ABSTRACT: Collagen plays essential roles in remodeling uterine tissue during decidualization, implantation, pregnancy and involution. To understand whether the progestational agent medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) can modify the organization and deposit of collagen in the uteri of normal bitches (Canis Tlupus familiaris), we assessed uterine tissues by histochemistry. Uteri were grouped as: nulliparous (n=11), multiparous (n=11) and treated with MPA (n=11; nulliparous with two treatments; 5mg/kg; i.m.). The amount, location and birefringence of interstitial collagen types I and III in the fold and base of the endometrial stroma and the myometrial muscular layers were studied on sections stained with Picrosirius Red by polarized light microscopy and evaluated by ANOVA. No differences were observed in the endometrium. In the myometrium, differences were observed in collagen type I between MPA-treated and nulliparous uteri vs. multiparous (p<0.05), and differences in collagen type III between nulliparous and multiparous uteri vs. MPA-treated (p=0.0001). In conclusion, two doses of MPA had no significant effect on the investigated collagens in the extracellular matrix.

As glândulas bulbouretrais (GBU) no coelho (Oryctolagus cuniculus) e na cobaia (Cavia porcellus) desempenham um papel importante na fisiologia reprodutiva. No entanto, seus aspectos histológico e estereológico são escassos. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi comparar características estereológicas entre as GBU do coelho e da cobaia como um primeiro passo para a compreensão das variáveis morfométricas que participam nos processos reprodutivos. Foram utilizados 5 coelhos e 5 cobaias adultos machos, saudáveis, obtidos do Biotério da Universidade de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. A região pélvica foi dissecada isolando-se a GBU de cada animal. Determinou-se o peso e o volume de cada glândula. Estas foram fixadas em formalina tamponada durante 24 horas e incluídas em paraplast. Cortes seriados de 4 μm de espessura foram corados com HE para análise estereológica. A média de células glandulares na GBU do coelho foi 19,50 x 10(5)mm³ (DP 2,35) e da cobaia 10,57 x 10(5)mm³ (DP 2,07) e a porcentagem média de tecido glandular foi de 25,52% (DP 2,20) e 17,20% (DP 3,33), respectivamente. Todos os parâmetros estereológicos comparados tiveram uma diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,0001). Estas diferenças poderiam ser explicadas porque há maior proximidade celular do epitélio secretor, menor diâmetro do lúmen dos ácinos e da relação núcleo citoplasma na GBU do coelho. Assim, os ácinos da GBU apresentam maior quantidade de células por mm³ do que na GBU do coelho. Estes parâmetros podem ser influenciados por fatores hormonais, etários, sazonais e ambientais, entre outros. Considerar as características morfológicas da GBU nesses animais poderia condicionar o êxito da reprodução por parte do macho.

The bulbourethral glands (GBU) in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) play an important role in reproductive physiology. However, histological and stereological aspects are scarce. Thus, the objective of this research was to compare stereological characteristics between the rabbit and guinea pig GBU as a first approximation in the understanding of morphometric variables involved in reproductive processes. Five rabbits were used and five adult male guinea pigs, healthy, obtained from the Vivarium of the Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Pelvic region was dissected, isolating the GBU of each animal. Was determined weight and volume of each gland. These were fixed in buffered formalin for 24 hours and embedded in paraplast. Serial sections of 4 microns thick, were stained with HE, for stereological analysis. The average glandular cells in the rabbit’s GBU was 19.50x10(5)mm³ (SD 2.35), and for the guinea pig 10.57x10(5)mm³ (SD 2.07), and the average percentage of glandular tissue was 25.52% (SD 2.20) and 17.20% (SD 3.33) respectively. All stereological parameters were compared statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). These differences could be explained because there is a closer epithelial cell secretory acinar, smaller lumen diameter and nucleus to cytoplasm ratio in the rabbit’s GBU. Thus, the acini of the GBU had a greater number of cells per mm³ in the rabbit’s GBU. These parameters can be influenced by hormonal factors, age, seasonal and environmental among others. Consider the morphological characteristics of the GBU in these animals could affect the successful reproduction by the male.

Motor innervations of foot muscles and anatomic variations are very important for the correct diagnose of the lesions of peripheral nerves and their afterward treatment. Frequently, the foot is affected by accidents and reparatory microsurgery, which requires abundant and detailed anatomic information to be able to carry out successfully all necessary procedures. Lack of morphometric and stereological facts of the nerves of foot muscles, motivated us to execute this research. Here, five adult corpse feet were studied, where the tibial termination nerves, the origin of the medial and lateral plantar nerves. With transversal histological cuts of plantar and tibial nerves, quantitative information was obtained on morphometric measures (fascicule numbers, fascicule areas, number of fibers per fascicule, number of fibers per nerve). The obtained results were statistically analyzed and the most representative samples, photographically registered. The number of fascicules in the tibiae nerve varied between 19 to 39, with an average of 28.6 (D.S. 7.13), in the lateral plantar nerves it varied between 8 to 18, with an average of 14,8 (D.S. 3.96) and in the medial plantar nerves, it varied between 9 to 19, with an average of 12,4 (D.S. 3,91). The average area of the fascicules, in the tibia, medial plantar and plantar lateral nerves, was 3,66mm², 1,8mm² and 1,48 mm². With the obtained data, it is expected to contribute to morphological and morphometric knowledge of foot nerve structure, which can be used for anatomicsustain, as well as chirurgic support

La inervación motora de los músculos del pie y susvariaciones anatómicasson importantes para el correcto diagnóstico de las lesiones de nervios periféricos y su tratamiento posterior. Con frecuencia, el pie es afectado por accidentes y la microcirugía reparadora requiere de abundante y detallada información anatómica para efectuar con éxito sus procedimientos. La falta de información morfométrica y estereológica de los nervios destinados a la musculatura del pie, nos motivó a plantear esta investigación. Se estudiaron 5 pies de cadáveres, adultos, en los cuales se disecaron la terminación del nervio tibial y el origen de los nervios plantares, medial y lateral. A través de cortes histológicos transversales de los nervios tibial y plantares, obtuvimos información cuantitativa sobre medidas morfométricas (número de fascículos, área de los fascículos, número de fibras por fascículo, número de fibras por nervio). Los resultados obtenidos fueron tratados estadísticamente y se registraron fotográficamente las muestras más representativas. El número de fascículos en el nervio tibial varió entre 19 y 39 con un promedio de 28,6 (D.S. 7.13), en los nervios plantares laterales varió entre 8 y 18 con un promedio de 14,8 (D.S. 3.96) y en los nervios plantares mediales varió entre 9 y 19 con un promedio de 12,4 (D.S. 3,91). El área promedio de los fascículos en los nervios tibial, plantar medial y plantar lateral fue de 3,66mm², 1,8mm² y 1,48 mm², respectivamente. Con los datos obtenidos esperamos contribuir al conocimiento morfológico y morfométrico de las estructuras nerviosas del pie, sirviendo de apoyo anatómico y quirúrgico

The objective of this study was to find out more details about the vesicular gland of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) to later proceed with their morphofunctional studies. 12 male clinically healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used and kept in the Biotery of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile. The rabbits were slaughtered and their body weight was recorded, the pelvic region was dissected, removing in block the anatomic components of the urogenital system, later isolating the vesicular gland from the nearly glands. The samples were fixed in buffered formalin and processed for their inclusion in paraplast. Serialized cuts of 4µ thick were performed, which were stained for their histological and histochemical studies. For morphological analysis and for the photographs a Carl Zeiss Axiolab with MC 80 DX microscope was used. The results showed that the male rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) vesicular gland presented an irregular shape, cranially globed and caudally. The vesicular gland was variable size and volume according to the specimen and the dilation due to the presence of liquid in the inner side. The dorsal wall of the gland in its craneal part is related to the ending part of the colon and rectum. The caudal part is related to the proprostate and it forms the ejaculatory duct in its distal end. The ventral wall is connected with the ampulla of the deferent duct. The histochemical study shoed that the vesicular gland was made up of a muscular layer with muscular smooth fibers irregularly organized and a mucous layer with an own sheet rich in colagenous fibers and blood vessels on which the simple low to cubic column gland epithelium rests. Histochemistry revealed the presence of sulfate and non sulfate acid mucines mainly in the apex zone of the gland cells and towards the lumen of each gland. No presence of glucogen nor of neutral mucines was observed

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer con mayor detalle la morfología de la glándula vesicular del conejo Oryctolagus ciniculus para, posteriormente efectuar estudios morfofuncionales. Se utilizaron 12 conejos machos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clínicamente sanos, mantenidos en el Bioterio de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Sacrificados los conejos, se registró su peso corporal y se disecó la región pélvica, retirando en bloque los componentes anatómicos del aparato urogenital, aislando posteriormente la glándula vesicular de las otras glándulas anexas. Las muestras fueron fijadas en formalina tamponada y procesadas para su inclusión en paraplast. Se realizaron cortes seriados de 4 µ de espesor, los cuales fueron teñidos para su estudio histológico e histoquímico. Para el análisis morfológico y las fotografías se utilizó un microscopio Carl Zeiss, Axiolab con cámara MC 80 DX. Los resultados mostraron que la glándula vesicular del conejo macho (Oryctolagus cuniculus) presentó una forma irregular, globosa cranealmente y aplastada caudalmente. De tamaño y volumen variables según el ejemplar y la cantidad de líquido en su interior. La pared dorsal de la glándula vesicular en su parte craneal se relacionaba con la parte terminal del colon y recto. La parte caudal estaba en relación con la propróstata y en su extremo distal formaba el conducto eyaculatorio. La pared ventral se relacionaba con las ampollas del conducto deferente. El estudio histoquímico mostró que la glándula vesicular estaba constituida por una capa muscular con fibras musculares lisas organizadas irregularmente y una capa mucosa con una lámina propia rica en fibras colágenas y vasos sanguíneos, sobre la cual descansaba el epitelio glandular, simple, columnar bajo a cúbico. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de mucinas ácidas sulfatadas y no sulfatadas principalmente en la zona apical de las células glandulares y hacia el lumen de cada glándula. No fueron detectados glucógeno ni mucinas neutras