Pathology of African Swine Fever in Reproductive Organs of Mature Breeding Boars.

African swine fever (ASF) is a severe, globally important disease in domestic and wild pigs. The testing of alternative transmission routes has proven that the ASF virus (ASFV) can be efficiently transmitted to sows via semen from infected boars through artificial insemination. Boars intramuscularly inoculated with the ASFV strain "Estonia 2014" showed grossly and microscopically visible changes in the testis, epididymis, prostate, and vesicular gland. The gross lesions included hemorrhages on the scrotum, testicular membranes, and parenchyma; edema; hydroceles; and proliferations of the tunica vaginalis. Histopathologically, vasculitis and perivasculitis was detected in the testis and epididymis. Subacutely infected animals further revealed a degeneration of the testicular and epididymal tubules, pointing to the destruction of the blood-testis and blood-epididymis barriers upon disease progression. This was confirmed by evidence of semen round cells and sperm abnormalities at later time points after the infection. The histopathology was associated with the presence of viral DNA and the infectious virus, and in a limited amount with viral antigens. In most scenarios, the impact of these changes on the reproductive performance and long-term persistence of the virus is probably negligible due to the culling of the animals. However, under backyard conditions and in wild boar populations, infected males will remain in the population and the long-term fate should be further evaluated.

Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands.

The expression pattern and distribution of sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes during development of the equine accessory sex glands has not previously been described. We hypothesized that equine steroidogenic enzyme and sex steroid receptor expression is dependent on reproductive status. Accessory sex glands were harvested from mature stallions, pre-pubertal colts, geldings, and fetuses. Expression of mRNA for estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), androgen receptor (AR), 3ß-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3ßHSD), P450,17α hydroxylase, 17-20 lyase (CYP17), and aromatase (CYP19) were quantified by RT-PCR, and protein localization of AR, ER-α, ER-ß, and 3ßHSD were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of AR, ESR2, CYP17, or CYP19 in the ampulla was not different across reproductive statuses (p > 0.1), while expression of ESR1 was higher in the ampulla of geldings and fetuses than those of stallions or colts (p < 0.05). AR, ESR1 and ESR2 expression were decreased in stallion vesicular glands compared to the fetus or gelding, while AR, ESR1, and CYP17 expression were decreased in the bulbourethral glands compared to other glands. ESR1 expression was increased in the prostate compared to the bulbourethral glands, and no differences were seen with CYP19 or 3ß-HSD. In conclusion, sex steroid receptors are expressed in all equine male accessory sex glands in all stages of life, while the steroidogenic enzymes were weakly and variably expressed.

Expression of androgen receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 in the vesicular glands of castrated and intact goat.

This study was conducted to demonstrate the effect of castration on the structure of vesicular glands of the Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) goat. Vesicular glands of castrated (n=4) and intact (n=6) goat were used for histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. In this study, we report the difference in cell specific expression of androgen receptor (AR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the vesicular glands of castrated and intact goats. In both castrated and intact goats, the present study revealed no immunopositive cells for AR or COX-2 in the fibromuscular stroma meanwhile, AR and COX-2 containing immunoreactive cells were restricted only to the epithelium of the secretory acini of the vesicular gland. Such finding suggests androgen and COX-2 as important regulators for the growth and secretory activity of epithelial cells in the vesicular gland of goats. Overall, the vesicular gland of castrated goats showed significantly (P<0.05) lower AR and COX-2 immuno-expression than intact goats indicating that both AR and COX-2 are androgen dependent.

Morpho-histometric evaluations of pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal vesicular gland of indigenous bulls of Bangladesh / Evaluaciones morfohistométricas de la glándula vesicular prepuberal, púberal y postpuberal de bovinos nativos de Bangladesh

The present observation was aimed to evaluate the gross and histometric parameters of the vesicular glands of indigenous bulls. Twenty-eight bulls of three age groups were selected from the local market: the pre pubertal group A (<1 year n=4), pubertal group B (1.5­2.5 years, n=16) and post pubertal or adult group C (above 3 years, n=8). The weight, length (anterio-posterior), width (latero-medial) and the thickness (dorso-ventral) of the both left and right vesicular glands were recorded separately after slaughter of each animal. The left and right vesicular gland shows significantly different (p<0.01), in weight and length in every group. Left vesicular glands were slightly higher than the right in all parameters. The lobules of the gland showed folded mucosa, lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Three types of cells were identified in the epithelium containing A, B and C cell. Type A cells were tall columnar cells having distinct cell boundaries with the oval, round or elongated nucleus. Type B cells were located in the basal lamina having round or oval nucleus with indistinct cell boundaries. Type C cells were narrow columnar cells interspersed between A cells with darkly stained cytoplasm. Lamina propria consisted of loose connective tissue surrounded the alveoli, tubules and some solid end pieces. The numbers of secretory end pieces were variable. The diameters of luminated or non-luminated acini of the glandular end pieces and ducts were increased gradually and significantly (p<0.01) with the advancement of age. The epithelial height of the duct and alveoli were increased with the advancement of age, but no significantly differences among them. Tunica adventitia and muscularis grew with the advancement of age while the interstitial tissue shrunk equally. Above all parameters help to conclude that the vesicular glands of the pubertal indigenous bulls were more functional.

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito evaluar los parámetros macroscópicos e histométricos de las glándulas vesiculares de toros autóctonos. Veinticuatro toros fueron seleccionados en el mercado local y agrupados según la edad en: grupo prepuberal A (<1 año; n=4), grupo puberal B (1.5­2,5 años; n=16) y postpuberal o adulto C (por sobre 3 años; n=8). Se registró el peso, longitud (antero-posterior), ancho (latero-medial) y espesor (dorso-ventral) de las glándulas vesiculares izquierda y derecha por separado, después de sacrificado cada animal. Las glándulas vesiculares izquierda y derecha presentaron diferencia significativa (P<0,01) en cuanto al peso y longitud en cada grupo. Las glándulas vesiculares izquierdas fueron ligeramente mayores en relación a la derecha en todos los parámetros. Los lóbulos de la glándula mostraron una mucosa plegada, cubierta con epitelio columnar pseudoestratificado. Se identificaron tres tipos de células en el epitelio, conteniendo células de tipo A, B y C. Las células de tipo A eran células columnares altas con núcleos ovalados, redondos o alargados. Las células de tipo B se localizaron en la lámina basal, presentando un núcleo redondo o oval con límites celulares indistintos. Las células de tipo C eran células columnares estrechas intercaladas entre las células de tipo A, presentando un citoplasma oscuro. La lámina propia estaba constituida por tejido conectivo laxo, rodeada de alvéolos, túbulos y algunas piezas terminales sólidas. El número de extremos de secreción fue variable. El diámetro de los acinos con luz y sin luz de las piezas terminales y conductos glandulares aumentaron de manera gradual y significativa con el avance de la edad (P<0,01). La altura del epitelio del conducto y alvéolos aumentó con el avance de la edad, pero sin diferencias significativas entre ellos. Las túnicas adventicia y muscular aumentaron con el avance de la edad, mientras que el tejido intersticial se retrajo de manera proporcional. A partir de todos los parámetros analizados, se puede concluir que las glándulas vesiculares de los toros del grupo puberal fueron las más funcionales.

Estudio morfológico de la próstata y glándulas vesiculares de cobayo (Cavia porcellus) / Morphologic study of the prostate and vesicular glands of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la morfología de la próstata y glándula vesicular del cobayo (Cavia porcellus), describiéndose aspectos mesoscópicos, histológicos e histoquímicos. Se utilizaron 5 cobayos machos adultos (Cavia porcellus) sanos y alimentados con pellets, zanahorias y frutas ad libitum, en el Bioterio de la Universidad de La Frontera. Una vez sacrificados los animales, fueron aisladas las estructuras cuyos conductos terminaban en la uretra (conductos deferentes, glándulas vesiculares, glándulas coaguladoras, próstata y glándulas bulbouretrales). La próstata y las glándulas vesiculares fueron fijadas en formalina tamponada durante 24 horas y procesadas para su inclusión en paraplast. Se realizaron cortes seriados de 4 µm de grosor, los cuales fueron teñidos para los estudios histológico e histoquímicos. El análisis se realizó a través de un microscopio Carl Zeiss, Axiolab, con cámara Cannon, G6. La próstata se encuentra dorsal a la uretra y está constituída por una masa de tejido glandular cubierto por una delgada cápsula de tejido fibroso y células musculares lisas. Presenta dos lóbulos, derecho e izquierdo, unidos por un istmo dorsal a la uretra, por la cara ventral de cada lóbulo emergen de 8 a 10 pequeños conductos excretores. Histológicamente, está compuesta por unidades túbulo-alveolares recubiertos por epitelio secretor simple cúbico. Las glándulas vesiculares son dos estructuras túbulo-lobulares. Se ubican dorsal a la uretra, relacionándose ventralmente con los conductos deferentes y la cara dorsal de la vejiga. Histológicamente, presentan una capa mucosa con un epitelio cilíndrico de tipo secretor; una capa media constituida principalmente por tejido muscular liso y una capa externa serosa. La histoquímica, en ambas glándulas fue negativa para glucógeno, mucinas neutras y ácidas, sulfatadas y no sulfatadas, tanto en el tejido glandular como en su producto de secreción. La próstata y glándulas vesiculares del cobayo, guardan...

The objective of this investigation was to study the morphology of the prostate and vesicular gland of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), describing the mesoscopic, histological and histochemical aspects. Five healthy adult male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were used. The animals received pellets, carrots and fruit ad libitum in the Biotherium of the Universidad de La Frontera. Once the animals were sacrificed the structures which ducts ended in the urethra, (vas deferens, vesicular glands, coagulator glands, prostate and bulbourethral glands) were isolated. The prostate and vesicular gland were fixed in buffered formalin during 24 hours and processed for their inclusion in paraplast. Serial cuts 4 µm thick were realized and stained for histological and histochemical studies, using a Carl Zeiss, Axiolab microscope with a Cannon G6 camera. The prostate is located dorsal to the urethra and is constituted by a mass of glandular tissue covered by a thin capsule of fibrous tissue and smooth muscular cells presenting two lobes, right and left joined to the urethra by a dorsal isthmus. Emerging through the ventral surface of each lobe are 8 to 10 small excretory ducts. Histologically it is composed by alveolar tubular units covered by a simple cubical secretor epithelium. The vesicular glands are two tubular lobular structures located dorsal to the urethra and are connected ventrally with the vas deferens and the dorsal surface of the bladder. Histologically presenting a mucous layer with a secretor type cylindrical epithelium, a medium layer namely constituted by smooth muscular tissue and a serous external layer. Histochemical reaction in both glands was negative for glycogen, for neutral and acid mucins, both sulfate and non sulfate, in the glandular tissue as well as the secretor product. The prostate and vesicular glands of the guinea pig are related to morphological aspects of other mammals. However, the differences found in the histochemical results suggest t...

Gerentological studies on the gross and histomorphology of the vesicular gland of gaddi goat (Copra hircus) / Estudios gerontológicos en anatomía e histomorfología de la glándula vesicular de cabra gaddi (Cabra hircus)

The study was conducted on the vesicular glands of 30 entire pure male Gaddi goats from birth to 5yrs and 6 months of age, divided into three equal size groups of 10 animals in each viz; Pre-pubertal (lday old to <18 months of age), Pubertal (18 months to < 5years of age) and Post-pubertal (>5 years) age groups. In new born kid the glands were small, white cord like. It became "?" shaped at 6 months and "S" shaped at 12 months of age. A significant growth in size and weight of gland occurred at 6 month, then up to 12 month and beyond it grew slowly. The secretory acini of the lobules were lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium which contained A-tall columnar, B-basal and C-narrow columnar type of cells. The number per unit area and size of the gland increased with age significantly from birth in the prepubertal animals and up to puberty. In post-pubertal animals it did not grow significantly, rather the connective tissue elements were increased in the capsule (adventitia). The intralobular connective tissue however, decreased at the expense of growth of acini at all ages.

Se realizó un estudio de las glándulas vesiculares de 30 cabras Gaddi, macho, totalmente puras desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años y 6 meses de edad, divididas en tres grupos de 10 animales cada uno, pre-puberal (día 1 de edad a <18 meses de edad), pubertad (18 meses a <5 años de edad) y post-puberal (> 5 años). En el recién nacido las glándulas eran pequeñas, como un cordón blanco. Se presentó en forma de "?" a los 6 meses y de "S" a los 12 meses de edad. Un importante crecimiento en tamaño y peso de la glándula se produjo a los 6 meses, luego de 12 meses y más, creció lentamente. Los acinos secretores de los lóbulos se alinearon como epitelio columnar ciliado pseudoestratificado, los cuales contienen células de tipo A-columnar alto, B-basal y C-columnar estrecho. El número por unidad de área y el tamaño de la glándula aumentó significativamente con la edad desde su nacimiento en los animales prepuberes y hasta la pubertad. En animales post-puberales no creció significativamente, y los elementos del tejido conectivo se incrementaron en la cápsula (adventicia). Sin embargo, el tejido conectivo intralobular, disminuyó a expensas del crecimiento de los acinos, en todas las edades.