The concentration of GnRH in hypothalamus, LH and FSH in pituitary, LH, PRL and sex steroids in peripheral and ovarian venous plasma of hypo- and hyperthyroid, cysts-bearing gilts.

The aim of this work was to investigate the hormonal pattern in hypo- and hyperthyroid gilts with experimentally induced cystic ovarian disease (COD). A total of 70 adult, nulliparous gilts divided into six groups were used for the experiment. Group I was euthyroid and control. Group II was made hypothyroid by oral administration of methylthiouracyl for 24 days. Group III represented euthyroid gilts injected with gonadotropins (PMSG and hCG). Group IV consisted of hypothyroid gilts injected with gonadotropins. Group V was treated with L-thyroxine for 24 days and Group VI with thyroxine and with gonadotropins for the last 10 days of the test. The treatment of all groups was terminated on the 4th-5th day of the next estrous cycle. The peripheral blood of the gilts was collected on Day 0, and on Day 24. On the 25th day the gilts were laparotomized and cannulas were inserted into utero-ovarian veins of each ovary for blood collection. Simultaneously, peripheral blood samples were collected during 1 to 3 consecutive days. The animals were then slaughtered and the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries were frozen and preserved for further analyses. In hypothalamic tissue the content of GnRH: in the pituitary the concentration of LH and FSH; and in peripheral and ovarian blood plasma the level of LH, PRL, E1, P4, A4, T and cortisol (Cl) were estimated by RIA procedure. The level of GnRH in the hypothalamus, and LH and FSH in the pituitary showed a tendency to parallel with thyroid function which may indicate a role of this gland in their production or secretion. In hypothyroid animals an increase of LH and PRL and a slight decrease of secretory function of the ovaries were noted. Injections of gonadotropins in euthyroid or hypo- and hyperthyroid gilts intensified the function of the ovaries, which was manifested by numerous follicular cysts and corpora lutea. The hormonal milieu of gilts from these groups showed a low level of LH, PRL and an increased content of sex steroids in peripheral and ovarian blood. The ovarian steroidogenesis of cyst-bearing gilts was disturbed, which was indicated by an increased level of E1, P4, A4, T, and Cl, but a low level of E2. These disturbances in steroidogenesis in cystic gilts may be caused by a deficiency in LH secretion as the consequence of the pituitary gonadotropin suppression by the used gonadotropins. The steroid hormone pattern of cyst-bearing gilts strongly resembles the endocrine profile noted in polycystic ovarian disease in women.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas with sebaceous differentiation.

Lymphoepithelial cysts of the pancreas are rare cystic lesions that histologically resemble branchial cleft cysts. In this article, we report a case of lymphoepithelial cyst with sebaceous differentiation. Lymphoepithelial cysts may present clinically or may be incidental findings, and they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the pancreas. The histogenesis of lymphoepithelial cyst is briefly discussed.

Role of thyroid hormone in controlling the concentration of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptors in rat ovaries.

Little is known about the mechanism by which thyroid hormones influence ovarian function, especially in gonadotropin receptor formation. In this study the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptors in the ovaries of hypo- and hyperthyroid rats was estimated. Rats were made experimentally hypothyroid by thyroidectomy (N = 10) and hyperthyroid by injections of 40 micrograms of L-thyroxine daily for 21 days (N = 14). After 3 weeks the ovaries were excised, weighed, immersed in liquid nitrogen and then, after 24 h of incubation with 125I-labeled hCG (CR-121), the concentration of receptors (cpm) for one ovary and 1 mg of tissue was counted in their respective homogenates. The ovaries of the hyperthyroid group were diminished in size and consequently the level of receptors per ovary also was reduced when compared with control animals. The number of receptors per ovary and per milligram of tissue of hypothyroid rats was three times higher than in the control. In hyperthyroid animals a significant decrease in these values was noted when compared with hypothyroid rats, especially in the calculation of receptor concentration per ovary. It may be concluded that thyroid function may affect the size of the gland and also the number of LH/hCG-binding sites in rat ovaries. These data may be useful for interpretation of the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome in women and animals.

Ovarian LH/hCG receptors and plasma level of LH,17-beta estradiol and progesterone in gonadotropin--induced PCO syndrome in rats.

The aim of this work was to investigate the morphologic changes, LH/hCG receptor content in the ovaries and plasma levels of LH, progesterone and estradiol of hypo--and hyperthyroid rats injected with PMSG and hCG. The hypothyroid state was induced by thyreoidectomy (Tr-X) and the hyperthyroid condition by injections of 40 micrograms L-thyroxine daily during 21 days (T4). Gonadotropins were injected during 14 days in daily doses: PMSG--5 i.u. and hCG--10 i.u. The following 8 groups (n = 10-20) were established: control (euthyroid, no treatment), Tr-X, PMSG + hCG, Tr-X + hCG, Tr-X + PMSG, Tr-X + PMSG + hCG, T4 and T4 + PMSG. At the end of experiments rats were sacrificed, ovaries weighed, macroscopically inspected and concentration of LH/hCG receptors was estimated. In blood plasma the level of LH, progesterone and 17-beta estradiol was also analysed. The experiments showed that injections of PMSG alone, or PMSG + hCG in eu-or hypothyroid rats, appear the most effective in induction of PCO syndrome in rats. Low levels of thyroid hormones sensitized the ovaries to gonadotropin action, but a hyperthyroid status diminished or inhibited this response. Thyroid function is also essential in production of LH/hCG receptors in the ovaries. In hypothyroid animals the amount of these receptors was greatly increased, while in hyperthyroid animals they decreased. The level of plasma LH, progesterone, and estradiol showed insignificantly differences and various inconsiderable deviations from norm. These differences were not dependent on large doses of gonadotropins, altered thyroid function, or on cystic or luteinizing changes in the ovary.

[Humanitarian and academic aspects of animal experimentation]. / Humanitarne i naukowe aspekty doswiadczen na zwierzetach.

The author, while discussing the causes of increased demand for use of laboratory animals in biomedical research in the recent several decades, describes the origin of various social movements for the defense of the rights of animals in many countries. The paper lists the methods and ways of defending the animals' rights and numerous examples of appropriate resolutions and instructions of world institutions (UN, UNESCO, WHO), international and national bodies to regulate the animals' rights, protection and use for experimental and production purposes. The need for supervision of animal experiments, limitation of their use (only in indispensable and justified cases) and replacement with alternative methods for instance with cell, bacterial and fungal cultures, studies on species of a lower order, etc. is indicated. The author suggests that the number of laboratory animals in biomedical studies should be decreased emphasizing the need for appropriate organizational and administrative changes and use of animals with high sanitary and hygienic standards. The final part of the paper is devoted to nonspecific (environmental) anatomic and pathological changes found in the organs of laboratory animals. Based upon the proposed scoring system the author advocates a detailed description of these changes and comparison of the total pattern of changes with those in a matched control group.

Urothelial leiomyomatous hamartoma of the kidney.

A 34-year-old woman presented with a renal pelvic mass. A nephroureterectomy including a cuff of bladder, was performed and pathologic examination revealed a hamartoma involving the renal parenchyma and pelvis. The pelvic portion of the tumor was composed of papillae lined by urothelium; the parenchymal portion of the tumor was composed of tubules within a fibromuscular stroma. The authors propose that this is a distinct entity not previously described in the literature.

Multiple gastrointestinal atresias with imperforate anus: pathology and pathogenesis.

The syndrome of hereditary multiple gastrointestinal atresias is characterized by multiple and widespread atresias from pylorus to rectum, intraluminal calcifications on plain abdominal roentgenogram, and an invariably fatal course with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We review 18 cases reported in the literature and one additional case in an infant with imperforate anus. The anatomical and histological characteristics of the atresias suggest a failure of recanalization of the embryonic intestinal lumen. The association between multiple atresias and imperforate anus supports the hypothesis that this disorder is a malformation syndrome caused by a defect in the development of the gastrointestinal tract.

Parathyromatosis in hyperparathyroidism.

Recurrent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy may present a difficult diagnostic problem. A rare etiology is parathyromatosis (multiple nodules of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue scattered through the neck and mediastinum) due to spillage of otherwise benign parathyroid tissue during surgery. We present a case of recurrent hyperparathyroidism and parathyromatosis due to tissue spillage during surgical removal of probable double adenomas, a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Thus, parathyromatosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism, distinguished from parathyroid carcinoma by histologic criteria. The surgeon must be careful of parathyroid spillage during surgery, even of benign tumors of the parathyroids.

[Effect of secretions from female genital tract on some vitality indexes of spermatozoa]. / Badania nad wplywem wydzielin z dróg rodnych samic na niektóre wskazniki zywotnosci plemników

PIP: The survival time and speed of movement of washed bull spermatozoa suspended in Peterson buffer (1:10) and secretions from various parts of the genital tracts of cows (Cervix, horns, oviductus) collected in different stages of the estrous cycle (early luteal, full luteal, follicular) were determined. Survival time of the spermatozoa was determined at 46.5 degrees under a microscopic using the Beck and Salisbury method. The speed of movement was measured at 37 degrees in a Burker hemocytometer. The survival time and speed of movement of the spermatozoa were stimulated by secretions in the follicular and early luteal stages. Secretions during the full luteal stage depressed these figures. Secretions taken from different parts of the genital tract did not show any significant differences in stimulatory action.^ieng