Lectin-binding pattern of Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis (Kaup) testis.

The localization and characterization of oligosaccharide sequences in the testis of Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis was investigated using 12 lectins in combination with KOH saponification and sialidase digestion (K-s). The interstitial compartment contained all the sugar residues investigated, those bearing oligosaccharides terminating with sialic acid (Neu5Ac) alpha2,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc, Neu5AcGalNAcalpha1,3(LFucbeta1,2) Galbeta1,3/4GlcNAcbeta1 and GalNAcalpha1,3(LFuc1,2) Galbeta1,3/4GlcNAcbeta1 being more abundant in the medullar region than in the cortex. The melano-macrophage centres found in the interstitial compartment displayed glycans terminating with Galbeta1,3GalNAc. The basal lamina separating the germinal and interstitial compartments exhibited glycans with terminal/internal mannose, internal betaGlcNAc, and terminal Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc, and Neu5AcGalbeta1,3GalNAc, Galbeta1,3GalNAc (PNA), Galbeta1,4GlcNAc, GalNAc, alphaGal, and alphaL-Fuc. In the germinal compartment, the Sertoli cells expressed only glycans terminating with Neu5Acalpha2,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc in the apical and supra-nuclear lateral surface of the spermatonial cysts located in the distal part of the seminiferous lobules. Primary spermatocytes exhibited oligosaccharides terminating with Galbeta1,3GalNAc and alphaGalNAc in the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. The spermatids contained highly mannosylated glycans terminating with GalNac, alphaGal, and alphaL-Fuc. The head of spermatozoa expressed a more complex glycosylation pattern characterized by the additional presence of oligosaccharides terminating with Neu5Acalpha2,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc, Neu5AcGalbeta1,3GalNAc, Neu5AcGalNAcalpha1,3(LFuca1,2)Galbeta1,3/4GlcNAcbeta1, GalNAcalpha1,3(LFucalpha1,2)Galbeta1,3/4GlcNAcbeta1. The comparison with previous lectin histochemical studies carried out in other fish species reveals a specific glycosylation pattern of Senegalese sole testicular structures and spermatozoa head.

The rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) granular leukocytes and mast-cells system versus the human one. Cytomorphometrical and cytochemical characters in these two species philogenetically poles apart.

In man, circulating granular leukocytes constitute a cellular system and are able to migrate in the tissues to take part in the immune reactions. This study was to characterize the granular leukocytes and the eventual existence of mast-cells of a low vertebrate, rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri R.) in order to compare it with man. The blood smears and tissues sections have been tested whit panoptic methods, cytochemistry and toluidine blue. White blood cell count, leukocytes formula and cytomorphometric characterization was performed using an image analyser. Scanning of tissues sections in order to identify mast-cells has been also performed. In this model the granular leukocytes are all neutrophilic like; no eosinophilic, no basophilic no tissue mast-cells, basically existing in allergic and anaphylactic reactions, were found.

[Comparative macroscopic and microscopic anatomical observations on pyloric ceca in some bony fish]. / Osservazioni anatomo-macro-microscopiche comparate sui ciechi pilorici di alcuni pesci ossei.

The authors report the variable number of pyloric caeca of some species of fish and describe their macroanatomy. They also describe and compare the microanatomy of pyloric caeca in three species; in particular they point out the thickness of tunica muscularis, the shape and length of villi which protrude into the lumen and the variable number of goblet cells. The tunica muscularis is very strong in Uranoscopus and consists of three strata: external and inner longitudinal strata, middle circular stratum. The tunica muscularis is less thick in Diplodus and in Scorpaena. The lamina propria and epithelium form villi which protrude into the lumen. They are covered with columnar epithelium and goblet cells which are more numerous in Uranoscopus and Scorpaena and less numerous in Diplodus. At last the authors describe in pyloric caeca of Scorpaena the presence of a network which engages all the lumen; it consists of connective tissue septa which directly derive from the lamina propria and is covered with the same columnar epithelium and goblet cells.

[Further observations and considerations on the biological and reproductive cycle of the roe buck (Capreolus capreolus L.)]. / Ulteriori osservazioni e considerazioni sul ciclo biologico e riproduttivo del capriolo (Capreolus capreolus L.).

The authors have studied the seasonal microanatomical modifications of the ovary of the roe deer and testis of the roe buck. The ovary during the month of September presents primary, secondary and mature vesicular follicles. During the month of October there is the first presence of a corpus luteum. The corpora lutea during the months of November and December increase in size and blood supply; the cells are filled with acidophil granules. The corpora lutea persist also in January and February when embryos are implanted in the uterus. This result agrees with Short's and -Hay's but differs from that of Stieve. Testes show the first spermatogenic activity during the month of April. The spermatogenesis is completed in June, persists and reaches the top during July and August, when the Leydig cells acquire a strong acidophil cytoplasm. Indeed the spermatogenesis decreases during September and October; then, during winter months the testes are devoid of all signs of spermatogenic activity, the tubules being lined only be Sertoli cells and spermatogonia.

[Presence of epithelial crypts in the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) epididymis. Preliminary note]. / Sulla presenza delle cripte epiteliali nell'epididimo del camoscio (Rupicapra rupicapra L.) Nota preliminare.

The Authors refer the presence of epithelial crypts in the epididymis of chamois, previously described only in the bull by Nicander, in the camel by Singh, in the cat by Arrighi and in the roe-buck by Gentile et al. These crypts consist of cavities bored into the epithelium lining the epididymis and are rounded by the epithelial cells which are, sometimes, squamous and thin. Some crypts open into the lumen of the epididymis, some others crypt are filled with floccular, gelatinous material and, at times, with spermatozoa. The Authors think to undertake other morphological researches to find out the physiologic meaning of crypts, which could have an important role in the seasonal reproductive biology of wild ruminants.

[Comparative microscopic anatomy of the urinary bladder of various domestic and wild ruminants]. / Anatomia microscopica comparata della vescica urinaria di alcuni ruminanti domestici e selvatici.

The Authors focus their interest on the microanatomical differences between urinary bladders of some domestic (sheep and cattle) and wild Ruminantia (roe and chamois). Sixteen urinary bladders of the following species have been studied by Azan, Masson and Weigert staining methods: Three urinary bladders of Ovis aries (L.) and Bos taurus (L.) drawn from animals of both sexes; seven urinary bladders drawn from female of Capreolus capreolus (L.); three urinary bladders from both sexes specimens of Rupicapra rupicapra (L.). It is possible to summarize the data on the compared microanatomy of urinary bladder in the following way: it presents three tunics: mucosa, muscularis and adventitia. The tunica mucosa is composed of lamina propria and transitional epithelium, and presents typical plicae which give a peculiar aspect to the lumen. In roe deer the lamina propria presents several smooth muscle fibers which are organized in an evident "muscularis mucosae" which is absent in all the studied species. The tunica muscularis is composed of two longitudinal (outer and inner) muscle layers and a middle circular layer. In roe this tunica is thicker and more powerful than in other species, and the single layers are more evident because of the presence of many connective septa. The tunica adventitia is composed of loose connective tissue, and some elastic fibers. Unexpectedly, the Chamois, which belongs to wild Ruminants as the roe, does not present a "muscularis mucosae". Therefore the authors suppose that the presence of "muscularis mucosae" in roe could be due to the ethology peculiar of this species which is accustomed to mark the boundary of its territory by staling frequently.

[Innervation of the urinary bladder of Ovis aries L]. / Sull'innervazione della vescica urinaria di Ovis aries L.

The authors have extended a preliminary study about the innervation of urinary bladder, confirming the previous results pointing out the presence of metasympathetic ganglions in the wall of urinary bladder. Therefore nine urinary bladders of Ovis aries of different age and both sexes have been studied by Ruffini, Bodian and Bielschowsky's staining methods. It's possible summarize the data on the innervation of urinary bladder in the following way: in the tunica adventitia there are motor and sensitive bundles of myelinated nervous fiber. The formers, after many divisions, penetrate into the tunica muscularis contacting bundles of smooth muscle fibers, while the latters after several divisions after giving rise to thinner bundles, produce Pacini-like and Ruffini-like sense corpuscles and free nervous terminations. Furthermore, some metasympathetic ganglions of different size have been detected throughout the running of the bundles. In the tunica submucosa a diffuse and peculiar non myelinated network is observed, arising from the vegetative nervous fibers.

[Evidence of morphological modifications induced by theophylline in the urinary bladder epithelium of Rana esculenta]. / Evidenze di alcune modificazioni morfologiche indotte dalla teofillina sull'epitelio vescicale di Rana esculenta.

This preliminary work concerns the morpho-functional action induced by Theophylline on bladder epithelium. The epithelium treated with Theophylline shows important structural variations. The whole tissue thickness appears reduced with cell disposed in monostratified layer. They show a light grade of swelling with nucleus and cytoplasm less evident and boundary less marked. It is important to note that the permeability of the epithelium does not appear modified.