Fakhri Al-Bagdadi

Effect of the bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus on preimplantation bovine embryos: A preliminary study

Five crossbred-Holstein cows, approximately three to seven years of age, were superovulated using pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and prostaglandin F2α (Prostin F2α). At the induced estrus, each cow was artificially inseminated with frozen semen. Seven days after insemination, the lumen of the right uterine horn of each cow was inoculated with BVD virus in Eagles minimum essential tissue culture medium, and the lumen of the left horn was infused with tissue culture medium only. Three days later, each cow was subjected to midventral laparotomy under general anesthesia and embryos were collected. A total of 22 embryos were recovered; 12 were from infected uterine horns and ten were from non-infected uterine horns. All embryos from the non-infected uterine horns were in the late blastocyst stage without the zona pellucida. Of the embryos collected from the infected uterine horns, eight of 12 (66.6%) still possessed zona pellucida and appeared in a degenerative state. The remaining four embryos were morphologically similar to those from the non-infected uterine horns. Electron microscopic examination of the degenerated embryos from the infected uterine horns demonstrated the presence of a structure which morphologically resembled the BVD virus. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the BVD virus within the uterine horns may interfere with normal development of preimplantation bovine embryos. Therefore, it is proposed that the BVD virus could adversely affect early stages of gestation in the cow, resulting in infertility.

Surgically Induced Cryptorchidism-Related Degenerative Changes in Spermatogonia Are Associated with Loss of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Dependent Phosphodiesterases Type 4 in Abdominal Testes of Rats

Abstract The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) enzymes in cryptorchidism-induced apoptosis of the germ cells. Regulation of expression of PDE4 enzymes was studied in the abdominal and scrotal testes of surgically induced cryptorchid rats for 10, 20, and 30 days. In some cases orchidopexy was performed after 30 days of cryptorchidism, and rats were allowed to recover for an additional 50 days. Upon histological examination, marked degenerative changes in the epithelial lining of the seminiferous tubules within abdominal testes were observed compared with contralateral control or age-matched sham-operated rats. These changes included degeneration of some spermatogonia, apoptosis of the secondary spermatocytes, incomplete spermatogenesis, and lack of spermatozoa in the lumen. In contrast, contralateral scrotal testes exhibited normal histology. Significant improvement in the regeneration of spermatogonia was observed in rats after 50 days of recovery following orchidopexy. Immunocytochemical examination suggested the presence of PDE4A in germ cells while PDE4B was predominantly expressed on somatic cells. Western blotting using PDE4 subtype-selective antibodies showed the presence of two PDE4A variants (a 109-kDa PDE4A8 and a previously uncharacterized 88-kDa PDE4A variant) and two PDE4B (78-kDa PDE4B2 and 66-kDa PDE4B variant) bands. In unilaterally cryptorchid animals, the abdominal testis showed a time-dependent decrease in both PDE4A8 and 88-kDa PDE4A variants. In contrast, the expression of 66-kDa PDE4B was markedly increased in a time-dependent fashion in abdominal testes of cryptorchid rats. Animals surgically corrected for cryptorchidism and allowed to recover for 50 days exhibited normal expression of both PDE4A and PDE4B variants compared with aged-matched, sham-operated controls. In conclusion, this study suggests that down-regulation of PDE4A variants in cryptorchid testes may play an important role in the degeneration of spermatogonia and increased apoptotic activity in the germ cells.

A histological study of the effect of saline and povidone-iodine infusions on the equine endometrium

Abstract A study was conducted to assess the reaction of the endometrium of the mare to both saline and povidone-iodine infusions. In the control group (Group 1), uterine biopsies were taken at 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days from the beginning of the experimental period. The treatment groups had intrauterine infusions of saline (Group 2) or 1% povidone iodine in saline (Group 3) on Days 0 and 2, and had endometrial biopsies taken on the same days as the control group. The concentration of inflammatory cells in the endometria of the Group-2 mares paralleled that of the Group-1 mares but was at a slightly higher level. Group-3 mares demonstrated significant increases in the numbers of inflammatory cells. An acute reaction was observed in Group-3 mares until Days 7 to 10. Thereafter, the inflammatory reaction changed in nature from an acute to a more chronic reaction. By Days 15 to 30, Group 3 still demonstrated increased signs of inflammation, including infiltration with eosinophils. The results of this study indicate that intrauterine infusion of 1% povidone-iodine solution in mares can cause chronic inflammatory changes in the endometrium.

Effect of repeated intrauterine infusions of gentamicin on the equine endometrium

Abstract Nine Thoroughbred mares were used in an experiment to determine the effect of two intrauterine gentamicin infusions on the histologic reaction of the endometrium. Five mares had 40 ml gentamicin (50 mg/ml) mixed with 80 ml of normal saline infused into the uterus on two consecutive days. Four mares were used as controls and had 120 ml of saline infused into the uterus on two consecutive days. Endometrial biopsies were taken from all mares on Days 1, 3, 5, 8 and 13 after the second intrauterine infusion. Endometrial biopsies were scored for the presence of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mononuclear cells in the epithelium, stratum compactum and stratum spongiosum. Results were analyzed by logistic regression. There were significant differences in the inflammatory response by time (P

Ultrastructural Morphology of Plasma Cells in Normal Ovine Hemal Lymph Nodes

The fine structure of plasma cells from the hemal lymph nodes of five healthy sheep was examined. The plasma cells showed many cytoplasmic processes, indicating motility and phagocytic activity. They were randomly located in the medullary cords of the hemal lymph nodes. Their perinuclear spaces were irregular and contained granular material similar in density to that of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Some of the plasma cells provided morphological evidence of erythrophagocytosis at different levels. Such a phenomenon was previously reported only in pathological conditions. The red blood cell being engulfed by the plasma cell appeared smaller than normal. Most of the examined plasma cells showed Russells Bodies inside the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the healthy hemal lymph nodes. Some of these Russells Bodies had fuzzy borders. They were separated from the rough endoplasmic reticulum by evenly spaced halos.

A light and electron microscopic study of the periparturient bovine corpus luteum

Corpora lutea were obtained surgically from fifteen mature Angus crossbred cows representing three experimental groups of five cows each. Cows in Group A were 180 days of gestation, cows in Group B had recently experienced parturition (<or=24 hours) and cows in Group C had recently exhibited standing estrus (<or=24 hours). Samples of corpora lutea were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and prepared for light microscopy and 2.5% glutaraldehyde and processed for electron microscopy. Luteal cells from cows in Group A were of two distinct types, large cell and small cell types. The large luteal cells of both Groups A and B were similar, with one exception. Those from cows in Group B stained less intensely and the nuclear chromatin appeared less pronounced and marginated. Small luteal cells were not readily observed in corpora lutea from Group B. In addition, there was evidence of pyknosis, karyorrhexis and mononuclear cell infiltration in corpora lutea from Group B. Luteal cells from cows in Group C were characterized by atrophy of the nucleus and vacuolation of the cytoplasm. Vascular changes consisted of endothelial cell necrosis and pyknosis of cells of the tunica media of arteries within the corpus luteum. Ultrastructurally, there were distinct differences in all groups with respect to the size and quantity of lipid droplets, the presence of electron lucent vesicles in the cytoplasm and indentations of the nuclear membrane of luteal cells. The results of this study suggest that at the time of parturition in the cow luteolysis may involve primarily small luteal cells, and that the corpus luteum may be a source of progesterone, which is likely a function of the large luteal cells.

Scanning electron microscopy of the endometrium of mares infused with gentamicin.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the endometrium of nine 1-year-old thoroughbred mares after twice intrauterine infusions of gentamicin, on 2 consecutive days. Five mares were infused on 2 consecutive days with 40 ml gentamicin (50 mg/ml) mixed with 80 ml of normal saline. Four mares served as controls and were infused with 120 ml of saline on 2 consecutive days. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from all mares 3 days after the second intrauterine infusion. Each biopsy was processed for SEM by standard methods. The endometrial epithelium of the gentamicin-infused mares had more cellular perforations than the saline-infused mares. The gentamicin-infused mares had less and shorter microvilli. The ciliated cells were fewer and some ciliated cells had disrupted and some had drooping cilia. The endometrial epithelium of the gentamicin-infused mares had a considerable number of endometrial cells that lost their luminal surfaces and some that lost their microvilli, compared to the saline-infused mares. We suggest that the information gathered in this pilot study should be used as basis for further investigation, on a larger scale basis, of the effects of repeated intrauterine infusion of gentamicin on the endometrial mucosa of mares.

Correlative Light and Scanning Electron-Microscopic Study of Feline Gastric Mucosa: The Cardiac Region (Pars cardiaca)

The cardiac region (pars cardiaca) of the cats stomach was examined with light and scanning electron microscopy. The glands are simple, coiled tubular, and contain mucus-secreting cells. Their surfaces are covered with microvilli which are concentrated on the boundaries of the mucus-secreting cells. A few cells interposed between the glandular cells are probably G cells. They are identified by apical projections of long microvilli into the lumen of the gland. The surface epithelial cells lining the cardiac region are covered by minute microvilli. The muscularis mucosae is not distinctly divided into two layers. However, a group of smooth muscle cells which are directed in a circular manner around the gastroesophageal junction is considered to be the distal esophageal sphincter.

Alkaline Phosphatase Reaction in Hair Follicles of Male Beagle Dogs during Hair Cycle Stages

The literature reviewed has revealed differences of opinion concerning the location of alkaline phosphates and its relationship to the hair cycle stages. This project was undertaken to determine alkaline phosphatase activity in the hair follicle stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen.

Observation on the ultrastructure morphology of HeLa cells treated with ethanol: Statistical analysis.

ABSTRACT It is estimated that 5.9% of all human deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption and that the harmful use of ethanol ranks among the top five risk factors for causing disease, disability, and death worldwide. Ethanol is known to disrupt phospholipid packing and promote membrane hemifusion at lipid bilayers. With the exception of mitochondria involved in hormone synthesis, the sterol content of mitochondrial membranes is low. As membranes that are low in cholesterol have increased membrane fluidity and are the most easily disordered by ethanol, we hypothesize that mitochondria are sensitive targets for ethanol damage. HeLa cells were exposed to 50 mM ethanol and the direct effects of ethanol on cellular ultrastructure were examined utilizing transmission electron microscopy. Our ultramicroscopic analysis revealed that cells exposed to ethanol harbor fewer incidence of apoptotic morphology; however, significant alterations to mitochondria and to nuclei occurred. We observed statistical increases in the amount of irregular cells and cells with multiple nuclei, nuclei harboring indentations, and nuclei with multiple nucleolus-like bodies. Indeed, our analysis revealed that mitochondrial damage is the most extensive type of cellular damage. Rupturing of cristae was the most prominent damage followed by mitochondrial swelling. Ethanol exposure also resulted in increased amounts of mitochondrial rupturing, organelles with linked membranes, and mitochondria localizing to indentations of nuclear membranes. We theorize that these alterations could contribute to cellular defects in oxidative phosphorylation and, by extension, the inability to generate regular levels of cellular adenosine triphosphate.