Biomedical subjects

K Taniguchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Taniguchi.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Fluid and protein secretion by the submandibular glands of weanling rats in response to various agonists.

Secretion of fluid and protein by the submandibular glands of 25-day-old rats was investigated by stimulation with 22 sialogogues classified into five categories, four cholinergic, five beta 1-, seven alpha 1- and three alpha 2-adrenergic, and three peptidergic, at optimal doses. For fluid secretion, cholinergic and peptidergic agonists were the most powerful, whereas the beta 1- and alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists were the most effective for the concentration of protein among the five categories, except for methoxamine. For total output of protein, the beta 1- and alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists and pilocarpine were the most powerful among the 22 agonists, except for methoxamine and norephedrine. Cholinergic, peptidergic and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists among the five categories were less effective for protein secretion, except for pilocarpine. For the specific activity of esteroprotease, methoxamine and oxymetazoline, as alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, were the most powerful among the 22 agonists. Thus fluid and protein secretion evoked from the submandibular glands of weanling rats in response to a wide variety of agonists are similar to those of adult rats.

Adrenergic Agonists↗

PubMed1994

Changes in the prevalence of HBeAg-negative mutant hepatitis B virus during the course of chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus with a G-to-A point mutation at nucleotide 83 in the precore region (mutant hepatitis B virus 83), which cannot produce HBeAg, is commonly found in HBe antibody-positive hepatitis B virus carriers. We analyzed the consecutive changes in the prevalence of mutant hepatitis B virus 83 during the course of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Forty-five patients with chronic hepatitis B who were followed up for more than 2 yr in our hospital were studied by polymerase chain reaction in combination with a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Mutant hepatitis B virus 83 was found in 14 of 18 (78%) HBe antibody-positive patients and in 8 of 27 (30%) HBeAg-positive patients at baseline. Eighteen of the 22 patients who had mutant hepatitis B virus 83 (82%) showed mixed viral populations of wild-type hepatitis B virus and mutant hepatitis B virus 83, whereas 4 (18%) had only mutant hepatitis B virus 83 and were positive for HBe antibody. During a 2 yr follow-up period, mutant hepatitis B virus 83 was newly detected in 9 of 23 (39%) patients who had wild-type hepatitis B virus alone at baseline. The proportion of mutant hepatitis B virus 83 to whole hepatitis B virus in the serum of 18 patients with mixed viral populations at baseline fluctuated during follow-up. In contrast, wild-type hepatitis B virus was never detected throughout the study in all four patients who had only mutant hepatitis B virus 83 at baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Critical capillary oxygen partial pressure and lactate threshold in patients with cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the relation between femoral vein oxygen partial pressure (PO2) and lactate increase during exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease. BACKGROUND: Considerable controversy surrounds the relation between the increase in lactate during exercise and the oxygen supply to the exercising muscles. We assumed that femoral vein PO2 would be a measure of end-capillary PO2 during leg-cycling exercise and that it would decrease to a "floor" level when the critical capillary PO2 (the PO2 below which the capillary-mitochondrial difference would be too low to allow oxygen consumption) was reached. At the critical capillary PO2, anaerobic metabolism should take place, and lactate should increase in the effluent blood. METHODS: Ten patients with cardiovascular disease performed two 6-min constant work rate tests (moderate and heavy intensity) and an incremental exercise test to the symptom-limited maximum on a cycle ergometer. Femoral vein blood was repeatedly sampled through a percutaneous catheter before and during each exercise test. RESULTS: The PO2 rapidly decreased toward a minimal value with increasing oxygen uptake for all three tests in all patients. After reaching its nadir (18.2 +/- 2.0 mm Hg), the PO2 remained unchanged in five patients but increased in the other five patients despite the further increase in work rate and oxygen uptake. The relation between PO2 and oxygen uptake was characteristic for each patient and independent of the protocol used for the study. Femoral vein lactate did not change appreciably until PO2 reached the minimal (critical) value. Thereafter, it dramatically increased without a further decrease in PO2. The minimal PO2 was positively correlated with the peak oxygen uptake (r = 0.70, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: During leg-cycling exercise, muscle capillary PO2 reaches a minimal value in the midrange of the subjects' work capacity before lactate concentration increases in patients with cardiovascular disease. The lack of further decrease in PO2 at the oxygen uptake at which lactate starts to increase suggests that the minimal capillary PO2 is the "critical" capillary PO2.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

The relevance of preoperative cystometrography in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: correlating the findings with clinical features and outcome after prostatectomy.

Preoperative water cystometrograms in 437 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were examined in a retrospective study. The cystometrographic results were analyzed regarding the preoperative clinical features: patient age, presence or absence of urinary incontinence, history of urinary retention and rate of residual urine. The prognostic value in improvement in voiding difficulty and postoperative urinary incontinence was also analyzed at 1 and 6 months after elective prostatectomy. Subjective symptoms of the patients were the primary reasons for prostatectomy, the majority of which were performed by a single competent resectionist (K. T.) who evaluated the outcome but was blinded to the cystometric findings. Of these patients 263 (60.2%) had detrusor instability (group 1), while 174 did not (group 2). Vesical denervation supersensitivity to bethanechol chloride was noted in 47 of 375 patients (12.5%). The difference in clinical features was significant between the 2 groups, with group 1 showing older patient age (p < 0.01), and a greater incidence of urinary incontinence (p < 0.001) and retention (p < 0.001). The difference between groups 1 and 2 in mean bladder capacity (p < 0.01), compliance (p < 0.01) and a greater positive rate of vesical denervation supersensitivity (p < 0.001) was also significant. The clinical and cystometrographic parameters studied worsened with advancing patient age. Although the majority of the patients (94.7%) were relieved of obstructive symptoms after transurethral prostatectomy (6 months later), 113 (25.9%) were not at 1 month. Compared to 324 patients with early improvement (74.1%), those without improvement at 1 month were characterized by older age (p < 0.01), greater prevalence of preoperative incontinence (p < 0.05), retention (p < 0.01), greater residual rate (p < 0.05), a less compliant bladder (p < 0.01) and a higher positive rate of vesical denervation supersensitivity (p < 0.05). Cystometrographic findings, however, had no relevance to late (6 months) outcome of voiding difficulty. On the other hand, postoperative incontinence was noted in 100 patients (22.9%) at 1 month after transurethral prostatectomy, with the majority having episodes similar to those experienced preoperatively (70.0%) as well as detrusor instability (87.0%). They also were older (p < 0.01), and had a less compliant bladder (p < 0.01) and a higher positive rate of vesical denervation supersensitivity (p < 0.01) than did continent patients. Only 18 elderly patients (4.1%) remained incontinent 6 months later, all with a less compliant (p < 0.01) and more unstable (p < 0.01) bladder initially. The genesis of this detrusor dysfunction was believed to be aging in male patients, in whom BPH evolves and progresses. In conclusion, preoperative cystometrography in patients with BPH is valuable in that it correlated well with the clinical features and it can predict to some extent the outcome of obstructive symptoms and urinary incontinence after transurethral prostatectomy.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Survey on the distribution of the gene 4 alleles of human rotaviruses by polymerase chain reaction.

The presence of six gene 4 alleles (or VP4 genotypes) in human rotaviruses has been recognized. Using 16 representative cultivable human rotavirus strains, we confirmed the specificity of VP4 genotyping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the nested oligonucleotides specific to each of the four representative gene 4 alleles. Using the PCR, we surveyed the gene 4 alleles of 199 human rotaviruses in stools collected in Japan and Thailand. Strains with the gene 4 allele, corresponding to P1A serotype, were shown to be the most prevalent, but two strains with P2 gene 4 allele and one strain with P3 gene 4 allele were detected in Thailand and in Japan, respectively.

Alleles↗

PubMed1994

Detection of mecA, femA, and femB genes in clinical strains of staphylococci using polymerase chain reaction.

MecA, a structural gene located on the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus, characterizes methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and femA and femB(fem) genes encode proteins which influence the level of methicillin resistance of S. aureus. In order to examine effectiveness of detecting mecA and fem genes in identification of MRSA, the presence of these genes in 237 clinically isolated strains of staphylococci was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An amplified mecA DNA fragment of 533 base pairs (bp) was detected in 100% of oxacillin-resistant S. aureus, in 16.7% of oxacillin-sensitive S. aureus, in 81.5% of S. epidermidis, and in 58.3% of other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). While the PCR product of femA (509 bp) or femB (651 bp) was obtained from almost all the S. aureus strains except for five oxacillin-resistant strains (2.5%), neither of these genes were detected in CNS. Therefore, the detection of femA and femB together with mecA by PCR was considered to be a more reliable indicator to identify MRSA by differentiating it from mecA-positive CNS than single detection of mecA.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Construction and expression of chimeric antibodies by a simple replacement of heavy and light chain V genes into a single cassette vector.

A novel vector pMH-gpt, which is proved useful for cloning mouse immunoglobulin heavy and light chain V genes and for expressing mouse-human chimeric antibody, was constructed. The vector contains human genomic C gamma 1 and C kappa genes, cloning sites for immunoglobulin V region genes, murine Ig promoters, a human Ig heavy chain enhancer, and the selection marker gene Eco-gpt. Because VH and V kappa genes can be cloned into a single vector, a chimeric antibody gene is easily constructed by this simple insertion procedure. The usefulness of the vector was confirmed by construction of two mouse-human chimeric antibodies. Mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) 196-14 recognizes the ovarian cancer-associated antigen (CA125), and MoAb 2-18 reacts with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Mouse-human chimeric 196-14 and 2-18 antibodies were readily constructed and efficiently produced in a mouse myeloma cell line by utilizing the vector. Both chimeric antibodies retained binding activity to their respective antigens. In biodistribution and immunoscintigraphy studies, specificity of radiolabeled chimeric 196-14 antibody was identical to that of its murine counterpart and significant accumulation at the tumor site was observed. The pMH-gpt vector is useful for constructing and producing mouse-human chimeric antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Different susceptibility to phospholipase A2 treatment of the fluorescence intensity changes in the vicinity of Cys-964 and Lys-501 in the alpha-chain of probe-labeled Na+,K(+)-ATPase.

Phospholipase A2 [EC 3.1.1.4] treatment of pig kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] labeled with fluorescence probes at the alpha-chain reduced the extent of the fluorescence intensity change of an N-[p-(2-benzimidazolyl)phenyl]maleimide (BIPM) probe at Cys-964 to below one-third of the control level accompanying the accumulation of phosphoenzymes. However, it only induced a slight decrease in that of a fluorescence isothiocyanate (FITC) probe at Lys-501 with a large decrease in the rate of change. The addition of phosphatidylserine (PS) or phosphatidylinositol (PI) to the phospholipase-treated BIPM-FITC-labeled enzyme increased the rate of the FITC fluorescence change. Phospholipase treatment of the BIPM-enzyme greatly reduced the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. The addition of PS or PI to the treated enzyme induced reactivation. These data and others suggest that Cys-964 and Glu-953 (Rb+ protectable dicyclohexyl carbodiimide binding site) are located in the vicinity of the surface area of the enzyme where hydrocarbon chains of phospholipids are present, and conserved H-bonding amino acids, Thr-955 and Ser-962, are located rather near the center of a domain forming a cation binding route or cage with other hydrophobic transmembrane segments. These data may indicate that the interaction between the BIPM probe and the hydrocarbon chains of phospholipids changes in such a way as to sense the change in the binding state of various ligands accompanying the sequential appearance of reaction intermediates of the enzyme.

Acrylamides↗

PubMed1994

An extra phosphorylation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase by paranitrophenylphosphate (pNPP): evidence for the oligomeric nature of the enzyme.

Paranitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) induced fluorescence changes in fluorescence isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Na+,K(+)-ATPase preparations. The extents of changes were similar to those induced by acetylphosphate (AcP) accompanying accumulation of a K(+)-sensitive phosphoenzyme (E2P) and an ouabain bound phosphoenzyme in the presence of Mg2+ and 16 mM Na+. Phosphoenzymes formed from [32P]pNPP were shown to turn over. The ratio of the maximum amount of the phosphoenzyme formed from pNPP to that of the phosphoenzyme formed from ATP and that of the ouabain-enzyme complex under steady-state conditions was shown to be close to 1:0.5:1. Such extra phosphorylation has hitherto only been observed in a transient state with the additions of high concentrations of ATP [Peluffo, R.D., Garrahan, P.J., and Rega, A. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 6596-6601]. Our data are compatible with the simultaneous presence of high and low affinity ATP-binding sites in Na+,K(+)-ATPase [Hamer, E. and Schoner, W. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 213, 743-748]. The maximum amount of paranitrophenol-sensitive fraction to synthesize [32P]pNPP in fully accumulated ADP-sensitive phosphoenzyme (E1P) from [32P]ATP was around 1/4 of the amount of ouabain-enzyme complex. These data and others indicate that a much higher degree of oligomerization, rather than (alpha beta)2, may be the functional unit of the enzyme in the membranes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1994

Biodistribution of neocarzinostatin conjugated to chimeric Fab fragments of the monoclonal antibody A7 in nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts.

In this study, we conjugated chimeric Fab fragments of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) A7, which reacts with pancreatic cancers, to the antitumor drug neocarzinostatin (chA7Fab-NCS) and intravenously injected 125I-labeled chA7Fab-NCS into nude mice bearing a human pancreatic cancer xenograft. We compared the tumor localization of 125I-labeled chA7Fab-NCS with that of conventional 125I-labeled A7-NCS, which was produced by conjugation of MAb A7 and NCS. 125I-Labeled chA7Fab-NCS accumulated in the tumor earlier than 125I-labeled A7-NCS, and significantly larger amounts of 125I-labeled chA7Fab-NCS had accumulated in the tumor 1 hour after injection. The results suggest that chA7Fab may be a suitable carrier for NCS in immunotargeting therapy against pancreatic cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Serotonin metabolism in the fetus in preeclampsia.

We investigated serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in the fetus in preeclampsia by measuring free 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and tryptophan concentrations in umbilical cord plasma and amniotic fluid, and 5-HT content in platelets by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Free 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in umbilical cord plasma were significantly higher in the severe preeclamptic group (S) than those in the non-preeclamptic group (N). The plasma 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in group S was significantly lower than that in group N. Platelet 5-HT content in group S tended to be lower than that in group N. Mean plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration in group S was significantly higher than that in group N. There was no significant difference in plasma tryptophan levels between group S and N. These findings suggest that the higher levels of plasma free 5-HT in umbilical cord plasma in preeclampsia are attributable to excess release of 5-HT from platelets as well as lower monoamine oxidase activity.

Female↗

PubMed1994

Agents for the treatment of overactive detrusor. VI. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of acetamide derivatives bearing cyclic amines in N-substituents.

With the aim of improving of the efficacy and decreasing the side effects of oxybutynin (1), N-[(tetrahydro-3- or 4-pyridyl)methyl]-, N-(4-piperidyl)-, and N-(3- or 4-piperidylalkyl)-2-hydroxyacetamides (3a-n, 4a-g) and the related carboxamides (3o-r, 4h-k, 13', 17) were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against urinary bladder rhythmic contraction in rats and for mydriatic activity in rats. Some of these compounds were superior to oxybutynin in both inhibitory activity against bladder contraction and selectivity between inhibitory activity against bladder contraction and mydriatic activity. Among them, N-[(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridyl)methyl]- and N-[(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-pyridyl)methyl]-2-hydroxy-2,2- diphenylacetamide (3e, 3f) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against bladder contraction (ED30 = 0.005 and 0.003 mg/kg i.v., respectively). Judging from the effect of 3e on detrusor contraction in vitro in guinea-pigs, it appeared that the inhibitory activity of 3e against bladder contraction in vivo was related mainly to its inhibitory activity against detrusor contraction in vitro induced with carbachol (antimuscarine-like activity). The selectivity (20-fold) of 3e between inhibitory activity against bladder contraction and mydriatic activity was greatly superior to that (0.48-fold) of oxybutynin. Compound 3e was synthesized by debenzylation (method E or F) of the corresponding N-[[1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-tetrahydro-4-pyridyl]methyl] derivative (3k), which was prepared by acylation (method B) of the corresponding (tetrahydro-4-pyridyl)methylamine (7k) or by reduction (method D) of the corresponding pyridinium chloride (14k) with NaBH4.

Acetamides↗

PubMed1994

Agents for the treatment of overactive detrusor. VII. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 2,3- and 3,4-diphenylcyclopentylamines, 2,3-diphenyl-2-cyclopentenylamines, and related compounds.

As part of our search for new agents for the treatment of overactive detrusor, 2,3- and 3,4-diphenylcyclopentylamines (3), 2,3-diphenyl-2-cyclopentenylamines (4), and related compounds (5 and 18) were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity (i.v.) against urinary bladder rhythmic contraction in rats. Among them, some compounds involving N-tert-butyl-2,3-diphenyl-2-cyclopentenylamine (4b) exhibited inhibitory activity against bladder contraction superior to that of terodiline (2). Mydriatic activity (i.v.) of compound 4b in rats, an index of its side effects due to antimuscarinic activity, was found to be relatively weak in comparison with its inhibitory activity against bladder contraction. The pharmacological profile of 4b was examined in comparison with that of terodiline. Most of the objective amines (3, 4, 5) were synthesized by preparation of Schiff bases from the corresponding cyclic ketones (6, 7, 8) and amines in the presence of TiCl4 in CH2Cl2 and subsequent reduction with NaBH4 in the presence of MeOH in one pot (method A).

Amines↗

PubMed1994

[Lectin-binding patterns of the olfactory receptors (olfactory epithelium, vomeronasal organ and septal olfactory organ of Masera) in the rat].

Lectin-binding patterns of the three olfactory receptors, olfactory epithelium (OE), vomeronasal organ (VNO) and septal olfactory organ of Masera (MO), and their associated glands, Bowman's gland (BG) of the OE, Jacobson's gland (JG) of the VNO, and anonymous gland (MG) of the MO were examined in the rat with 21 biotinylated lectins. On the free surface of the receptors, all lectins showed moderate to intense staining in at least one of receptors, although PHA-E in the VNO, BSL II and PNA in the MO, and DBA, BSL I, VVA, SJA, PSA and LCA in both the OE and the MO showed no staining. In the soma of receptor neurons, 16 lectins showed staining in at least one of receptors, although SJA showed no staining in both the OE and the MO, and BSL I showed staining in a small number of cells in these receptors. In the associated glands, 15 lectins showed staining in at least one of them, although PNA in the JG, LEL in the MG, and s-WGA and DBA in both the BG and the MG showed no staining. These findings suggest that the VNO takes charge of an olfactory discrimination different from that of the OE and MO, although the latter two take charge of that similar to each other.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Lectin histochemical studies on the scent gland in the Syrian hamster and Mongolian gerbil].

The scent gland and ordinary sebaceous gland of Syrian hamsters and Mongolian gerbils were studied using lectin histochemistry. Male scent glands were larger in size than those of female in both species, but in histochemistry there was no distinct difference between both sexes. Histologically, the scent gland of Syrian hamsters had a strong resemblance to ordinary sebaceous glands, compared to that of Mongolian gerbils. Since the duct of Syrian hamsters was very short, it is difficult to distinguish the duct from the infundibulum. The duct and infundibulum of Mongolian gerbils were larger in diameter than those of Syrian hamsters. The duct widely opened to dermis. Seven lectins (ConA, RCA I, PNA, SBA, UEA-I, DBA and WGA) were used in this study. All of them labelled the differentiated cells of acinus in Syrian hamsters, although SBA did not label those cells in Mongolian gerbils. The cells of the duct in Syrian hamsters and Mongolian gerbils were not labelled with SBA. Ordinary sebaceous glands in both species were labelled with all seven lectins. Lectin-binding patterns of scent glands and sebaceous glands were similar in Syrian hamsters. While, in Mongolian gerbils, SBA-binding patterns were different between scent and sebaceous glands. Histologically, the scent gland of Syrian hamsters resembles the sebaceous gland. Therefore, there is a possibility that the scent gland of Syrian hamsters still provides some properties similar to sebaceous gland.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Lectin-binding patterns of vomeronasal respiratory epithelium in the rat].

Lectin-binding patterns of vomeronasal respiratory epithelium (VRE) in rats were histochemically examined with 21 biotinylated-lectins. The VRE consists of ciliated and basal cells. The majority of ciliated cells had light cytoplasm, and the others were dark cells seemingly degenerating. On the free surface of the VRE, 16 lectins showed moderate to intense staining. Eight and 10 lectins showed moderate to intense staining in the cytoplasm of light and dark cells, respectively. Five out of them showed the staining only in the degenerating dark cells. On the other hand, Jacalin showed the various grades of staining in the light cells. In the basal cells, 5 lectins showed moderate staining. These lectins also showed moderate to intense staining in the light cells. In summary, the kinds of glycoconjugates on the free surface were the most numerous in number in the VRE, and the lectin-staining underwent some changes with the functional state or degree of maturation in the ciliated cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Optimal conditions for detection of calcitonin mRNA by in situ hybridization (ISH) method using a non-radioactive probe in the rat thyroid gland].

Optimal conditions for detection of calcitonin mRNA were examined by in situ hybridization (ISH) method using a non-radioactive probe in the rat thyroid gland. An oligonucleotide complementary to rat calcitonin mRNA was synthesized with a DNA synthesizer, labelled at 3'-end by using digoxigenin-11-deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) and terminal transferase (Boehringer Mannheim), and used as a probe. Hybrid chains formed by probe and calcitonin mRNA were visualized by anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and X-phosphate (Boehringer Mannheim). To determine the optimal conditions for ISH, relations between tissue fixation and proteinase K treatment, and between hybridization temperature and time were mainly surveyed in the present study. As for the relation between tissue fixation and proteinase K treatment, good results were obtained in sections fixed by immersion in 10% formalin at 4 degrees C for 2 hr, and digested with 1 microgram/milliliter proteinase K at 37 degrees C for 20 min. Under this condition, the most intense signals were obtained after hybridization at 37 degrees C overnight. Alternative application of ISH and immunostaining to each of the adjacent sections revealed a small number of cells which were immunonegative but displayed hybridization signals.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger).

Fine structure of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was examined in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) from a viewpoint of comparative anatomy. The VNO of chinchilla was a pair of tubular structure, about 6mm in length, and situated bilaterally along the base of the nasal septum. The VNO was encircled rostrally by the vomeronasal cartilage, but caudally by a bony capsule. The VNO communicated with the nasal cavity via a small pore at its rostral end, while it ended blindly at its caudal end. Its lumen was crescent to elliptical in a transverse plane, and lined medially with the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE), but laterally with the vomeronasal respiratory epithelium (VRE). Jacobson's glands were tubulo-alveolar in type and distributed from the dorsolateral to the ventrolateral region of the VNO and opened with the duct to the lumen in the transitional region from the VSE to the VRE. Their secretions were periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive but alcian blue (AB)-negative. The VSE consisted of sensory, supporting and basal cells. Supporting cells were characteristic of a large number of huge dense bodies in the perinuclear cytoplasm. The other ultrastructural features in sensory, supporting and basal cells of the VSE were similar to those in the previous reports. The VRE consisted of ciliated, non-ciliated and basal cells. Acinar cells of Jacobson's gland possessed two types of secretory granules. Secretory granules of one type were homogeneous and electronlucent, about 1,700nm in diameter, while granules of the other type were about 2,200nm in diameter, and various in electron density. The present findings suggest that the VNO is functionally active in the chinchilla.

Animals↗