Morphometric measurements of the seminiferous tubules of the testes in 2-year-old and 3-year-old European bison males with or without spermiogenesis.

The area, perimeter and diameter of the seminiferous tubules in the European bison Bison bonasus (L.) were statistically higher in the animals with than in those without spermiogenesis, both among 2-year-old and 3-year-old males (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001).

Is spermiogenesis common or rare in young male European bison aged 2 and 3 years?

The aim of the present study was to determine how often spermiogenesis occurs in young male European bison up to 3 years old. Research was performed on sections of the testes and epididymes collected from 51 male bison aged 2-3 years. The animals were divided into 2 age groups: young males up to 2 years and young males up to 3 years old, with further separation into specimens with or without spermiogenesis. The animals were culled during the autumn-winter seasons in 1994-2008 (after rutting period) in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest. Spermiogenesis in the 2-year-old animals was a rare condition found in 16.7% of cases. However, at the age of 3 years more than half of the individuals examined (53.3%) had spermiogenesis. Young males up to 2 years old with spermiogenesis were characterized by a significantly higher body weight and their right testis also weighed more than the left testis of the animals without spermiogenesis, the difference being on the border of statistical significance. There was no significant differences in the body mass and weight of the left testis between older animals, up to 3 years old, with or without spermiogenesis. However, young males up to 3 years old with spermiogenesis were characterized by a significantly higher weight of the right testis than those without spermiogenesis.

A preliminary study of the submandibular gland of the rat after one-year cadmium intoxication. Part II. Pathomorphology and ultrastructure.

The aim of the present study was to establish to what degree a one-year exposure of rat females to 5, 50 and 100 mg of Cd/l affects cell morphology of the submandibular glands. After one-year cadmium exposure of female rats, at doses of 5, 50 and 100 mg Cd/l, a pathomorphological examination revealed periductal fibrosis in the submandibular glands of rats in all the three experimental groups, which increased with cadmium dose. We also found foamish cytoplasm in the cells of the submandibular glands in all the experimental groups, the intensity of that phenomenon also increasing with Cd dose. The ultrastructural examination revealed no abnormalities in Group I. However, in Groups II and III, we observed numerous granules with a secretion, varying in shape and size that filled up the cytoplasm both in the mucous and serous cells.

Expression of PCNA and Ki-67 in the rat submandibular gland after one year cadmium intoxication--a preliminary study.

The aim of our study was to determine to what degree one-year exposure of female rats to cadmium at a dose of 5, 50 and 100 mg Cd/l affects cell proliferation in the submandibular gland, shown by PCNA and Ki-67 expression. In the present study, we found a positive nuclear reaction for PCNA in single cells in microscopic preparations of control rats. In Group I, an increase was observed in the number of PCNA-positive cells, compared to that in the control. In Group II, the number of PCNA-positive cells was markedly higher than that in Group I and in the control. In the submandibular glands of rats in Group III, the number of PCNA-positive cells was similar to that, found in Group II. However, Ki-67 expression was sporadically observed in control submandibular glands, but not in Groups I, II and III.

A preliminary study of the submandibular gland of the rat after one-year cadmium intoxication. Part I. Cadmium concentration.

The aim of the present study was to establish to what degree a one-year exposure of rat females to 5, 50 and 100 mg Cd/l affects the weight of the submandibular glands and their cadmium levels. We observed a decrease in the weight of the submandibular glands in the rat females from Groups I, II and III, compared to the control rats. We also found an increase in cadmium levels in the submandibular glands in Groups I, II and III, in comparison to the control. The highest cadmium concentration was noted in the submandibular glands in Group III, which was accompanied by the greatest weight reduction, the correlation being negative. The present experiment indicates that one-year administration of cadmium to rat females at a dose of 5, 50 and 100 mg Cd/l leads to a cadmium dose-dependent decrease in the weight of the submandibular glands.

Hybridocytochemical detection of mRNA for calcitonin, CGRP, NPY and somatostatin in thyroid parafollicular (C) cells in three rodent species.

The present study was aimed at hybridocytochemical (HCC) detection and interspecies comparison of mRNA for calcitonin (CT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin (SS) in thyroid C cells of two rodent families of wild Microtidae: pine voles and common voles and also of laboratory Muridae, Wistar rats. Studies were performed on adult males. The HCC method in situ and immunomax technique were used to detect mRNA. DNA oligonucleotide probes labeled with digoxigenin were used in the HCC method. The obtained results were compared to the results of immunocytochemical (ICC) examinations, where rabbit or mouse antibodies against human CT, SS, NPY and rat CGRP, as well as chromogranin A were performed. In the present study, HCC reaction has demonstrated the presence of mRNA for CT and CGRP in all thyroid C cells in all the species examined. However, mRNA for NPY and SS was observed in very few C cells in rat and in many more C cells in the two species of wild rodents. The distribution of the positive cells corresponded with that of ICC detected cells.

Immunolocalization of PTHrP in the European bison and pine vole testis and epididymis.

The present study deals with immunohistochemical localization of PTHrP in European bison and pine vole testis and epididymis. PTHrP immunoreactivity was observed in spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules in European bison and pine vole testis, with the strongerst reaction occurring in spermatozoa of pine vole testis and epididymal duct. We also observed PTHrP expression in vascular smooth muscle of epididymis and testis in both animal species, as well as slightly weaker reaction in endothelial cells of European bison epididymis. PTHrP was also expressed in the smooth muscle of the epididymal duct in European bison and pine vole. In conclusion, PTHrP is a multifunctional peptide showing both paracrine and autocrine action. Its presence in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle of testis and epididymis is connected with the regulation of vascular muscle tone, thus affecting blood flow in the vessels. PTHrP expression depends on a number of local factors. Moreover, we suppose that PTHrP also contributes to the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells.

Immunolocalization of PTHrP in the submandibular glands of three rodent species.

The present study deals with immunohistochemical localization of PTHrP in bank vole, pine vole and white mouse submandibular glands. PTHrP immunoreactivity was observed in epithelial cells of all ductal segments (intercalated, striated, interlobular and main excretory ducts) of the salivary glands in all the three animal species tested. We also found PTHrP expression in myoepithelial cells surrounding the mucous alveoli of submandibular glands in those animals. The reaction was less intense than that found in the epithelial cells of excretory ducts. We occasionally observed a very slight positive reaction for PTHrP in smooth muscle cells of small blood vessels. We also found PTHrP expression in the neurons of ganglion in the submandibular gland.

S-100 protein immunoreactivity in mammalian testis and epididymis.

The present study deals with immunohistochemical localization of S-100 protein in mouse, bank vole and pine vole testis and epididymis. S-100 protein immunoreactivity was observed in the endothelia of capillaries and lymphatic sinusoids of pine vole testis. A reaction to S-100 protein of the same intensity as that noted in the endothelia of testicular capillaries was found in myoid cells of pine vole and bank vole seminiferous tubules. Moreover, a positive reaction to S-100 protein was observed in bank vole and mouse Leydig cells. In the epididymis, a weaker reaction to S-100 occurred in smooth muscles of pine vole and mouse epididymal duct. Despite difficult interpretation of physiological role of S-100 protein we suggest that it may be a part of the blood-testis barrier. It may also participate in the processes of transcytosis and contractility; its cellular expression is regulated by local factors. However, location of S-100 is not specific to the representatives of the same order.