Valproic acid induces histologic changes and decreases androgen receptor levels of testis and epididymis in rats

Background: valproic acid [VPA], an anti-epileptic drug, can cause male subfertility. However, the degree to which testicular and epididymal histopathologies and androgen receptor [AR] expression are changed under VPA treatment has never been reported

Objective: to investigate the histopathological changes and AR protein levels of testis and epididymis in VPA-treated rats for every single day

Materials and Methods: sixty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into control and VPA-treated groups [n=8/ each]. Treated rats were injected with 500 mg/ kgBW, intraperitoneally, VPA for 10 consecutive days. At the end of every experimental day, all reproductive parameters including histology by hematoxylin and eosin staining and protein expression of AR by Immuno-Western blot in testis and epididymis were examined

Results: VPA-treated rats showed dramatically changes in testicular and epididymal histopathologies compared to control group. The multinucleated giant cells and sloughing of germ cells were observed on day 6. The germ cell disintegration and increased intercellular spaces of seminiferous tubular epithelium appeared in days 7-10 of VPA treatment. Additionally, extensive multinucleated giant cells and complete exfoliation were clearly found from days 8-10. Such exfoliated germ cells were clearly seen in its epididymal lumen at day 10. The increasing rate of sperm concentration was approximately 32.31% of that in control group at day 10 [p=0.03]. Moreover, the protein expressions of testicular and epididymal AR [% intensity/ 80 ?g protein lysate] was decreased in VPA-treated rats compared with control

Conclusion: VPA treatment induces histologic changes of germ cell epithelium in seminiferous tubules and decreases the expression of testicular and epididymal androgen receptors

Duplicated axillary arch muscles arising from the latissimus dorsi / 대한해부학회지

Many origins and insertions of an axillary muscular slip (also known as Langer's or axillary arch muscles) have been documented previously. In this report, we found duplicated axillary arch muscles (two variant muscular slips) originating from the inferolateral border of the right side latissimus dorsi muscle. Obviously, these axillary arch muscles can be distinguished as short and long muscular strips. While the origin was the same, the short muscular slip inserts into the fascia covering on the pectoralis minor, whereas the longer one inserts on/into the aponeurosis of pectoralis major. For the surgery in the axillary region, this rare variation should be considered a cause of surgical interventions.

Length, Diameter and Variations in Types of Portal vein formations in Northeastern Thais

Background:  The portal vein is an intra-abdominal large vein.  It drains the venous blood from the abdominal and pelvic parts of the digestive tract and its associated glands including the spleen, pancreas and gallbladder.   Variations of its formation were previously reported in literatures. The anatomic dimensions of the portal vein and its variations of formation have not been established for Thais. Objectives of the present study is  determine the length, diameter and variations in  types of portal vein formations in Northeastern ThaisStudy design: A descriptive study based on anatomical dissection and morphometry.Setting: Gross Anatomy Laboratory Dissecting room at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Subjects:  Sixty five donated, embalmed Northeastern Thai cadavers (40 males; 25 females) ranging between 38 and 87 years of age at decease were used.  Methods: All cadavers were dissected in order to approach the portal veins, superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins.  The length and diameter of each portal vein were measured by vernier caliper and recorded.  Variations of the portal vein formation in relation to the termination or point of entry of the inferior mesenteric veins were determined and recorded.Results: The average length and diameter of the portal veins was 6.61 + 0.93 cm and 1.18 + 0.23 cm respectively.  Of 65 cases, Type I of the portal vein, which was formed by the union of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein was found in 55 cases of 65 cases (84.61%).  The confluence of the superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins to form the portal vein type II, occurred only in 10 cases  (15.39%).  Conclusions:  Our results demonstrated the average lengths (6.61 + 0.93 cm) and diameters (1.18 + 0.23 cm) of the portal vein and the possible anatomic differences of its formation among Northeastern Thais.  It was interesting to find that the superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins join to form the portal vein occurred in 10 cases. 

The pattern of talar articular facets in Northeastern Thai calcanei

 The variations of the talar articular facets in 230 Northeastern Thai calcanei were studied and classified.  The specimens were 100 wet calcanei and 130 dry calcanei.  Three types were considered: type A (calcanei with two articular facets for the talar head, with four subtypes); type B (calcanei with the anterior and middle talar articular facets coalescing into a common articular facet for the talar head, with two subypes); type C (calcanei with the anterior, middle and posterior talar articular facets coalescing into a sigle facet for the talus).  It is interesting that our studies of the two groups of specimens yielded similar percentages of calcaneal types, 40% of type A, 59% of type B, and 0-1% of type C.  Therefore, the overall results reflect the type distribution of both wet and dry groups.  In 230 calcanei we found 40% (93 cases) of type A calcanei, 59% (136 cases) of type B calcanei and 0.43% (1 case) of type C calcaneus.  The incidence of type B was significantly higher than type A (P

The Position of the Mandibular Foramen in the Adult Mandibles of Northeastern Thai

 Locating the mandibular foramen is important clinically when mandibular nerve block is required.  However, there is still no concrete assesment of the position of the mandibular forament inThai people.  This study was designed to determine the exact position of the mandibular foramen in relation to surrounding bony landmarks as one of the standard references for Thai people.  Forty-nine adult human mandibles of Northeastern Thai were examined to measure the location of the mandibular foramen.  Measurements and observations were based on the following : the distance from the mandibular foramen to the internal oblique ridge (LI), the distance from the mandibular foramen to the anterior border of the mandibular ramus (La) and the distance from the mandibular foramen to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus (LP).  Our study showed that the mean lengths of the LI of the left and right mandibular rami are 13.00 + 1.82 mm and 13.15 + 1.87 mm, respectively.  The mean lengths of the LA of the left and right mandibular rami are 20.17 + 1.86 mm and 20.09 + 1.77 mm. The mean lengths of the LP of the left and right mandibular rami are 20.74 + 1.79 mm and 20.46 + 2.05 mm.  Therefore, the mandibular foramen is located halfway between the anterior and posterior borders of the ramus.  The width of the mandibular ramus is approximately 40 mm. There is no significant difference between the lengths of the left and right mandibular rami measured no matter whether the third molar erupts or not.

Subacute Toxicity of Ethanol on the Function of Male Rat Reproductive Tract

Background: Ethanol had been recognized to be a factor inducing male reproductive dysfunction. Most of the information concentrate on the acute single large dose and chronic effect of ethanol. To date, little is know concerning subacute toxicity of repetitive doses of ethanol.Objectives: To study subacute toxicity of ethanol on the male reproduction system and determine the possible mechanism (s).Method: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups; control and experimental groups. The control group received 0.9% NSS while the experimental groups received ethanol at various doses; 0.5,1,2,5 and 10 g/kg BW. Once daily for 5 days via subcutaneous route. Then they were determined weight and histology of testes, amount, motility and viability of sperms, levels of lipid peroxidation and serum testosterone.Results: Ethanol treatment at doses of 2, 5 and 10 g/kg BW decreased sperm amount and sperm motility significantly. However, the effect of ethanol did not show a dose dependent manner. The spermatogenic arrest also occurred at the spermatocyte level. Ethanol also increased the level of lipid peroxidation in testes but it did not product a significant change in serum testosterone level.Conclusions: Ethanol increased the level of lipid peroxidation in testes. This process may be partly spermatogenesis and motility of sperm. The present study showed that repetitive doses of ethanol even at moderate concentration was also able to impair reproductive function.Key words: ethanol, sperm amount, sperm motility, spermatogenic arrest

Obturator Hernia in Thai Cadaver: A Case Report

Background: The obturator  hernia is relatively rare.A preoperative diagnosis is unusual since the manifestration  shown is highly variable and often concealed by pectineus muscle.High mortality rate of  obturator hernia was due to the difficulty diagnosis and operation.The incidence of obturator hernia has not been reported in Thai cadavers.Objective: To study the incidence of obturator hernia in Thai cadaversResults: During pelvic dissection of 104 cadavers (56 males, 48 females),an obturator hernia (0.96 %) was found on the right side of a female of age 56.The hernial mass consisted of a hernial  sac containing fat tissue surrounded by thin fibrous connective tissue,skeletal muscle and its fascia.The hernial  mass plugged in the obturator foramen with obturator nerve and vessels.The distal end of the hernial mass pass through the obturator canal  to the thigh and located above pectineus muscle.Surprisingly,the  obturator membrane and obturator externus muscle was absent.Histological study  of the distal end of the hernial mass revealed its contents identical to the greater omental tissue.Conclusions: During gross dissection,an obturator hernia (0.96%) was found on the right side of a female of age 56.The hernial contents showed histological characteristics identical to omental tissue and was surrounded by  peritoneum,skeletal muscle and its fascia.The absence of obturator membrane and obturator externus muscle in this case might be  the weakpoint and caused obturator hernia consequently.

Sacralization of the 5th lumbar vertebra in Thais

Background: The sacrum generally is composed of five vertebrae fused to form a triangular bony mass.  Numerous anatomical variations of the sacrum have been reported including many reports of sacralization of the fifth lumbar in different race. There has never been reported among Thais.Objective:   To determine the incidence of sacralization of the fifth lumbar vertebra among ThaisDesign:  Descriptive study based on numerical survey.Setting:  Bone Collection Unit, Department of Anatomy, faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, ThailandSubjects:  Included were 206 sacra from Thai skeletons, 114 males and 92 females between 26 and 90 years of age at death. Methods:  An anatomical study was done on the sacrum.  The sacra consisting of six vertebrae, by incorporation of the fifth lumbar, were selected. To confirm the lack of a fifth lumbar  vertebra, we re-counted the lumbar vertebrae belonging to the same skeleton of the selected sacrum.  The specimens were then carefully examined and recorded.Results:  We found 9 (4.4%) specimens with the 5th lumbar vertebra fused to the first segment of the sacrum, representing sacralization;  the incidence of which was 7 (6.1%) in males and 2 (2.1 %)  in females. The degree of sacralization varied: complete in four out of seven of the males and incomplete in the remaining three out of seven males and in the two females. Conclusions:  The present study shows that the incidence of sacralization of the 5th lumbar vertebra among Thai is about 4.4 %.  The knowledge of this anatomical variation could be useful for the preliminary consideration in  patient with low back problems.Key words: Anatomic variation, Sacral foramina, Sacrum 

Phallo-Orchido-Atrophy from a Huge Recurrent Indirect Inguinal Hernia: A cadaveric Case Report

Background: A huge indirect inguinal hernia with tiny penis and a gigantic scrotum was observed in a cadaveric male of age 77 years. Clinical record from the hospital was retrospectively studied with the permission of his son and the hospital director.Objective: To observe the hernial contents and its effects on the surrounding organs.Methods: Dissection was carefully done in the inguinal regions, scrotal sac and hernial coverings.Results: Bilateral indirect inguinal hernias with the predominantly large left side were observed. The scrotum was enlarged by a huge left hernial sac containing a long loop of sigmoid colon (8 inches long). This hernial sac put a great pressure on both testes, spermatic cords and pushed them inferiorly to the hernial sac until they were stretchedly thin and atrophied. The penis was pushed to the right and retracted to be tiny (1 inch long). The right hernial sac was incomplete indirect inguinal hernia containing the mesentery. His medical record revealed the history of the left hernial repair 8 years before death but did not report the recurrent time or any clinical sign ofphallo-orchido-atrophy.Conclusion: A case of 77 year old male cadaver with a huge recurrent indirect inguinal hernia was studied. The left hernial sac was larger than the right one and extended down to fill up and enlarge the scrotum. The content was a long loop of sigmoid colon (8 inches long). The huge hernial content put a great pressure on both testes, spermatic cords and the penis for a long period of time and consequently causing a phallo-orchido-atrophy.Keywords: recurrent indirect inguinal hernia, phalloorchido-atrophy

The Prevalence of Vertebral Osteophyte Formation in Northeast Thais

Background: Vertebral osteophyte was the bony outgrowth occurred as a result of pathological destruction to the vertebral joints. The plausible causes were osteoarthritis, inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spine. There was still no report of the prevalence of vertebral osteophyte formation in the northeast Thais.Objective: To study the prevalence and distribution of vertebral osteophyte formation in the northeast Thais. Materials and Methods: Two hundred Thai vertebral columns from 120 males and 80 females with an age range of 18-94 years were examined for the presence of osteophyte. Locations of osteophyte on the vertebral body, facet joint and vertebral foramen were recorded. The size of osteophyte on the vertebral body was also recorded.Design: Descriptive studySetting: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen UniversityResults: The prevalence of osteophyte formation was 85% on the vertebral body, 71% on the facet joint and 47% in the vertebral foramen. The most frequent sites on the vertebral body were at L4 (73%), L5 (70%) and L3 (69%). In the thoracic levels, the most frequent sites of osteophyte formation were found at T11 (50.5%) and T10 (49.5%). In the cervical levels, the most frequent sites were found at C5 (46%), C6 (44%) and C4 (38%). The average biggest size of osteophyte were found in the anterior part of the superior border of L4 (123.71 mm2), L5 (111.18 mm2) and L3 (109 mm2). The most frequent sites of osteophyte formation on the facet joint were found at L4 (62%), L5 (59%) and L3 (52%) respectively. The most frequent sites of osteophyte formation in vertebral foramen were found at C4 (32.5%), C5 (29%) and C3 (24%). The frequency-association among the osteophyte locations was highest between the vertebral body and facet joint. The frequency of osteophyte formation at all vertebral levels significantly increased with age. Between the sexes, osteophyte formation occurred more significantly in male than females.Conclusion: The prevalence of osteophyte formation on vertebral columns in Northeast Thais were 85% on vertebral body, 71% on facet joint, and 47% in vertebral foramen. The osteophyte formation significantly increased with age and occurred more frequently among males.Keywords: prevalence, osteophyte, vertebral column

Anomalous Origin of the Right Subclavian Artery Associated with Right-sided Thoracic Duct: A Case Report

Background: Variations of the branches of the arch of aorta are mostly resulted from abnormal development of the branchial arches.Objective: To present the abnormal origin of the right subclavian artery associated with abnormal thoracic duct and the right recurrent laryngeal nerve Methods: Dissection of the mediastinum was carefully done to investigate the great vessels of the arch of aorta. The outer diameter and length of the anomalous rightsubclavian artery were measured. The other abnormally related structures were identified.Results: The anomalous right subclavian artery was incidentally found in a female cadaver of 80 year-old. It arose as the fourth branch of the distal part of the arch of aorta and traveled across the midline at T3 retroesophageally to reach the right upper extremity. This anomalous artery was the biggest branch of the great vessels of the arch of aorta. It was associated with the abnormal right-sided thoracic duct and the absence of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.Conclusions: A case of 80 year-old female cadaver showed the abnormal origin of the right subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch of the distal part of the arch of aorta. It was associated with the abnormal right-sided thoracic duct and the absence of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.Keywords: Anomalous subclavian artery, arch of aortic, abnormal development, anatomical variation