The female reproductive system of Zearaja chilensis (Quichenot, 1848) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae): gametogenesis and microscopic validation of maturity criteria / El sistema reproductor femenino de Zearaja chilensis (Quichenot, 1848) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae): gametogénesis y validación microscópica de los criterios de madurez

Chondrichthyans are extremely susceptible to overfishing due, among other things, to their reproductive adaptations. Basic knowledge of reproductive parameters is essential, both of ecological and for economic points of view. Zearaja chilensis is a valuable economic resource in South America. This work analyzes the microanatomy of female reproductive system, as well as the size of the onset of vitellogenesis. The material was fixed in Bouin and processed using routine histological techniques. Both ovaries are equally functional. Folliculogenesis depicts the same pattern of other Chondrichthyans. Follicles with different degrees of maturation coexist in mature animals, with the exception of oogonia, which were only found in immature individuals. Likewise, atretic follicles were recorded in all stages of maturation. The size of yolk input, microscopically recorded, is lower than the detected at naked eye. Oviductal glands and uterus show similarity with those reported in other lecitotrophic cartilaginous fish. This work reports, for the first time, the morfofunctional microanatomy of the species, and puts to the test the accuracy of the commonly employed criteria for the determination of sexual maturity, a critical data when determining management policies.

Los condrictios son extremadamente susceptibles a la explotación pesquera debido, entre otras cosas, a sus adaptaciones reproductivas. Los conocimientos básicos de sus parámetros reproductivos son esenciales, ya sea desde el punto de vista ecológico como económico. Zearaja chilensis constituye un importante recurso económico en América del Sur. En este trabajo se analiza la anatomía microscópica del sistema reproductor femenino y la talla de inicio de la vitelogénesis. El material se fijó en Bouin y se procesó mediante técnicas histológicas de rutina. Ambos ovarios son igualmente funcionales. La foliculogénesis presenta el mismo patrón de otros condrictios. Los folículos con diferentes grados de maduración coexisten en animales maduros, con la excepción de las oogonias, que sólo se observaron en los individuos inmaduros. Los folículos atrésicos se registraron en todas las etapas de la maduración. La talla de inicio de la vitelogénesis, microscópicamente registrada, es inferior a la detectada en el ojo desnudo. La glándula oviductal y el útero muestran similitud con lo reportado en otros peces cartilaginosos lecitotróficos. Este trabajo describe por primera vez, la microanatomía morfofuncional de la especie y pone a prueba la precisión de los criterios comúnmente empleados para la determinación de la madurez sexual, una información crítica para la determinación de las políticas de gestión.

Oviductal isthmus light microscopic changes induced by clomiphene citrate in albino rats

Clomiphene citrate [CC] therapy for cases of infertility has been linked to increased incidence of tubal ectopic pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the histological changes produced by CC in the isthmus portion of albino rat oviducts. Twenty adult female albino rats were divided into three groups. The first was the control group. The second group received 1 mg/kg/day CC for 4 days, whereas the third group was allowed a recovery period after receiving CC. The oviductal isthmus sections were stained by H and E, periodic acid-Schiff [PAS], and caspase for light microscopic examinations. An image analyzer was used and the measured data were recorded and statistically analyzed. The CC intake led to increased thickness of the oviductal isthmus lining epithelium, as well as to hyperplasia, bridging, and reduction of the lumen diameter. Furthermore, many degenerative and apoptotic changes as well as significant increase in the PAS optical density and caspase reaction area percentage of the lining epithelium were detected. Also, the isthmic sections of the recovery group revealed increased wall thickness, epithelial degenerative changes, and hyperplasia, in addition to significant reduction in the lumen diameter leading to tubal obstruction. Significant increase in the PAS optical density of the lining epithelium was detected, but its caspase reaction area percentage showed insignificant change compared with the control group sections. This study suggests that CC administration for 4 days at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day induces damage to the albino rat oviductal isthmus that could predispose to occurrence of ectopic pregnancy and that progressively developed despite stoppage of the drug

Ultrastructural and functional aspects of the spermatheca in the american harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The spermatheca of Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) was investigated using fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The aim of the study was to elucidate the structure of this organ, pointing out differences between mated and unmated females. Results have shown an elaborated cuticular structure associated with muscular and glandular tissues. The spermatheca is joined with the common oviduct by the spermathecal duct, forming a thin saccular dilation through two consecutive invaginations. The distal part of the organ is formed by a series of two communicating cuticular chambers. The first cylindrical-shaped chamber, corresponding to the coiled region, is wrapped by longitudinal muscular fibers suspended between two cuticular flanges. The contractions of these fibers compress a deformable zone of the cylinder, pumping the sperm toward the spermathecal duct. Without contractions the cylinder results to be isolated from the proximal part of the spermatheca by means of a valve. The second chamber, corresponding to the spermatheca, is made of two parts: a truncated-conical sub chamber, with a constant cuticular thickness, bearing on itself the distal flange, where muscular fibers are attached. The second part is a bulb-like structure wrapped in a glandular epithelium. The secretory units are composed by two cells: a secretory cell and an associated duct cell. Every evacuating duct shows a little reservoir just after the terminal apparatus, and converge inside the distal bulb after a tortuous path. The functional implications of this structure in the reproductive biology of M. histrionica are discussed.

Impact of coenzyme Q10 on the histological structure and immunohistochemical localization of leptin in the ampulla of rat oviduct after monosodium glutamate administration

The female reproductive system is very sensitive to different environmental chemicals and food additives such as monosodium glutamate. Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] is a naturally occurring compound and a potent antioxidant. To investigate the structural changes and the immunohistochemical distribution of leptin in the ampulla of oviduct in adult female albino rats after administration of monosodium glutamate, and to study the effects of CoQ10 supplementation. Fifty adult female albino rats were divided into four equal groups: group I control rats, group II receiving monosodium glutamate, group III receiving CoQ10, and group IV receiving monosodium glutamate and CoQ10. After 2 months, rats were weighed and killed during the diestrous phase. Blood samples were collected for assessment of serum cholesterol. Oviducts were prepared for histological study and immunohistochemical localization of leptin. Control group showed positive immune reaction for leptin. Group II showed a significant increase in body weight and serum cholesterol associated with structural and ultrastructural changes, in addition to negative immune reaction for leptin. Group III showed similar structure to the control group. The increase in body weight and serum cholesterol in group IV was not significant. There were no changes in the histological structure of the oviduct. A positive immune reaction for leptin was detected. Administration of monosodium glutamate alters the histological structure and expression of leptin in the oviduct. The coadministration of CoQ10 with monosodium glutamate partially prevented these changes, suggesting a protective effect of CoQ10

Morphological study of the oviductal gland in the smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii (Müller and Henle, 1841) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae) / Estudo morfológico da glândula oviductal no smallnose fanskate Sympterygia bonapartii (Müller and henle, 1841) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae)

The oviductal gland is an exclusive structure of cartilaginous fishes that produces the egg jelly, forms the tertiary egg envelopes and stores sperm. The biological importance of this structure is related to the special features of the reproductive strategy of the group and to its phylogeny, considering that egg-laying is the ancestral condition in this fish (Dulvy and Reynolds, 1997). This gland of the smallnose fanskate shows four morphofunctional zones. The lining epithelium along the gland is columnar with secretory and ciliated cells. Secretions are mucous and/or proteic according to the zone, and to their specific functions. This is the first report about the microanatomy of the female reproductive tract of S. bonapartii with evidence of sperm storage in the genus.

A glândula oviductal é uma estrutura exclusiva das elasmobrânquias que produz a geléia do ovo, o envoltório terciário do ovo e armazena espermatozóides. Sua importância está relacionada com as características especiais da estratégia reprodutiva do grupo e com a filogenia destes peixes em que oviparidade é a condição ancestral (Dulvy and Reynolds, 1997). A glândula oviductal do smallnose fanskate mostra quatro zonas morfofuncionais. O revestimento em toda a glândula é epitélio colunar ciliado com células glandulares e ciliadas. As secreções são diferentes entre as zonas e relacionada com as suas funções específicas. A informação aqui exposta constitui o primeiro relato sobre a micro-anatomia do trato reprodutivo feminino de S. bonapartii com evidencias de armazenamento do esperma neste gênero.

Histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the oviducts and seminal receptacle of Tropidurus itambere (Rodrigues, 1987)(Reptilia: tropiduridae)

The present study found new information regarding the histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the oviduct of Tropidurus itambere, an inhabitant of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Three differentiated histological regions constitute the oviduct: the infundibulum, as its main characteristic, has many tubuloalveolar glands; the uterine region is remarkable for many mucous glands, just below the epithelium; the vagina, near to the cloacal opening, is characterized by an epithelium with infolding borders and several crypts for sperm storage. The infundibulum and uterine regions were marked by the presence of acid glycosaminoglycans and neutral polysaccharides, which reacted strongly in the epithelium, and was absent in the functional gland units. In the sperm storage region, polysaccharides were not observed, occurring only in the epithelium of unicellular glands. In all structure of the oviduct, a strong staining for proteins was obtained with Xylidine Ponceau. The ultrastructural study showed a more complex stratification of the epithelium than could be seen with light microscopy, as well as a large amount of fibers and smooth muscle in the lamina propria, that suggests a role in motility. Some similarities were verified between the oviduct of the oviparous lizard, and those observed in other Reptilia and Ave. This work presents interesting differences in relation to other species of lizards and interesting similarities for phylogenetically distant groups like fish and salamanders, and may contribute to studies of physiology and reproductive morphology of the Tropiduridae family.

Morphological and histochemical aspects of the luminal oviductal epithelium of the laying and non-laying muscovy duck (Cairina moschata, linneaus, 1758)

Fueron estudiadas la morfología y la histoquímica del epitelio luminal del oviducto de la pata silvestre (Caidna moschata. Linnacus, 1785) durante los períodos de postura y no postura. Se utilizaron 6 ejemplares, 3 en postura y 3 en no-postura. Los resultados mostraron que el oviducto está desarrollado en el lado izquierdo y atrofiado en el lado derecho y que está constituido por seis regiones: fimbrias, infundíbulo, magno, itsmo, glándula de la cáscara y vagina. El oviducto es más evidente y desarrollado en la fase de postura. El epitelio de revestimiento es simple cilíndrico ciliado, excepto en la región de la vagina donde se presentó pseudo-estratificado cilíndrico ciliado. En todas las porciones del oviducto se observaron células ciliadas y no ciliadas. En la fase de postura predominaban las células no ciliadas y en la fase de no postura, las ciliadas. En la región de las fimbrias y en la glándula de la cáscara se observa equilibrio entre los dos tipos celulares. Por histoquímica se comprobó que el epitelio superficial muestra reactividad positiva al PAS en infundíbulo, magno e itsmo (excepto en la fase de postura) y vagina. En fimbrias y cáscara no fueron observadas células mucosas en ninguna de las dos fases

Aspectos histoquímicos y ultraestructurales de los mucocitos presentes en el epitelio del oviducto de la gallina de campo (Gallus gallus) durante la ovoposición / Histochemical and ultrastructural aspects of the epithelial mucocytes of the chicken (Gallus gallus) oviduct during ovoposition

En el presente estudio, procuramos detectar, por medio de métodos histoquímicos, la naturaleza glucídica del moco y observar la ultraestructura de los gránulos de los mucocitos presentes en las diversas porciones del oviducto (fiambrias, infundíbulo, magno, istmo, glándula de la cáscara y vagina) de la gallina de campo (Gallus gallus) en ovoposición. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de mucocitos en el epitelio luminal y éstos están presentes sólo en las regiones del infundíbulo, magno, istmo y vagina. Este moco está representado por una fracción neutra y otra ácida. Con relación al componente ácido, se encontró carboximucina y sulfomucina en todas las regiones y sialomucina, solamente en la región de la vagina. La ultraestructura mostró que los gránulos de los mucocitos presentan diferencias a lo largo del oviducto