The sperm head structural organisation of the koala and hairy-nosed wombat, and the effects of varying concentrations of the ionic detergent, Triton X-100, on its component parts, were determined by electron microscopy. Although alike in form between the 2 species, the sperm nucleus of the former, but not the latter, had nuclear vacuoles and appeared to be more easily dispersed by the Triton X-100. The structure of the acrosome of the spermatozoon was similar between the 2 species and, in both, previously undescribed thin posterior and lateral segments were found to be present. It is suggested that this thin segment may facilitate sperm-zona and/or sperm-oolemma binding and fusion.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity (NOS1-ir) in sacral motor neurons of normal adult cats was compared with that in cats surviving 1–10 wk after unilateral transection and ligation of the pudendal nerve. Levels of immunostaining were measured by microdensitometry. In nonoperated cats 60% of motor neurons in the ventrolateral nucleus (VL) and Onuf's nucleus (ON) showed high levels of NOS1-ir with lower NOS1-ir in 40%. Following axotomy, motor neurons in ON on both sides of the cord showed an acute rise in mean level of NOS1-ir at 1 wk, with a further increase at 2 wk. Mean levels of NOS1-ir in the ipsilateral and contralateral ON remained elevated at 10 wk after axotomy. Elevation of NOS1-ir occurred in the VL with a similar time-course to that in ON, implying a wider response in motor nuclei synaptically coupled to ON. Measurements of neuronal size in ON and VL revealed an increase in neuronal size in ON but not VL, indicating increased NOS1-ir in ON was not an artifact of neuronal atrophy. The proportion of motor neurons in ON and VL possessing higher levels of NOS1-ir increased from 60% in controls to 100% at 2–3 wk postaxotomy. The proportion slightly declined by 8 wk due to re-emergence of motor neurons exhibiting low NOS1-ir, but remained greater than normal at 10 wk in both nuclei. Based on evidence from related analyses of synaptology, we argue that acute axotomy induced alterations in presynaptic complement which increased overall Ca2+ influx and thereby stimulated NOS1-ir.

An immunocytochemical and cytochemical study has been made on the ultrastructural localisation of type III (endothelial) nitric oxide synthase, endothelin-1 and the binding sites of lectin from Bandeirea simplicifolia to the endothelium surface-associated glycoproteins in the rat left common carotid artery at 1 and 28 d after Fogarty embolectomy balloon catheter-induced injury. Controls were carotid arteries from sham operated rats. In the controls, the immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase-III and endothelin-1 was localised in different proportions in vascular endothelial cells (36·9%±4·3 and 7·6%±2·7, respectively); immunoreactivity was confined to the cytoplasm and the membranes of intracellular organelles and structures. In contrast, staining with lectin was localised on the luminal surface of all endothelial cells. 1 d after injury, platelets were adherent to the endothelium-denuded intima. Some of the platelets displayed immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase-III and endothelin-1 and were stained with lectin. 28 d after injury, a neointimal thickening of substantial size was present. Subpopulations of the regrown endothelial cells covering the luminal surface of the neointima showed positive immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase-III and endothelin-1 but there was a significant decrease in the proportion of nitric oxide synthase-III-containing endothelial cells (17·2%±1·9; P < 0·001) and a significant increase in the proportion of endothelin-1-containing endothelial cells (36·9%±4·7; P < 0·001) compared with the controls. Staining with lectin was associated with the cell membrane of all endothelial cells and in addition with cells located ‘deeper’ in the neointima which showed lectin-positive plasmalemma, Golgi complex and multivesicular bodies/lysosomes. In conclusion, regenerated endothelial cells of the neointima showed reduced population (2–fold) of nitric oxide synthase-III- and increased population (5–fold) endothelin-1-positive cells. The subendothelial location of some lectin-stained cells after balloon catheter injury indicates the heterogeneity of the neointima and suggests that some of these cells are involved in early angiogenesis. 24 h and 28 d after injury some platelets showed positive immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase-III and endothelin-1.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a chemoreceptive structure that has not been extensively studied in the Xenarthran order. Tissue samples from the VNO of the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus were prepared for light and electron microscopy. The VNO is located in the anterior part of the base of the nasal septum. It is tubular in shape, ∼ 18 mm in length and opens in the rostral region of the nasal cavity and with a blind caudal end. Its lumen is lined by sensory (SE) and nonsensory (NSE) epithelium. The SE shows sensory, supporting and basal cells whereas the NSE contains ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells and basal cells. At the ultrastructural level, the sensory cells appear as bipolar neurons with conspicuous microvilli on their free surface. The supporting cells of the SE contain numerous membrane-bound vesicles in their apical regions. A peculiar feature not found in other mammals, is the presence of concentric whorls of RER cisterns frequently observed in their basal expansions. Infiltrating plasma cells can be detected in the SE basal region close to the dorsal junctional area. This region also exhibits an unusual type of basal cell, probably responsible for the generation of new vomeronasal receptor neurons. The ciliated NSE cells exhibit numerous ovoids or irregularly shaped membranous protrusions projecting from the plasma membrane of the cilia. As far as we know, this is the first study reporting the presence of this feature in ciliated NSE cells. The nonciliated cells are characterised by scarce large secretory granules and apical microvilli. The vomeronasal glands are compound-branched tubuloacinar glands with serous acinar cells. Four types of secretory granules are present. The ducts of these glands reach the lumen in the dorsolateral region between the NSE and SE. Hypolemmal nerve terminals were observed contacting secretory cells. Fenestrated and nonfenestrated capillaries constitute the vascular supply to these glands. Plasma cells, intimately associated with acinar cells, were frequently observed.

The endocrine pancreas of the toad consists of rounded islets of various sizes embedded in the exocrine tissue. Isolated cells are also present. At least 4 types of endocrine cell are distinguishable by shape, size and electrondensity of the secretory granules as well as by their immunoreactivity with different antisera: insulin, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, and glucagon cells. Insulin cells can be divided into 2 types according to their cytoplasmic electrondensity. Colocalisation of different hormones in the same cell is rarely observed. The close contact between endocrine and exocrine cells and the scarcity of nerve supply is indicative of a paracrine control of hormone secretion.

The frequency and distribution of 11 endocrine cell populations were studied in the intestine of differently aged buffalo, grouped on the basis of diet: 2-d-olds (suckling), 5-mo-olds (weaning) and 5-y-olds (ruminant adult diet). The endocrine cell populations were identified immunocytochemically using antisera against 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), COOH-terminal octapeptide of gastrin/CCK, neurotensin, motilin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), secretin, glucagon/glicentin (GLU/GLI) and polypeptide YY (PYY). In adult buffalos the regional distribution of endocrine cells is similar to that of other adult ruminants. During postnatal development, these cell types showed the following changes in their frequency and distribution: (1) 5-HT, neurotensin and gastrin/CCK immunoreactive cells (i.c.) showed a decrease in frequency with age; (2) somatostatin i.c. frequency remained stable with age; (3) motilin, GIP, secretin and CCK i.c. showed a slight increase in frequency with age; (4) GLU/GLI and PYY i.c. decreased in frequency with age in the small intestine, caecum and proximal colon and an increase in frequency in the rectum. It was hypothesised that the endocrine cell types, whose presence and localisation is substantially stable in all examined ages, probably contain substances that are strictly necessary for intestinal function. In contrast the hormones contained in the cell populations that decreased with age, are probably involved in physiological needs during the milk and weaning diet or play a role in intestinal growth.

The thigh muscles of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits are frequently used in experimental surgery, particularly for evaluation after reinnervation or ischaemia. Although histomorphometric analyses are regularly performed, morphological data for untreated thigh muscles in previously unoperated animals are not available. Specimens from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and adductor magnus (AM) muscles from both thighs were harvested in 7 untreated rabbits and were processed for histomorphometric evaluation. The right RF and VM were harvested in a further 5 rabbit hindlimbs after experimental denervation and reinnervation of the contralateral RF and subsequently processed for histomorphometric analysis. Muscle fibre type distribution, diameter and connective tissue content were evaluated on serial transverse cryosections reacted for ATPase and NADH tetrazolium reductase activity and statistical analysis was performed. In all untreated animals RF revealed the highest proportion of type I muscle fibres (right: 8.4±4%, left: 11.4±4.9%), whereas VM showed the highest percentage of IIa fibres (right: 31.9±5.5%, left: 28.3±7.8%) and AM the highest proportion of IIb/d fibres (right: 80.5±8.6%, left: 84.4±6.3%). Fibre type distribution and diameter in rabbits after contralateral experimental operations revealed a statistically significant difference from the data obtained in bilaterally untreated animals. Knowledge of the morphology of untreated muscles is fundamental to the understanding of changes induced by intervention to the ipsi and/or contralateral thigh muscles.

Anomalous muscles in the first flexor compartment of the forearm are quite common. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is a well known example (Kernohan et al. 1984; Ametewee et al. 1985; Elias et al. 1985; Tonkin & Lister, 1985). However, the anatomical variations of muscles, for example flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the second flexor compartment, are not rare (Hollinshead, 1969; Williams & Warwick, 1980; Honing et al. 1995; Williams et al. 1995). These muscles are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during anatomical dissection or at operation. However, they may be symptomatic, presenting as an enlarging tumour-like mass simulating a ganglion (Vichare, 1970; Hayes, 1974; Murakami & Todani, 1982) or may cause a compression neuropathy (Hutton & Kernohan, 1981; Simodynes & Cochran, 1981).

Computerised morphometry and a double stain technique were utilised to examine the corneal nerves in whole mounts. This novel stain combines the nonspecific acetylcholinesterase (NsAchE) and gold chloride (AuCl) procedures to enhance staining contrast and facilitate computerised detection of corneal nerves. Fresh rat corneas were dissected, and the Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex was removed. Then the corneas were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde with 50 mm Na-K phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) and 8% sucrose for 30 min. They were rinsed and stained singly with NsAchE or AuCl, or were double stained using NsAchE followed by AuCl. Between NsAchE and AuCl staining the corneas were stored frozen in OCT compound at −70°C. Flat mounts of whole corneas were photographed before and after the second staining. Measurable stromal innervation density (mean±S.D.) in age-matched corneas stained with AuCl (3.90±0.36 mm/mm2) was not significantly different from that of NsAchE stained corneas. However, double staining compared with NsAchE staining of the same corneas revealed a 48±27% increase in demonstrable innervation density of the subepithelial nerve plexus (7.95±0.86 mm/mm2 vs 5.52±1.31 mm/mm2, respectively). Improved visualisation of epithelial nerves and their fine ramifications (leashes) was also obtained by double staining. This novel combination of 2 procedures enhances the detection of corneal nerves for analysis by computerised morphometry and provides a more representative estimate of total corneal innervation density.

Wheat germ agglutinin–horseradish peroxidase conjugate (WGA–HRP) was injected into the dorsal root ganglia (L5–S1) of the cat and used as an anterograde tracer substance for intra-axonal labelling of peripheral nerve endings in joint capsule and cranial (anterior) cruciate ligament (CCL). We believed that the high specificity of WGA–HRP for neural tissue along with the high visibility of its reaction product could help resolve controversies concerning the sensory innervation of the cruciate ligaments. Substantial amounts of WGA–HRP were transported in tibial nerve axons to the level of the knee. However, using standard HRP histochemistry we found that the capsular tissue and ligament synovia disintegrated during the incubation reaction. This problem was avoided by air drying the tissue slices on glass slides prior to reaction. Abundant labelling occurred in the posterior capsule with dense filling of axons and terminal endings. Sensory endings displayed features consistent with Ruffini endings and pacinian corpuscles. Sensory endings were located throughout the CCL in its sagittal plane, in the subsynovial layers and between collagen fascicles. In each CCL we observed 5–17 ovoid and elongated endings with dense terminal arborisations. These endings were between 100 and 150 μm long, were encapsulated, and gave rise to 1 or 2 axons. Large (up to 1.5 mm in maximum extent) elongated regions of dense, inhomogeneous labelling were found in the body of several CCLs. These resembled Golgi tendon-like endings, with the exception of their large size. We conclude that anterograde transport of HRP to the knee is a useful technique for labelling mechanoreceptors and axons in knee tissue. However, recently developed immunohistochemical analysis of peripheral tissue using protein gene product 9.5 appears to be the method of choice and should be employed for further study of human and animal cruciate ligament innervation.

For comparison with chemically fixed osteoclasts, we prepared chick osteoclasts by quick freezing followed by freeze-substitution. In spite of technical difficulties this demonstrated that osteoclasts can be satisfactorily frozen in situ by the metal contact method. Ultrastructural differences were revealed between conventional fixation and quick freezing. Compared with conventional fixation, the quick freezing method appeared to improve preservation: (1) a discrete trilaminar plasma membrane and other intracellular membranes showed a smooth profile without undulation or rupture; (2) cytoskeletal components appeared to be clearer, straighter, and more numerous; (3) the interior of the ruffled finger contained interconnected lattice structures whereas highly organised microfilaments were seen in the clear zone; (4) well developed tubulovesicular structures (TVSs) that branched or anastomosed with each other were revealed in the cytoplasm; (5) the contents of intracellular membrane systems including the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex were stained to a various extent; (6) vesicles and vacuoles were much smaller, round and well-defined with electron-dense contents; (7) crystalline structures were seen at the extracellular channels of the ruffled border, in the lumen of TVSs, and in vesicles; (8) in some instances mitochondrial granules were visible; (9) within the resorptive lacuna, osteoclasts adhered to the degraded bone matrix without any intervening empty space.

Elastic fibres, which are intimately associated with collagen, a major component of the urethra, have been assumed to contribute to the resting urethral closure pressure. The Miller stain for elastin was used to demonstrate elastic fibres in cryostat sections of guinea pig bladder base, vesicourethral junction (VUJ) and urethra. Computerised image analysis was employed to objectively quantify these fibres. Both male and female guinea pigs showed significantly greater amounts of circularly disposed elastic fibres in the VUJ than in the other 2 regions examined. This particular disposition of fibres may be responsible for imparting resiliency and plasticity to the VUJ, allowing it to distend and recoil repeatedly in response to urine outflow. Furthermore, the elastic fibres may be partly responsible for the passive occlusive force in this region. Elastic fibres in the distal urethra were not quantified because of their relative paucity. Sagittal sections of the urethra revealed a mass of longitudinally arranged elastic fibres localised almost exclusively within the mucosa, submucosa and longitudinal smooth muscle layer. Functionally, this arrangement may exist to facilitate urethral length changes that occur in micturition.

Merkel-like basal cells in the taste buds of the frog were examined by fluorescence histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. There were about 16–20 basal cells arranged in a radial fashion at the base of each taste bud. These cells were strongly immunopositive for serotonin antiserum. They were characterised by the presence of numerous dense-cored granules in the cytoplasm ranging from 80 to 120 nm in diameter, and of microvilli protruding from the cell surface. For 4 mo after sensory denervation by cutting the gustatory nerves, all cell types of the taste bud were well preserved and maintained their fine structure. Even at 4 mo after denervation, the basal cells exhibited a strong immunoreaction with serotonin antiserum. To investigate the function of serotonin in the basal cells in taste bud function, serotonin deficiency was induced by administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, and of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), a depletor of serotonin. After administration of these agents to normal and denervated frogs for 2 wk, a marked decrease, or complete absence, of immunoreactivity for serotonin was observed in the basal cells. Ultrastructurally, degenerative changes were observed in both types of frog; numerous lysosome-like myelin bodies were found in all cell types of the taste buds. The number of dense-cored granules in the basal cells also was greatly decreased by treatment with these drugs. Serotonin in Merkel-like basal cells appears to have a trophic role in maintenance of the morphological integrity of frog taste bud cells.

The superficial artery of the arm with a course anterior to the median nerve is found at an incidence of ≈13%, and it continues as the radial artery twice as frequently than as the ulnar artery; less frequently it continues as both arteries (Bergman et al. 1988). We report a rare case in which the superficial brachial artery continued as the common interosseous artery only and the deep brachial artery continued as the radial and superficial ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa.

Changes in vaginal epithelium are known to occur during the normal oestrous or menstrual cycle and in ovariectomised animals in response to various hormones. However, vaginal changes due to exogenous gonadotrophins superimposed on the normal hormonal milieu as occurs in in vitro fertilisation programmes have not previously been demonstrated. Female rats were hyperstimulated with follicle stimulating hormone and human chorionic gonadotrophin prior to mating. Control mated animals were not injected. Vaginal tissue was collected at 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 d after mating. Tissue was processed for light microscopy. Hyperstimulation by the exogenous gonadotrophins caused mucification, a decrease in the number of epithelial layers and an increase in the thickness of the epithelium on d 4.5 of pregnancy. The mitotic index of the epithelial cells was depressed in the hyperstimulated rats with respect to control animals. Exposure to high levels of oestradiol and an altered progesterone[ratio ]oestradiol ratio appear to have caused the changes in the vaginal epithelium.

Single and double-label immunofluorescence methods were used to determine the distribution and patterns of colocalisation of various neuropeptides and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with the catecholamine synthesising enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DβH) in nerve fibres within specimens of adult human vas deferens obtained at vasectomy (age range 28 to 83 y). Cholinergic nerve fibres were immunolabelled with an antiserum to vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Using the general nerve marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP) the density of intramural nerve fibres was found to be similar irrespective of age. Many of these axons, especially in the outer 2 muscle layers were TH and DbH-immunoreactive (IR) and were thus confirmed as noradrenergic. Fewer such axons were seen in the inner longitudinal muscle layer. All the noradrenergic nerve fibres also displayed NPY-immunoreactivity with minor populations containing galanin (GAL) or somatostatin (SOM). Nerve fibres lacking TH and DbH-IR were immunoreactive for VAChT and were sparsely distributed throughout the 2 outer muscle layers but more numerous in the inner muscle layer. Nerves lacking TH and DbH were immunoreactive for NPY and some also contained NOS, VIP or CGRP. These results have been compared with those obtained previously from specimens of human neonatal and infant vas deferens where, in contrast to the present results, NOS and VIP were shown to be colocalised with TH in many of the intramuscular nerve fibres. It thus appears that NOS and VIP cease their coexistence with TH in intramuscular nerve fibres of the human vas deferens between the pre- and postpubertal states. In addition to the intramuscular nerve fibres a VAChT-IR subepithelial nerve plexus occurs in the vas deferens and may control the secretory activity of the lining epithelium. Most of these subepithelial nerve fibres were immunoreactive for NPY and many also contained VIP while minor populations were immunoreactive for NOS, GAL, SOM or SP although fibres containing CGRP were not observed. The neuropeptide content of the subepithelial nerve plexus was similar to that observed in the infant, except for an increased density of VIP-IR nerves, which may reflect greater activity of the lining epithelial cells in the adult vas deferens.

The ontogenesis, postnatal development and ageing of the endocrine pancreas in mammals have not been extensively studied. In order to improve understanding of this organ, we studied the buffalo pancreas during fetal and postnatal development. Glucagon, insulin and somatostatin immunoreactive cells (i.c.) were first seen in 2-mo-old embryos. Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) i.c. were observed during the 3rd month of gestation. The early embryo pancreas was almost totally composed of endocrine tissue. The endocrine portion only slightly increased in mass with animal growth, whereas the exocrine portion noticeably increased in mass during the late fetal and postnatal periods. In adults, therefore, the exocrine portion was more evident than the endocrine portion. Three types of islet were observed in fetal and young buffalos: small, large and PP-islets. The small islets were composed of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and PP i.c. The large islets were primarily composed of insulin i.c. and a few glucagon, somatostatin and PP i.c. The PP islets were mostly composed of PP i.c. with a few somatostatin, insulin and glucagon i.c. The number of large islets greatly diminished by adulthood. Glucagon, insulin, somatostatin and PP i.c. were also seen scattered in the exocrine parenchyma and along the duct epithelium. In the duct epithelium, these cells were either single or grouped, and they sometimes formed a protrusion projecting towards the connective tissue. These morphological features were primarily observed in fetuses and young buffalos.

Previous pathological reports have indicated that swollen and vacuolated motoneuron cell bodies are the most predominant feature characterising Wobbler mouse motoneuron disease, but there has been little supportive evidence using area measurements. The present study focuses on the possible role of changes in neuronal nuclear and perikaryal volumes in the cervical spinal cord ventral horn, using new and traditional stereological probes which provide unbiased estimates of volume. Semithin sections from the ventral horn of Wobbler mice and age and sex-matched phenotypically normal littermates were examined at 2 ages (young and old). The young Wobbler group had significantly larger volume weighted mean perikaryal volumes compared with age-matched controls, reflecting the presence of large swollen cells characteristic of this group; this situation was reversed in the control group. Number-weighted perikaryal volume estimates in the old Wobbler group were smaller than in age-matched controls. The variation in perikaryal volume was greatest in the young Wobbler group in which the coefficient of variation was 127%. The mean number weighted and volume weighted mean nuclear volumes were significantly smaller in the old Wobbler group compared with age-matched controls and young Wobbler groups. The application of new stereological probes has enabled us to document more precisely these changes in neuronal structure in the Wobbler mutant mouse.

Serum components in which embryos are cultured in vitro are very important for normal embryonic development. In this study, rat serum was fractionated using Macrosep filters to study the effect of a single growth factor. The fractionated serum, both that containing only material greater than 30 kDa molecular weight (> 30 kDa) and that from which material between 30 kDa and 50 kDa had been removed (< 30 kDa + > 50 kDa), caused significant embryonic growth retardation. Addition of different concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, 18 kDa), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, 45 kDa) and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PD-ECGF, 45 kDa), to fractionated serum (bFGF to > 30 kDa serum and VEGF or PD-ECGF to < 30 kDa + > 50 kDa serum) partially restored embryonic growth and development according to a morphological scoring system and protein assay. This restoration was clear by all criteria, as well as in yolk sac vascularisation and heart development. The growth promoting effects of all 3 factors were significant but did not reach the level seen in embryos grown in whole rat serum. The effect of these growth factors was also investigated on anembryonic yolk sac development using a concentration for which maximum whole embryonic growth was seen (128 ng/ml bFGF, 1.6 ng/ml VEGF and 4 ng/ml PD-ECGF), and significant anembryonic yolk sac development was found. These findings suggest that the angiogenic factors may have a growth promoting effect on total embryonic development and vascularisation.

Tracings of serial histological sections from 4 human embryos at different Carnegie stages were used to create 3-dimensional (3D) computer models of the developing heart. The models were constructed using commercially available software developed for graphic design and the production of computer generated virtual reality environments. They are available as interactive objects which can be downloaded via the World Wide Web. This simple method of 3D reconstruction offers significant advantages for understanding important events in morphological sciences.