Spatiotemporally differential expression of HER (human epithelial growth factor receptor)-2 with sexual dimorphism in submandibular gland of mice

SUMMARY: Considering that the submandibular gland (SMG) of postnatal mice performs active cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation which are regulated by proto-oncogene products in cancerous cells, the expression and localization of a proto-oncogene product HER (human epidermal growth factor receptor)-2 was examined in SMG of postnatal mice. In Western blot analysis, the expression for HER-2 was high until pre-puberty, and it decreased from puberty to young adult stages with male SMG more dominant. In immunohistochemistry, the immunoreactivity was positive in acinar and ductal cells of newborn SMG with distinct localization at the intercellular apposition sites. The immunoreactivity in acinar cells progressively decreased to negligible levels by pre-pubertal stage, while it remained positive in most ductal cells throughout the postnatal time-course. The immunoreactivity in cells of terminal tubules and intercalated ducts, both of which have a high potential to produce cells, were seen at levels similar to those of more proximal ducts, while the immunoreactivity in ductal basal cells was significantly high, but the granular convoluted tubule cells were seen at negligible levels in male and at faint levels in female. In immuno-electron microscopy of excretory ducts, the immunoreactivity was dominantly localized on the basal infolding membranes as well as vesicles and vacuoles of various sizes, but rarely in Golgi apparatus and mitochondria. The immunoreactivity without association to any membranous structures were also seen, though not numerous. The relation of expression levels of HER-2 in various portions of normal SMG to those in their cancerous ones is briefly discussed.

RESUMEN: Considerando que la glándula submandibular (GSM) de ratones postnatales realiza la proliferación celular activa, apoptosis y diferenciación que están reguladas por productos protooncogénicos en células cancerosas, la expresión y localización de un producto protooncogénico HER (receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano) - 2 se examinó en GSM de estos ratones. En el análisis de Western blot, la expresión de HER-2 fue alta hasta la prepubertad, y disminuyó desde la pubertad hasta las etapas de adultos jóvenes con GSM macho más dominante. En inmunohistoquímica, la inmunorreactividad fue positiva en las células acinares y ductales de GSM de recién nacido con una localización distinta en los sitios de aposición intercelular. La inmunorreactividad en las células acinares disminuyó progresivamente a niveles insignificantes en la etapa prepuberal, mientras que permaneció positiva en la mayoría de las células ductales durante el transcurso del tiempo posnatal. La inmunorreactividad en las células de los túbulos terminales y los conductos intercalados, los cuales tienen un alto potencial para producir células, se obser- vó a niveles similares a los de los conductos más proximales, mientras que la inmunorreactividad en las células basales ductales fue significativamente alta, pero en el túbulo contorneado granular las células se observaron en niveles insignificantes en los machos y en niveles débiles en las hembras. En la microscopía inmunoelectrónica de los conductos excretores, la inmunorreactividad se localizó de manera predominante en las membranas de pliegues basales, así como en vesículas y vacuolas de varios tamaños, pero raramente en el aparato de Golgi y en las mitocondrias. También se observó la inmunorreactividad sin asociación a ninguna estructura membranosa, aunque no numerosa. Se discute brevemente la relación de los niveles de expresión de HER-2 en varias porciones de GSM normal con aquellos en sus cancerosos.

Effect of sodium fluoride with and without ginseng on the submandibular gland of adult male albino rat: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Fluoride has long been recognized as one of the best health measures in the prevention of dental caries. Excessive exposure to fluoride may induce undesirable effects on various body organs. Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines with a wide range of beneficial therapeutic effects. To evaluate the histological changes in rat submandibular gland that might result from exposure to sodium fluoride and the possible protective role of ginseng. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, ginsengtreated group, fluoride-treated group, and the fourth group was concomitantly treated with both ginseng and fluoride. The animals were treated orally once daily for 4 weeks. Specimens from the submandibular glands were processed for light and electron microscopy. The myoepithelial cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically using alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody and the results were statistically analyzed. Specimens from fluoride-treated animals showed disarrangement of acinar cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and nuclear irregularity. The intralobular ducts showed disorganization of the lining epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Ultrastructurally, focal separation of some acinar cells, disarrangement of rough endoplasmic reticulum, huge secondary lysosomes, swollen mitochondria, and coalescence of secretory granules were observed in some cells. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in the immunoreaction at the periphery of the acini, intercalated ducts, and striated ducts. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats concomitantly treated by both ginseng and fluoride with a nonsignificant increase in the immunoreaction. Long-term exposure to fluoride could induce structural changes in rat submandibular gland, which could be partially minimized by concomitant treatment with ginseng

Inmunohistochemical expression of PCNA, p53 and bcl-2 in pleomorphic adenomas / Expresión inmunohistoquímica de PCNA, p53 y bcl-2 en adenomas pleomórficos

The aim of the study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression of the PCNA, p53 and bcl-2 proteins in pleomorphic adenomas. Nineteen specimens of pleomorphic adenomas were selected for analysis by the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method with antibodies againstp53, PCNA and bcl-2 proteins. It was observed weak labeling for p53 in 12 cases (63.1 percent) andforPCNA in 8 (42.1 percent). With respect to the bcl-2 labeling index, o no expression of this protein was detected in 12 cases, corresponding to 63.1 percent of the sample. Based on these findings, it was concluded that p53 and PCNA can favour the proliferative activity of pleomorphic adenomas, whereas bcl-2 probably does not effectively participate in the pathogenesis of this tumor.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la expresión inmmunohistoquímica de las proteínas PCNA, p53 y bcl-2 en adenomas pleomórficos. Fueron seleccionados 19 especímenes de adenomas pleomórficos para análisis a través del método de la estreptavidina-biotina-peroxidasa con anticuerpos contra las proteínas p53, PCNA y bcl-2. Fue observada leve marcación para p53 en 12 casos (63,1 por ciento) y para PCNA en 8 (42,1 por ciento). Con relación al índice de marcación para bcl-2, ono fue detectada en 12 casos (63,1 por ciento) expresión de esta proteína. En base a los resultados, se concluyó que las proteínas p53 y PCNA pueden favorecer la actividad proliferativa de adenomas pleomórficos, y por otro lado, la bcl-2 probablemente ono participaría efectivamente de la patogenia de este tumor.

Anatomía microscópica de las glándulas salivales por medio de una técnica histológica convencional y no convencional / Microscopio anatomy of the salivary glands for mean of conventional and not-conventional histologic technique

Las técnicas de fijación y conservación permiten detener los procesos de desorganización de los tejidos y son necesarios para analizar la anatomía microscópica de ellos. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar las características histológicas de las glándulas parótida y submandibular obtenidas a partir de tres cadáveres humanos fijados y conservados mediante: a) solución conservadora en base a formaldehido (muestra I) y b) cámara de frío por 12 horas (muestra II), ambas muestras procesados para hematoxilina-eosina (H-E); c) plastinación con resina epóxica (muestra III) y procesado para H-E y con azul de metileno- eosina sin inclusión previa. Se analizaron las características de los adenómeros y sistema de conductos glandulares. Las mejores características se encontraron en la muestra II, con un buen nivel de detalle en el parénquima glandular, una mayor basofilia se presentó en la muestra I. La muestra III presentó un bajo nivel de detalle a la observación microscópica, los mejores resultados se obtuvieron utilizando azul de metileno. Las mayores dificultades en el procesamiento histológico de las piezas plastinadas se encontraron en el corte y en el tiempo necesario para la tinción. Los resultados sugieren que es posible obtener preparaciones histológicas a partir de necropsias en cadáveres fijados y conservados para la docencia e investigación anatómica.

The techniques of fixation and conservation allow to stop the processes of tissues disorganization and they are necessary to analyze the microscopic anatomy of them. The purpose of this study was to analyze the histologic characteristic of the parotid and submandibular glands obtained from three human cadavers fixed and conserved by means of: a) conservative solution based on formaldehyde (Sample I) and b) camera of cold for 12 hours (Sample II), both samples processed for hematoxilin-eosin (H-E); c) plastination with epoxic resin (Sample III) and processed for H-E and with methylene blue - eosin without previous inclusion. The characteristics of the adenomer and glandular ducts system were analyzed. The best characteristics were in the sample II, with a good detail level in the glandular parenchyma, a greater basophilia was presented in the sample I. The sample III it presented a low detail level to the microscopic observation, the best results were obtained using methylene blue. The biggest difficulties in the histologic process of the plastinated specimens were in the cut and time for tintion. The results suggest that it is possible to obtain histologic preparations from autopsies in fixed cadavers and conserved for teaching and anatomical investigation.

Glândula submandibular de ratos com envelhecimento: observações ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura de alta resolução / Submandibular gland of rats with ageing: observations with high resolution scanning electron microscopy

As características tridimensionais dos componentes intracelulares de células acinares e de ductos foram reveladas usando o método ósmio-DMSO-ósmio. As amostras foram maceradas em solução de tetróxido de ósmio diluído após a fratura na solução de dimetil sulfoxido. As lamelas do retículo endoplasmático granular são reveladas entremeadas por várias mitocôndrias. As lamelas do retículo endoplasmático granular são localizados ao redor dos núcleos na porção basal e estas estruturas são observadas em imagens tridimensionais de microscopia eletrônica de alta resolução.

The three-dimensional characteristics of the intracellular components of acinar and ductal cells were revealed using the osmium-DMSO-osmium method. The samples were macerated in diluted osmium after fractured in DMSO solution. The stacks of the rough endoplasmic reticulum are revealed intermingling by several mitochondria. The lamellae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum are located around the nuclei at basal portion and these structures are shown in three-dimensional HRSEM images.

Effect of temporary submandibular duct-ligation on the myoepithelial cells in albino rat. A light and electron microscopic studies

The duct of the right submandibular gland was doubly ligated with metal clips to study the effects of duct ligation and ligature removal in albino rat submandibular gland to elucidate the relationship between duct ligation and removal of the ligature and to determine whether proliferation of myoepithelial cells occur in atrophic rat submandibular glands. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided randomly into 3 main groups: a submandibular gland atrophy group [Ligated Group] in which the right main submandibular duct was ligated for 1, 2 and 4 weeks; a recovery group in which duct ligation was in place for 2 weeks and then removed and the rats were sacrificed after 2 weeks and the 3rd group was not subjected to operation and used as control group. At the assigned date, the animals were sacrificed. The right submandibular glands were thoroughly-dissected and removed. Specimens of the gland were cut at 6-8 micro m thickness and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Other specimens of the gland were taken and prepared for electron microscopy study. Duct ligation of the submandibular gland was accompanied by progressive atrophy of the gland. After 4 weeks of duct-ligation, light microscopy showed that the acini became atrophied and contained few secretory granules. There was dilated inter-lobular and intralobular ducts that lined by cuboidal flat cells. The inter-lobular connective tissue was increased in thickness. Persistent myoepithelial cells were also found in atrophic rat sumandibular gland. After removal of the ligature, the gland revealed histological evidence of regeneration and persistent myoepithelial cells. All cellular components manifested recovery and became similar to the control condition. The present observations also suggest that ligation of the main duct of the rat submandibular gland produces a pronounced atrophy that is reversed upon ligature removal

comparative study of the ultrastructure of submandibular, parotid and exocrine pancreas in diabetes and fasting

To comparatively analyze the ultrastructural changes in the submandibular and parotid glands and in the exocrine pancreas following diabetes induced by Streptozotocin exposure and the effects of fasting and insulin treatment on these alterations. For experimental procedure, we included 48 Sprague-Dawley type rats in July 2001-March 2002 at Gazi University, Turkey. We divided the rats into 8 groups following the infusion of Streptozotocin. While the degeneration manifested itself as accumulation of secretions within the mucous cells in the submandibular gland, lipid droplets were absent, being replaced by vacuolar structures. The parotid gland and exocrine pancreas, having similar properties, were affected similarly. Diabetes-induced loss of granules was observed in the serous cells in both glands. There was diffuse lipid accumulation within these cells. Regarding granule content, we observed the most prominent degenerative changes in the parotid gland. While cellular loss was observed in neither the submandibular, nor the parotid gland, we noted presence of apoptotic cells was noted in the pancreas. State of fasting was found to cause alterations within the glands indicating increased activity. While insulin treatment was seen to restore the structure to normal in general in both of the 3 glands. This study demonstrated that both of the 3 glands are affected by diabetes and concomitant fasting, and this effect manifests itself via the granule content

Early phenotypic and genotypic alterations in submandibular gland oncogenesis in rats

Se evaluaron modificaciones del fenotipo y genotipo en glándulas submandibulares durante el desarrollo temprano de la tumorogénesis. Glándulas submandibulares de ratas macho fueron inyectadas con una solución de 0.5 por ciento de 9,10 dimetil 1,2-benzathracene (DMBA) diluida en acetona. Muestras de glándulas fueron analizadas mediante técnicas histológicas, bioquímicas, inmunocitoquímicas y por PCR a los 0, 7, 30 y 150 días postinyección. Para los estudios histopatológicos se utilizó la técnica de hematoxilina-eosina. Se determinó la concentración de proteínas totales por el método de Lowry y se realizaron corridas electroforéticas en gel de poliacrilamida SDS-PAGE al 12 por ciento para determinar el perfil proteico. Se realizó inmunomarcación para Bcl-2 con oro coloidal-plata y para p53 por streptavidina-biotina. Todos los animales tratados desarrollaron cambios similares a carcinomas a los 30 y 150 días. La concentracióan de proteínas totales aumentó significativamente (p<0,05) a los 7, 30 y 150 días en relación a los controles. En glándulas inducidas la inmunomarcación fue positiva para la proteína p53 en núcleos de células neoplásicas a los 30 y 150 días. En las mismas glándulas, la marcación citoplasmática de Bcl-2 fue positiva a los 7, 30 y 150 días(p=0,0015) y en relación a los controles (p<0,0001). No se observaron mutaciones de p53, mientras que se observó una mutación puntual, C A del gen bcl-2 a los 7, 30 y 150 días que generó un cambio de aminoácidos en la proteína (thre asn). Nuestros resultados sugieren que los cambios histopatológicos tempranos corresponden a modificaciones cuantitativas y cualitativas de las proteínas. Las modificaciones observadas a nivel histopatológico, bioquímico, inmunocitoquímico y genético en la carcinomgénesis experimental de glándula submandibular de rata podrían representar parámetros reproducibles de transformaciones malignas transferibles al ser humano, dada la alta homología de estos oncogenes entre rata, ratones...

Effect of ciprofloxacin on the submadibular salivary gland of adult male albino rat: a light and electron microscopic study

Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic antimicrobial agent with a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. This work was done to evaluate the histological and histochemical changes induced by ciprofloxacin administration on the structure of submandibular gland of rats. It also aimed to predict the possibility of recovery after drug withdrawal. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three equal groups: 8 rats each. Group I was the control group. Group II included animals, which received the therapeutic dose of ciprofloxacin [90 mg/kg/day] for 10 days. Group III consisted of animals, which received the therapeutic dose of ciprofloxacin for 10 days and left to recover for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were decapitated and the submandibular glands were dissected out. They were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. In Group II there were focal areas in the submandibular gland where the acini were almost disorganized. The acinar cells showed variable degrees of degeneration. The striated and convoluted ducts as well were affected. Some of their lining epithelium showed cytoplasmic vacuolations. There was a noticeable diminution in both the mucopolysaccharides and protein contents in the gland. However, these changes were seen to be reversible and the submandibular gland of rats in group III appeared more or less similar to the control

Effect of streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus on the morphology of rat submandibular salivary gland

This study was done to examine the response of the rat submandibular salivary glands to streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus. 30 adult male albino rats were used, 15 of them as control and the rest were given a single I.V dose of streptozotocin [65mg/kg body weight] to induce diabetes. The submandibular salivary glands of both control and experimental animals were examined by light and electron microscopy at 3,6,12 weeks post treatment. There was a reduction in secretory granules content of the granular ducts and accumulation of lipid in the acinar cells. With increasing duration of diabetes, the number of secondary lysosomal structures in both acini and granular ducts was apparently increased

Histological study of the salivary glands in dasypus hybridus (mammalia, dasypodidae)

The histology of the salivary glands of the armadillo Dasypus hybridus (Desmarest, 1804), was studied. Two pairs of salivary glands, parotid and submaxillary, and a salivary bladder are distinguished. Parotids are located anteriorly to the submaxillary glands. They are purely serous glands and excretory intralobular ducts, intercalated and particularly striated ones, are very numerous. Submaxillary glands are of greater size. They possess two lobes, which differs in their histology and histochemistry. The anterior lobe is mixed and the presence of numerous intralobular excretory ducts is remarkable. The bigger posterior lobe is mucous. Intralobular excretory ducts are observed, but they are not as abundant as in the anterior portion.

Ultrastructural alterations in submandibular glands of rats: rattus norvegicus submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las glándulas submandibulares de ratones (Rattus norvegicus) sometidos al alcoholismo crónico experimental, utilizando el microscopio electrónico de transmisión. El experimento fue programado para un período de 15 meses. Cada 5 meses, 3 animales de cada grupo fueron sacrificados. Utilizamos 27 ratones (machos) adultos, con peso de 400g los cuales fueron divididos en tres grupos experimentales: 1) Alcohólico, el cual recibió etanol diluido al 6 por ciento por 15 meses: 2) Isocalórico que recibió sacarosa diluida en concentración de 87,14 g/L, correspondiendo energéticamente al contenido calórico del grupo alcohólico, y 3) Control, el cual recibió agua de grifo ad libitum como dieta líquida. Los animales de todos los grupos fueron alimentados con una dieta sólida establecida semanalmente, que consistió en idéntica ración de Purina. Observamos varias alteraciones ultraestructurales, principalmente, en las células seromucosas: dilatación y ensanchamiento de las cisternas del complejo de Golgi, presencia de vacuolas digestivas, un gran número de vesículas electrodensas, aumento en el espacio intercelular, aumento entre las interdigitalizaciones basolaterales de las células y ensanchamiento del tejido conjuntivo. Además, observamos en algunas células de los ductos interpuestos en la posición más baja de sus membranas laterales, tras 15 meses de tratamiento, la presencia de vesícula claras y llenas de material electrodenso localizados entre los gránulos de secreción de las células de los ductos granulares. No observamos ninguna alteración en los animales los grupos control e isocalóricos, así como en otras partes del parénquima glandular de los animales del grupo alcoholizado

Morphologic study of submandibular gland in monkey (cebus apella)

En el mono Cebus apella, las glándulas salivales submandibulares se localizan en la área cervical, lateralmente a tráquea y están constituidas morfológicamente por cuatro tipos de células parenquimatosas que forman diferentes estructuras: 1. Acinos: que presentan células secretoras seromucosas, mucosas y mioepiteliales. Las células secretoras tienen retículo endoplásmico rugoso y complejo de Golgi desarrollados lo que permite a éstas una gran capacidad de síntesis, además presentan una acumulación considerable de gránulos de secreción. 2. Ductos intercalares: se caracterizan por tener células epiteliales cuboidales simples y células mioepiteliales. Los ductos conectan las células secretoras a los ductos granulosos y presentan escencialmente una función excretora. 3. Ductos estriados: consisten en células columnares altas con pliegues extensos en su membrana en las zonas basal y lateral. Presentan una cantidad pequeña de retículo endoplásmico rugoso y de gránulos, lo que sugiere una función de transporte de iones y agua. 4. Ductos excretores: constituidos por células columnares altas y forman la porción final de la vía excretora

Estudo estereológico dos diferentes componentes estruturais de glândulas submandibulares de ratos machos e fêmeas / Stereological study of the various morphologic structures of male and female rat submandibular glands

Na presente pesquisa, avaliou-se as dimensöes morfométricas de ácinos, ductos intercalares, ductos excretores e estroma de glândulas submandibulares de ratos de ambos os sexos. A análise dos resultados mostrou que: a) a massa glandular dos machos foi 42 por cento maior do que nas fêmeas; b) os ácinos exibiram densidade de volume, densidade de superfície e relaçäo superfície-volume maiores nas fêmeas e volume nuclear e volume total do compartimento maiores nos machos; c) as densidades de volume e superfície do compartimento dos ductos intercalares foram maiores nas fêmeas e o seu volume nuclear foi maior nos machos; d) a densidade de superfície dos ductos excretores foi maior nos animais fêmeas; e) o volume total do estroma foi significativamente maior nos machos; f) o número absoluto de células do estroma foi maior nos animais machos, e nos demais compartimentos näo se observou diferenças estatisticamente significantes; g) o número de ácinos foi semelhante nos machos e fêmeas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que as glândulas submandibulares dos ratos machos exibem diferenças detectáveis pela morfometria, nos compartimentos dos ácinos, ductos intercalares, ductos excretores e estroma em relaçäo às fêmeas

Morphology of rat submandibular gland acinar secretory granules and their alteration during the acute phase of experimental Chagas' disease

In a morphometric study at the electron microscope level immature submandibular glands of 8 normal male Holtzman rats were compared to those of 12 rats (46 days old) infected with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi at day 18 of infection. In the fasted animals, the acinar cells of controls exhibited a variety of morphological types of immature secretory granules with lamellar substructure composed of swirling cords of electron-dense material, whereas in the infected rats mature secretory granules containing dense aggregates of short or long filamentous material were more abundant. These results suggest and acceleration of acinar maturation in infected animals

Ultrastructural study on the acini of the submandibular gland of adult experimentally diabetic male albino rat

The fine structure of the submandibular gland of male adult albino rats has been examined in control rats and in rats subjected to induced by alloxan for one, two and four months. All diabetic rats developed persistent hyperglycemia, lost weight, had atrophied testes and some of them became cachectic. Variable ultrastructural changes were evident in the affected acinar components even in early stages of diabetes induction of the experiment. It became more progressive after four months. The nuclei became irregular, electron dense and indented. There was a decrease in the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum which appeared as fragmented strands. Accumulation of protein secretory material within the cytoplasm was followed by degenerative changes resulting in cell death. The presence of lipid droplets of variable sizes in basal cytoplasm was also noticed

Estudo estereológico dos ductos granulosos e estriados de glândulas submandibulares de ratos machos e fêmeas / Stereologic study of the convoluted granular tubules and striated ducts of male and female rat submandibular glands

Avaliou-se através de métodos estereológicos, as várias dimensöes dos ductos granulosos e dos ductos estriados de glândulas submandibulares de ratos, de ambos os sexos. Em média, os ductos granulosos representam uma estrutura cilíndrica de 6.096,2cm de comprimento e 37,7µm de diâmetro, com um volume compartimental de 68,4mmü e uma superfície externa total de 67,7cm², e constituída por 595,2x10(5) células com volume celular de 994,5µmü; enquanto que, os ductos estriados representam um túbulo de 1.322,9cm de comprimento e diâmetro de 32,0µm, tendo um volume total de 10,9mmü e uma superfície externa total de 11,8cm², e formado por 185,2x10(5) células com volume celular de 652,6µmü. A análise estatística näo mostrou diferenças entre os sexos, para nenhuma das dimensöes quantificadas

Scanning electron microscopy of acinar cells of rat submandibular salivary glands

1. The submandibular salivary gland of rats was observed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy employing the aldehyde-osmium-DMSO-osmium method. 2. The intracellular membranous components and sponge-like structures of basement membrane containing the fine collagen fibrils of acinar cells were clearly identified in three dimensional images. The granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus showed the luminal surface. The mitochondria were small, ranging in diameter from 0.3 to 0.5 µm, and revealed their cristae. The secretory granules ranged in diameter from 0.3 to 1.4 µm. ribosome granules were attached to the surfaces of cisterns, and measured 20 to 25 nm in diameter. 3. The contact areas between the acinar cells revealed numerous cytoplasmic protrusions. In the striated duct cells, the mitochondria were arranged vertically and surrounded by nasal infoldings of the plasma membranes. At high magnification, the mitochondrial cristae were visualized in their three-dimensional characteristics

Estudo morfométrico ultra-estrutural do dimorfismo sexual em células de ductos granulosos de glândulas submandibulares de camundongos / Ultrastructural morphometric study of sex dimorphism in cells of the ductus granulosus of the submandibular glands of mice

O dimorfismo sexual existente na célula secretora do ducto granuloso em glândulas submandíbulares de camundongos adultos foi estudado em nível do microscópio de luz e eletrônico. Em cortes semifinos determinou-se o volume nuclear (Bach, 1963), e as fraçöes de volume celular ocupados pelo núcleo e citoplasma (Chalke=ley 1943). Em 20 eletromicrografias por animal, com aumento final de 15.000x, utilizando o sistema teste de multiproposiçäo de Weibel et al. (1966) obteve-se os vários valores morfométricos relativos, que multiplicados pelo volume citoplasmático, nos forneceram os respectivos valores absolutos. Os resultados mostraram a existência de um dimorfismo sexual em nível subcelular. A célula secretora do ducto granuloso da glândula submandibular do camundongo macho é mais alta e mais volumosa que a da fêmea. Observou-se também que o retículo endoplasmático granular e o complexo de Golgi säo mais desenvolvidos naquelas células do animal macho; bem como, os vacúolos de condensaçäo säo maiores, mas em menor número. O volume total dos grânulos de secreçäo é marcadamente maior nos animais machos, apesar de estarem em menor número em relaçäo à célula secretora do camundongo fêmea. As mitocôndrias possuem um maior volume uma maior superfície naquele tipo celular nos camundongos fêmeas