Cytoplasm Of Glandular Cells Research Articles

Identification of LMO2 as a new marker for acinic cell carcinoma of\xa0salivary gland

BackgroundThe distinction between acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) and secretory carcinoma (SC) of the salivary gland is hampered by the lack of specific diagnostic markers. It is known the cytoplasm of glandular cells in the salivary gland immunohistochemically expresses LIM Domain Only 2 (LMO2). Herein, we aim to evaluate the expression status of LMO2 in a large cohort of tumors of the salivary gland, with an emphasis on its significance in the distinction of ACC and SC.MethodsImmunohistochemical stains were performed to evaluate the expression of LMO2 in normal tissues and tumors of salivary gland.ResultsLMO2 was expressed in normal serous acinar cells of the salivary gland. We also found the cytoplasmic immunostaining of LMO2 was specific and sensitive for the recognition of ACCs including those with morphological overlaps with SCs, whereas the cytoplasmic expression of LMO2 was not detected in SCs.ConclusionsLMO2 is useful for the recognition of ACC and is of potential value in distinguishing ACC from SC.

The effect of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) on the expression of calcium-binding proteins in the eggshell gland of laying hens.

The purpose of the present work is to investigate the effect of dietary-supplemented artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) on the mRNA expression of calbindin 1 (Calb1), osteopontin (Spp1), albumin (Alb) and CALB1 protein in the eggshell gland (ESG) of laying hens. A total of 80 ISA Brown hens (each at 40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into two groups: a control and a treated group. All poultry received 130 g/day of compound feed for laying hens but the treated hens' diet was also supplemented with 3g/kg of dried and milled artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.). The increase of the Ca content in blood of the treated hens was established. Significantly decrease of Spp1 mRNA transcripts was found in the eggshell gland of the treated hens, while the mRNA level of Alb was increased. The relative expression of Calb1 mRNA tended to increase in the treated group. The expression of calbindin protein in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of the shell gland was defined by immunohistochemical method. Very strong signals of calbindin were observed in the treated group. The supplementation of the laying hens' diet with dried artichoke (C. scolymus L.) led to a significant increase of Ca content in blood that was reflected in the changes of expression of the eggshell gland genes involved in the mineralization of eggshell.

INTENSITY TRANSFORMATION FOR THE MIXTURE COMPOSITIONS OF THE SOLID LUBRICATING BY LACTIN OF LARGE GRAIN LABA AT 1% EFFECT OF METHACRYLIC ACID

An increase in the average life expectancy of a person, the occurrence of pathology of solid teeth tissues, periodontal tissues, leads to progressive loss of teeth. In connection with this, there is a need for dentures. However, many patients (30%) of the prosthesis can not use them, or use them only when eating and speaking.
 In the practice of orthopaedic dentistry, as a monomer for the manufacture of removable denture structures, methyl ether is often used. Some authors mention "prosthetic stomatitis" in 25-69% of the examined patients and consider the cause of their occurrence the presence of an excess of monomer in the bases of prosthetics.
 Administration of 1 % ether methacrylic acid leads to the impaired differentiation of the epithelium and is manifested by the intensified keratinisation, caused by its direct irritating effect on the surface of the rat mucosa. Changes in the lamina propriety are manifested by the hyper hydration of the amorphous substance. Inhibited secretion, when the cytoplasm of glandular cells is densely filled with the secretary granules, is detected in the akin. Products of secretion in the lumens of excretory ducts have heterogeneous optical density.
 The purpose of the work was to determine the transformation of the intensity of labelling components of the mucous membrane of the solid palm of the fucosospecific lectin, the common golden rainbow bark (LABA), under the action of 1% ether of methacrylic acid under experimental hypo salivation.
 The intensity of marking using fucosospecific lection of the golden rain of the usual (LABA) mucous membrane of rigid palate under the conditions of 1% ether action of methacrylic acid is established. On the 14th day of observation, the intensity of binding of horny scalar receptors decreased to a moderate morphologically manifested by hyperkeratosis for a given period of observation. Investigation of the specificity of the binding of the components of the plate itself determined the constant expression of the receptors to αL-fucose from the side of fibroblasts and amplification to moderate-collagen fibres. The morphological signs of hyperhydration are determined in the plate. The expression of receptors on the cells of the granular, spiked, basal and basement membranes remained constant at the level of the weak.
 At the 30th day of observation in the epithelial plate of the glandular zone of the mucous membrane of the rigid palate of the rats, the reaction from the side of the horny scales remained moderate, basal – a constant weak. The amplification of binding of receptors is determined in the spiked and granular layers to moderate. Morphologically, the thickness of the epithelial plate significantly decreased in comparison with the intact group, due to violation of the processes of differentiation by the type of pareceratosis.

Гістоструктурні показники перешийку яйцепроводу гусок у продуктивному періоді першого циклу яйцекладки

The oviducts of the geese of large grey breed of 8 - 13 months of age were investigated. The macroscopic parameters of the organ were determined in each group. For histological studies, the samples of oviduct isthmus were fixed in a 10% aqueous formalin solution. The histological slides were staining by the following methods: hematoxylin and eosin, tricolor method (by Mallory), methyl green-pyronin (by Brashe), PAS-reaction and alcian blue. It was established that the period of egg-laying in the goose of a large grey breed began at the age of 10 months with the peak of egg-laying at the 11th - 12th months of age. Oviducts of geese of the 8th and 9th month of age are not macroscopically differentiated into divisions. Structural features of the wall of the oyiduct isthmus were determined at the microscopic level. The thickening of the isthmus wall occurred proportionately to the mucous membrane and muscle membranes. The beginning of the formation of the secretory apparatus of the isthmus came from the age of 8 to 9 months of the geese. Since the age of 10 months, the parameters of the thickness of the mucous membrane and the height of folds have not veraciously changed. It is a feature of the completion of the relief formation of mucous membrane and the secretory apparatus. There was a maximum increasing of the diameter of the glands of the mucous membrane for geese of this age group. It is an indicator of the completion of the differentiation of the glandular apparatus of the isthmus at the time of the start of the egg-laying. The morphometric indices of lumen epithelium and glands decreased by almost 1.4 times when egg, surrounded by membranes, is presented in the isthmus. It is caused by the extrusion of the secret and the formation of the material of the subshell membranes. The height of the folds of the mucous membrane and the diameter of the tubular glands in the geese of 13 months of age did not veraciously change, with a decreasing of egg productivity on 35%. Wherein, the thickness of the mucous membrane even increased. Such dynamics of morphometric indices is the result of accumulation and stagnation of the secret in the cytoplasm of glandular cells.

Correlation between Cholinergic Innervation, Autophagy, and Etiopathology of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Background:Whether cholinergic innervations and/or autophagy have a role in the etiopathology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of cholinergic innervation and autophagy in the etiopathology of BPH.Methods:Male, 13-week-old spontaneous hypertension rats (spontaneous BPH animal model) were divided into three groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 24), a control group (CG, n = 24), and a normal control group (NC, n = 10). The EG animals were intragastrically injected with tolterodine (3.5 mg/kg, twice a day), CG animals were intragastrically injected with physiological saline, and the NC animals did not receive any treatment. Rats were sacrificed every 4 weeks, and the prostatic gross morphological changes, wet weight/body weight (ww/bw), dry weight/wet weight (dw/ww), histological changes, ultrastructural changes, and LC3 immunohistochemistry were continuously observed and compared.Results:The gross morphological and ww/bw changes in the three groups were similar at every stage. The dw/ww (mg/mg) values of the EG at week 17, 21, 25, and 29 were 0.1478 ± 0.0034, 0.1653 ± 0.0036, 0.1668 ± 0.0045, and 0.1755 ± 0.0034, respectively, and the CG values were 0.1511 ± 0.0029, 0.1734 ± 0.0020, 0.1837 ± 0.0052, and 0.1968 ± 0.0045, respectively. The difference between EG and CG for dw/ww showed statistical significance after 21 weeks of age (week 21: P = 0.016, week 25: P = 0.008, and week 29: P = 0.001). Both EG and CG, prostatic glandular epithelial cell proliferation, and secretory function improved with age, but in EG, these improvements were slower than those in CG, and all the differences were statistically significant after 21 weeks. An increasing number of autophagosomes in the prostatic glandular cell cytoplasm, attenuation of LC3-I immunohistochemical staining, enhancement of LC3-II staining, and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I staining were all progressive in both groups, but the rate of change in EG was faster than that in CG, and these differences gained statistical significance after 25 weeks. Comparisons with regard to the above indexes between CG and NC showed no statistical significance at any stage.Conclusions:Cholinergic innervations and activation of autophagy appear to have important functions in the etiopathology of BPH. Drug-mediated blockade of cholinergic innervations could delay the physiopathology processes. Moreover, overactivation of autophagy may also play an important role in this delay.

Structure and functions of the placenta in common minke (<i>Balaenoptera acutorostrata</i>), Bryde’s (<i>B. brydei</i>) and sei (<i>B. borealis</i>) whales

The structure and functions of placentas were examined in 3 species of rorqual whales, common minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Bryde’s (B. brydei) and sei (B. borealis) whales, with the aim of confirming the structural characteristics of the chorion, including the presence of the areolar part, and clarifying steroidogenic activities and fetomaternal interactions in the placentas of these whales. Placentas were collected from the second phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the North Pacific (JARPN II). Histological and ultrastructural examinations revealed that these whale placentas were epitheliochorial placentas with the interdigitation of chorionic villi lined by monolayer uninucleate cells (trophoblast cells) and endometrial crypts as well as folded placentation by fold-like chorionic villi. Moreover, well-developed pouch-like areolae were observed in the placentas, and active absorption was suggested in the chorionic epithelial cells of the areolar part (areolar trophoblast cells). Berlin blue staining showed the presence of ferric ions (Fe3+) in the uterine glandular epithelial cells and within the stroma of chorionic villi in the areolar part. An immunohistochemical examination revealed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP; known as uteroferrin in uteri) in the cytoplasm of glandular cells and areolar trophoblast cells. This result suggested that, in cetaceans, uteroferrin is used to supply iron to the fetus. Furthermore, immunoreactivity for P450scc and P450arom was detected in trophoblast cells, but not in areolar trophoblast cells, suggesting that trophoblast cells synthesize estrogen in whale placentas. Therefore, we herein immunohistochemically revealed the localization of aromatase and uteroferrin in cetacean placentas during pregnancy for the first time.

High ambient temperature influences eggshell quality and calbindin-D28k localization of eggshell gland and all intestinal segments of laying hens

Eggshell quality deterioration associated with heat stress is a well-known phenomenon. The involvement of the 28-kDa calcium-binding protein (calbindin, CaBP-D28k) localization in this failure is not clearly understood. To test a possible direct effect of ambient temperature on calbindin-D28k localization, 40 White Leghorn laying hens were housed in individual cages and exposed to high ambient temperature (30-33°C) and thermoneutral temperature (20-22°C) which served as a control. Eggshell quality characteristics and immunohistochemical localization of all intestinal segments and eggshell gland calbindin-D28k were performed under both environmental conditions. As expected, egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell percentage, and eggshell density were negatively affected by high ambient temperature (P ≤ 0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that calbindin was localized in the intestinal enterocyte cytoplasm and glandular cell cytoplasm under thermoneutral conditions. However, the calbindin intensity was prominently decreased in ileum, cecum, colon, and eggshell gland under heat stress conditions. Therefore, it could be concluded that calbindin-D28k localization in intestinal segments and eggshell gland is negatively affected by high ambient temperature which might be related to the deterioration of eggshell quality characteristics under heat stress conditions.

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of cDNAs Encoding Biosynthetic Precursors for the Antimicrobial Peptides Japonicin-1Ja, Japonicin-2Ja, and Temporin-1Ja in the Japanese Brown Frog,Rana japonica

Using a combination of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and the 5'- and/or 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we cloned, from a Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica) skin total RNA preparation, cDNAs encoding biosynthetic precursors for the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) japonicin-1Ja (FFPIGVFCKIFKTC), japonicin-2Ja (FGLPMLSILPKALCILLKRKC), and temporin-1Ja (ILPLVGNLLNDLL.NH2). These peptides were previously isolated from an extract of R. japonica skin. The present study is the first report to describe the molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding a japonicin-2 family peptide. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence analyses revealed that the hypothetical precursor protein of japonicin-2Ja, as well as japonicin-1Ja and temporin-1Ja, is organized similarly to those of typical amphibian AMP precursors, with a highly conserved signal peptide, a relatively well conserved intervening sequence, and a hypervariable AMP mature region. Antimicrobial assays for synthetic replicates of cyclic and linear japonicin-2Ja revealed that the intramolecular disulfide bond is necessary for activity. A semi-quantitative analysis by real-time RTPCR using TaqMan probes revealed that the relative values of preprojaponicin-2Ja mRNA expression levels in the skin, skeletal muscle of hind leg, kidney, testis, small intestine, and stomach total RNA sample specimens in adult R. japonica were 6.5×10(5), 9.6, 2.0, 1.6, 1.6, and 1.0, respectively. The presence of preprojaponicin-2Ja mRNAs in the cytoplasm of glandular cells in R. japonica dorsal skin glands was demonstrated by means of in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes for the precursor.

Immunohistochemical expression of caspase-1 and -9, uncleaved caspase-3 and -6, cleaved caspase-3 and -6 as well as Bcl-2 in benign epithelium and cancer of the prostate

Activation of caspases is an essential prerequisite for induction of apoptosis. In many tumors caspases are down-regulated, while anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 is up-regulated. To elucidate their putative role in prostate cancer (PCa) we determined the expression of different caspases and Bcl-2 in benign prostate epithelium (BPE) and PCa. Paraffin-embedded prostate whole mounts were cut (4 μm) and investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against caspase-1 and -9, uncleaved caspase-3 and -6, cleaved caspase-3 and -6, and Bcl-2. In BPE all caspases were localized to the cytoplasm of glandular cells. In PCa we found a statistically significant reduction in cleaved caspase-3 and -6 compared to the levels in BPE. The Bcl-2 protein was detected in the basal compartment of epithelial gland cells, but no immunostaining was noted in PCa. The decreased immunoreactivity of activated caspases probably indicates an alteration in post-translational cleavage that may play an important role during PCa progression.

Immunohistochemical expression of caspase-1 and -9, uncleaved caspase-3 and -6, cleaved caspase-3 and -6 as well as Bcl-2 in benign epithelium and cancer of the prostate

Activation of caspases is an essential prerequisite for induction of apoptosis. In many tumors caspases are down-regulated, while anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 is up-regulated. To elucidate their putative role in prostate cancer (PCa) we determined the expression of different caspases and Bcl-2 in benign prostate epithelium (BPE) and PCa. Paraffin-embedded prostate whole mounts were cut (4 µm) and investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against caspase-1 and -9, uncleaved caspase-3 and -6, cleaved caspase-3 and -6, and Bcl-2. In BPE all caspases were localized to the cytoplasm of glandular cells. In PCa we found a statistically significant reduction in cleaved caspase-3 and -6 compared to the levels in BPE. The Bcl-2 protein was detected in the basal compartment of epithelial gland cells, but no immunostaining was noted in PCa. The decreased immunoreactivity of activated caspases probably indicates an alteration in post-translational cleavage that may play an important role during PCa progression.

Ocorrência, morfologia e ultra-estrutura da glândula de Dufour de Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The Dufour gland is an accessory gland of the bee reproductive female apparatus. In neotropical stingless bees, this gland has been poorly investigated, concerning to developmental, morphological or biochemical characteristics. In order to collaborate with the knowledge of the Dufour gland in stingless bees, a study of its occurrence, morphology and development was performed in Scapatotrigona postica Latreille. The results showed that this gland is absent in workers, although it occurs in workers of many stingless bee species. The glandular cells seem to be very active in virgin queens, presenting a well developed tubular network of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, secretion granules and some polyribosomes in the glandular cell cytoplasm, besides larger nuclei than in physogastric queens. In physogastric queen glands there are two types of cells, both of them apparently not synthetically active. Nevertheless, the physogastric queen glands are clearly able to absorb substances from the haemolymph, probably lipids that do not cross the cells, but pass through the intercellular cell spaces and cuticle, and are released directly to the gland lumen. The very developed double-layered gland basal lamina may actuate in the process of substances uptaking. The secretion, and consequently its function, can be different in these two queen types.

Changes in the expression of TGFβ-isoforms in the anterior pituitary during withdrawal and resumption of feeding in hens

Our goal was to determine whether TGFβ-isoforms were involved in the remodeling of the pituitary cell population which occurred by regulation of feeding. The current study examined whether TGFβ-isoforms were produced in the anterior pituitary, and the mRNA expression of TGFβ-isoforms changed during withdrawal and resumption of feeding. White Leghorn laying hens were subjected to feed withdrawal for 4 days with a resumption of feeding thereafter. The anterior pituitary tissues were collected from hens of pretreatment (PT), 3 days after feed withdrawal (3DFW), 1 and 5 days after the resumption of feeding (1DRF and 5DRF, respectively), and on the day of resumption of egg-laying (RL). They were processed for semi-quantification of TGFβ2, β3, and β4 mRNA expressions by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and for immunocytochemistry for TGFβ3. TGFβ2, TGFβ3, and TGFβ4 mRNA expression with a product size of 269, 236, and 163 bp, respectively, was observed in the anterior pituitaries in all groups of hens. Although the expression of TGFβ2 and TGFβ4 mRNA did not show any significant change, that of TGFβ3 mRNA significantly declined in the 1DRF hens and recovered by the resumption of laying. Immunostaining revealed that TGFβ3 was located in the cytoplasm of glandular cells with granule forms in all groups of hens. The ovarian and oviductal weights sharply declined in the 3DFW and 1DRF groups, followed by a full recovery in the RL hens. These results indicate that TGFβ2, β3, and β4 were expressed in the chicken anterior pituitary, and TGFβ3 mRNA expression was changed in correlation with the regulation of feeding, suggesting that this isoform may play a significant role in the regulation of the glandular cell population and/or differentiation.

Production of Activin A in Hyperplasia and Adenocarcinoma of the Human Endometrium

Objectives. To examine the possible localization and production of activin A in human normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma tissues.Methods. Human endometrial tissues were collected from 45 patients who were undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Tissue sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies against the inhibin/activin α- and βA-subunits and activin A using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique. Concentrations of activin A and inhibin A in tissue extracts of the endometrial tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The expressions of the inhibin α-subunit and activin βA-subunit messenger RNA (mRNA) in the endometrial tissues were demonstrated by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.Results. No immunostaining with an antibody against the inhibin α-subunit was observed in human normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma. By contrast, immunostaining for the activin βA-subunit and activin A was observed in the cytoplasm of glandular cells in normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and tumor cells of endometrial adenocarcinoma. The percentages of stained cells in endometrial adenocarcinoma were higher than those in normal endometrium. Also, the percentages of stained tumor cells with poor differentiation were higher than those with good and moderate differentiation of the endometrium. The stromal cells in normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma were weakly immunoreactive with antibodies against the βA-subunit and activin A. Immunoreactivity of activin A in tissue extracts from normal endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma was detected by the two-site ELISA. Immunoreactivity of activin A was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma than in normal endometrium. On the other hand, the immunoreactive inhibin A was not detected. The expression of the α-subunit mRNA in endometrial tissues was demonstrated as the RT-PCR products migrated at 905 bp and the PCR products of the βA-subunit showed a band at 366 bp.Conclusions. It is suggested that activin A, but not inhibins, are produced by endometrial tissues. The amounts of produced activin A were higher in adenocarcinoma tissues than in normal endometrium. Activin A might be involved in human endometrial tumorigenesis.

喉頭癌の発生母地をめぐって

The larynx is subdivided into three regions: supraglottic, glottic and subglottic. In neonates or infants, the laryngeal mucosa is covered with respiratory epithelium except for the vocal cord and the aryepiglottic fold. Most malignant neoplasms of the larynx are squamous cell carcinomas.In this study, we focused on the features of the extension and the histopathologic findings of each type of laryngeal carcinoma and reviewed literature regarding the origin of carcinogenesis. Squamous cell carcinomas of glottic-type laryngeal carcinoma originate from squamous epithelium of the vocal cord. Because of the early appearance of hoarseness, glottic cancer is found at an early stage, and the prognosis is generally good.In contrast, supraglottic and subglottic type laryngeal carcinomas show various characteristics not only in their pattern of extension but also in the histopathologic findings. In particular, the so-called transglottic carcinoma invades the laryngeal frameworks, and the prognosis is poor.Carcinogenesis of the supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma was thought to be highly correlated with squamous metaplasia of the respiratory mucosa of the supraglottic larynx. Metaplasia is highly associated with aging. Smoking habits as well as exposure to air pollution accelerate squamous metaplasia of the mucosa. Even in mucosa of the ventricle, where it is completely covered with ciliated glandular epithelium in neonates and infants, metaplasia was found to occur in adult larynges.Using immunohistochemical methods, we also stained the glottic and so-called “ventricular carcinomas” using antiserum as a marker. Expression of epithelial membrane antigens was predominantly observed in glottic-type carcinomas. The expression of a secretory component, produced locally in the cytoplasm of glandular cells, was intense in most ventricle carcinomas. We believe that some carcinomas in the laryngeal ventricle originate from cells of the secretory glandular acini or epithelium.

Expression of Aromatase Cytochrome P450 Protein and Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Human Endometriotic and Adenomyotic Tissues but not in Normal Endometrium1

To determine whether local estrogen production takes place in endometriotic or adenomyotic tissues, in eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis, and in normal endometrium, tissue specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry, catalytic activity, and mRNA expression for aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom). P450arom was immunohistochemically localized in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues, and of eutopic endometrium from patients with the respective diseases, whereas estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were localized in the nuclei of the glandular cells and stroma. Aromatase activity in the microsomal fraction of adenomyotic tissues was inhibited by the addition of danazol, aromatase inhibitors, and anti-human placental P450arom monoclonal antibody (mAb3-2C2) in a manner similar to such inhibition in other human tissues. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis also revealed P450arom mRNA in these tissues. However, neither P450arom protein activity nor mRNA was detected in endometrial specimens obtained from normal menstruating women with cervical carcinoma in situ but without any other gynecological disease. These results suggest that at a local level, endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues produce estrogens, which may be involved in the tissue growth through interacting with the estrogen receptor.

Morphological Characteristics of the Ovary, Uterus and Embryo during the Delayed Implantation Period in the Hokkaido Brown Bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis).

Ovaries having corpora lutea and uteri of 6 female Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis), which were legally killed by hunters from October to December in Hokkaido, Japan, were examined macroscopically and histologically. Four of the 6 female bears had unimplanted embryos in the uterine lumen during the period of delayed implantation between October 19 and November 20. Ovaries of bears which had unimplanted embryos contained the corpora lutea with extensive vacuolation or numerous granules in the cytoplasm of luteal cells. These bears had well-developed uterine glands which had tall epithelial cells with vacuoles in the cytoplasm of glandular cells and coagula in the glandular lumina. It is concluded that Hokkaido brown bears exhibit obligate delayed implantation and that this period of delayed implantation continues at least until late November.

SENSITIVE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF ENDOGENOUS PROLACTIN IN MAMMARY GLAND AND DMBA-INDUCED MAMMARY CARCINOMA OF RATS BY ABC METHOD

Endogenous immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) in normal resting mammary gland and DMBA-induced mammary adenocarcinoma of female rats was demonstrated with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. Positive staining obtained in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of the mammary gland were more intense on the apical borders of epithelial cells. The immunostaining in the induced tumors was variable, being often less than normal gland cells. The positivity could be seen only in the section fixed in Bouin's solution and treated with the ABC method using a rabbit antiserum against rat PRL. The immunostaining showed a strong positivity in the anterior pituitary tissue of the same animals, and it appeared specific for PRL because of its abolishment when the antiserum absorbed with rat PRL was used. The results reported here emphasize the value of ABC method in the Bouin's solution-fixed sections for detecting hormones in their target tissues.

Ultrastructure of pheromone-producing eversible vesicles in males of Chrysopa perla L. (Insecta, Neuroptera)

During courtship, males of Chrysopa perla extrude from the genital aperture two eversible vesicles that bear approximately 50 sclerotized tubercles with a long, apical hair. Ultrastructural study reveals within each tubercle two juxtaposed subunits: a sensory subunit formed by a mechanoreceptor neuron, a glial cell, two enveloping cells, and a glandular subunit consisting of a glandular cell provided with an extracellular reservoir, a duct cell and an enveloping cell. The glandular-cell cytoplasm is characterized by extensive RER, a large amount of SER, probably involved in lipid elaboration, and voluminous myeloid bodies encircling the reservoir. The secretion is released to the outside by a cuticular duct that opens into the side of the tubercle. The function of the mechanoreceptor associated with the glandular subunit is discussed.

Ultrastructural-morphometric analysis of the rat prostate (ventral lobe)

A morphometric model, which provides information on the structure of the normal gland (ventral lobe) has been developed for the rat prostate. The model consists of morphologically defined space and membrane compartments, which are used to describe the specific components of the protein and enzyme synthesizing and secreting glandular cells. The results presented are relative to a cubic centimeter of prostatic tissue, a cubic centimeter of acinar parenchyma and glandular cell cytoplasm. Special interest was given to the cell compartments which are involved in protein and enzyme synthesis.

Les glandes tegumentaires de la fossette supra-anale des Scutigerellidae (Symphala, Myriapoda)

Tegumentary glands of the ‘supra-anal pit’ in the genus Scutigerella are ductule-associated glandular cells. The invaginated cavity consists of two distinct parts, the inner bearing microvilli collector. The efferent ductule penetrates into the upper part of the cavity by means of a receiving tubule, the wall of which is perforated and composed of two layers having different electron densities. The glandular cell cytoplasm is packed with smooth endoplasmic reticulum which arises from rough endoplasmic reticulum and by blebbing of the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope, blebs immediately losing their ribosomes. Secretion granules are released into the extracellular invaginated cavity between the microvilli and form an amorphous layer that covers the cuticular invagination of the ‘supra-anal pit’.