ABSTRACT
Objective To further definite the distribution of caudal arteries and veins of rat by anatomical dissection and to deepen the understanding of their physiological functions, and provide a basis for standardization of animal experimental techniques and design of animal models. Methods Eighteen SPF adult SD rats were used in this study. Several techniques were used in combination to study the anatomy and histology of the rat tail blood vessels:paraformaldehyde perfusion through the abdominal aorta was performed for rapid and thorough fixation, blue and red paints were injected to visualize the tail veins and arteries, respectively, arterial microangiography was performed to illustrate the distribution of tail arteries, and the microscopic structure of arteries and veins was verified by histological examination. Results Three longitudinal superficial arterial and venous systems of rat tail were confirmed and a dorsal arterial and venous chain structure was defined, which deeped our knowledge about the distribution of the deep blood vessels. In addition, the caliber of arteries was not corresponding with that of veins, providing a basis of their physiological functions. A bilayer cage connecting structure of the rat tail vasculature was for the first time defined. Conclusions The rich vascular structure of rat tail is described in details in this study. The existence of basal vascular system of rat tail is clarified. A concept of bilayer framework of the rat tail vasculature is proposed, which lays a good foundation for related researches of their physiological functions, and provides a good basis for avoiding major injuries and compensatory responses of hindlimb ischemia during animal experiments.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the parental origin for a rare case of complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus and to discuss its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Methods Tissues from the fetus,mole and placenta were collected and pathology analysis and chromosome analysis were done.The DNA from the fetus,mole and parents' peripheral blood leukocytes was amplified with five short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D4S2460,D18S488,D21S2039,DXS1205 and DYS219) at the same time to confirm the parental source of the hydatidiform.Results (1) Casereport:A 27-year-old woman,gravida 1,para 0,was found high risk for neural tube defects at 20 weeks of gestation.At 24+5 weeks of gestation,ultrasound examination demonstrated a normal fetus,a normal placenta and a huge mass with a multicystic appearance attached to the placenta with an obvious demarcation.The fetus died at 26 weeks of gestation.Serum human chorionic gonadotropin-β(β -hCG) level decreased obviously during the first two weeks after artificial induction,but elevated at the third week,and β-hCG titers fell to normal after 2 courses of chemotherapy.Fetus autopsy showed no structure abnormality.Histopathologic examination of the hydatidiform showed swelling of chorionic villi with hyperplasia of the trophoblast and formation of central cisterns suggesting of a twin pregnancy consisting of a complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus.(2) Genetic analysis:The karyotype analysis of the normal placental villi was 46,XY; the cell cultures of fetal cartilage tissue and hydatidiform were failed.STR analysis showed that the fetus was diploid from biparental source;the mole was androgenetic source.And the mole had locus both from Y and X chromosome of the father,so it was heterozygous.It was suggested that this case was derived from one single oocyte fertilized with three spermatozoas.Conclusions STR analysis could be used to confirm the diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting fetus and to find the pathogenetic rnechanism.