An unusual case of infected uterus masculinus in a dog.

BACKGROUND: Paraprostatic cysts are large structures that develop between the prostate gland and urinary bladder, usually in older, intact dogs. Their incidence is reported to be 1.1-5.3% in dogs with prostatic disease. The aetiology of paraprostatic cysts is not fully understood, but they are believed to develop from the uterus masculinus. Whereas the uterus masculinus has been reported to communicate with the urethra in men and horses, no communication between the uterus masculinus and urethra has been identified in dogs. CASE PRESENTATION: An entire male dog was presented with a bloody discharge from its penis and tenesmus of 5 days' duration. A diagnosis of cystic uterus masculinus was made on the basis of the findings of abdominal ultrasonography and histopathology of tissues obtained during an exploratory laparotomy. In addition, a Sertoli cell tumour affecting both testes was diagnosed following scrotal castration. The cystic uterus masculinus was completely resected, after which the tenesmus and bloody discharge resolved. Thus, cystic uterus masculinus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a paraprostatic cyst when such a lesion develops as part of the feminising effect of a Sertoli cell tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Cystic uterus masculinus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for tenesmus and penile discharge, and for structures resembling paraprostatic cysts. This case report confirms that a uterus masculinus can communicate with the urethra in dogs, as in other species, and demonstrates endocrine responsiveness, manifesting as epithelial and glandular metaplasia and mucus production, with the potential for subsequent infection.

Changes in the mast cell distribution in the canine ovary and uterus throughout the oestrous cycle.

This is the first study describing the relation between the phase of the oestrous cycle and the number of mast cells (MCs) in the canine ovaries and uterine horns. The total number of MCs was counted in cortex ovarii, medulla ovarii, endometrium and myometrium. The number of MCs was compared in all of these areas among the bitches in the early follicular phase, luteal phase and anoestrus. MCs were the most numerous in the early follicular phase and in the luteal phase; however, they were significantly less numerous during anoestrus. Based on the results, it was concluded that the number of MCs in ovaries and uterine horns fluctuates during the oestrous cycle. The results of this study may contribute to clarifying the role of MCs in the reproductive organs of bitches.

An eight-year survey of the intestinal parasites of carnivores, hoofed mammals, primates, ratites and reptiles in the Ljubljana zoo in Slovenia.

Problems with parasitic infections and their interspecies transmissions are common in zoological gardens and could pose serious health damage to captive animals. This study presents results of eight-year monitoring of intestinal parasites in animals from Zoo Ljubljana, Slovenia. A total of 741 faecal samples from 40 animal species were collected two to four times per year and examined microscopically. Intestinal parasites were detected in 45% of samples, with detection of helminths (Cestoda, Nematoda - Ascaridida, Enoplida, Strongylida, Oxyurida, Rhabditida and Trichurida) and protists (Apicomplexa and Ciliophora) in 25% and 13% of samples, respectively; mixed infection was found in 7% of samples. The mostly infected were ungulates (61%), followed by reptiles (44%), ratites (29%), primates (22%) and carnivores (7%). During the observation period, the number of infected animal species increased from 8 to 25. This is the first long-term monitoring study of intestinal parasites in zoo animals from Slovenia. Routine monitoring of parasitic infection and regular deworming and hygienic measures are necessary to prevent gastrointestinal infections in captive animals.

Morphological adaptation of the tongue of okapi (Okapia johnstoni Artiodactyla, Giraffidae)-Anatomy, histology, and ultrastructure.

The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the tongue of the okapi, and to compare the results with other ruminants including browsers, intermediates and grazers. The material was collected post-mortem from two animals from a Zoological Garden. The structure of the okapi tongue, focusing of the shape of the tongue, lingual surface, its papillae and lingual glands, was examined using gross morphology, light and polarized microscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy. The okapi tongue was characterized by dark pigmentation on the lingual dorsum (except lingual torus) and on the whole ventral surface. Two types of filiform papillae were observed, with additional, even 6-8 projections at their base. The round fungiform papillae were present at a higher density, up to 16/cm2, on the ventro-lateral area of the lingual apex. Round and elongate vallate papillae were arranged in two parallel lines between the body and root of the tongue. Numerous taste buds were detected within the epithelium of their vallum, while fungiform papillae had sparse taste buds. A lack of foliate papillae was noted. Very small conical papillae, some lenticular in shape, were present on the lingual torus. Thick collagen type I fibers were dominant over collagen type III fibers in the connective tissue of the lingual papillae. The mucous acini units were dominant among lingual glands, indicating that the secretion of okapi lingual glands was mostly mucous. In many aspects, the tongue of okapi resembles the tongue of other ruminants. The specific lingual shape and lingual surface, together with the lingual glands, support the processing of plant food, such as young and soft leaves. Although okapi tongue is characterized by smaller conical papillae compared to other ruminants, its high number of vallate papillae is similar that found in other browsers, intermediate and grazers. Thus the number of gustatory papillae rather indicates that this feature is not related to the type of feeding.

Lingual Ultrastructural and Histochemical Study in the Patagonian Mara (Rodentia: Caviidae, Dolichotis patagonum) in Relation to Other Hystricomorphs.

The study describes the ultrastructure of the tongue in the Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) using light and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical methods were used for evaluation of lingual salivary glands. The tongue is divided into a small and rounded apex, a narrow corpus, and a significantly wider radix, with a well-developed lingual prominence. The tip of the apex is free of papillae. The caudal part of the apex and the corpus are covered by filiform papillae. Round fungiform papillae are scattered among them. Papillae on the narrow stalk are conical. The radix contains caudally bent papillae forming wide flat prominences, slender, hook shaped filiform papillae, foliate papillae, and two oval vallate papillae. Taste buds were found on the lateral sides of the foliate and vallate papillae. Purely serous salivary glands are beneath the vallate and foliate papillae. Serous acini and mucous tubules are in the lingual radix. The Patagonian mara is the only hystricomorph rodent with described hyaline cartilage strengthening the lingual radix. Some typical signs of adaptation to herbivorous diet were found. The structure of the tongue is adapted to grass-feeding, as grasses form the main component of their diet.

Regulatory T lymphocytes and selected cytokines in horses with mild to severe equine asthma and different inflammatory cytology profiles.

This study determined Tregs and inflammatory cytokines in BALF and peripheral blood (PB) of adult horses with mild and severe asthma and different BALF cytological inflammation profiles. Horses of diverse breeds with asthma (age range: 2-20 years, n = 24) were divided into groups according to the number of points obtained in a standardized clinical scoring system (mild-moderate equine asthma - MEA, severe equine asthma - SEA) and according to the inflammation type based on cytological finding. Plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and MMP-9 in the BALF were determined by ELISA. Tregs in the BALF and PB were detected by flow cytometry. Horses with SEA were older than horses with MEA and had higher concentrations of MMP-9 in the BALF (P < 0.05). The neutrophilic inflammation group was characterised by higher age, grade of clinical score, percentage of Tregs and MMP-9 concentration in the BALF compared to the mastocytic inflammation group (P < 0.05). Age positively correlated with neutrophils, grade of score, Tregs in the BALF and in the PB. The grade of score positively correlated with MMP-9. The percentage of Tregs in the BALF positively correlated with Tregs in the PB. Tregs in the BALF and PB positively correlated with neutrophils and MMP-9 in the BALF and with IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in the plasma. IFN-γ and IL-10 in the plasma positively correlated with the age. The results indicate that the evaluation of selected parameters in PB, the collection of which is less invasive than the collection of BALF, is of potential importance.

Lymphocyte immunophenotyping and concentration of MMP-9 in transudates and exudates in horses.

This study is the first to provide information on the lymphocyte subpopulations in peritoneal effusions in horses. Peritoneal transudates (n = 12), peritoneal exudates (n = 6) and a pleural exudate (n = 1) were analyzed. The total nucleated cell count (TNCC), total protein (TP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) concentration determined by ELISA were measured and routine cytological evaluation was performed. CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD21 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. A higher percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.05) and higher MMP-9 (P < 0.01) levels were found in exudates. A higher percentage of macrophages (P < 0.05) and lymphocytes (P < 0.01) were found in transudates. CD4 + lymphocytes were the most common lymphocyte subpopulation in all samples. CD21 + lymphocytes were the least common in all samples. A large variability in the percentage of CD21 + lymphocytes was found in exudates. The percentage of CD21 + lymphocytes positively correlated with the level of total protein (r = 0.5704, P < 0.05). The correlation was even stronger in the group of exudates. The percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations did not correlate with the level of MMP-9 or with cytological findings. The level of MMP-9 positively correlated with the percentage of neutrophils (r = 0.4980, P < 0.05), the level of TP (r = 0.7855, P < 0.01) and TNCC (r = 0.6129, P < 0.01). A significantly higher level of MMP-9 was detected in euthanized horses than in horses that survived (P < 0.05). However, it was shown that the level of MMP-9 in the peritoneal fluid can change significantly in a short time. More studies on repeated abdominocentesis could contribute to elucidating the role of MMP-9 as a prognostic indicator.

Comparative Study of Lingual Papillae, Lingual Glands and Lyssa of the Tongue of Selected Wild Felids (Carnivora, Felidae) in Biological Aspects.

Although much attention has been paid in the literature to the morphology of the tongue in various animal species, including some Felidae, it has not yet been described in detail in the vulnerable Neofelis nebulosa and Panthera leo bleyenberghi and the last concern Lynx lynx and Otocolobus manul. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the features of the tongue surface, lingual glands and lyssa in the above-mentioned four selected wild species of the Pantherinae and Felinae subfamilies. Macroscopic, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural analyzes were used in the present work. Comparative analyzes of the dorsal tongue surface showed the presence of mechanical lingual papillae on five subtypes of filiform papillae on the apex and body and conical papillae on the root of the tongue. Gustatory papillae in the four analyzed species were fungiform papillae and various numbers of vallate papillae. Foliate papillae were absent in P. leo bleyenberghi and L. lynx, while delicate smooth folds, which were separated by parallel grooves but without taste buds, were present in N. nebulosa. The vallate and foliate papillae were accompanied by lingual glands, which produced a serous secretion, whereas the mixed lingual glands of the lingual root were with a predominance of mucus secretions comparable to four captive Felidae species. In the median plane on the ventral surface of the apex under its epithelium and within the muscle fibers, the lyssa was also observed to a varying degree, with the least developed, and thought about the size of the entire tongue, was in P. leo bleyenberghi. The lyssa structure in the four species was dominated by adipose tissue. The obtained results contribute knowledge concerning the functional anatomy of the tongue in four selected Felidae species, especially in terms of comparative anatomy.

Electrolyte, Oestradiol and Progesterone Concentrations in Ovarian Cyst Fluid in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus).

Despite their high prevalence, the aetiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) is unknown. We examined tissue samples of cystic ovaries from 20 guinea pigs by histopathology and immunohistochemistry for CD10 antigen, and determined the concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, oestradiol and progesterone in the cyst fluid. Cystic rete ovarii were found in all 20 guinea pigs but no follicular cysts. Concentrations of Na+ (142.2 ± 5.04 mmol/l), K+ (5.6 ± 0.76 mmol/l) and Cl- (116.1 ± 5.25 mmol/l) corresponded to extracellular, rather than intracellular, fluid indicating that rete ovarii cysts in guinea pigs are transudative in nature. A positive correlation was found between Na+ and Cl- concentrations (r = 0.7713, P <0.0001). The mean concentrations of oestradiol (61.9 ± 17.44 pg/ml) and progesterone (2.7 ± 5.42 ng/ml) in the cyst fluid were higher than expected because the rete epithelium is not known to have steroidogenic activity. A negative correlation was found between oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in cyst fluid (r = -0.4296, P = 0.0178). Possible pathogenetic mechanisms of cystic rete ovarii in guinea pigs are discussed.

The tongue of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens Cuvier, 1825)-a stereoscopy, light microscopy and ultrastructural analysis.

In the light of recent molecular studies, there are two phylogenetic species of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens): Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani. The red panda belongs to the endangered species living in the wild only in Asia and is included in the CITES list. Although the biology and diet of this species has been extensively described, the histological structure of the tongue and lingual glands has not yet been characterized in detail in relation to the lifestyle of this mammal under specific conditions and as a basis for comparative anatomical studies of the biodiversity of endemic species. Study samples were collected from two adult males of Ailurus fulgens f. held in Wroclaw Zoological Garden. Both tongues were examined macroscopically; moreover, samples with lingual papillae for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were collected from the apex, body and root of the tongue. Both tongues of the Ailurus fulgens f. males were approximately 9 cm long. The dorsal lingual surface was covered with mechanical and gustatory lingual papillae. Filiform papillae were observed on the apex and the body of the tongue, while small conical papillae were observed on the root of the tongue. An elongated, 1-1.5 cm long cylinder-shaped lyssa was observed in the ventral part of the apex. Moreover, most numerous and largest round in shape fungiform papillae were observed on the apex and on the border of the body and root of the tongue, located directly rostrally to 12-13 round and oval in shape vallate papillae. The SEM study showed that filiform papillae on the apex had several long secondary processes, while filiform papillae on the body of the tongue were taller and their secondary papillae were shorter than the equivalent structures on the apex of the tongue. The SEM study showed numerous taste pores on the surface of the fungiform papilla, while irregular surface of the vallate papillae, however some of them had smoother surface. Mixed glands (comprised of mucous acini and serous acini) were present within the vallum (within the connective tissue core) of the vallate papilla. Beneath the papillae more serous glands were observed, while the posterior lingual glands in the caudal part of the root of the tongue were mucoserous (mucous units were prevalent). A characteristic feature of the tongue of Ailurus fulgens f. was the presence of lyssa, which is comparable to other representatives of Carnivora, but the number of vallate papillae was individually variable. The lack of strongly developed mechanical conical papillae probably may be related to the type of plant food that is particularly dominant in red panda. Further differences between Ailurus fulgens f. and Ailurus fulgens s. cannot be excluded. The results of these studies may be useful especially for veterinarians specializing in working with exotic animals and people dealing with wildlife conservation.

Mast cells and Kurloff cells - Their detection throughout the oestrous cycle in normal guinea pig ovaries and in guinea pigs with cystic rete ovarii.

Mast cells (MCs) and Kurloff cells (KCs) were detected in guinea pig ovaries in the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. The samples of ovaries were fixed in Mota's basic lead acetate. Toluidine blue was used for detection of MCs and periodic acid-Schiff for detection of KCs. The percentage of KCs in a differential leukocyte count was determined in blood smears stained according to the Pappenheim method. Non-pregnant females with normal ovaries and with cystic rete ovarii were included in the study and the numbers of MCs and KCs were compared in these two groups and in follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. MCs' distribution in ovaries was different in the guinea pig in comparison to previously studied species: MCs were found exclusively in the superficial layers of cortical stroma and no significant difference was found between the number of MCs in the follicular and luteal phases, neither in normal ovaries, nor in ovaries with cystic rete ovarii. Significantly lower numbers of MCs were found in ovaries with cystic rete ovarii (P < 0.01) in contrast to normal ovaries. A significantly higher percentage of KCs in the peripheral blood was found in the follicular phase (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found in relation to the presence of cystic rete ovarii. Interestingly, no KCs were found in the samples of ovaries (either in the follicular or luteal phase, and with or without cysts). Thus, the expected role of KCs in ovarian physiology or in the aetiology of the cystic rete ovarii can be excluded.

Effect of GnRH agonist deslorelin implant on spermatogenesis and testosterone concentration in Guinea pigs (Cavia aperea porcellus).

Guinea pigs are social animals that are often kept in groups regardless of their gender. Due to reproduction control and male aggressiveness prevention, surgical castration is commonly required. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of GnRH agonist implant (4.7 mg deslorelinum) on the serum testosterone concentration (T) and spermatogenesis in male guinea pigs. Twenty-four animals were divided into two groups. All animals in the first group were neutered (Group 1), animals in the second group (Group 2) were administered the implant subcutaneously and then neutered in one-month intervals. A histological examination was performed when cross sections of seminiferous tubules were assessed. Subsequently, these tubules were divided based on the most developed germ cell observed: spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids, elongating spermatids and elongated spermatids. The anticipated decrease in testosterone concentration and cessation of spermatogenesis was not achieved. Thus, the results obtained proved the inefficacy of the deslorelin implant in male guinea pigs so the alternative methods of contraception remain the methods of choice.

Microstructure of the Surface of the Tongue and Histochemical Study of the Lingual Glands of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae).

Although the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract has been characterized in the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the exact anatomy of its tongue has not been studied. Samples of the lingual papillae and lingual glands were collected from the tongue of an adult female lowland tapir. The microscopic analysis of the structure of the lingual papillae and the histochemical analysis of the secretion of the lingual glands were analyzed. The tongue of the tapir is divided into the apex, body with a distinct lingual prominence, and the root. Its ventral surface is smooth. The most numerous of the mechanical papillae were the filiform papillae, while numerous conical papillae with a sharp apex or more rounded papillae were present in the root of the tongue. There were also nine vallate papillae and pair of foliate papillae. The foliate papillae contained several folds parted by 12-14 grooves. The mucous secretion produced by the lingual glands was more obvious than the serous secretion. The features of the dorsal surface of the tongue as well as the shape and number of the lingual papillae on the surface of the tongue of the examined female tapir differ compared to Equidae or Rhinocerotidae, the other two representatives of Perissodactyla. However, further study is necessary for the synapomorpy of the tapir's tongue.

Microscopic structure of the tongue in the lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi, Afrosoricida) and its relation to phylogenesis.

The tongue of the lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) was evaluated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue were densely covered with various types of lingual papillae. Two types of mechanical papillae (filiform and conical) and two types of sensory papillae (fungiform and vallate) were observed. Rostrocaudally, the number of spikes in filiform papillae increased. Filiform, crown-like papillae were found on the radix, as well as large conical papillae with a wide base and a caudally bent single spike. Fungiform papillae were scattered in four rows on the dorsal surface. Three vallate papillae in inverse triangular layout were developed in the area of the lingual radix. Taste buds were found in the sensory papillae, i.e., fungiform and vallate. The lingual glands were predominantly seromucous. These glands were evenly scattered from the caudal portion of the lingual apex to the lingual radix. Purely serous glands were localized close to vallate papillae. A histochemical analysis of glands was performed. Results were compared to the Afrotheria (tenrec's relatives) and Eulipotyphla (animals with similar feeding habits to tenrecs). This study is the first description of the lingual morphology in the member of the Order Afrosoricida. Moreover, it compares the effect of the phylogenetic relation to the effect of the feeding habits on the lingual morphology.

The ethics of Google Earth: crossing thresholds from spatial data to landscape visualisation.

'Virtual globe' software systems such as Google Earth are growing rapidly in popularity as a way to visualise and share 3D environmental data. Scientists and environmental professionals, many of whom are new to 3D modeling and visual communications, are beginning routinely to use such techniques in their work. While the appeal of these techniques is evident, with unprecedented opportunities for public access to data and collaborative engagement over the web, are there nonetheless risks in their widespread usage when applied in areas of the public interest such as planning and policy-making? This paper argues that the Google Earth phenomenon, which features realistic imagery of places, cannot be dealt with only as a question of spatial data and geographic information science. The virtual globe type of visualisation crosses several key thresholds in communicating scientific and environmental information, taking it well beyond the realm of conventional spatial data and geographic information science, and engaging more complex dimensions of human perception and aesthetic preference. The realism, perspective views, and social meanings of the landscape visualisations embedded in virtual globes invoke not only cognition but also emotional and intuitive responses, with associated issues of uncertainty, credibility, and bias in interpreting the imagery. This paper considers the types of risks as well as benefits that may exist with participatory uses of virtual globes by experts and lay-people. It is illustrated with early examples from practice and relevant themes from the literature in landscape visualisation and related disciplines such as environmental psychology and landscape planning. Existing frameworks and principles for the appropriate use of environmental visualisation methods are applied to the special case of widely accessible, realistic 3D and 4D visualisation systems such as Google Earth, in the context of public awareness-building and agency decision-making on environmental issues. Relevant principles are suggested which lend themselves to much-needed evaluation of risks and benefits of virtual globe systems. Possible approaches for balancing these benefits and risks include codes of ethics, software design, and metadata templates.

Self-supervised learning of the biologically-inspired obstacle avoidance of hexapod walking robot.

In this paper, we propose an integrated biologically inspired visual collision avoidance approach that is deployed on a real hexapod walking robot. The proposed approach is based on the Lobula giant movement detector (LGMD), a neural network for looming stimuli detection that can be found in visual pathways of insects, such as locusts. Although a superior performance of the LGMD in the detection of intercepting objects has been shown in many collision avoiding scenarios, its direct integration with motion control is an unexplored topic. In our work, we propose to utilize the LGMD neural network for visual interception detection with a central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion control of a hexapod walking robot that are combined in the controller based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network. Moreover, we propose self-supervised learning of the integrated controller to autonomously find a suitable setting of the system using a realistic robotic simulator. Thus, individual neural networks are trained in a simulation to enhance the performance of the controller that is then experimentally verified with a real hexapod walking robot in both collision and interception avoidance scenario and navigation in a cluttered environment.

Rectal perforation caused by deep infiltrating endometriosis in non-pregnant woman: Case report and short review of the literature.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to describe an unique case of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum in non-pregnant woman with unusual clinical and pathological presentation resulting in spontaneous perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A female (20 years of age) with a two year history of chronic recurrent abdominal pain of unknown etiology treated by a psychiatrist underwent diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed many peritoneal implants of endometriosis involving the right ovarian fossa, the vesico-uterine pouch and sacrouterine ligament; the bowel wall showed no structural abnormalities. Peritonectomy of the broad and uterosacral ligaments was used and eight days after the operation, the patient developed crampy abdominal pain and enterorrhagia necessitating laparoscopic revision; pelvic haematoma and rectosigmoiditis were found. Over the next three days, perforation of the rectum resulted in the presence of fecal material in the surgical drain. RESULTS: Lower rectal resection with ileostomy was performed. Microscopic examination revealed discrete small endometriotic lesions in submucosa, muscular layer and serosa of the rectum associated with perforation. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopy and laparotomy may be insufficient in the case of an inactive endometriosis. Definitive diagnosis is thus reached only by the histological examination. The pathophysiology of the bowel perforation secondary to endometriosis is not entirely clear. CONCLUSION: The presented case confirms the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between surgeons, gynaecologists, and pathologists. We also want to emphasize the need for extensive pathological examination of the resected specimens which is essential for a proper diagnosis. KEY WORDS: Endometriosis, Rectum, Spontaneous perforation.

Cranial cruciate ligament structure in relation to the tibial plateau slope and intercondylar notch width in dogs.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. The pathogenesis of CCL rupture is not fully described and remains to be elucidated fully. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the etiology of these changes. The objective of this study was to investigate structural changes in the CCL in relation to the tibial plateau angle (TPA) and the intercondylar notch (ICN) width in dogs. Fifty-five skeletally mature dogs were included in this study. ICN width and TPA measurements were obtained from intact CCL stifles. Samples of the CCL, caudal cruciate ligament (CaCL), and femoral head ligament (FHL) were harvested and stained for routine histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Microscopic changes in the ligaments were observed and were found to correlate with the TPA and ICN width values. The degree of structural changes within the CCL was observed to correlate with an increasing TPA and a narrowing ICN width. Changes in the CCL are likely to be caused by excessive forces acting through the ligament in stifles with a high TPA. Chondroid metaplasia of the CCL is an adaptation to abnormal mechanics within the stifle joint caused by altered bone morphology.

Light and scanning electron microscopy of the tongue of a degu (Octodon degus).

The tongue of an adult degu was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. It consists of an apex, corpus, and radix and contains a lingual prominence. The aim of this study was to describe the course of muscle fascicles of the proper lingual muscle, the presence and nature of the lingual salivary glands, and particularly the appearance and distribution of the lingual papillae. Three major types of papillae have been observed: filiform, conical, and vallate. The dorsal surface of the lingual apex extends in caudally bent filiform papillae with two spines. The lingual corpus bears long filiform papillae with a single tip. The lingual radix contains crown-like papillae in the region of the prominence and conical papillae in the remaining areas. Two oval vallate papillae were discovered caudally on the lingual radix. This first description of the lingual structures in a degu could be used for comparative studies or as basic data for differentiation of lingual morphology in this species.

Development of olfactory epithelium and associated structures in the green iguana, Iguana iguana-light and scanning electron microscopic study.

The ontogenesis of the nasal cavity has been described in many mammalian species. The situation is different with reptiles, despite the fact that they have become relatively common as pets. In this study we focused on the ontogenesis of the olfactory epithelium, as well as other types of epithelia in the nasal cavity of pre-hatched green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Collection of samples began from day 67 of incubation and continued every four days until hatching. Microscopic examination revealed that significant morphological changes in the nasal cavity began approximately at day 91 of ontogenesis. Approximately at this same stage, the nasal cavity epithelium began to differentiate. The cavity was divided into two compartments by a cartilaginous disc. The ventral compartment bulged rostrally and eventually opened up into the external environment. Three clearly demarcated areas of epithelium in the nasal cavity were visible at day 107.