Testicular Region Research Articles

Hermaphroditism in the Mesopelagic Fishes Omosudis lowei and Alepisaurus ferox

of the urethra. The fact that the dorsal testis is common to all of the hermaphroditic inioms thus far studied and would appear to be more easily derived from the gonochoristic state, supports our previous suggestion that the dorsal location of the testicular region is a more primitive condition than that of most hermaphroditic perciform fishes in which the testis is ventrally placed. DURING the spring and fall of 1969, Mr. Otis Barton made collections of mesopelagic fishes from the Pacific Ocean a few kilometers off Kona, Hawaii, at depths of 600-900 m. By means of a large mid-water trawl of his own design that was towed rather slowly (1.8-2.7 km/hr), Mr. Barton was able to collect series of mid-water fishes in ex

Dynamics of spermiogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. II. Coiling process.

A morphogenetic process that transforms spermatids from a syncytial state to a state in which each spermatid is invested in its own membrane, is initiated at the head region of the spermatid bundle and traverses through the entire length of the bundle in the testis of Drosophila melanogaster. This process not only eliminates the syncytial bridges between spermatids but also removes unneeded organelles and the excess parts of the nuclear membrane, nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. It also brings about structural modifications to flagellar elements. The propagation of this process is seen as the caudal movement of a fusiform swelling of the spermatid bundle, 100 μ or more in length. Spermatids are individualized in the basal half of the swelling, whereas they remain syncytial in the apical half. The swelling increases its volume as it accumulates cytoplasmic debris while traversing the sperm bundle, from about 15 μ in maximum diameter in the basal testicular region to as large as 30 μ at the apical end where it becomes a bag of wastes. A variation of the process in a mutant stock which is known to inactivate up to half of the products of meiosis is briefly described. The morphological change of interspermatid bridges prior to the individualization is also reported.

The juvenile anatomy and post-hatching development of the marine leechOceanobdella blennii(Knight-Jones, 1940)

Summary The youngest post-hatching Oceanobdella blennii which are about 2·5 mm long and occur in the branchial chamber of the host fish, have more or less cylindrical bodies and comparatively large oral suckers. As the leeches enlarge and seek the adult location behind the pectoral fins, the abdomen becomes wider and flatter but the oral sucker stays small. Maturation of ova and activity of the clitellar and preclitellar glands begin when the leeches are half grown (nearly 6 mm long). Spermatogenesis begins somewhat earlier, but the transverse segmental communications do not appear until considerably later (table 2). These join the dorsal and lateral lacunae in most segments of the testicular region and are characteristic of the genera Oceanobdella and Malmiana. The original description of this species is thus extended to cover developmental and individual variation. The annulation is more distinct in juveniles than in adults. The post-caeca, though usually separate, are not invariably so. Although the nu...

Studies on the interrelationship between endocrine glands. II. An experimental study on the relationship between the male gonad and thyroid

In an attempt to elucidate the interrelationships among the pituitary, thyroid, and male gonad, adult male rats were used in various experiments. The following results were obtained.1) Histological changes in the pituitaryAfter thyroidectomy an increase of basophilic cells was noted. T3 administration caused a decrease, on the contrary. Administration of mercazol caused an increase of basophilic cells up to the third week. On the 6th week, a decrease was seen. No remarkable changes were seen in eosinophilic cells in any case. T3 administration after thyroidectomy caused no marked histological changes in the pituitary. Upon orchidectomy, an increase of basophilic cells along the time course and appearance of castration cells were noted. After the third week, a decrease of chromophobe cells was noted. Six weeks after X-irradiation of the testicular region, an increase of basophilic cells was noted. Administration of testosterone propionate caused no remarkable change after 1 and 3 weeks. After 6 weeks, a decrease of basophilic cells was noted. Orchidectomy and administration of testosterone propionate gave rise to findings resembling those after orchidectomy in the course of one week. After 6 weeks, basophilic cells became less conspicuous especially with a decrease of large cells.2) Histological changes of the thyroidOne and three weeks after mercazol administration the peripheral follicles were generally enlarged and the follicles in the internal side were small. The height of some epithelial cells was somewhat increased. After 6 weeks, the follicles were enlarged, colloid became dense, and epithelial cells tended to flatten. Upon T3 administration, follicles were large and epithelial cells were flattened. Upon orchidectomy and X-irradiation of the testicular region, findings suggestive of hypofunction were noted. Administration of testosterone propionate in intact or orchidectomized animals rather gave rise to findings suggestive of hyperfunction.3) Histological changes of the testesThyroidectomy caused a decrease of spermatogenesis but the administration of mercazol failed to cause remarkable change Administration of T3 gave rise to a picture of hyperfunction of spermatogenesis 1 and 3 weeks later, but findings suggestive of inhibition of spermatogenetic function were obtained 6 weeks later. Administration of T3 after thyroidectomy gave a picture of hyperfunction of spermatogenesis, suggesting the prevention of gonadal disturbance due to thyroidectomy through T3 administration.4) Changes in steroid 3β-ol-dehydrogenase activity in the testesThyroidectomy induced some decrease as compared qith the control. T3 administration caused a rise in the activity after 1 week and a wuite intense activity was seen after 6 weeks. When T3 was administered after thyroidectomy, elevation was also noted. However, administration of mercazol caused no remarkable changes. After l week of testosterone prppionate administration, pictures were similar to those in the controls. After 3 and 6 weeks, the picture was similar to or somewhat lower than the control. X-irradiation of the testicular region caused some rise after 3 and 6 weeks.5) Changes of biochemical activity in the testicular tissueThyroidectomy caused a decrease of activities of SDH and LDH. T3 administration caused elevation of both SDH and LDH activities, suggesting a metabolic pattern similar to that in other organs.As in the preceding explanation, changes in the testes upon injury of the thyroid appear to be the secondary changes via the pituitary. On the other hand, profound changes were also seen in the metabolism of the testicular tissue, so that a direct influence of thyroid hormone on the testicular tissue should be taken into consideration in addition to the secondary changes via the pituitary.

Trematode Parasites of Fishes from Egypt. Part VII. Orientocreadium batrachoides Tubangui, 1931 (Plagiorchioidea) from Clarias lazera, with a Review of the Genus and Related Forms

Orientocreadium batrachoides Tubangui, 1931, was redescribed from Clarias lazera from Egypt, with much morphological variation evident. A review of invalidated Orientocreadiinae Yamaguti, 1958, indicated that only two valid plagiorchioid genera were represented, namely, Orientocreadium Tubangui, 1931, and Ganada Chatterji, 1933; both were emended. These could be placed either in Plagiorchiidae or partly in the latter and partly in Brachycoeliidae, depending on the family diagnoses by various authors. The former genus was limited to those species with a tubular to saccular excretory bladder, and the latter to those with a Y-shaped one. The following were recognized in Orientocreadium and their synonymy indicated: Type, O. batrachoides Tubangui, 1931, syn. O. raipurensis Saksena, 1958, O. dayalai Saksena, 1958, O. umadasi Saksena, 1960, O. lazeri Khalil, 1961; O. indicum Pande, 1934; O. pseudobagri Yamaguti, 1934, syn. Paratormopsolus siluri Bychowsky and Dubinina, 1954, O. siluri (Bychowsky and Dubinina, 1954) Yamaguti, 1958. The following were recognized in Ganada and their synonymy indicated: Type, G. clariae Chatterji, 1933, syn. O. clariae (Chatterji, 1933) Yamaguti, 1954; G. barabankiae (Dayal, 1938) n. comb., syn. Neoganada barabankiae Dayal, 1938, O. barabankiae (Dayal, 1938) Yamaguti, 1954, Neoganada secunda Dayal, 1949, O. secundum (Dayal, 1949) Yamaguti, 1954; G. hyderabadi (Dayal, 1938) n. comb., syn. Nizamia hyderabadi Dayal, 1938, O. hyderabadi (Dayal, 1938) Yamaguti, 1954; G. indica (Dayal, 1949) n. comb., syn. Ganadotrema indica Dayal, 1949, O. indica (Dayal, 1949) Saksena, 1958, O. dayali Yamaguti, 1958, O. bharati Saksena, 1960, Ganadotrema mahendrai Gupta, 1951, O. mahendrai (Gupta, 1951) Saksena, 1958, Ganadotrema vermai Gupta, 1951, O. vermai (Gupta, 1951) Saksena, 1958, Ganadotrema phillipai Gupta, 1951, O. phillipai (Gupta, 1951) Saksena, 1958; G. macroni (Gupta, 1951) n. comb., syn. Macrotrema macroni Gupta, 1951. Leptophallus Liihe, 1909, included at one time with Ganada, Neoganada, Nizamia, Ganadotrema, and Macrotrema in Leptophallinae Dayal, 1938, was considered a valid plagiorchioid genus placed by various authors either in Plagiorchiidae or Brachycoeliidae. Metaleptophallus Yamaguti, 1958, was considered a synonym of Leptophallus, the only species of the former becoming L. gracillimus (Liihe, 1909) n. comb., syn. Distomum gracillimum Liihe, 1909, M. gracillimus (Liihe, 1909) Yamaguti, 1958. The digenetic trematode herein described was part of a collection of parasites of fishes made by the junior author while a member of the U. S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt. The worms were fixed in FAA, stained in either Harris' hematoxylin or Mayer's paracarmine, and mounted in balsam. Mean measurements (with minima and maxima in parentheses) are in microns. Received for publication 18 January 1963. * Contribution from the Department of Biology, Harpur College, State University of New York, Binghamton (J. H. Fischthal). t Current address of R. E. Kuntz: Parasitology Department, U. S. Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda 14, Maryland. Orientocreadium batrachoides Tubangui, 1931 (Fig. 1) Diagnosis (based on 17 specimens from one host, 9 measured): Body elongate, spinose, widest at testicular region, 1,298 (1,045 to 1,770) by 371 (245 to 505). Oral sucker slightly longer than wide, 118 (105 to 145) by 112 (100 to 140). Acetabulum 123 (110 to 155) by 129 (110 to 160), usually slightly wider than long, usually same size or slightly smaller or larger than oral sucker, in anterior one-third body. Sucker length ratio 1:1.04 (1:0.96 to 1.14). Postacetabular body length 775 (540 to 1,085). Prepharynx short, length 43 (25 to 55). Pharynx round, 73 (60 to 99) by 76 (50 to 100). Esophagus short, shorter than prepharynx. Cecal bifurcation about halfway between oral sucker and acetabulum, ceca extending to posterior extremity. Gland cells in parenchyma, extracecal in lateral fields from anterior

Radiation dose in dental roententgenography, with special reference to enlargement dental radiography.

Dosimetry was used to estimate the radiation dose received by dertal patients and dentists in dental clinics in Japan, and the results were compared with those obtained by an enlargement technique. The phantom of paraffin used for measuring exposure doses was based on a whole-body plaster of panis cast of a Japanese of medium size. The lungs in the phantom were made of cork with a specific gravity of 0.2, and three holes were constructed in the oral cavity, lower abdomen (ovary region), and testicular region for insertion of a dosimeter. Since in most dental clinics in Japan the x-ray apparatus is installed in the corner of the treatment room without any Pb protection, dose distribution of scattered x rays was also surveyed. Four types of x-ray units were used, and measurement was performed at distances 50 to 200 cm at levels of 50 and 100 cm from the floor. The gonads received a dose of about 0.5 to 3 mr per exposure in males, and 0.03 to 1 mr in females. Patients received radiation doses of 10 to l000 mr per exposure at the eye lens, 1500 mr on the nasal apex, and 500 mr on the thyroid region.more » Not less than 100 mr of radiation was distributed in the regions of the pharynx and cervical spine. For dentists holding the film in the patient's mouth, about 1 to 3 r were received per exposure. They also received whole-body irradiation of scattered rays of about 500 to 2000 mr/hr. Since in Japan, even at present, the dentist usually holds the fllm in the patient's mouth during radiography, and if he conducts dental radiography 10 times a day, he should receive 10 to 30 r on his hands a day, or 3000 to 9000 r a year. Furthermore, the dentist standing near the patient is exposed to scattered rays of about 1.4 mr per exposure. Therefore 11 exposures per day give the upper limit of irradiation dose according to maximum permissible dose. The long-cone method, it is suggested, is of value not only for making enlargement radiograms but also for diminishing the exposure dose of dentists since it prevents the production of scattered rays. (BBB)« less

Memoirs: On the Structure of the Nephridia and ‘funnels’ of the Indian Leech Hirudinaria with remarks on these organs in Hirudo

1. The nephridial system of Hirudinaria consists of a series of seventeen pairs of nephridia metamerically arranged in somites VI to XXII. The first sis pairs occur in the pretesticular segments (VI-XI), while the remaining eleven pairs lie in the testicular segments (XII-XXII). 2. A typical nephridium consists of the following parts: (i) the initial lobe, (ii) the apical lobe, (iii) the inner lobe, (iv) the main lobe, (v) the vesicle-duct and the vesicle. All the nephridia in the testicular region possess ‘funnels’ (ciliated organs) which are enclosed within the ampullae of the perinephrostoniial sinus. There is no continuity or connexion of these ‘funnels’ with the nephridia in the adult leech. 3. The inner end of the initial lobe is directed towards the testis-sac and either ends freely within the connective tissue without coming in contact with the testis-sac, o r- is embedded in fibrous tissue in external contact with the wall of the sac, or becomes incorporated within the outer wall of the perinephrostomial sinus. 4. The initial lobe (testis-lobe) forms a very long coiled string of cells round the apical lobe and part of the inner lobe. The inner lobe (the ‘recurrent lobe’ of Bourne) forms a distinct strip of nephridial tissue enclosed between the two limbs of the main lobe besides a small piece which runs alongside the apical lobe. The inner lobe canals serve to connect the intra-cellular canals of all the lobes with one another. 5. The cells of the different lobes of the nephridium are tunnelled through by intra-cellular canals and canaliculi which form a continuous branching network throughout the body of the nephridium. Besides, there is an intra-cellular central canal which makes 1 3/4 ‘rounds’ through the various lobes of the nephridium and opens into the vesicle. The intra-cellular canals and canaliculi open directly or indirectly into the central canal. 6. The vesicle has no muscular layer, and its wall is not contractile. The evacuation of the contents of the vesicle is brought about by the contraction of ventro-lateral mameles of the bodywall that extend across all the resides. The vesicle and the terminal excretory duet do not develop from the rudiments of the true nepfaritliam, but are formed from an ingrowth of the epidermis. 7. A fully developed adult ‘funnel’ (ciliated organ) is a compound structure consisting of (1) a central reservoir and (2) a large number of small independent funnels set on the reservoir and opening into it. The funnels are profusely dilated. Each funnel is composed of five to six cells, and has the appearance of an ear-lobe with a broad distal and a narrow proximal end. 8. The reservoir is the seat of manufacture of corpuscles which are thrown out of the reservoir through the funnels into the surrounding sinus by the active movements of the cilia of the numerous funnels. 9. The ‘funnel’ is not a degenerate structure. It has, infact, multiplied into numerous small ciliated funnels, which, are much more effective in their ciliary action than a single funnel, even of a large size, could be. Cilia of the funnels show very vigorous movements which keep the fluid in the sinus in constant active circulation. The ciliated organ, instead of serving a renal excretory function, has here become subservient to the sinus-system. 10. The botryoidal vessels are in direct communication with the perinephrostomial sinus. Possibly the corpuscles take up pigment and become the chloragogen cells in the botryoidal vessels. 11. In the embryonic condition the ‘funnel’ is a solid mass of cells which is distinctly continuous with the nephridinm by means of a delicate strand of cells. This connexion of the ‘funnel’ with the nephridium snaps later, and the two become discontinuous and discrete structures. In the embryonic solid ciliated organ the funnel-forming cells can be clearly distinguished from the cells of the reservoir. The ‘funnel’ becomes enclosed at an early stage in the perinephrostomial sinus, which is a part of the reduced coelom. 12. The nephridial system of Hirudo is essentially similar to that of Hirudinaria. In Hirudo the initial lobe does not coil round the apical lobe, but forms one mass round the ampullae of the perinephrostomial sinus and another between the apical and main lobes. The inner end of the nephridium is closed as in Hiradinaria. The ‘funnels’ have the same structure and perform the same function as in Hirudinaria.

Osteo-Sarcoma of the Testicular Region, with Generalisation, in an Ox Castrated by the Method of Bistournage

Osteo-Sarcoma of the Testicular Region, with Generalisation, in an Ox Castrated by the Method of Bistournage