Morphological aspects of rumen papillae of lambs fed agro-industrial wastes.

Sheep meet production systems require roughage feed of good nutritional quality. However, the production of sorghum or corn silage, besides expensive, also depends on large cultivable areas and favorable weather conditions. Thus, agro-industrial residues have stood out as a feed alternative that contribute to the reduction of production costs and to the conservation of the environment. Fragments of the ruminal mucosa of 30 healthy lambs fed with agro-industrial residues and slaughtered with a final weight of 36 kg were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. We observed that the coproducts grape residue and wet brewery residue affected the shape, dimensions, and cytoarchitecture of the rumen epithelium in contrast to traditional sorghum silage. The rumen papillae of lambs fed grape waste were larger, and their epithelium was thinner when compared to the papillae of lambs fed wet brewery waste and sorghum silage. It can be assumed that the increased mucosal surface area of the rumen contributed to greater weight gain and reduced time to slaughter. The use of a greater variety of agro-industrial residues as a substitute for traditional feedstuffs contributes to the increase in animal protein production in many countries, making the confinement of sheep more viable and sustainable.

The Protective Effect of Lithium Against Rotenone may be Evolutionarily Conserved: Evidence from Eisenia fetida, a Primitive Animal with a Ganglionic Brain.

Chronic exposure to stress is a non-adaptive situation that is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide anion (SA). This accumulation of ROS produces damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which activate chronic inflammatory states and behavioral changes found in several mood disorders. In a previous study, we observed that an imbalance of SA triggered by rotenone (Ro) exposure caused evolutionarily conserved oxi-inflammatory disturbances and behavioral changes in Eisenia fetida earthworms. These results supported our hypothesis that SA imbalance triggered by Ro exposure could be attenuated by lithium carbonate (LC), which has anti-inflammatory properties. The initial protocol exposed earthworms to Ro (30 nM) and four different LC concentrations. LC at a concentration of 12.85 mg/L decreased SA and nitric oxide (NO) levels and was chosen to perform complementary assays: (1) neuromuscular damage evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (2) innate immune inefficiency by analysis of Eisenia spp. extracellular neutrophil traps (eNETs), and (3) behavioral changes. Gene expression was also evaluated involving mitochondrial (COII, ND1), inflammatory (EaTLR, AMP), and neuronal transmission (nAchR α5). LC attenuated the high melanized deposits in the circular musculature, fiber disarrangement, destruction of secretory glands, immune inefficiency, and impulsive behavior pattern triggered by Ro exposure. However, the effects of LC and Ro on gene expression were more heterogeneous. In summary, SA imbalance, potentially associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, appears to be an evolutionary component triggering oxidative, inflammatory, and behavioral changes observed in psychiatric disorders that are inhibited by LC exposure.

Superoxide-imbalance Pharmacologically Induced by Rotenone Triggers Behavioral, Neural, and Inflammatory Alterations in the Eisenia fetida Earthworm.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and a superoxide imbalance could increase susceptibility to chronic stressful events, contributing to the establishment of chronic inflammation and the development of mood disorders. The mitochondrial superoxide imbalance induced by some molecules, such as rotenone, could be evolutionarily conserved, causing behavioral, immune, and neurological alterations in animals with a primitive central nervous system. OBJECTIVE: Behavioral, immune, and histological markers were analyzed in Eisenia fetida earthworms chronically exposed to rotenone for 14 days. METHODS: Earthworms were placed in artificial soil containing 30 nM of rotenone distributed into a plastic cup that allowed the earthworms to leave and return freely into the ground. Since these organisms prefer to be buried, the model predicted that the earthworms would necessarily have to return to the rotenone-contaminated medium, creating a stressful condition. The effect on survival behavior in the immune and histological body wall and ventral nervous ganglia (VNG) structures, as well as gene expression related to inflammation and mitochondrial and neuromuscular changes. RESULTS: Rotenone-induced loss of earthworm escape behavior and immune alterations indicated a chronic inflammatory state. Some histological changes in the body wall and VNG indicated a possible earthworm reaction aimed at protecting against rotenone. Overexpression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (nAChR α5) in neural tissues could also help earthworms reduce the degenerative effects of rotenone on dopaminergic neurons. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction could be an evolutionarily conserved element that induces inflammatory and behavioral changes related to chronic stress.

Morphological importance of coronary ostia in equine.

The position of the coronary ostia was investigated in 70 segments of the aorta from young adult crossbred horses. After fixation with a 4% buffered aqueous formaldehyde solution and cautious dissection of the aortic bulb, the morphometric relationships between the coronary ostium and the aortic valvar elements were digitally analysed with the support of Image-Pro Plus® software. In horses, the left coronary ostium was near to the right valvular commissure in all cases (100%) analysed in this study. The left coronary ostium was at the level of the intercommissural line in 57.1% and below it in 42.9%. The right coronary ostium was near to the left valvular commissure in 58.6% (2.14 ± 0.32 cm) and close to the right valvular commissure in 41.4% (2.27 ± 0.40 cm). Concerning the intercommissural line, the right coronary ostia was at its level in 24.3% and below it in 75.7%. Accessory coronary ostia were observed in 8.6% of the specimens. In view of the results, it was possible to assume that the positions of the coronary ostia in equines tend towards a standard morphological disposition. Thus, perfusion of the left coronary artery occurs partly more frequently in ventricular systole and complete perfusion occurs less frequently in ventricular diastole. For the right coronary artery, perfusion is mostly complete in diastole and partially in ventricular systole.

Morphological importance of coronary ostia in sheep and swine.

The aortic valve was investigated in 58 sheep and 60 swine without heart disease. After fixation in 4% formalin, the distance between the ostia and the elements of the right/left aortic sinuses was measured. For the left coronary ostium (LCO), it was found that in sheep 81% were below and 19% at the level of intercomissural line (IL). In pigs, 88.3% were below and 11.7% at the IL level. In sheep, the OCL was close to the right valve commissure (CVR) in 98.3% and close to the left valve commissure (CVV) in 1.7%. In pigs, it was close to RVC at 83.3% and close to LVC at 16.7%. Regarding to RCO, it was found that in sheep 69% was below, 1.7% was above and 29.3% at the IL level. In pigs, 20% were below, 15% above and 65% at the IL level. The distance of the RCO in relation to the valve commissures was 56.9% close to LVC and 43.1% close to RVC in sheep. In pigs, 81.7% were close to LVC and 18.3% close to RVC. The position of LCO was balanced between sheep and swine, while the RCO in swine was closer to CVE when compared with sheep. The accessory coronary ostium was observed in 18.6% of sheep and 10% of pigs. Thus, it is concluded that in sheep and swine the left coronary artery is perfused only in ventricular diastole. Perfusion of the right coronary artery occurs more frequently in diastole and less frequently in ventricular systole.

Central nervous system development of cats (Felis catus L. 1758).

The morphological similarities of vertebrates' embryonic development are used as a criterion for choosing animal models that can be used in biomedical research. This study describes the embryonic and fetal development of the domestic cat's central nervous system from 15 days after conception until birth. In total, fifty-seven samples of embryos and fetuses were carefully dissected and analyzed microscopically. The closure of the neural tube was observed between 14-15th days of gestation. The differentiation of the primordial cerebral vesicles was observed from the 17th day of gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, the formation of the choroid plexus began, and on the 20th day of gestation, the brain and brainstem were well-identified macroscopically. On the 24th day of gestation, four layers of cells from the cerebral cortex were described, and on the 60th day, six layers of cells were present. The cerebellar cortex had the three classic cortical layers at this stage. The morphological aspects of embryonic and fetal development in cats were very similar to the stages of development of the human nervous system. As such, this study provided relevant information that highlights the domestic cat as an animal model option for preclinical research on infectious and non-infectious neurological diseases in humans.

Central nervous system development in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L. 1758).

The present study describes the embryonic and fetal development of the central nervous system in rabbits from the seventh day after conception until the end of the full-term fetal period. A total of 19 embryonic and fetal samples were carefully dissected and microscopically analyzed. Neural tube closure was observed between 7.5 and 8 days of gestation. Primordial encephalic vesicle differentiation and spinal canal delimitation were observed on the 12th day of gestation. Histologically, on the 15th day of gestation, the brain, cerebellum, and brain stem were delimited. On the 18th day of gestation, the cervical and lumbar intumescences of the spinal cord were visible. On the 28th day of gestation, four-cell layers could be distinguished in the cerebral cortex, while the cerebellar cortex was still differentiating. Overall, the morphological aspects of the embryonic and fetal developmental phases in rabbits were highly similar to those in humans. Thus, the present study provides relevant information highlighting rabbits as an excellent candidate animal model for preclinical research on human neurological diseases given the high adaptability of rabbits to bioterium conditions and the similarity of morphological events between rabbits and humans.

Venous hepatic segmentation in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris-L. 1758).

The external shape of the liver is varied and determines specific vascular arrangements. This morphological relationship is important to establish hepatic segmentation in different species submitted to surgeries that aim to preserve a larger area of liver parenchyma. After observing 60 livers injected with Neoprene Latex and three plastic moulds obtained by corrosion, eight hepatic venous segments were identified, drained by six hepatic veins agrouped into segmental veins, which drained one sector (segments I, VI, VII and VIII) and intersegmental veins, which drained more than one sector (segments II/III and IV/V). They were described as follows: left intersegmental vein, formed by a segmental vein from the papillary process (segment I), two to three lateral left segmental veins that drained the segment II, and one to five left paramedian segmental veins that drained the segment III; sagittal intersegmental vein, formed by the confluence between segmental vein of the quadrate lobe (segment IV) and the medial right paramedian segmental vein, which derived from the segment V; lateral right paramedian vein drained the dorsocranial sector of the segment VI; the lateral right segmental vein, formed by one to four vessels that drained segment VII, and the segmental vein of the caudate process, which drained the segment VIII. Understanding the number and disposition of the hepatic veins in lobate livers is essential to reduce bleeding risks in surgeries. The nomenclature based on segmentation analogy of non-lobate liver could be less confusing and, therefore, be more useful in the surgical approaches of lobate livers.

Morfologia do funículo umbilical em ovinos deslanados mestiços (Ovis aries, L.1758) / Morphology of the umbilical cord

Aspectos anatômicos do funículo umbilical foram observados em 30 fetos de ovinos deslanados sem raça definida, retirados de fêmeas em diferentes estágios de prenhez, oriundas de matadouros do Estado de Pernambuco - Brasil. Em todas as observaçöes constatamos a presença de um ducto alantóide, duas artérias e duas veias umbilicais, e em um único caso (gestaçäo trigemelar) evidenciaram-se, no funículo umbilical, duas artérias e uma veia. A secçäo transversal do funículo umbilical na porçäo justafetal, cada conjunto de artéria e veia posicionava-se lateralmente ao ducto alantóide, ocupando diferentes planos, enquanto na porçäo média as veias tendiam para o mesmo plano das artérias, e, na porçäo justaplacentária, as veias lateralizavam-se em um só plano constituindo uma fileira de vasos. Obteve-se uma variaçäo quanto ao comprimento do funículo de 5,0 a 21,5 centímetros com uma média igual a 12,24 centímetros em fetos com aproximadamente 2 a 5 meses de vida intra-uterina. Verificaram-se anastomoses arteriais no funículo umbilical (26,66 por cento), sendo que 16,66 por cento foram do tipo convergente 10 por cento do tipo transversal

Artérias e veias placentárias em ovinos deslanados sem raça definida (Ovis aries, L.1758) / Placental arteries and veins in wooless mongrel sheep (Ovis aries, L.1758)

O suprimento sangüíneo da placenta de 30 ovelhas deslanadas sem raça definida foi estudado mediante análise de peças obtidas através de injeçäo vascular com Látex Neoprene 650 corado. Constataram-se no material casos de gestaçöes únicas (53,3 por cento), gemelares (46,7 por cento) e trigemelares (3,3 por cento). Em todos os casos analisados, observaram-se 4 vasos umbilicais (2 artérias e 2 veias) além do ducto alantóide, na constituiçäo do funículo umbilical. Em apenas 1 caso (gestaçäo trigemelar), as duas artérias umbilicais de um dos fetos fundiram-se na porçäo média do funículo umbilical, e neste caso integrava apenas uma veia umbilical. A área placentária hilar variava de 2,0 a 6,0 centímetros dependendo da fase de gestaçäo. O número médio de placentônios por gestaçäo foi igual a 96, com tamanhos e formas bastante diversificados, sendo que aqueles maiores que 1,5 centímetro eram predominantes, assim como aqueles de formato ovóide. Os placentônios eram irrigados e drenados por uma série diversificada de artérias e veias, constituindo arranjos arteriocotiledonários e venocotiledonários, perfazendo um total de 299 e 314 arranjos respectivamente

Sobre a ocorrência de cordas tendíneas anômalas na valva atrioventricular direita de cäes sem raça definida (Canis familiaris L.1758) / The anomalous tendinous cord in right atrioventricular valve in mongreel dogs (Canis familiaris L.1758)

Realizando observaçöes para a descriçäo do comportamento anatômico das cordas tendíneas e músculos papilares num grupo de 40 coraçöes de cäes sem raça definida, deparamo-nos com dois tipos de cordas tendíneas bastante incomuns. Ao consultar a literatura, poucos relatos de anomalias das cordas tendíneas em animais foram encontrados e nenhum deles mostrou qualquer semelhança com os resultados descritos neste caso. O primeiro tipo diz respeito a uma corda de direçäo retrógrada cuja origem se deu no tecido muscular que circunda o ânulo fibroso atrioventricular direito. Seu filamento, depois de atravessar o óstio atrioventricular direito, uniu-se a um feixe de cordas comuns oriundas do músculo papilar magno. O segundo tipo encontrado foi o mais inusitado. Trata-se de uma corda com 5,3 cm de comprimento, estendendo-se desde o músculo papilar subarterioso até a válvula semilunar intermédia no tronco pulmonar, cuja inserçao nesta estabeleceu-se como um "laço" que permitia inclusive ser tensionado

A special type of Chordae tendineae in the right ventricle of mongrel dogs (Canis familiaris, L. 1758)

Observations on fifty hearts of mongrel dogs revealed a special type of Chordae tendineae in 20 (per cent) of cases, characterized by the presence of a single filament originating from a small pillar muscle located on the free wall of the right ventricle. In all cases, insertion of this structure occurred in the smooth zone of the parietal cusp of the right atrioventricualr valve.