Histomorphometric analysis of gonads of green turtles (chelonia mydas) stranded on the coast of Espírito Santo state, Brazil / Análise histomorfométrica das gônadas de tartarugas verdes (Chelonia Mydas) provenientes de encalhe no litoral do Espírito Santo, Brasil

Studies on reproduction in sea turtles are important due to its life cycle, migratory patterns, high juvenile mortality and environmental impacts. This study aimed to analyse histomorphometrically gonads of C. mydas from the coastline of the Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Ovaries and testicles were collected between 2014 and 2015 from stranded animals. The material was fixed in formalin 10%, assessed macroscopically and processed for histomorphometrical evaluation. Gonads from 34 individuals were evaluated, twenty-four females and ten males. Macroscopic sexual identification presented 100% accuracy confirmed by histology. Sexual dimorphism was observed in one individual, which was considered as adult (CCL=1.023 m). Microscopy of female gonads revealed predominant previtellogenic follicles; oocyte diameter ranged between 161µm and 750µm and a positive correlation between ovarian length, largest oocyte and CCL was found. In males, autolysis was verified in five individuals. Viable testicles revealed predominant spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules and, Leydig cells and fibroblasts in the stroma. There was a positive correlation between tubular diameter and CCL and testicle length and CCL. Maturation of stromal tissue and a positive correlation between tubular lumen and CCL were also observed. Gonad development is proportional to individual growth.(AU)

Estudos em reprodução de tartarugas marinhas são importantes devido ao ciclo de vida, ao padrão migratório, à alta mortalidade juvenil e aos impactos ambientais. Objetivou-se analisar histomorfometricamente gônadas de C. mydas no litoral do Espírito Santo. Foram coletados ovários e testículos dessa espécie, entre 2014 e 2015. O material foi fixado em formol a 10% e avaliado macroscopicamente. Em seguida, foi processado para avaliação histomorfométrica. Foram avaliadas gônadas de 34 indivíduos, 24 fêmeas e 10 machos. Verificaram-se 100% de acurácia na identificação sexual à macroscopia, confirmada pela histologia. Observou-se dimorfismo sexual em um macho, que foi considerado adulto (CCC=1,023m). A microscopia dos ovários revelou folículos pré-vitelogênicos, cujos ovócitos apresentaram diâmetro médio entre 161µm e 750µm. Houve correlação positiva entre comprimento ovariano e diâmetro do maior ovócito e CCC. Nos machos, verificou-se autólise em cinco indivíduos. Os testículos viáveis revelaram espermatogônias, espermatócitos primários e células de Sertoli nos túbulos seminíferos, além de células de Leydig e fibroblastos no estroma. Houve correlação positiva entre diâmetro tubular e CCC e comprimento testicular e CCC. Verificou-se maturação do tecido estromal e correlação positiva entre o diâmetro do lúmen tubular e o CCC. Verifica-se que o desenvolvimento das gônadas é proporcional ao crescimento dos indivíduos.(AU)

Imposex en Voluta musica (Caenogastropoda: Volutidae) en el Noreste de la Península de Araya, Venezuela / Imposex in Voluta musica (Caenogastropoda: Volutidae) from Northeastern Península de Araya, Venezuela

Voluta musica is a dioecious marine gastropod endemic of the South Caribbean. Tributyltin (TBT) and copper (Cu) are potential inducers of imposex, an endocrine disorder by which females develop a penis and/or vas deferens. The goal of this work was to determine the imposex incidence in V. musica populations from Northeastern Península de Araya. For this, we selected three sites (Isla Caribe, Isla Lobos and Bajo Cuspe) and made monthly samplings of 15 snails in each site, during one year, and determined: (1) sizes; (2) sex and imposex incidence and (3) the Relative Penis Length Index (RPLI). We also performed histological analysis of the gonads, and measured TBT and Cu concentrations in sediments from the studied localities. Our results showed that the total number of sampled females affected by imposex was 24.5% at Isla Caribe, 12% at Isla Lobos, and none at Bajo Cuspe. In sediments, Cu was detected mostly in Isla Lobos. The female gonads with imposex did not show any development of male cells in any of the sampled sites. The higher percentage of females with imposex matched with the higher boat traffic locality, and higher TBT level (Isla Caribe). No esterilization was evident in this work, nevertheless, the presence of TBT and Cu in the sediments and females with imposex were considered as a potential threat to V. musica populations in this region. In Venezuela there is no control over this particular issue, possibly because of the lack of information and research in this topic, but certainly, this information will be useful in biodiversity conservation policies.

Voluta musica es un gasterópodo dioico endémico del Caribe sur. El TBT y el Cu, son potenciales causantes del imposex, fenómeno donde las hembras desarrollan un pene y/o vaso deferente. El objetivo fue determinar la incidencia de imposex en V. musica en el noreste de la Península de Araya. Se seleccionaron tres localidades y se captura-ron mensualmente 15 individuos durante un año para determinar: (1) talla de los individuos; (2) sexo y presencia de imposex; (3) índice Largo Relativo del Pene (RPLI). Se realizó histología de la gónada de los individuos. Se determinó TBT y Cu en el sedimento de cada localidad. En Isla Caribe, el 24.5% de las hembras presentó imposex, y se halló 3.9ngSn/g de TBT; en Isla Lobos, el 12% de las hembras desarrollaron imposex; en Bajo del Cuspe no se observó imposex. Se halló Cu en mayor concentración en Isla Lobos. Las gónadas femeninas con imposex no demos-traron masculinización. El mayor porcentaje de imposex coincide con la localidad de mayor tráfico de embarcacio-nes y con mayor nivel de TBT (Isla Caribe). No se eviden-ció esterilización, sin embargo la presencia de TBT, Cu e imposex son potenciales amenazas para las poblaciones de V. musica en la región. Hasta ahora, en Venezuela no se está tomando ninguna medida de control sobre este tema en particular, posiblemente por la escasez de información y orientación de las investigaciones hacia este tema, pero que sin duda se debería tomar en cuenta en las políticas para la conservación de la biodiversidad.

Estudo comparativo dos efeitos do extrato de Ginkgo biloba L. e Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer na reprodução de ratos machos e fêmeas Wistar / Comparative study of effects of Ginkgo biloba L. and Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer extract on the reproduction of Wistar male and female rats

Ginkgo biloba e Panax ginseng são plantas utilizadas na medicina tradicional. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a histologia gonadal de ratos machos e fêmeas Wistar submetidos aos tratamentos com o extrato de G. biloba (120 mg kg-1) ou P. ginseng (200 mg kg-1), e avaliar os parâmetros reprodutivos e fetais das ratas tratadas com as plantas. O grupo controle recebeu solução fisiológica 0,9%. Os tratamentos foram efetuados por via oral através de gavage, duas vezes ao dia, durante quinze dias consecutivos. Após este período, machos (n=18) e fêmeas (n=18) foram sacrificados e as gônadas coletadas, pesadas e processadas para avaliação microscópica. Outras fêmeas (n=18) foram acasaladas com machos não tratados para avaliação da fertilidade e produtos da gestação. Os resultados indicaram que o peso dos órgãos reprodutivos masculino e feminino não foi afetado pelos tratamentos. A estrutura gonadal dos machos e fêmeas mostrou o mesmo padrão histológico nos três grupos experimentais. O tratamento materno pré-gestacional com os extratos não promoveu alterações no desempenho reprodutivo das matrizes e nos parâmetros fetais. Concluiu-se que o extrato de P. ginseng ou G. biloba não causou toxicidade reprodutiva em ratos machos e fêmeas.

Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng are plants used in the traditional medicine. The aim of study was to analyse the gonadal histology of the Wistar male and female rats submitted to the treatments with extract of G. biloba (120 mg kg-1) or P. ginseng (200 mg kg-1), and to evaluate the reproductive and fetal parameters of female rats treated with the plants. The control group received physiological solution 0.9%. The treatments were administered by oral gavage, twice/day, during fifteen consecutive days. After this period, male (n=18) and female rats (n=18) were sacrificed and the gonads collected, weighed and processed for microscopic evaluation. Another females (n=18) were matted with not treated males for evaluation of fertility and pregnancy outcome. The results indicated that the male and feminine reproductive organs weight was not affected by treatments. The gonadal structure of male and female rats showed same histologic pattern in the three experimental groups. The pre-gestational treatment with the extracts not promoted alterations in the reproductive performance of dams and in the fetal parameters. It was concluded that the extract of P. ginseng or G. biloba not presented reproductive toxicity in the male and female rats.

Neoplasias em gônadas disgenéticas / Neoplasms in dysgenetic gonadal

Conceitualmente, as gônadas disgenéticas são gônadas que não sofreram uma completa diferenciação. Em vista disso, constituem parte de uma ampla gama de entidades clínicas possuidoras de fenótipos e de genótipos diversos. Seus cariótipos contêm o cromossomo Y ou seus fragmentos, ou raramente não os contêm. Essas alterações geram maior risco para a ocorrência de neoplasias nessas gônadas. Na sequência deste estudo apresentamos as neoplasias mais comumente associadas aos diversos tipos de disgenesias gonadais. A neoplasia mais comum é o gonadoblastoma e outros como os disgerminomas e os tumores do seio endodérmico também podem estar associados. A detecção dessas anormalidades de modo precoce é o que nos motivou para a presente revisão

By definition, dysgenetic gonads are those that did not undergo a complete differentiation. They make up a vast array of clinical entities, having different phenotypes and genotypes. Their kariotypes contain the Y chromosome or fragments of it, and, in rare cases, do not contain it. Such alterations generate greater potential for the occurrence of neoplasms in such gonads. This study presents neoplasms which are most commonly associated with several types of gonadal dysgenesis. The most common neoplasia is gonadoblastoma and others like disgerminoma or yolk sac tumors may be associated. The early detection of such potential is the reason for this review

Three rare variations in the course of the gonadal artery / Tres raras variaciones en el trayecto de la arteria gonadal

The gonadal arteries, lateral branches of the abdominal aorta, usually arise distal to the renal vessels. Knowledge of the origin and course of them, particularly their relationships with renal vessels, are important for uncomplicated surgical procedures on the posterior abdominal wall. So the relationship of the testicular artery and renal vessels were studied in 80 cadavers in Calcutta National Medical College, India and detected three rare variations. We have discussed the possible clinical implications and embryological explanation with review of literature of those variations.

Las arterias gonadales, ramas laterales de la aorta abdominal, usualmente surgen distales a los vasos renales. El conocimiento del origen y trayecto de estas, particularmente sus relaciones con los vasos renales, son importantes para procedimientos quirúrgicos sin complicaciones en la pared posterior del abdomen. La relación de la arteria testicular y los vasos renales fueron estudiados en 80 cadáveres en la Escuela Nacional de Medicina de Calcuta, India y se detectaron tres variaciones raras. Se discuten las posibles implicancias clínicas y explicaciones embriológicas, con la revisión de la literatura de estas variaciones.

mRNA expression pattern of multiple members of connexin gene family in normal and abnormal fetal gonads in mouse.

Gap junctions are made of connexin (Cx) molecules and provide communications between adjacent cells through which small molecules (<1kDa) move between cytoplasms. The connexin gene family consists of at least 17 members. Gap junctions play important roles in ovarian and testicular function. Connexin 43 (Cx43) knockout mouse is a model for developmentally impaired fetal gonads. The aim of the current study was twofold: (a) to analyze mRNA expression pattern of multiple members of connexin gene family in normal fetal gonads; (b) to investigate any alteration of mRNA expression of connexins in developmentally impaired fetal gonads. The study was conducted in normal gonads obtained from 17.5 dpc wildtype (Cx43+/+) and heterozygote (Cx43+/-) fetuses and in developmentally impaired gonads obtained from 17.5 dpc knockout (Cx43-/-) fetuses. The mRNA expression pattern of connexins (Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, Cx46 and Cx50) was analyzed by RT-PCR. The mRNA transcripts for Cx32 and Cx50 were absent in fetal testis of all the genotypes, and the transcripts for Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx46 and Cx50 were absent in fetal ovary of all the genotypes. The transcripts for Cx43 showed expression in Cx43+/+ and Cx43+/- gonads and were absent in Cx43-/- gonads, as expected. Additionally, the mRNA transcripts for 8 more connexins (Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx37, Cx40, Cx45 and Cx46) showed expression in Cx43+/+ and Cx43+/- fetal testes, but the transcripts for only 4 connexins (Cx26, Cx37, Cx40 and Cx45) showed expression in Cx43-/- fetal testis. In fetal ovary, the mRNA transcripts for 3 more connexins (Cx31, Cx37 and Cx45) were expressed in all the genotypes. In summary, from the mRNA expression analysis of 11 members of connexin, gene family in 17.5 dpc fetal gonads, besides the expression of Cx43, 8 additional connexins were expressed in normal fetal testis but only 4 connexins were expressed in developmentally impaired testis. The fetal ovary showed the expression of 3 additional connexins besides the expression of Cx43. In developmentally impaired fetal ovary, only Cx43 was not expressed as expected but other three connexins were expresed. The study may be useful in interpreting human testis defects in infertility cases.

Anatomía quirúrgica de la región inguino-abdominal / Surgical anatomy of the inguino region abdominal

Se realiza un estudio anatomoquirúrgico de la hernia inguinal iniciando el trabajo con una breve explicación del desarrollo embriológico de las gónadas, la formación de la bolsa escrotal definitiva y el descenso testicular. Se hace una revisión de la anatomía comparada, resumiendo las variaciones específicas en algunos mamiferos. Se describen las anomalias del desarrollo de las gónadas y del descenso testicular clasificando las anomalías. Se realiza un recuento histórico del tratamiento quirúrgico de las hernias a través de distintas épocas de la humanidad. Relación detallada de la anatomía quirúrgica de la región inguinofemoral, del trayecto inguinal y su mecanismo de funcionamiento. Por último se hace una revisión de la nomenclatura anatómica internacional y de la bibliografía consultada

Pituitary-gonadal abnormalities in Egyptian children and adolescents with chronic renal insufficiency

Delayed sexual maturation is one of the problems facing survivors with chronic renal insufficiency [CRI]. Follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], prolactin [PRL], testosterone [TEST] and estradiol [ESTR] were estimated in 34 patients with CRI as compared to 20 healthy subjects. Some patients were given drug therapy [bromocriptin or clomiphene citrate or both of them] and their hormone profiles were reevaluated after the end of the therapy. This was a trial to outline the effects of CRI on the pituitary-gonadal axis and to investigate some modalities of drug therapy in addition to hemodialysis [HD]. The study revealed low FSH level in 23.4% of patients, low LH in 26.47% of patients and hyperprolactinemia in 50% of them. ESTR was found low in 60% of female patients while TEST was low in 89.4% of male patients. The study found that the worst the rental function the lower the FSH level [p <0.05] and the higher the PRL level [p <0.05]. No significant differences were found on comparing patients under regular HD to those on conservative treatment

Disgenesia gonadal mixta: experiencia y resultados / Mixed gonadal dysgenesia: experience and results

Se estudiaron 62 paientes en la Clínica de Intersexo del Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, IMSS, en Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. de enero de 1987 a mayo de 1991. Siete de ellos eran portadores de disgenesia gonadal mixta (DGM), y en ellos se investigaron antecedentes familiares, edad al momento de envío, sexo psicosocial establecido al nacer, fenotipo predominante, cariotipo y cromatina nuclear, hallazgos de la paratomía e histopatológicos. tratamiento quirúrgico reconstructivo y asignación sexual definitiva. El diagnóstico de envío en todos los pacientes que ambigüedad de genitales externos, y el promedio de edad en ese momento fue de 12 meses. Todos los pacientes resultaron negativos a la cromatina; en cuatro de ellos el cariotipo fue 45X0/46XY (15.14 por ciento), en dos 46XY(28.57 por ciento) y en uno era un mosaico de mayor complejidad, 45XO/47XYY (14.28 por ciento). En seis pacientes se encontró testículo disgenético en un lado y estría ovárica en el otro; sólo en un paciente hubo testículo único. La asignación sexual al nacimiento fue la misma que la sexual definitiva, a pesar de que dos pacientes debieron reasignarse sexualmente; los aspectos que lo impidieron fueron edad avanzada al momento de envío, sexo psicosoial previo y rechazo de los padres. Todos los pacientes se sometieron a laparotomía exploradora con extirpación gonadal, por el riesgo de malginización. En tres pacientes se realizó genitoplastia feminizante que consintió en clitororreducción y vaginoplastia en un sólo tiempo quirúrgico. En los asignados como masculinos, se ralizaron cura de hipospadias y colocación de prótesis testiculares. En este artículo se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de establecer un diagnóstico temprano que permita realizar una asignación sexual adecuada, de conformidad con el criterio del mejor fenotipo predominante.