Gestational nutrient restriction under extensive grazing conditions: Effects on muscle characteristics and meat quality in heavy lambs.

We evaluated maternal undernutrition effects induced by a lower natural pasture allowance (gestation days 30-143) on histological-biochemical and meat traits in muscles Semitendinosus, cranial Gluteobiceps and Supraspinatus from 200-day old male and female lambs. Maternal undernutrition increased oxidative and reduced glycolytic fibers in all muscles (P ≤ 0.01). Maternal undernutrition reduced the diameter of glycolytic fibers in the cranial Gluteobiceps of exclusively female lambs (P = 0.05) and reduced the diameter of oxidative fibers in the Supraspinatus of exclusively male lambs (P = 0.02). Maternal undernutrition increased lipid content in the Supraspinatus of females (P = 0.001), reduced lactate content (P = 0.03) and WB shear force (P = 0.02) in the Semitendinosus of females, and increased cooking losses in the Semitendinosus of males (P = 0.0069). In conclusion, gestational nutrient restriction induced fetal programming effects on muscle characteristics of lambs. Moreover, our study demonstrates that maternal undernutrition influences muscle and meat characteristics in a sex and muscle-dependent way.

Hyperthermia is more important than hypoxia as a cause of disrupted spermatogenesis and abnormal sperm.

We tested the hypothesis that hypoxia replicates effects of hyperthermia on reducing number and quality of sperm produced, whereas hyperoxia mitigates effects of hyperthermia. Forty-eight CD-1 mice (∼50 d old), inspired air with 13, 21, or 95% O2 and were exposed to ambient temperatures of 20 or 36 °C (3 × 2 factorial, six groups) twice for 12 h (separated by 12 h at 20 °C and 21% O2), with euthanasia 14 or 20 d after first exposure. Combined for both post-exposure intervals, there were primarily main effects of temperature; mice exposed to 20 vs 36 °C had differences in testis weight (110.2 vs 96.9 mg, respectively; P < 0.0001), daily sperm production (24.7 vs 21.1 × 106 sperm/g testes, P < 0.03), motile sperm (54.5 vs 41.5%, P < 0.002), morphologically normal sperm (59.9 vs 45.4%, P < 0.002), morphologically abnormal heads (7.3 vs 22.0%, P < 0.0001), seminiferous tubule diameter (183.4 vs 176.3 µm, P < 0.004) and altered elongated spermatids (2.2 vs 15.9, P < 0.001). Increasing O2 (from 13 to 95%) affected morphologically abnormal heads (15.4, 10.8 and 17.6%, respectively; P < 0.03), seminiferous tubule diameter (175.7, 185.6 and 178.4 µm, P < 0.003) and total altered spermatids (8.3, 3.3 and 15.2, P < 0.05). Our hypothesis was not supported; hypoxia did not replicate effects of hyperthermia with regards to reducing number and quality of sperm produced and hyperoxia did not mitigate effects of hyperthermia. We concluded that hyperthermia per se and not secondary hypoxia was the fundamental cause of heat-induced effects on spermatogenesis and sperm. These findings are of interest to develop evidence-based efforts to mitigate effects of testicular hyperthermia, as efforts should be focused on hyperthermia per se and not on hyperthermia-induced hypoxia.

Antler velvet is thicker in adult than in yearling pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus): a histological study.

BACKGROUND: Antlers are lined by soft velvet tissue during antler growth. Later, the velvet is shed before rut onset. There are no detailed histological descriptions of the growing velvet, nor whether the velvet changes according to stag age. Our aims were to: 1) describe the basic histology of pampas deer antler velvet from adult and yearling males; and 2) determine the influence of age and time of antler growth on velvet's tissues morphometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were collected from 10 stags allocated in two groups, either adult (3-5 years old, n = 5) or yearling males (2 years old, n = 5). The day of antler cast was recorded for each animal. In spring, the stags were anaesthetised and velvet samples were collected from the third tine's distal end. Samples were described qualitatively and a restricted morphometrical analysis of the antler velvet was performed. RESULTS: The number of keratinocyte layers and the thicknesses of: total epidermis, corneum, intermediate and basale epidermal strata, total dermis, superficial and deep dermis were determined. Age and days after antler casting positively influenced in conjunction epidermal thickness (p = 0.037), and tended to influence both stratum intermedium (p = 0.076) and stratum corneum (p = 0.1) thicknesses. Age influenced stratum corneum thickness (p = 0.04). The pampas deer antler velvet lacked both sweat glands and arrector pili muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The deep dermis was densely irrigated but displayed abundant and well developed collagen bundles. Both total epidermal and stratum corneum thicknesses related positively to the age of the animals but were not to the time since antler cast.

Collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in the ewe cervix during the estrous cycle.

The cervical collagen remodeling during the estrous cycle of the ewe was examined. The collagen concentration determined by a hydroxyproline assay and the area occupied by collagen fibers (%C), determined by van Gieson staining, were assessed in the cranial and caudal cervix of Corriedale ewes on Days 1 (n = 6), 6 (n = 5), or 13 (n = 6) after estrous detection (defined as Day 0). In addition, the gelatinase activity by in situ and SDS-PAGE gelatin zymographies and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively) expression by immunohistochemistry were determined. The collagen concentration and %C were lowest on Day 1 of the estrous cycle (P < 0.04), when MMP-2 activity was highest (P < 0.006) and the ratio of activated to latent MMP-2 trend to be highest (P = 0.0819). The MMP-2 activity was detected in 73% of the homogenized cervical samples, and its expression was mainly detected in active fibroblasts. By contrast, the MMP-9 activity was detected in 9% of the samples, and its scarce expression was associated with plasmocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression was maximal on Day 1 in the cranial cervix and on Day 13 in the caudal cervix and was lower in the cranial than in the caudal cervix (P < 0.0001). This time-dependent increase in MMP-2 expression that differed between the cranial and caudal cervix may reflect their different physiological roles. The decrease in the collagen content and increase in fibroblast MMP-2 activity in sheep cervix on Day 1 of the estrous cycle suggests that cervical dilation at estrus is due to the occurrence of collagen fiber degradation modulated by changes in periovulatory hormone levels.

Cervical changes in estrogen receptor alpha, oxytocin receptor, LH receptor, and cyclooxygenase-2 depending on the histologic compartment, longitudinal axis, and day of the ovine estrous cycle.

The aim was to investigate the histologic distribution of estrogen receptor α (ERα), oxytocin receptor (OxR), LH receptor (LHR), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the cervix of the ewe during the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the cranial and caudal cervix of Corriedale ewes on Day 1 (n = 6), 6 (n = 5), or 13 (n = 6) after estrous detection (Day 0). The ERα proportional score (%ERα nuclei) was lower in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix, whereas the OxR and COX-2 immunostaining areas (%areas) were greater in the cranial cervix than in the caudal cervix (P < 0.04). The %ERα nuclei decreased from Days 1 to 13 in luminal epithelia, but increased from Days 1 to 6 or remained unchanged in stromata (P < 0.003). The %OxR area was higher on Day 6 than on Days 1 and 13 in the superficial glandular epithelium, and increased from Days 1 to 13 in the deep glandular epithelium (P < 0.04). The %LHR area increased during the estrous cycle in luminal epithelia and fold stroma (P < 0.004). The %COX-2 area was restricted to epithelia, and it was lower on Day 1 than on Days 6 and 13 in luminal epithelia (P < 0.05). Differences in ERα, OxR, LHR, and COX-2 between cranial and caudal cervical zones indicate different physiological functions, and their cyclic variations in the cervical epithelia, in contrast to little or no variations in the stroma, suggest a hormone-responsive driving role of epithelia in cervical function.

Undernutrition during foetal to prepubertal life affects aquaporin 9 but not aquaporins 1 and 2 expression in the male genital tract of adult rats.

Expression of aquaporin water channels (AQPs) in the male excurrent ducts, is of major importance for local water movements. To study the influence of pre- and postnatal undernutrition on AQP-expression in the adult male genital tract, 4 pregnant female rats were fed ad libitum (control group) and 4 with 33.5% of gestational feed requirements (underfed group). Feeding restriction of underfed group pups continued up to weaning (25 days of age), then all pups were fed ad libitum until slaughtered at 100 days of age. Epididymides were sampled and processed for aquaporin immunohistochemistry. Expression of AQP1 was similar either in the control and underfed groups of rats, strongly evidenced at the apical and lateral plasma membrane of the efferent ducts non-ciliated cells, in the smooth muscle cells surrounding epididymal duct and in blood vessel endothelium throughout the epididymis. AQP2-immunoreactivity was present in the corpus and cauda regions, strongly expressed in the principal cells of both groups of rats. In contrast, AQP9 expression was modified by early life undernourishment, as it was weakly evidenced at the microvilli in the principal cells and strongly diminished or completely lacked in the clear cells of the cauda, in underfed group epididymides. Since it is known that clear cells are involved in luminal fluid acidification, this function might be altered in adult animals, which were underfed during early life.

Undernutrition during foetal and post-natal life affects testicular structure and reduces the number of Sertoli cells in the adult rat.

To test whether undernutrition during foetal to pre-pubertal life would have long lasting effects on testicular histology in adult male offspring, eleven adult Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were divided into two groups: Control group, n = 4, fed ad libitum, during gestation and lactation (until 25 day post-partum). Underfed group pregnant females (n = 7) were kept in cages where only dams had access to food (standard rat chow, 33.5% of ad libitum intake of Control group pregnant dams). After parturition, litters were adjusted to either 14 (Underfed group) or eight (Control group) pups. Mothers were weighed weekly. At 25 day of age pups were weaned, housed at four animals per cage, fed ad libitum and weighed weekly until euthanized at 100 day of age. Testes were processed for standard histology and morphometrical evaluation. At weaning, mother weight was lower in underfed than in Control group (mean +/- SD): 214.1 +/- 26.2 g vs 361.9 +/- 33.1 g. Body weight at 100 days of age (254 +/- 26.9 g vs 342.4 +/- 10.2 g, p

Histology of lamb epididymal development.

To describe the distribution of the histological regions and their morphometry during epididymal development, 10 Corriedale lambs were castrated monthly from 90 to 180 days of age (n = 24), and their testes and epididymides were weighed. All animals were weighed monthly. Epididymides were divided into caput, corpus and cauda, and cut sagitally so that sections included all the length of the organ. The diameter of the epididymal duct, the smooth muscle depth and the epididymal epithelium height were measured. The quantitative histology of the ovine epididymal development was described. Epididymal development advanced from caput to cauda. The distribution of the histological regions varied according to epididymal weight. Transient histological regions were found during epididymal development. The present results indicate a new way of epididymal development in sheep, which courses from caput to cauda with transient histological regions appearing, varying in location and disappearing during ovine epididymis development.

Androgen Receptor Distribution, PAS and Alcyan Blue Reaction in the Vomeronasal Organ and the Nasal Septum Mucosa of the Developing Male Rat / Distribución del Receptor de Andrógeno, Positividad a PAS y Alcyan Blue en el Órgano Vomeronasal y la Mucosa del Tabique Nasal Durante el Desarrollo de la Rata Macho

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a tubular chemoreceptory organ which detects environmental pheromones and is essential for mammalian normal reproductive activity. A sensitive chemoreceptory neuroepithelium lines the concave VNO wall and the opposite, convex wall is lined by a seudostratified, receptor-free epithelium. The secretion of the Jacobson glands (JG) -tubuloacinary glands lying in the lamina propia of the VNO - is essential for pheromones contacting vomeronasal organ chemoreceptors. Tubuloacinary glands lying in the connective tissue of the nasal septum mucosa (Bowman glands), can be classified as ventral and dorsal, according to their location. Positivity to PAS and Alcyan blue reactions and androgen receptor immunolocalization was evaluated with a semiquantitative system (0,1, 2 or 3 crosses) in JG, ventral Bowman glands (VBG), dorsal Bowman glands (DBG), sensitive chemoreceptory neuroepithelium (Ne), receptor-free epithelium (RFE) and nasal septum respiratory epithelium (RE) histological slides of male rats at 5, 15, 25 and 35 days of age. The VBG and JG were intensely positive to PAS reaction since 5 days of age, and weakly positive to Alcyan blue reaction (AB) since 15 days of age, but not at 5 days of age. Both JG and VBG were strongly positive to androgen receptor immunolocalization at all ages studied (15, 25 and 35 days of age). DBG were always negative to both PAS and AB reactions. The NE and the RFE and nasal mucosa luminar epithelium were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first report of androgen receptor (AR) immunolocalization in the vomeronasal organ and the nasal septum mucosa. The present results also suggest an influence of androgens on the mechanism of pheromones contacting with the Ne of the VNO through regulation of the Jacobson glands secretion.

El órgano vomeronasal (VNO) es un órgano quimioreceptor, tubular, que detecta feromonas ambientales. Es esencial para la actividad reproductiva normal de los mamíferos. El VNO está formado por un neuroepitelio quimiosensible (pared cóncava, Ne) y un epitelio pseudoestratificado (epitelio libre de receptores: RFE) en la pared opuesta, convexa. La secreción de las glándulas tubuloacinares de Jacobson (JG), ubicadas en la lámina propia del VNO, son esenciales para que las feromonas entren en contacto con el Ne. Las glándulas tubuloacinares ubicadas en la mucosa del tabique nasal (glándulas del Bowman), se pueden clasificar como ventrales (VBG) y dorsales (DBG), según su localization. La positividad a las técnicas de PAS, Azul de Alcián (AB) e immunolocalization del receptor de andrógeno (AR), fueron evaluadas con un sistema semicuantitativo (0, 1, 2 o 3 cruces) en láminas histológicas de JG, VBG, DBG, Ne, RFE y del epitelio del tabique nasal (RE) en ratas macho de 5, 15, 25 y 35 días de edad. Las VBG y JG fueron intensamente positivas a la reacción de PAS desde los 5 días de edad y débilmente positivas a la reacción de AB desde los 15 días de edad, pero no a los 5 días de la edad. Las JG y VBG fueron fuertemente positivas a la immunolocalization del AR en las edades estudiadas (15, 25 y 35 días de edad). Las DBG fueron siempre negativas a las reacciones de PAS y AB. El NE, el RFE y el RE fueron negativos. Según nuestro conocimiento, éste es el primer informe de immunolocalization del AR en el VNO y la mucosa del tabique nasal. Los actuales resultados sugieren una influencia de los andrógenos en el mecanismo por el cual entran en contacto las feromonas y el Ne, a través de la regulación por andrógenos de la secreción de las JG.

[Ten years of protection of the maternity leave of women working in Pistoia]. / Bilancio d'attività di 10 anni di tutela della maternità di lavoratrici nella provincia di Pistoia.

We have analyzed 1175 interventions about pregnant women who came, from 1997 to 2006, to our public occupational health service, asked for the advance the abstention of work during pregnancy. Requests for advance the abstention of work during pregnancy came from service sector (welfare, school and cleaning--29%), shoe industry (14.4%), textile and clothing industry (11.4%), commerce (characterized by prolonged standing straight 13%), health service (8.7%), tourism (8%). The first seven years (1997-2003) the prevailing risks have been the muscular effort and the postures, while the last three years (2004-2006) have increased biological and chemical risks. The most important principles of labour protection for pregnant women is the agreement with every subject, and the information of the social parties, but above all the direct information of the women.

[Health intervention in ex-asbestos exposed workers according to the Toscana region operative guidelines]. / Un intervento sanitario su ex esposti ad amianto secondo gli indirizzi operativi della regione Toscana.

A study carried out on the mortality of over 3700 individuals who worked in a factory making railway rolling stock, in which crocidolite was used to insulate the coaches from the end of 50's to the end of 70's, was summarized. The clinical data, checked by best evidence method, show that the pleural plaques on HRCT are the best indicator of past asbestos exposure rather than asbestos bodies or free asbestos fibers in BAL.

In vitro reconstructed dermis implanted in human wounds: degradation studies of the HA-based supporting scaffold.

The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a dermal replacement for cutaneous wounds of diverse origin. Autologous fibroblasts were cultured in fleece scaffolds made from benzyl esters of hyaluronic acid and applied onto cutaneous lesions. The cases presented are (1) skin removal for multiple epithelioma and (2) chronic deep decubitus ulcer. Dermal-like tissue applied by the surgeon elicited no adverse reactions, and was fully integrated and well-vascularized by 1-3 weeks. In Case 1, the material was fully integrated after 1 week, and after 3 weeks an epidermal autograft was overlaid which showed good take with excellent integration observed after 4 weeks. At 12 months, skin demonstrated visual normo-elastic properties and no signs of excessive scarring. In Case 2, 2-3 weeks after the dermal implant was applied, the wound was invaded with granulation tissue and healing occurred by secondary intention. The ulcer was healed by 8 weeks, with the biomaterial completely resorbed and a complete re-epithelialization over the dermal-like tissue. These results suggest that autologous fibroblast culture in hyaluronan-derived scaffolds may be successfully grafted in diverse cutaneous pathologies and constitute a suitable bed for further epidermal implantation.