An experimental study of the effect of ischemia on testicular structure in the rat. Efficacy of intravenous inosine.

The damages caused by experimental testicular ischemia lasting 60 minutes have been examined in the rat. The histologic alterations of the germinal epithelium and of the tunica propria are studied, using semi-thin sections stained with 1% toluidine blue. The results show that a testicular ischemia of 60 minutes causes damages to the testicular structures. These damages cannot be prevented or avoided by either surface cooling or cold perfusion; however, intravenous inosine prior to ischemia has a protective effect.

Mechanisms of regulation of the capillary bed in the human chorionic villi.

The purpose of the present researches was to confirm the hypothesis that in the human placenta the microcirculation is subjected to humoral control, because of the absence of innervation in the chorionic villi and the ability of the capillaries to contract themselves. Chorionic villi were incubated in presence of vasoactive substances, Histamine, Serotonin, Bradykinin, Dopamine, Enkephalin Prostaglandins. After incubation, the specimens were fixed and embedded in resin. Semithin sections were submitted to a computerized analysis for the evaluation of the ratio between surface of capillaries and surface of the villus. The results confirmed that in the control of capillaries in the human placenta most of the tested substances show a specific action, dose- or time-dependent.

On a particular method of isolation of the human placenta trophoblastic cells.

With the purpose of demonstrating the presence of different types of cells in the syncytial and cytotrophoblast of the human placenta, a new technique of cell isolation was performed by utilizing a light enzymatic digestion and a separation on density gradients. Normal human placentas of the first trimester of pregnancy have been studied. After an accurate and light washing in saline and anticoagulant substances, whole villi have been incubated in a trypsin solution for various periods of time at 40 degrees C in a thermostatic stirrer. Detached cells have been collected, rinsed and separated by means of different density gradients of Percoll (d = 1.038 and 1.080). Three cellular layers have been collected and processed for the studies at light and electron microscopy. The first layer was mostly composed by multinucleated elements with a morphological pattern closely related to the histological characteristics of the syncytiotrophoblast; the second fraction was composed by mononucleated elements with the structural findings of the Langhans' cells; the third layer was represented almost exclusively by blood cells. The obtained results demonstrated the high utility and accuracy of the suggested method of cell isolation.

A simple and cheap system to speed up and to control the tumescent technique procedure: the Tedde's system.

We have devised a low cost system to quickly infiltrate tumescent solution: we call it the "Tedde's system". This low-cost system offers an improvement in quality and quantity of the infiltration because all the procedure depends on the operators, reducing also the time of the infiltration and consequently of the whole surgical procedure. Moreover, this system can be applied to other surgical procedure that requires large infiltration volumes.

[Morphometric ultrastructure study of the trophoblast during gestation]. / Etude morphométrique ultrastructurale du trophoblaste au cours de la gestation.

The results obtained by studying the normal human placenta with stereological and morphometric methods are reported, particularly the volume fractions of the syncytial nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles, the morphometry of the syncytial nuclei and the thickness of the basement membrane of the trophoblast. All parameters have been followed throughout pregnancy. The possibility of utilization of quantitative methods for the study of placentas in pathological pregnancies has been discussed.

Structural pattern of the mitoses and hollow formations in the human embryo.

Hollow formations in very early stages of the human embryo development have been studied, regarding the behaviour of the mitoses. Semithin sections of the neural tube, of the fissure of the optic cup, and of somites yet furnished with the myocoelic cavity have been observed at the light microscope, after staining with toluidine blue. In all the observed buds a particular and very interesting result has been obtained: all the mitoses are placed in the lining cellular layer looking at the cavity. Dividing cells in the thickness of the wall of the buds are always lacking. In all the cases the dividing cells and the most of the others during the interphase appear to be closely linked to the inner surface of the wall, in the adluminal layer, at level of which cell evaginations form characteristic palings. A hypothesis has been advanced concerning the influence that active substances in the fluid filling the cavities may have in the control of the mitotic processes of the cellular wall.

Mitotic index of the Langhans' cells in the normal human placenta from the early stages of pregnancy to the term.

The mitotic index of the Langhans' cells of the normal human placenta has been evaluated from the 6th week of pregnancy until the term. The index is very high from the 6th to the 10th week, and afterwards it decreases quickly. However, some dividing cells are present also in placentas of 30-32 weeks. The high number of mitotic cells is considered to be related to the increase of the syncytial layer more than to the HCG production. This latter would be independent of the proliferative activity of the Langhans' cells and is probably affected by some humoral factors.

[Innervation of the human testes studied with electron microscopy]. / L'innervation du testicule humain étudiée par microscopie électronique.

The testes of 35 men from 2 to 61 years old have been studied by electron microscopy with the aim of stressing the presence and the topographic localization of the efferent nervous fibres. The researches have confirmed that the innervation of the male gonad shows three components: a) vasomotor, b) peritubular, c) interstitial. The results obtained point out the very important role that the vegetative nervous system plays in the regulation of the gonadal functions.