Structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis of the vesicular gland in the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

This study reports the structure, ultrastructure, morphometry and distribution patterns of the two estrogen receptors in the vesicular glands of the male greater cane rat. Samples of vesicular glands from 15 sexually mature male greater cane rats raised in captivity were routinely processed for histological, ultrastructural and morphometric analysis, while immunohistochemistry was also carried out using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against estrogen receptors.The vesicular gland in the greater cane rat is a paired transparent elongated branched tube that presents a characteristic Y-shaped outline. The tube is made up of three histological layers: mucosa, muscularis and adventitia with the mucosa thrown into branching and anastomosing folds that form cavities and recesses within it. Though the epithelium is lined by principal and scarce basal cells, the principal cells are, however, of two types - light and dense based on their electron density and cytoplasmic characteristics. A prominent ultrastructural feature of the light principal cells is the presence of abundant mitochondria surrounded by well-developed cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum that have dilated edges and small vesicular extensions. The epithelial cells exhibited different patterns of expressions of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalfa) and estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). The findings highlight the peculiarities in the structure, ultrastructure and distribution of the estrogen receptors of the vesicular gland of greater cane rat

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Ultrastructural features of vagina at different phases of the oestrous cycle in the female African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse).

The ultrastructures of the vagina at various stages of the oestrous cycle in female African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) were described in the present study. At mid-proestrus, late proestrus (LP)/early estrus (EE) and mid-estrus (ME) as well as late metestrus (LM)/early diestrus (ED) and mid-diestrus (MD), complex interface of epithelium and lamina propria were observed. Cells of the stratum basale formed finger-like extensions into the underlying lamina propria and tips of the extensions displayed hemidesmosome while basal lamina followed the contour of the extensions. At mid-metestrus (MM) and late diestrus/early proestrus, well developed, relatively straight basal lamina interfaced between the stratum basale and the lamina propria without finger-like projections. Polygonal cells with indented nuclei and, cytoplasm containing ribosomes, polysomes, intermediate filaments, and mitochondria were observed in stratum spinosum at all the phases of the oestrus cycle. At MM, LM/ED, and MD, the stratum spinosum had numerous desmosomes with tonofilaments, large microvilli that intermingled at the intercellular spaces and evidence of trapped/migrating neutrophils and lymphocytes. The superficial layer displayed short microvilli at mid-proestrus, cornification at LP/EE and desquamation at ME while it showed condensation of intermediate filaments; projections of large microvilli into the luminal surface at MM, and embeddement of neutrophils at LM/ED as well as MD. This study looked into the reproductive biology of female African giant rats to produce baseline information on its reproductive organs and represented the first comprehensive description of the vagina at the ultrastructural level during oestrous cycle.

Macro-anatomical investigations of the skeletons of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse 1840) II: Fore limb

In this study, 7 African giant rats (Cricetomysgambianus Waterhouse 1840) were used to investigate the bony fore limb. It was observed that the supraspinous fossa was larger than the infraspinous fossa. The slender, curved clavicles were about 2.53 cm long. The humerus was peculiar and the ridges and the tuberosities were well developed. There was a supracondylar foramen in the mediodistal region of the humerus in all the rats, while 3of the rats (42.9%) had a supratrochlear foramen. The radius and ulna were distinct but appeared fused in most of the African giant rats used in this study. In the carpal proximal row, radial carpal and intermediate carpal bones were fused to form the Os carpi intermedioradiale. The manus was complete, with five digits. There were two phalanges in the first digit and the other four digits were composed of three phalanges. On the palmar face of the man us there were radial and ulnar sessamoids (ossa sessamoidea palmaria) with an irregular surface. In conclusion, there were some prominent features in the forelimb bones of the African giant rat that typifies them asfast running, burrowing and shoveling rodents (AU)

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