Inflammation, synovial angiogenesis and chondroid apoptosis in the evolution of type II collagen-induced arthritis.

Using the murine model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we studied its evolution over time by histopathological, immunohistochemical and clinical evaluations. The first clinical symptoms appeared 28 days post-inoculation (dpi), with bovine type II collagen, with an average arthritic index of 1.00 +/- 0.48 corresponding to erythema of the articulation. The disease progressed, and by 70 dpi showed an average arthritic index of 3.83 +/- 0.27 corresponding to edema and maximum deformation, with ankylosis. Computed morphometry demonstrated that, in comparison to controls, the induction of CIA, produces a significant and increasing accumulation of inflammatory cells, fibrosis (p < 0.0001) and cartilage destruction (p = 0.0029). Likewise, the area of von Willebrand factor (vWF) immunostaining, as an indicator of endothelial proliferation, increased significantly from 28 dpi (p < 0.0001), in CIA mice compared to controls. However, the effective synovial vascularization, calculated as the synovial vascular bed area index, significantly increased by 42 dpi (p = 0.0014). This indicates that the activation and proliferation of endothelium becomes significant before an effective vascularization area is formed. The apoptosis index was also an earlier indicator of cartilage damage, becoming significant from 28 dpi in comparison to controls (p < 0.0001). Finally, it was observed that the increase in the arthritic index showed a strong correlation with the increase in both angiogenesis (r = 0.95; p = 0.0021) and apoptosis (r = 0.90; p = 0.0015). In conclusion, a robust correlation between synovial membrane inflammation, angiogenesis and chondrocyte apoptosis, with respect to the increase in the clinical severity of CIA, has been demonstrated by a quantitative computer-assisted immunomorphometric analysis.

Ovine placenta at high altitudes: comparison of animals with different times of adaptation to hypoxic environment.

Fetal growth and newborn weight from ovine gestations at high altitudes (HA) are greater in ewes that live at HA for several generations than in those native to low altitudes (LA) exposed to HA only during pregnancy. Because the placenta is a key regulator of fetal growth, the present study compared placental characteristics in term pregnancies among ewes native to HA and LA. Conception occurred at HA and ewes continued to reside at HA throughout pregnancy or conception occurred at LA and ewes were transported to HA or remained at LA (controls). Ewes native to LA were moved to HA shortly after mating (group LH) and joined with pregnant ewes native to HA (group HH). After parturition, placental cotyledons were counted and measured for total area and histological estimation of surface occupied by vasculature. The total surface of the cotyledons and surface occupied by vasculature were greater at HA, whereas the number of cotyledons was smaller at HA. These changes were more pronounced in ewes of the HH compared with the LH group. The present study showed that exposure to HA induces, in pregnant ewes, placental morphological changes that may improve maternal-fetal exchange. Moreover, because of accentuation of placental changes in ewes with long-term residence at HA, this appears to be an efficient mechanism of adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia.

Variaciones morfológicas estacionales de las glándulas bulbouretrales de la chinchilla laniger, Grey en cautiverio / Seasonal morphological variations of bulbourethral, glands of chinchilla laniger, Grey in captivity

Se describió la morfología de las glándulas bulbouretrales de la Chinchilla laniger (GREY) en cautiverio. El estudio fue realizado en animales adultos (2 a 3 años de edad), a través de un año, con el objeto de detectar posibles variaciones estacionales. Se cuantificaron las siguientes variables en este roedor nativo de Sudamérica : peso corporal y glandular, índice órgano-somático (IOS), grosor de la pared, diámetro de la mucosa glandular y altura del epitelio. Los valores máximos se encontraron entre mayo y julio y los mínimos , entre noviembre y febrero los cuales presentaron diferencias estacionales significativas (p< 0,05), con excepción del peso corporal, que no mostró variaciones durante el año (p> 0,05). Además, se hizo el análisis histoquímico para la detección de algunos carbohidratos con las técnica de PAS, diastasa-PAS, Azul de Alcian pH1 y pH 2,5, lo que demostró la presencia de glicoproteínas neutras con reacción PAS intensa (+++) entre octubre y abril y leve a moderada (+ / ++) entre mayo y septiembre y ausencia de glicógeno. Las glicoproteínas sulfatadas y ácidas no mostraron cambios durante el periodo estudiado y la intensidad de reacción fue de leve a moderada (+ / ++). Se podría concluir, que las glándulas bulbouretrales de la Chinchilla laniger en cautiverio, presentan la mayor actividad secretora durante el período otoño-invierno (estaciones caracterizadas por periodos cortos de luz). Los resultados obtenidos entre mayo y julio son coinsidentes con la máxima actividad reproductiva descrita para la especie

Troncos arteriales del aparato reproductor de la chinchilla macho: chinchilla laniger grey en cautiverio / Arterial trunks of male reproductor apparatus of chinchilla: chinchilla laniger grey in captivity

Se describe la irrigación arterial del aparato reproductor de la chinchilla macho. Se utilizaron 10 animales machos, los que fueron anestesiados y sacrificados con una sobredosis de Tiopental sódico. El objetivo fue identificar la procedencia de la circulación arterial del aparato reproductor. Para ello se inyectó, vía aorta abdominal, látex natural coloreado con pigmento rojo de Disperphane. La disección de los vasos reveló que la vascularización arterial de testículo y epidídimo procede de las arterial testiculares, las que a su vez emergen de las arterias renales respectivas. La irrigación hacia las glándulas sexuales accesorias y conducto deferente proviene de la arteria ilíaca externa