Interaction between Smad1 and p97/VCP in rat testis and epididymis during the postnatal development.

Members of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) superfamily are expressed in the testis and epididymis and are believed to have different biological functions during testicular and epididymal development. Smad1 is one of the signal transducers of BMP signaling and binds to several proteins involved in ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Valosin-containing protein (p97/VCP) is required for the degradation of some UPS substrates. Although p97/VCP has been indicated in different cellular pathways, its association with BMP signaling in male reproductive system has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular localization of Smad1, phospho-Smad1, and p97/VCP and the interaction of proteins in the postnatal rat testis and epididymis. Testicular and epididymal tissues from 5-, 15- and 60-day-old rats were examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation techniques. In 5-day-old rat testis, Smad1, phospho-Smad1, and p97/VCP were mainly expressed in gonocytes. In 15- and 60-day-old rat testis, proteins were overlapped in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and spermatocytes. Expression of proteins in the epithelial cells of epididymis was gradually increased from 5 to 15 days of age. Smad1 and phospho-Smad1 expressions showed uniformity in the different regions of epididymis, however p97/VCP immunoreactivity was higher only in caput epididymis compared to corpus and cauda epididymis in 15- and 60-day-old rat epididymis. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments further confirmed the Smad1-p97/VCP and p-Smad1-p97/VCP interactions. The overlap between Smad1 and p97/VCP expressions in the postnatal rat testis and epididymis suggests that p97/VCP may play important roles in mediating BMP signaling during spermatogenesis.

The intra-articularly located ligament variation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

An intra-articularly located ligament in the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the left foot has been detected in a patient. The intra-articular ligament was dorsomedially attached to the head of the first metatarsal and to the inferior part of the articular face of the base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe. In a literature search we could not find any report of a ligament located intra-articularly in this particular joint. Such a variation may have a role in the etiology of hallux valgus.

Development of spleen during the fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to determine the location and development of the spleen in the human fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried on 141 dead human fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks with no marked pathology and anomaly in the years 2002-2003. The location of spleen with the neighboring structures, the existence of accessory spleens, notches on the borders, fissures on the surfaces, major ligaments and the shape of spleen and its hilum were established. The spleen was completely observed intraperitoneally (except at the hilum), in the left hypochondrium throughout the fetal period. The length, width, thickness, weight, volume, and the hilum dimensions of spleen were measured. RESULTS: The dimensions, weight, and volume of the spleen were increased with the gestational age, and positive significant correlations were determined (P < 0.001). There was no difference between sexes in all parameters (P > 0.05). The length of the spleen has ranged between 3.1 and 35.6 mm, between 9 weeks old and 40-week-old fetuses, respectively. One or more accessory spleens have been found in 14% of cases. CONCLUSION: The measurements and location of the spleen according to the gestational age were determined by the present study. The expression of morphometric parameters of the spleen at different gestational ages can be used in determination of pathologies of the spleen and may also contribute to future studies on this issue.

The proportions of the white and red pulps of the human fetal spleen.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the proportions of white and red pulps of the human spleen during the fetal period. METHODS: We performed this study in the Department of Anatomy and Pathology of Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey, from the period between 2002-2003. Spleens from 137 dead fetuses aged between 9 and 40 weeks were embedded into paraffin blocks following classical histological steps and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. White and red pulps could be differentiated only in 25 cases (13 males, 12 females). The proportions of the areas of white and red pulps (the trabeculae were included into the red pulp and the groups of lymphocytes were included into the white pulp) were estimated by point counting method on the sections taken from different parts of the spleens by systematic randomized sampling technique. RESULTS: It has been ascertained that the white pulp has been distinguished from 20th week onwards during the fetal period. The proportion of the white pulp area has been found to be 22.3% (of total white and red pulp areas) at the 20th week and has come to 37.6% at the 40th week. Concerning the trimesters, the proportion of the white pulp area has been found to be 30% (of total white and red pulp areas) at the 2nd trimester and has come to 36% at full term. While the white pulp area had a positive correlation with the gestational age (r: 0.34), the red pulp area had a negative one (r: -0.34). No difference has been found among gender. CONCLUSION: Reference values have been obtained about the proportions of white and red pulp areas of human fetal spleen.

Determination of dimensions and angles of mandible in the fetal period.

The aim of the present study was to determine the dimensions of the mandible during the fetal period, the relationship between the growth rates of the angle of the mandible and the dimensions of the mandible. Furthermore the angle of union of the two halves of the body of the mandible on the horizontal mandibular plane, which was not described elsewhere, is explored in this study. One hundred and sixty-one human fetuses (83 males and 78 females) without any cranio-facial or mandibular asymmetry, external pathology or anomaly and aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation were used in the study. Cases were stratified into four groups according to their developmental ages, that is, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and term fetuses. Cranio-facial parameters in addition to bi-condylar, bi-gonial, bi-mental tubercular, condyle-gonion, gonion-mental tubercle, condyle-mental tubercle, gonion-pogonion distances were measured. The degree of the angle of the mandible, angle of union of the two halves of the body of the mandible and sagittal length of the base of the mandible were calculated. The means of the parameters with respect to gestational weeks and groups were computed. While there were no sex differences in any of the parameters (P>0.05) there were very significant relationships between gestational age and parameters (P<0.001). The mean degree of the angle of the mandible during the fetal period was 122+/-8 degrees . The mean alpha angle of the base of the mandible was 65+/-8 degrees . None of these angles varied significantly throughout the fetal period. Height of the ramus of the mandible increased more than the length of the body of the mandible and bi-gonial distance in the first and second trimesters while in the third trimester and term period they increased at the same rate. Comparisons of groups for the ratio of the transverse to the sagittal lengths of the mandible revealed significant differences between first and second trimesters with term group (P<0.05). Accordingly, bi-gonial distance of the mandible increased more during the third trimester and term time than the first and second trimesters, compared with the sagittal length of the mandible. The morphometric features and architectural changes observed in the mandible do not totally occur during the fetal period but continue later in childhood and adulthood.

Uterine tube-ovary relationship and fimbrial development during the fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the position, localization and development of the uterine tubes and their relationships to the ovaries. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four uterine tubes and ovaries taken from 77 human fetuses aged between 9-40 weeks of gestation have been included in this study. The study was performed in Department of Anatomy of Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey in 2004. The position and localization of the uterine tubes have been determined. Consequently, uterine tube - ovary relationship and fimbrial development has been investigated. RESULTS: It has been observed that the uterine tubes are transversely and obliquely positioned. The most commonly observed position was transverse position. When the relationship between the uterine tubes and ovaries was explored, it was observed that the ovaries were localized in the superior, anterior or posterior aspect of the uterine tubes. In addition, when relationship between the obliquely positioned uterine tubes and ovaries was assessed, we found that the ovaries are located at the middle, anterior, lateral or posterior of uterine tubes. Furthermore, it indicates that the fimbrial development begins only after the 20th week and the quantity of fimbriae increased by gestational age. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the uterine tubes are not positioned as in adults during the fetal period, some variants can be seen in the uterine tube - ovary relationship and fimbrial development begins after the 20th week of gestational age and continued after birth.

The development of large intestine during the fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the colon types, developmental change of the colon morphology during the fetal period. METHODS: The study was realised on 131 human fetuses (male 69, female 62) ages between 10 and 40 weeks, which have no external pathology and anomalies. The colon types were evaluated in two parts. As the first part, the colon part between the ileal orifice and sigmoid colon was typed. The sigmoid colon was typed as the second part. The macroscopic diameters of parts of the colon and the thicknesses of wall layers of ascending and descending colons were measured under the light microscope. RESULTS: For the proximal part of the colon, there were seven types of colon, and there were five types for the sigmoid colon. For the first part, transverse type colon was a rare type during the fetal period (3%). The oblique type colon was observed mostly in the first and second trimester during the fetal period. Adult type colon was the most common type in the third trimester and full-term groups. The pendulous type colon was observed mostly in the third trimester. The development of the haustra and tenia coli in the first trimester was quite slow, but later the development increased more and more, and during the full-term period, the haustra and tenia coli could be seen clearly. CONCLUSION: The percentage distribution of the colon types between the trimesters was significant. It was observed that the maturation of haustra and tenia coli started from the ascending colon and progressed towards the sigmoid colon. The thickness of the tunica mucosa layer both in the ascending and in descending colon part increased considerably in the middle of the second trimester.

The development of jejunum and ileum during the fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, the morphologic structures of the jejunum and ileum sections of small intestine were investigated in human fetuses during the fetal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was realised on 131 human fetuses (male: 69; female: 62) with ages between 10 and 40 weeks, which have got no external pathology and anomalies. The external sizes of fetuses were measured, and then the structures in the abdominal cavity were determined by the abdominal dissection. The localization of jejunum and ileum, duodenojejunal flexure and ileal orifice points, the measurements of macroscopic diameters, types of the mass of jejunum and ileum and the localization according to the abdominal regions of the mass of jejunum and ileum were determined. Also, the samples of the jejunum and ileum were examined both macroscopically and microscopically. The thickness of tunica serosa, tunica muscularis and tunica mucosa was determined under the light microscope. RESULTS: According to the sexes, gestational ages and groups, the averages and the standard deviations of the all parameters were determined. The correlations between the parameters were determined. The percentage of parameters was compared according to sex and among groups. No differences were found in parameters between sexes (p<0.05). The macroscopic parameters were increased according to the gestational age. The thickness of tunica serosa did not change according to the gestational age. CONCLUSION: It is thought that the data we have will help the evaluation of jejunum and ileum in intrauterine period; we also believe that the data in our study may help in the diagnosis and treatment of anomalies and pathologies in fetal period that belongs to jejunum and ileum.