Morphometric studies on rat epididymis in the course of postnatal development (computerised image analysis).

The studies were aimed at histological and morphometric analysis of postnatal development of epididymis in rats aged 1, 5, 10, 20, 28, 35, 45 and 59 days. Diameter of ductuli efferentes and of ductus epididymidis, height of epithelium, section area fractions occupied by the epithelium and by the sublayer were estimated (using MultiScan software) and serum testosterone levels were measured. The results documented a stepwise development of the epididymis, in three distinguishable stages.

Morphometric studies on the testes of rats treated neonatally with oestrogen and subsequently with gonadotrophins and testosterone.

The experiments involved male rats, which were given a single subcutaneous dose of 1 mg stilboestrol on the first day of life. Beginning on day 28, subgroups of the rats received either gonadotrophins or testosterone for 39 days. The weight of the testes, serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were determined while sections of the testes were subjected to morphological analysis and morphometric measurements, based on computerized techniques. The results demonstrated that a single dose of oestrogen caused a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules and a reduction in the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium, accompanied by inhibition of spermatogenesis. The number of and area occupied by Leydig cells, as well as the size of their cell nuclei, were also diminished, and the levels of serum testosterone decreased by 73%. All the experimental animals manifested significantly increased serum luteinizing hormone levels. Stimulation with gonadotrophins markedly increased the number of Leydig cells, their size and the size of their cell nuclei. This was associated with significantly increased levels of serum testosterone. Under these conditions, the cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules and the thickness of seminiferous epithelium remained less than those in the untreated controls. Following stimulation with testosterone the pattern of the seminiferous tubules resembled that noted after stimulation with gonadotrophins; the number of Leydig cells was markedly reduced but the size of both the cells themselves and of their nuclei approached normal values.

Effects of melatonin, testosterone and the two hormones administered in parallel on epididymis of the rat estrogenized with stilbestrol in the first day of life.

Effect of melatonin, testosterone and of both hormones given in parallel on rat epididymis was tested in rats given a single dose of 1 mg stilbestrol on the first day of the life. The hormones were given daily for 39 days, beginning from the 20th or 28th day of life. The single dose of estrogen treatment resulted in epididymis atrophy, accompanied by changes in glandular epithelium and in its stroma, when the rats reached mature age (59 or 67 days of life). In such rats, LH gonadotropin level was elevated and testosterone level was decreased. Administration of melatonin failed to affect the changes induced by estrogen treatment. Administration of testosterone alone or of testosterone in parallel with melatonin caused the epididymis status to resemble more closely that seen in control animals. Efferent ductules of the testis (head of epididymis) were also demonstrated to be more sensitive to the performed experimental procedures than the duct of the epididymis (body and tail of the epididymis).

Effects of melatonin, testosterone and the two hormones administered in parallel on ventral prostate of the rat treated with stilbestrol in the first day of life.

Effects of melatonin, testosterone and the two hormones administered in parallel on ventral prostate were examined in the rats treated with estrogens in the first day of life. Thirty-nine-day long hormonal stimulation with melatonin, testosterone or the two hormones in parallel was started in rats aged 20, 28, 35 or 45 days. A single dose of estrogens led to atrophy of ventral prostate when the animals reached maturity, which was associated with high LH levels and low testosterone levels in the serum. Melatonin accentuated estrogen-induced changes in prostate morphology of ventral prostate while initemporal administration of melatonin and testosterone led to a resultant effect of testosterone-induced stimulation and melatonin-induced inhibition.

[The value of computer tomography for diagnosis of seminal vesicle cysts]. / Wartosc tomografii komputerowej w rozpoznawaniu torbieli pecherzyków nasiennych.

Presented report deals with the case of a giant cyst of the left seminal vesicle with major diagnostic difficulties. After urography, cystoscopy, and computer tomography all symptoms in patient with cyst disappeared, and the tumor was not stated during physical examination. Six months later all symptoms in the patient exaggerated. Among diagnostic procedures used only computer tomography visualized giant cyst of the seminal vesicle which occupied the whole pelvis. After surgical excision of the cyst the patient had and erectile dysfunction.

Effect of estrogenization in the first day of life on the reproductive system in male rats.

The aim of the present report was to investigate dynamics of morphological and functional changes in the reproductive system of male rats between 20th and 84th day of life, injected neonatally with a single dose of stilbestrol. Marked reduction in relative weights of testes and accessory sexual glands was demonstrated in various periods of life. This was associated with inhibition of spermatogenesis at the stage of primary spermatocytes and with morphological as well as functional alterations in epididymis, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. In the serum, high levels of LH and lowered testosterone levels were demonstrated.

[Involuntary ureteral micturition]. / Mimowolne moczenie moczowodowe.

The paper focuses on the problem of ureteric incontinence of urine caused by dislocation of bladder ureteral orifice. A case of a 15-year old patient suffering from incontinence of urine, admitted to the Urological Clinic has been described. In order to avoid vaginoscopy, the following examinations were performed: urography, chromocystoscopy, arteriography and computer tomography. The reason for such a large number of various examinations was an unclear picture of the left kidney and the shape of the ureter, suggesting a tumour in the retroperitoneal space. The treatment ended with a removal of the kidney. The disclosed retroperitoneal space turned out to be affected by hydronephrosis.

Innervation of the testis in human fetuses from 16th to 22nd week.

In fetuses of 16th week the tunica albuginea is composed of fibrous and vascular layers. In the vascular layer the nerve fibers are observed. Beginning from the 20th week on the nerve fibers appear between spermatic cords.

Effect of melatonin on reproductive system in male rat, treated with estrogen in the first day of life.

The study aimed at demonstrating the possible stimulating or inhibitory effect of melatonin on reproductive system of male rats, the function of which was altered by single diethylstilbestrol dose introduced in the first day of life. The single estrogen dose in the first day of life induced in the studied rats, after they reached the adult age, inhibition of spermatogenesis as well as morphological and functional alterations in accessory sexual glands. This was associated with high level of LH gonadotrophin and with lowered testosterone level in the serum. Additional administration of melatonin between 45th and 84th day of life accentuated the above described changes induced by the single estrogen injection. Results of the studies demonstrated that melatonin in the experimental model not only failed to stimulate but provided an additional inhibitory effect on reproductive system in male rat.

[Afferents of vagus nerve to intercalary nucleus]. / Afférences du nerf vague an noyau intercalé

In 11 rabbits operations of intracranial transection of IXth and Xth cranial nerves and transections of vagal nerve on its several levels were performed. After survival 271-327 days karyometric investigations of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes contained in intercalary nuclei of both sides of medulla were performed. It was stated that after transection of the vagus nerve on the levels proximally to the arising of the recurrent laryngeal nerve the volume of cross-area of neurons and nuclei of astrocytes decreases on the operated side. The authors concluded that atrophic changes found in the intercalary nucleus may be probable of transsynaptic in character. It indicated, that intercalary nucleus receives afferents from the vagus nerve.