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Association of the extra chromosome of tertiary trisomic male mice with the sex chromosomes during first meiotic prophase, and its significance for impairment of spermatogenesis.

Pachytene nuclei were studied in five tertiary trisomic male mice of Ts(1(13))70H and two of Ts(5(12))31H, with special attention given to the sex vesicles. Silver stained air dried cells analysed by light microscopy were used mainly, but in addition one sample of surface spread, ethanolic phosphotungstic acid stained nuclei was analysed by electron microscopy. With both techniques and both karyotypes, the extra chromosome (or the greater part of it) almost consistently aggregated with the sex chromosomes. Thereby, the chromatin structure of the extra chromosome as judged by a fine granular appearance resembled that of the sex chromosomes. The animals used ranged from almost azospermic to fertile oligospermic. This variation was not reflected in the position and morphology of the chromosomes 1(13) and 5(12). -Using the whole mount spreading EM technique within a Ts(1(13))70H tertiary trisomic, both 13;13;1(13) trivalents and 1(13) univalents were observed. The 13;13;1(13) trivalents showed a variety of morphologies, ranging from a situation showing classical partner exchange to complete synapsis between the two 13 homologues with the 1(13) telomeric region adhering. The latter configuration is thought not to lead to chiasma formation.

Animals↗

Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). IV. Light and electron microscopy of synapsis and nucleolar development by silver staining.

Synaptonemal complexes (SCs), X and Y axes, and various nucleolar structures stain preferentially with silver in surface microspread preparations and are analyzable by both light and electron microscopy. Central elements, kinetochore region material and nuclear annuli which stain with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid are seldom visible after silver staining. SCs can be characterized by length measurements equally well in light and electron micrographs, from which stages of pachytene can also be determined by differentiation of the axes of the XY pair. By electron microscopy, the lateral elements appear as single strands at zygotene and early pachytene, then become double in a plane perpendicular to that of the SC and appear denser and thicker until late pachytene when they become progressively more attenuated and again appear single. These transitions are difficult to explain in terms of separation of associated chromatids. Identification of various silver stained bodies as nucleoli is supported by their orange-red fluorescence with acridine orange. SCs, X and Y axes and associated sex body material are, with a few exceptions, virtually indistinguishable from the background yellow-green fluorescence of the chromatin. Comet-shaped nucleolar bodies are regularly associated with five (in one animal) or six (in two animals) SCs; their positions along particular SCs identifiable by relative lengths indicate these bodies to be expressions of nucleolus organizer regions. They first appear at leptotene in association with unpaired axes and undergo progressive changes through late pachytene, at which time they redistribute their contents coincident with disappearance of the SCs. A characteristic nucleolar double dense body appears at zygotene; unlike the comet-shaped nucleoli, it is unassociated with other nuclear structures, and is assumed to arise from coalescence of previously existing smaller dense bodies. - The silver staining method described is remarkable for the speed and simplicity with which large numbers of spermatocyte nuclei are obtainable for light and electron microscopy. The fidelity of the light microscopic counterpart of the electrom microscopic image has been directly assessed at different stages of pachytene. For cytogenetic analysis, critical information often lies beyond the limits of light optical resolution; the correlated electron microscopy required for verification is easily obtained with this method.

Animals↗

The kinetochores of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Light microscopy of the mitotic chromosomes of Caenorhabditis elegans suggests that non-localized kinetochores are present, since the chromosomes appear as stiff rods 1 to 2 micrometers in length and lack any visible constriction. The holokinetic structure was confirmed by reconstructions of electron micrographs of dividing nuclei in serially sectioned embryos. In prophase the kinetochore appears as an amorphous projection approximately 0.18-0.2 micrometer in diameter in cross section and in longitudinal section it appears to be continuous along the chromatin. At prometaphase and metaphase the kinetochore is a convex plaque covering the poleward face of the chromosome and extending the length of the chromosome. In longitudinal section the kinetochore is a trilaminar structure with electron dense inner and outer layers of 0.02 micrometer, and an electron lucent middle layer of 0.03 micrometer. The inner layer is adjacent to a more electron dense region of chromatin. The kinetochore was also seen as a band extending the length of the chromosome in whole mount preparations of chromosomes stained with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid. Most gamma ray induced chromosome fragments segregate normally in embryonic mitoses, but some fragments display aberrant behavior. Similar behavior was seen in embryos carrying a genetically characterized free duplication. It is suggested that mitotic segregation of small fragments may be inefficient because the probability of attachment of microtubules to the kinetochore is proportional to kinetochore length.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic argyrophilic inclusions in neurons of pontine nuclei in patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

Patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) were studied, and cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in some of the remaining neurons of the pontine nuclei, nuclei reticularis tegmenti pontis and arcuate nuclei. The cytoplasmic argyrophilic inclusions were demonstrated by silver impregnation techniques such as Bielschowsky and Bodian staining. With hematoxylin and eosin stain, the inclusions were sharply demarcated and appeared pale. The inclusions were not stained by the following routine histological methods: Klüver-Barrera, phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, Holzer, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory azan, alcian blue, nile blue, Masson trichrome, Congo red, thioflavine S, oil red O and Sudan black B stains. Immunohistochemistry with anti-ubiquitin antiserum showed that these inclusions were ubiquitinated. However, the inclusions did not react with any of the following antibodies (Abs) or antisera: anti-phosphorylated neurofilament (NF) Ab, anti-nonphosphorylated NF Abs (160 and 200 kDa), anti-paired helical filament antiserum, anti-tau antiserum, anti-tubulin Abs (alpha and beta), anti-microtubule-associated protein antiserum, anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antiserum, anti-vimentin Ab, anti-desmin Ab, anti-cytokeratin Abs (low and high molecular weights), anti-actin antiserum, anti-skeletal myosin antiserum and anti-myelin basic protein Ab. Ultrastructurally, the inclusion bodies noted in OPCA were composed primarily of fibrils having a width ranging from about 24 to 40 nm, which were entirely coated with osmiophilic granular material along their whole length. They were occasionally intermingled with a few filaments about 10 nm in width. Electron microscopical examination on silver-impregnated specimens revealed that each granule-coated fibril had a great affinity for silver particles. In elucidating the pathogenesis of OPCA, it was considered to be an important neuropathological finding that some of the remaining pontine neurons affected by OPCA developed characteristic cytoplasmic argyrophilic inclusions.

Adult↗

Cytoplasmic inclusions of astrocytic elements of glial tumors: special reference to round granulated body and eosinophilic hyaline droplets.

Round granulated body (RGB) and eosinophilic hyaline droplets (EHDs) have been described as cytoplasmic inclusions of certain astrocytic tumors. In the previous literature, however, these inclusions have been described using various terms or regarded as nosologically the same entity. Light microscopically, RGB appeared as a round discrete body filled with fine uniform granules, while EHDs demonstrated a cluster of bright eosinophilic, round objects of various size. They could be clearly distinguished even by conventional histochemical staining such as the Masson trichrome stain and the phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin preparation. Both RGB and EHDs expressed positive immunoreactions for glial fibrillary acidic protein, several lysosomal markers, and some stress-response proteins. The ultrastructural appearances of these inclusions were distinct, however, one common feature was that they consisted of aggregations of numerous membrane-bound electron-dense bodies. Thus, both inclusions appear to be produced by neoplastic astrocytes and are possibly related to the lysosomal system. We examined the presence of RGB and EHDs in 138 astrocytic tumors. Both inclusions occurred most frequently in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, followed by gangliogliomas and pilocytic astrocytomas. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas exhibited only RGBs. RGBs and EHDs were not seen in any abundance in glioblastomas, gliosarcomas, fibrillary astrocytomas, protoplasmic astrocytomas, or oligo-astrocytomas. Some glioblastomas, however, showed only EHDs in small numbers. Several anaplastic astrocytomas were associated with a large number of RGBs and/or EHDs, and they revealed only rare mitosis despite marked cellular pleomorphism. Although RGB and EHDs have different morphological features, the presence of these inclusions in abundance may represent either a degenerative change, a long-standing lesion, or an indolent growth of the astrocytic tumors.

Adolescent↗

Three-dimensional ultrastructure of anionic sites of the glomerular basement membrane by a quick-freezing and deep-etching method using a cationic tracer.

The ultrastructure of anionic sites in the lamina rara externa (LRE) of rat glomerular basement membrane (GBM) was studied in three dimensions by a quick-freezing and deep-etching method using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a cationic tracer. Results were compared with those obtained with conventional ultrathin sections examined by transmission electron microscopy. Examination with the quick-freezing and deep-etching method was done without (group 1) or with (group 2) contrasting/fixation with a phosphotungstic acid and glutaraldehyde mixture and post-fixation with osmium tetroxide, which were necessary for visualization of PEI particles by conventional ultrathin sections. Using the quick-freezing and deep-etching method without following contrasting/fixation and post-fixation (group 1), many PEI particles were observed to decorate around fibrils, which radiated perpendicularly from the lamina densa to connect with the podocyte cell membrane. The arrangement of PEI particles was not as regular as that previously reported using conventional ultrathin sections. In contrast, the tissue that was studied with quick-freezing and deep-etching followed by contrasting/fixation and post-fixation (group 2) showed a shrunken appearance. The arrangement of PEI particles was regular (about 20 particles/1000 nm of LRE) as that previously observed using conventional ultrathin sections. However, the number of PEI particles on the LRE was markedly decreased and interruption of decorated fibrils was prominent, as compared with group 1. Ultrastructural examination using conventional ultrathin sections with contrasting/fixation and post-fixation (group 3) demonstrated PEI particles on the LRE in reasonable amounts (18-21 particles/1000 nm of LRE) with fairly regular interspacing (45-65 nm) as reported previously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Uterine glands of the pig during pregnancy. An ultrastructural and cytochemical study.

The ultrastructure of the porcine uterine glands is described from material taken from 11 pregnant pigs at exactly known stages of gestation (day 30; 58; 80; 100; 110). Fixation was performed by perfusion via a branch of the uterine artery and the tissue was routinely processed for electron microscopy. Additionally, cytochemical studies (phosphotungstic acid reaction for glycoproteins, according to Rambourg 1967; acid phosphatase reaction; ultrastructural localization of cellular iron, according to Parmley et al. 1978) were performed. On day 30 of pregnancy the uterine glands are coiled, simple tubular glands with a narrow lumen. The epithelial lining is simple columnar and consists basically of two cell types, ciliated cells and secretory cells. The secretory activity of the glandular epithelium is low; only a few secretory granules are present in the supranuclear cytoplasm. At midpregnancy the ultrastructure of the glands has significantly changed and the cells now show all the characteristics of high secretory activity: numerous parallel cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, an extensively developed Golgi apparatus and many secretory granules which give a positive reaction for acid phosphatase and glycoproteins. The lumina of the glands are significantly enlarged and filled with a great amount of a granular, acid phosphatase-positive material. In the last third of pregnancy, only minor changes in the ultrastructure of the uterine glands are observed. The secretory activity is still high. The amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum has further increased and parallel arrays of cisternae occupy a considerable part of the supranuclear cytoplasm. The importance of the uterine secretion for embryonic nutrition and development is only partly understood. One of the secreted glycoproteins, uteroferrin, is believed to play an important role in the iron transfer from mother to fetus. From midpregnancy onward, a special cell type, the "granule laden cell" is found scattered between normal secretory cells of the uterine glands. Contrary to the opinion of Perry and Cromby (1982), we could demonstrate that these cells frequently extend to the lumen of the gland; hence the term "basal cell" seems inappropriate for this cell type.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Retinal ellipsosomes: morphology, development, identification, and comparison with oil droplets.

We report some unique features of retinal cone ellipsosomes in mountain-stream teleosts. They have also been compared with oil droplets occurring predominantly in many reptilian and avian retinas. Ontogenetically, ellipsosome differentiation from ellipsoidal mitochondria occurs with advanced eye growth (diameter > 1 mm). In juvenile loaches, they arise almost simultaneously in the dorsal and ventral retina, whereas in cyprinids, they appear first dorsally in bottom-dwelling early juveniles (approximate age 3-4 months), and then in the ventral retina in migratory late juveniles (eye diameter > 4 mm, approximate age 2 years). The significance of the pattern of ontogeny of ellipsosomes in these stream fishes is discussed in relation to their utilization of a complex habitat during life. All adult cones possess conspicuous ellipsosomes. Histochemically, they react strongly with phosphotungstic-acid hematoxylin, a dye specific for proteins, whereas oil droplets refuse to do so (studied in turtle and pigeon). This reflects a major chemical difference between the two types of globules. Since ellipsosomes are present in the double cone accessory unit (which in higher vertebrates lacks an oil droplet) and since they appear late ontogenetically during advanced eye growth, they cannot be related to oil droplets, which have an embryonic developmental program.

Animals↗

Negatively-stained polysomes on rough microsome vesicles viewed by electron microscopy: further evidence regarding the orientation of attached ribosomes.

Rough microsomes, derived from rough endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver, were studied by electron microscopy after negative staining, to seek further information about the orientation of ribosomal small and large subunits in bound polysomes. Rough microsomal vesicles were fixed with 2% formaldehyde, centrifuged onto electron-microscopic grid membranes, and were then negatively-stained with 2% phosphotungstic acid. In these preparations, viewed with the electron microscope, flattened rough microsomal vesicles with bound polysomes were sometimes discernible, and the individual ribosomes in the polysomes occasionally showed small and large subunits. The small subunits were uniformly oriented toward the inside of the polysomal curve. The large and small subunits appeared to be alongside one another on the membrane, consistent with the orientation that has been described by Unwin and his co-workers. The boundary between the small and large subunits occurred at approximately the same level in the ribosome where inter-ribosomal strands have been described previously in surface views of bound polysomes in positively-stained electron-microscopic tissue sections. This further confirms the identity of the strands as messenger RNA.

Animals↗

Ultrastructure of Babesia major vermicules from the tick Haemaphysalis punctata as demonstrated by negative staining.

The ultrastructure of Babesia major vermicules was studied in samples derived from the haemolymph of Haemaphysalis punctata adults and negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid. Most of the organelles observed were typical of those found in apicomplexan parasites. These were the apical complex with the polar ring and the ribs, micronemes and subpellicular microtubules. The number of ribs was 27 or 28. The outer membrane of the pellicle was composed of a large number of fibrils running along the length of the parasite. The inner membrane had large numbers of irregularly scattered holes. A cytoplasmic organelle similar to the granular body described in Theileria annulata ookinetes was seen for the first time in a B. major vermicule.

Animals↗

Lipids in the developing enamel of the rat incisor. Parallel histochemical and biochemical investigations.

Morphologic examination of the developing enamel of rat incisors showed the presence of cell processes and remnants. Histochemical investigation of rapid-frozen freeze-substituted samples, using p-phenylenediamine or a phosphotungstic acid chromic acid mixture, revealed osmiophilic components which were extractable in chloroform-methanol solution and were located inside the tubule-like structures of the extracellular matrix. The presecretory cell-rich and developing enamel zones underwent quantitative and qualitative lipid analysis. Comparison of the biochemical data as well as of the morphological observations, suggests a cellular origin for enamel lipids randomly adsorbed by extracellular matrix components during enamel processing. The nature of the material which appeared as an osmiophilic intra-tubular filling is still unresolved.

Animals↗

An ultrastructural and cytochemical study of neuromuscular junctions in echinoderms.

The ultrastructure of neuromuscular junctions in various organs of a starfish and a holothurian was studied. All neurons were found to contain large (100-250 nm), dense-core vesicles. Cytochemical tests for acetylcholinesterase were negative for these neurons. The presence of proteinaceous neurosecretory material was contested by enzymatic digestion (pepsin) which did not attack the dense-core vesicles, as well as by incubation in phosphotungstic acid (PTA) which did not stain these structures. Staining with dichromate produced a positive reaction for 5-hydroxytryptamine. In the absence of synaptic modifications even after specific staining with PTA, the transmission of nervous impulses is effectuated through exocytosis of 5-hydroxytryptamine at nerve endings in the muscle tissue.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Evaluation by electron microscopy of the integrity of iodinated plasmalipoproteins.

Iodination of proteins and lipoproteins is a widely used "in vitro" labelling procedure in metabolic, autoradiographic and various other studies. However, all available iodination techniques have involved the possible damage to the proteins by self-irradiation, oxidizing agents, the alkaline milieu or by the introduction of iodine into the molecular structure itself. To evaluate the integrity of iodinated lipoprotiens, we observed the electron microscopic appearance of normal and iodinated rabbit very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by negative staining with phosphotungstic acid. Iodination up to a molar iodine/protein ratio of 2.89 did not results in any change of shape, size or aggregating tendency of the particles. No stacks or disk-like particles like those of various hyperlipoproteinemic states were found. We conclude that electron microscopy is a valuable tool in assessing the morphological appearance of lipoprotein iodination, but it should be complemented by other techniques.

Iodoproteins↗

Ultrahistochemical studies on the moderately electron dense bodies in teleostean endocardial cells.

The staining properties of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) on moderately electron dense bodies (MDB), are studied in the endocardium of Gadus morrhua. In MDB fixed in aldehydes only, and stained with PTA at a low pH (0-1), Intensly electron dense material occurs on and beneath the limiting membrane. This latter area displays a declining electron density when stained with PTA solutions in which the pH is raised from 1 to 4. At pH greater than 5 the peripheral matrix appears nearly unstained. Collagen fibres fixed as above, and then stained with PTA at a low pH, appear electron dense. These results suggest that the peripheral matrix of the MDB consists mainly of basic proteins.

Animals↗

Methanol-acetic anhydride: an efficient blocking agent for electron microscope cytochemistry. Its application to mouse testis and other tissues.

A mixture of absolute methanol and acetic anhydride (MA) (5:1, v/v; 24 h at 25 degrees C) which is known to methylate and acetylate--respectively--free carboxyl and amino groups in proteins, was tested for its effectiveness as a blocking agent in glutaraldehyde-fixed mouse testis and skeletal muscle. In young spermatids the staining of the acrosome with either uranyl acetate (UA) or ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (PTA) was completely prevented by prior treatment with MA. Esterification of carboxyl groups with 0.1 N HCl in methanol (24 h at 30 degrees C) eliminated the UA staining without affecting that due to PTA. It is concluded that--COOH groups are responsible for UA binding and that acetylation (of amino groups) prevented PTA binding. MA also abolishes the strong affinity of PTA to the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex in meiotic chromosomes, the axoneme and fibrous sheath of the spermatid tail and the Z band in skeletal muscle. Reactivity was diminished in nucleoli and remained unaffected in chromatin, the outer coarse fibers of the flagellum and collagen fibrils. Different functional groups may participate in PTA staining. The ultrastructure was well preserved in all cases.

Acetates↗

Oligodendroglioma-like cells (clear cells) in ependymoma.

A brain tumor of a 22-year-old man was composed mostly of round cells with perinuclear halos (clear cells), forming clusters intersected by small blood vessels. In some areas, the tumor cells showed perivascular arrangement and epithelial pattern. Phosphotungstic-acid hematoxylin stain and immunoperoxidase stain for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) technique failed to stain the clear cells. Electron microscopy of the clear cells revealed them to be classical ependymoma cells with well developed intercellular junctions, microvilli and cilia. As no reporters in the past showed the evidence to clarify the nature of the clear cells, this case is considered a good example to support the viewpoint that the clear cells (oligodendroglioma-like cells) commonly observed in ependymomas are in reality ependymoma cells. It is stressed that the diagnosis of "mixed glioma" or "oligoependymoma" should be made with sufficient caution despite the recent advances of GFAP technique.

Adult↗

Cerebellar histogenesis and synaptic maturation following pre- and postnatal alcohol administration. An electron-microscopic investigation of the rat cerebellar cortex.

Fetal alcohol syndrome was produced in rats by feeding an ethanol-enriched, vitamine -supplemented liquid diet over a period of 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy. The amount of ethanol was equivalent to 38-40% of the daily calories; control animals were fed an isocaloric amount of sucrose. The offspring of experimental animals displayed a diminished birth weight. In contrast to previous experiments, the ethanol diet was also administered during the lactating period. On postnatal day 7, experimental animals and controls were killed by perfusion and the cerebella prepared for electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis showed a reduced number of Purkinje cells. On day 12, Purkinje cells of experimental animals displayed ultrastructurally fewer organelles. Furthermore, a delayed synaptogenesis in the molecular layer was demonstrated with osmium-zinc iodide and ethanolic phosphotungstic acid showing an immature appearance of the presynaptic grid and weaker stained synaptic cleft material. The following discussion deals with possible mechanisms underlying these alcohol-induced alterations of cerebellar synaptogenesis.

Animals↗

Collagen type III glomerulopathy: a new type of hereditary nephropathy.

A new type of hereditary glomerulopathy was observed in ten children presenting with early and progressive glomerular symptoms, often associated with hypertension. Light microscopy showed a diffuse increase in the mesangial matrix and generalized widening of the capillary walls. Electron-microscopic examination of renal tissue, after phosphotungstic acid treatment, revealed the presence of fibrillar collagen within the mesangial matrix and the subendothelial aspect of the glomerular basement membrane, adjacent to normal lamina densa. Immunohistochemical studies identified the fibrillar collagen not usually present within the glomerular extracellular matrix as type III collagen. Clinical and family studies ruled out the diagnosis of nail-patella syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder with typical extrarenal symptoms, which is also characterized by the presence of fibrillar collagen within the glomerular basement membranes. The poor renal outcome, the possible extrarenal haematological and pulmonary involvement and the transmission as an autosomal recessive trait strongly suggest that collagen type III glomerulopathy is a new type of hereditary disease. From the high incidence of superimposed haemolytic uraemic syndrome in patients or their siblings, it may be hypothesized that collagen type III glomerulopathy is the underlying defect in some of the familial cases of haemolytic uraemic syndromes.

Adolescent↗