Morphological studies on the vagina and vestibule of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) / Estudios morfológicos de la vagina y vestíbulo del camello (Camelus dromedarius)

The camel (Camelus dromedarius) is an important multipurpose livestock species and its meat represents about 10% of the red meat consumption in Egypt. The reproductive efficiency of camel under natural condition is generally considered to be low. Sound knowledge about the tubular genital organs of this species might facilitate the application of new reproductive methodology. Our study was therefore conducted to investigate the morphology of mucosal surface of vagina and vestibule on camels using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The mucosal surface of vagina consisted of stratified columnar epithelium with mucous secreting cells (goblet-like cells). SEM of vagina revealed the presence of longitudinal primary and secondary folds and small transverse folds. The columnar epithelium showed marked cell boundary and its apical surface was studded by a lot of microvilli. TEM confirmed the presence of microvilli at apical surfaces and showed some secretory granules in the supranuclear region of the columnar epithelium. The vestibule of dromedary camel was lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Basal lamina and stratum granulosum of this epithelium showed strong PAS positive reaction. SEM of vestibule revealed the presence of small longitudinal and fine transverse folds with a lot of mucous debris. However TEM of vestibule showed the stratified squamous keratinized epithelium with basal layer of cuboidal cells and superficial layers of squamous cells.

El camello (Camelus dromedarius) es una importante especie de ganado de usos múltiples y el consumo de su carne corresponde al 10% aproximadamente del consumo de carne roja en Egipto. La eficiencia reproductiva del camello, bajo condiciones naturales, se considera generalmente baja. El conocimiento adecuado sobre los órganos genitales tubulares de esta especie podría facilitar la aplicación de una nueva metodología de reproducción. Por lo tanto, se llevó a cabo este estudio para investigar la morfología de la superficie de la mucosa de la vagina y el vestíbulo en camellos, utilizando luz, escaneado y microscopía electrónica de transmisión. La superficie de la mucosa de la vagina está formado por epitelio columnar estratificado con células secretoras mucosas (células en copa). La microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) de la vagina reveló la presencia de pliegues primarios y secundarios longitudinales y pequeños pliegues transversales. El epitelio columnar mostró un límite celular marcado y su superficie apical se evidenció salpicado por una gran cantidad de microvellosidades. La microscopía electrónica por transmisión (TEM) confirmó la presencia de microvellosidades en las superficies apicales y mostró algunos gránulos secretores en la región supranuclear del epitelio columnar. El vestíbulo del dromedario está revestido por epitelio estratificado queratinizado, de tipo escamoso. La lámina basal y el estrato granuloso de este epitelio mostraron una fuerte reacción PAS positiva. La microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) del vestíbulo reveló la presencia de pequeños pliegues transversales longitudinales y finos, con gran cantidad de restos de mucosidad. Sin embargo, la microscopía electrónica por transmisión (TEM) del vestíbuloreveló un epitelio queratinizado escamoso estratificado, con una capa basal de células cúbicas y capas superficiales de células escamosas.

Effect of hormonal replacement therapy on the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized rats

The present study was planned to clarify the effect of replacement therapy of estrogen and progesterone on ovariectomized rats. 49 adult female albino rats each weighing 200-250 grams were utilized in this study. The animals were divided into two major groups, the first group served as control group, it was further subdivided into three subgroups, subgroup Ia comprised the non ovariectomized female rats which received no treatment, subgroup Ib, sham operated group animals, subgroup Ic: received 0.1 ml olive oil i.m once per day for two consecutive days after 4 weeks of ovariectomy and served as control for estrogen and progesterone treated groups. The second group was subdivided into 4 subgroups. Subgroup IIa: included ovariectomized rats, subgroup IIb: ovariectomized rats treated with progesterone 12.5 mg/kg. Subgroup IIc: ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen 0.38 mg/kg. Subgroup IId: ovariectomized rats received combined treatment of both estrogen and progesterone. The non ovariectomized rats were sacrificed at oestrus cycle as denoted by daily vaginal smear, while the remaining groups were sacrificed after 4 weeks of ovariectomy by 48 hours, both light and scanning electron microscopy were performed. Results showed that exogenous progesterone increased mucosal folding with short bulb or rosette shaped microvilli. Estrogen resulted in epithelial cell proliferation and keratinization. Cell separations were obvious in some areas indicating desquamation. The combined treatment demonstrated morphological picture nearly similar to oestrus cycle. Hence, it is wise to use the combined treatment as denoted by inhibition of excessive vaginal epithelial proliferation and cornification

Ultrastructural study of the neovagina following the utilization of human amniotic membrane for treatment of congenital absence of the vagina

We present an ultrastructural study of the utilization of human amniotic membrane in the treatment of congenital abscence of the vagina in 10 patients. All patients were surgically treated with application of an amniotic membrane graft using the modifified McIndoe and Bannister technique. Sixty days after surgery, samples of the vaginal neoepithelium were collected for transmission electron microscopy analysis. The ultrastructural findings consisted of a lining of mature squamous epithelium indicating the occurrence of metaplasia of the amniotic epithelium into the vaginal epithelium. The cells were arranged in layers as in the normal vaginal epithelium, i.e., superficial, intermediate and deep layers. There were desmosomes and cytoplasmic intermediate cytokeratin filaments, as well as some remnant features of the previous amniotic epithelium. These findings suggest that human amniotic membrane is able to complete metaplasia into squamous cells but the mechanism of this cellular transformation is unknown.

Vaginosis bacteriana. Relación de la flora vaginal con las células epiteliales de vagina, con diferente tratamiento. Estudio ultraestructural / Bacterial vaginoss. relation of vaginal flora with epithelial cells of vagina, with different treatment. Ultraestrucural study

Los estudios relativos al tratamiento contra la vaginosis bacteriana han sido sobre efectividad probando concentraciones y tiempos del tratamiento. En el presente estudio analizamos la relación morfológica de la flora vaginal con el epitelio de la vagina, en mujeres con vaginosis bacteriana, en pre-tratamiento, primer postratamiento empleando metronidazol oral y fosfato de clindamicina intravaginal. De las 20 pacientes con vaginosis bacteriana, a 10 se les prescribió metronidazol oral 500 mg/2 al día X7 días; a las restantes, clindamicina 2 por ciento intravaginal una aplicación diaria por siete días. A las parejas se les suministró metronidazol en la dosis señalada. Las muestras obtenidas se procesaron mediante técnicas habituales para microscopia electrónica de transmisión. Se realizaron cortes ultrafinos de 100 mm de grosor y cortes seriados del mismo grosor. En pre-tratamiento las prolongaciones celulares ocasionaron mayor adhesión de las bacterias; asimismo, se encontraron restos de uniones celulares con bacterias adheridas. Se encontró penetración de algunas bacterias a las células epiteliales, corroborándose con cortes seriados y destacando la superposición de éstas en las células. Esta penetración se encontró en cinco casos y persistió en el primero y segundo postratamientos. En el primer postratamiento, se encontraron grupos celulares sin bacteria, la presencia de lactobacilos fue baja y aumentó posteriormente. La presencia de levaduras se presentó en el primer postratamiento y en algunos casos persistió. Es importante diferenciar la(s) bacteria(s) intracelulares e inferir las características relacionadas con la penetración bacteriana, para una adecuada prescripción y un mejor aprovechamiento de los fármacos previniendo posibles daños. La presencia de bacterias intracelularmente puede ser una de las causas de reincidencia de vaginosis bacteriana

Aspectos ultra-estruturais do epitélio vaginal de ratas albinas durante o estro pós-parto, sob a açäo do tamoxifen / The action of tamoxifen in the vaginal epithelium of albino rats during post-partum estrus: an ultrastructural study

Os autores realizaram um estudo ultra-estrutural do epitélio vaginal de ratas, durante o estro pós-parto, sem e com tratamento prévio com tamoxifen. No grupo observaram a presença de epitélio bem desenvolvido constituído por duas regiöes epiteliais bem distintas: uma profunda, apresentado epitélio pavimentoso estratificado e queratinizado, e outra superficial, representada por epitélio estratificado em que predominam células mucosas. No grupo tratado como tamoxifen, o epitélio quertinizado näo se desenvolveu, observando-se somente epitélio estratificado nucificado. Estes dados säo indicativos de que o epitélio queratinizado se desenvolve às custas dos estrôgenos, cujos níveis estäo bem elevados por ocasiäo do parto, uma vez que o tamoxifen, droga anti-estrogênica, bloqueia sua funçäo

Estudo ultra-estrutural do epitélio vaginal da rata albina no final da prenhez, pós-parto imediato e durante o estro parto / Electron microscopy of the vaginal epithelium of albins rat during late pregnancy, immediate póspartum period and postpartum estrus

Os autores fazem uma análise ultra-estrutural do epitélio vaginal no final da prenhez, 1 hora após o parto e durante o estro pós-parto. No final da prenhez o epitélio apresenta-se mucificado. A 1 hora pós-parto o epitélio vaginal mucificado caracteriza-se pela presença de numerosos cistos mucosos. Durante o estro pós-parto observa-se a presença do epitélio mucificado sobrepondo-se a um epitélio queratinizado. Säo discutidos os fatores hormonais relacionados com o aspecto do epitélio vaginal observado nos três períodos estudados