apical border of gizzard epithelium from the 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th d of incubation revealed the absence of glycoprotein (with 1.2-glycol containing hexoses), sialic acid, and glycogen but weakly acidic sulphated mucosubstances were present. The same was observed in the medium 1/3 of the gizzard epithelium on 12th and 15th d. The upper 1/3 of the buddings, precursor of gizzard glands, on the 15th d, besides exhibiting the same histochemical characteristics of apical border, revealed, clearly visible, strongly sulphated mucosubstances. The histochemical reactions of the epithelium which covers the free surface and lines the pits from the 18th d of incubation and from the young chicken (0.5 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 3 weeks and 8 weeks) revealed the absence of glycoprotein (with 1.2-glycol containing hexoses), sialic acid, and glycogen, however, weakly acidic sulphated mucosubstances and strongly sulphated epithelial acidic mucin were present. On the 18th d, the glands presented a lumen and the accumulation of intraepithelial secretion displaced the upper part of the superficial epithelium, splitting, it.

Some morphological and histochemical studies on the intestinal tract of the Brazilian sloth (Bradypus tridactylus).

The intestinal of the 3-toed sloth, Bradypus tridactylus, was studied macroscopically, with light microscope and with histochemical methods for mucosubstances. Macroscopically, the inner surface of the duodenum shows longitudinal and circular folds. There is no caecum, nor appendix. The large intestine consists of a short colon and a large rectal pouch, which has a thick wall. The mucosa of the small intestine has long leaf-shaped villi covered with columnar epithelium having a well developed striated border, and the goblet cells are scattered among the columnar cells. An association between neutral and acidic mucosubstances was detected in the goblet cells. The duodenal (Brunner's) glands are confined exclusively in the lamina propria of the duodenum. No Paneth cells were observed in the crypt lining. Argyrophil and argentaffin cells were found in the entire length of the intestine. The large intestine does not possess villi, but many goblet cells were observed in its mucosa.