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PubMed1992

Measurement of neuronal surface area using high-voltage electron microscope tomography.

High-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) and axial tomography were used to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of dendrites of intracellularly stained neostriatal spiny neurons. Neurons were stained using iontophoretic injection of horseradish peroxidase from an intracellular micropipet. Thick sections were cut on a vibratome, reacted with diaminobenzidine, and embedded in plastic. High-voltage electron microscopy was used to obtain high-resolution images of neuronal processes in 2- to 3-micron plastic sections cut from those blocks. Series of high-voltage electron micrographs were taken at 2 degrees increments of specimen tilt over a range of at least +/- 60 degrees, and three-dimensional reconstructions were generated from the series using an R-weighted backprojection method. An interactive procedure was used to draw the dendritic profiles from slices through the reconstructed volume and to measure volumes and surface areas of the dendrites. Values obtained in this manner matched previous findings using reconstruction from serial thin sections. The HVEM-tomography method offers an alternative to the serial-thin-section method for the quantitative analysis of neuronal shape.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Determination of connectivity density in human iliac crest bone biopsies assessed by a computerized method.

The aim of the present study was to design a computer program (based on the ConnEulor principle) for direct measurement of 3-D connectivity density in iliac crest bone sections, as used for conventional histomorphometry. We used the physical disector principle and developed an algorithm for nonlinear alignment of the disector pairs. 3-D connectivity was evaluated in transiliac specimens from 30 nonselected autopsy cases of 14 men (age range 20-84 years) and 16 women (age range 20-96 years). In order to visualize the findings from the disector pairs, 3-D reconstruction was performed for two of the iliac crest biopsies. The designed computer program aligns the two sections forming a disector pair and automatically depicts the differences between the images, thereby making correct, direct connectivity density measurements available for conventional bone research.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Microstructure-microhardness relations in parallel-fibered and lamellar bone.

Understanding the mechanical function of bone material in relation to its structure is a fascinating but very complicated problem to resolve. Part of the complexity arises from the hierarchical structural organization of bone. Microhardness measurements, initially on relatively simply structured parallel-fibered bone, show a marked anisotropy in three orthogonal directions. This may, in part, be due to the highly anisotropic structure of the basic building block of bone, the mineralized collagen fibril. Microhardness measurements made face-on to the layers of crystals and collagen triple helical molecules, show much lower values than those made edge-on to these layers. Microhardness measurements of the much more complex "rotated-plywood" structure of lamellar bone, reveal the well-known general tendency toward anisotropy in relation to the long axis of the bone. A detailed examination of microhardness-microstructure relations of lamellar bone, however, shows that only in certain orientations can microhardness values be related directly to a specific attribute of the lamellar structure. Clearly, the gradual tilting and rotating of the mineralized collagen fibrils that form this structure produce a material that tends toward having isotropic microhardness properties, even though its basic building block is highly anisotropic. This may be an important structural attribute that allows lamellar bone to withstand a variety of mechanical challenges.

Animals↗
PubMed1974

Microbial studies in the Biostack experiment of the Apollo 16 mission: germination and outgrowth of single Bacillus subtilis spores hit by cosmic HZE particles.

Bacillus subtilis spores were flown in the Biostack experiment aboard the Apollo 16 command module. The spores embedded in plastic foils were stacked between physical track detectors. The energy loss spectrum of the heavy particles of cosmic radiation was determined. Biological studies were restricted to the high-energy loss component of these particles. Spores that had received single hits whose positions were determined with a typical accuracy of +/- 1 micrometers, were investigated for radiation effects on germination and outgrowth. It was found that germination was not influenced by a hit by an HZE particle, but outgrowth was reduced significantly.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study of neovascularization in the rat ischemic hindlimb using Araldite casting and Spalteholtz tissue clearing.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding neovascularization is an important prerequisite for therapeutic advances aimed at the salvation of ischemic tissues. We explored an alternative strategy to corrosion casting for visualizing neovascularization in a rat hindlimb ischemia model. METHODS: Rats were subjected to hindlimb ischemia by femoral artery ligation. Directly after femoral artery occlusion and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postsurgery, rats were sacrificed, and neovascularization was evaluated by vascular casting with Araldite plastic and subsequent Spalteholtz tissue clearing. RESULTS: Semitransparent preparations were obtained, in which the casted arteries could be directly and three-dimensionally visualized in detail and in relation to the surrounding tissue. In the vascular casts, collateral formation and recanalization of previously thrombosed arteries were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: We describe an alternative approach to study neovascularization in animal models. This method, which combines Araldite plastic vascular casting with Spalteholtz tissue clearing, preserves all vasculature as well as the surrounding tissue. In a small time series in rat ischemic hindlimbs, we show that restoration of blood flow after ischemia not only involves newly formed collaterals, but also recanalization of previously thrombosed arterial segments.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The effect of an age-related hearing loss gene (Ahl) on noise-induced hearing loss and cochlear damage from low-frequency noise.

Inbred C57BL/6J mice carry two copies of an age-related hearing loss gene (Ahl). It has been shown that these mice begin losing high-frequency hearing at two months. Several functional studies have reported that the Ahl gene renders mice more susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) than strains which do not carry this gene [e.g., Hear. Res. 93 (1996) 181; Hear. Res. 155 (2001) 82; J. Assoc. Res. Otolaryngol. 2 (2001) 233]. Johnson et al. [Hear. Res. 114 (1997) 83] developed a congenic B6.CAST-+Ahl mouse which carries the wild-type allele from Mus musculus castaneus at the Ahl locus. Five each of young C57BL/6J males and females, and B6.CAST-+Ahl males were exposed to a 4-kHz octave band of noise at 108 dB SPL for 4 h. Non-noise-exposed mice of the same strains and age served as controls. The noise-exposed mice were functionally tested for ABR thresholds and DPOAE levels pre-exposure and three times post-exposure: 0 days to determine the magnitude of temporary threshold shift (TTS); 6 days to determine rate of recovery; and 20 days to determine the magnitude of permanent threshold shift (PTS). At 20 days post-exposure, the animals underwent cardiac perfusion to fix their cochleae. The isolated cochleae were embedded in plastic and dissected into flat preparations. By phase-contrast microscopy, each cochlea was evaluated from apex to base to quantify the losses of hair cells, nerve fibers and stria vascularis and to localize stereocilia damage. Functional data from each mouse were aligned with the cytocochleogram using the frequency-place map of Ou et al. [Hear. Res. 145 (2000) 111; Hear. Res. 145 (2000) 123]. Sizable variation in the magnitude of TTS, PTS and hair-cell loss was found among mice of the same genetic strain. The congenic B6.CAST-+Ahl male mice had significantly less TTS immediately post-exposure than C57BL/6J males or females but not less PTS or hair-cell losses at 20 days post-exposure. These results indicate that, at one month of age, mice carrying two copies of the Ahl gene have an increased susceptibility to TTS from a low-frequency noise before they have any indication of age-related hearing or hair-cell loss. However, this appeared not to be the case for PTS. The Ahl gene appears to play a role in susceptibility to NIHL but, other genes as well as systemic and local factors must also be involved.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Microbial status of apical root canal system of human mandibular first molars with primary apical periodontitis after "one-visit" endodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the in vivo intracanal microbial status of apical root canal system of mesial roots of human mandibular first molars with primary apical periodontitis immediately after one-visit endodontic treatment. The residual intracanal infection was confirmed by correlative light and transmission electron microscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen diseased mesial roots of mandibular first molars were treated endodontically, each in one visit. Mesio-buccal canals were instrumented using stainless steel hand files and mesio-lingual canals with a nickel-titanium rotary system. The canals were irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) during the instrumentation procedures, rinsed with 10 mL of 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and obturated with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol cement. Thereafter, the apical portion of the root of each tooth was removed by flap-surgery. The specimens were fixed, decalcified, subdivided in horizontal plane, embedded in plastic, processed, and evaluated by correlative light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 16 endodontically treated teeth revealed residual intracanal infection after instrumentation, antimicrobial irrigation, and obturation. The microbes were located in inaccessible recesses and diverticula of instrumented main canals, the intercanal isthmus, and accessory canals, mostly as biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: The results show (1) the anatomical complexity of the root canal system of mandibular first molar roots and (2) the organization of the flora as biofilms in inaccessible areas of the canal system that cannot be removed by contemporary instruments and irrigation alone in one-visit treatment. These findings demonstrate the importance of stringent application of all nonantibiotic chemo-mechanical measures to treat teeth with infected and necrotic root canals so as to disrupt the biofilms and reduce the intraradicular microbial load to the lowest possible level so as to expect a highly favorable long-term prognosis of the root canal treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Coronary morphologic findings after stent implantation.

Clinical studies demonstrated a reduction of acute complications by high-pressure stenting. This study was performed to correlate the histomorphologic changes of the vessel wall after coronary stenting with stent expansion pressure. We studied the effects of intravital and postmortem stenting on coronary morphology in human hearts. Artifact-free analysis and morphometry of the artery segments' cross section was performed after plastic resin embedding and cutting and grinding sectioning. By comparing intra- and postmortem findings we demonstrated that postmortem stent implantation can serve as an adequate model to study the mechanical effects of coronary stenting. A consistent histologic feature was eccentric stent expansion. Larger calcified areas of the vessel wall were not deformed by implanted stents. The highest degree of vessel injury and deformation was apparent in anatomically "nondiseased" or only slightly fibrotic parts of the arterial wall. Dissections were predominantly located directly adjacent to calcified plaques and appeared as "half-moon"-like tears reaching into the arterial media. A statistically significant stent lumen gain was found when the implantation pressure was increased up to 15 atm. Stent symmetry was not influenced by the applied implantation pressure but depended mostly on local coronary morphology. Thus, increasing implantation pressures during coronary stenting seemed to improve the stenting result up to 15 atm. When applying histomorphologic criteria, the higher pressures (>15 atm) did not cause further optimization of stent expansion. Morphometric analysis of stents implanted postmortemly and intravitally revealed comparable results. Postmortem stenting seems to be an appropriate model for studying stent expansion and stenting results in human coronary arteries.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

A vulnerable period of colchicine toxicity during goldfish optic nerve regeneration.

The effects of intraocular (i.o.) administration of the alkaloid colchicine on visual recovery following axotomy of the goldfish optic nerve were investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, control goldfish recovered vision, measured behaviorally, within 5-7 weeks of retro-orbital optic nerve crush. Fish injected i. o. with 0.1 microg of colchicine within 3 days of optic nerve crush (post-crush; PC) recovered vision after some delay relative to control fish, while injection with colchicine between 7 and 14 days PC produced a much more profound inhibition of recovery of vision, in most cases a complete block for the duration of the study (98 days). Further evidence for a delayed susceptibility of the regenerating optic nerve to colchicine following crush was reflected in a suppression of neurite outgrowth normally seen in explanted retinal tissue taken from PC goldfish. In addition, retrograde transport of the fluorescent dye 4-(4-didecylaminostyryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide from the optic tectum to the retina as a measure of axonal continuity revealed substantially less labeling following i.o. administration of colchicine 1 week PC when compared to retinas from fish receiving colchicine at the time of optic nerve crush. Histological sections of the retina showed no evidence of residual retinal damage resulting from the colchicine injections or from interactions of axotomy and the drug administration. These results indicate a period of increased vulnerability of the regenerating visual system to the toxic effects of i.o. administered colchicine, beginning 3-5 days PC, and remaining until regenerating optic nerve fibers have begun to reach the tectum. While colchicine has many known effects on nerve function, it is proposed that the delayed susceptibility to disruption of regeneration observed in these experiments is largely, if not entirely, attributable to a colchicine-induced accumulation of tubulin heterodimers, which are known to block microtubule assembly and to participate in a feedback inhibition of tubulin synthesis. Thus, it is during the maximal induction of tubulin synthesis and of microtubule formation which normally occurs several days following axotomy that colchicine has its greatest effect. The results suggest that colchicine may be especially neurotoxic during neural development and regeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The gamma 2 subunit of the GABAA receptor is concentrated in synaptic junctions containing the alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits in hippocampus, cerebellum and globus pallidus.

The gamma 2 subunit is necessary for the expression of the full benzodiazepine pharmacology of GABAA receptors and is one of the major subunits in the brain. In order to determine the location of channels containing the gamma 2 subunit in relation to GABA-releasing terminals on the surface of neurons, a new polyclonal antipeptide antiserum was developed to the gamma 2 subunit and used in high resolution, postembedding, immunoelectron-microscopic procedures. Dual immunogold labelling of the same section for two subunits, and up to three sections of the same synapse reacted for different subunits, were used to characterize the subunit composition of synaptic receptors. The gamma 2 subunit was present in type 2, "symmetrical" synapses in each of the brain areas studied, with the exception of the granule cell layer of the cerebellum. The gamma 2 subunit was frequently co-localized in the same synaptic junction with the alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits. The immunolabelling of synapses was coincident with the junctional membrane specialization of the active zone. Immunolabelling for the receptor often occurred in multiple clusters in the synapses. In the hippocampus, the gamma 2 subunit was present in basket cell synapses on the somata and proximal dendrites and in axo-axonic cell synapses on the axon initial segment of pyramidal and granule cells. Some synapses on the dendrites of GABAergic interneurones were densely labelled for the gamma 2, alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits. In the cerebellum, the gamma 2 subunit was present in both distal and proximal Purkinje cell dendritic synapses established by stellate and basket cell, respectively. On the soma of Purkinje cells, basket cell synapses were only weakly labelled. Synapses on interneuron dendrites were more densely labelled for the gamma 2, alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits than synapses on Purkinje or granule cells. Although immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods show an abundance of the gamma 2 subunit in granule cells, the labelling of Golgi synapses was much weaker with the immunogold method than that of the other cell types. In the globus pallidus, many type 2 synapses were labelled for the gamma 2 subunit together with alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits. The results show that gamma 2 and beta 2/3 subunits receptor channels are highly concentrated in GABAergic synapses that also contain the alpha 1 and beta 2/3 subunits. Channels containing the gamma 2 subunit are expressed in synapses on functionally distinct domains of the same neuron receiving GABA from different presynaptic sources. There are quantitative differences in the density of GABAA receptors at synapses on different cell types in the same brain area.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Metamorphic changes in the stomach of the frog Rana temporaria tadpoles.

The histological transformation of amphibian stomach during metamorphosis was studied in the frog Rana temporaria. The earliest metamorphic changes occur shortly before regression of the cloacal piece of tail and appearance of forelegs. Autolysis of primary, larval epithelial cells and activity of phagocytes lead to regression of the apical mucosa, which is shed into the gastric lumen. Histogenesis takes place from the very beginning of metamorphosis in the basal region of the mucosa; undifferentiated, regenerative cells, arranged in small compact cords and surrounded by a thick basement membrane, give rise to secondary lining epithelium and glands. Lining epithelial cells differentiate into a typical mucosecretory epithelium. Oxyntic cells present in larval glands are substituted by both ion- and protein-secreting oxyntic-peptic cells. During metamorphosis, connective and muscular tissues markedly increase, a submucosa, not present in larval tadpoles, gradually develops. A muscularis mucosae is also formed and the muscular propria becomes thicker. At late metamorphosis, folded structures involving both mucosa and submucosa develop, increasing the luminal surface as in adults. Removal of the larval gastric mucosa and its replacement by a new, adult-type definitive one, together with development of peripheral connective and muscular tissues, account for metamorphosis of tadpole stomach.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Observer reproducibility during computer-assisted planimetric measurements of nuclear features.

To evaluate observer variance during microprocessor-assisted planimetry, nuclear features (area, perimeter, and form factor) were studied in a series of mammary ductal carcinomas. Fragments of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were re-embedded in plastic, sectioned at 1 micron, stained with methylene blue, and studied with a Zeiss-Kontron MOP-3 microprocessor-assisted planimeter. Both interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility were evaluated, the former among three different observers and the latter by two observers repeating their own measurements. Reproducibility was good for measurement of area, but deteriorated progressively for measurement of perimeter and form factor. Not only was observer correlation poor (identified via linear regression), but paired t-tests also showed consistent variation among observers. The major difficulty was in following the irregular nuclear contours that are characteristic of cancer cells. It is concluded that adequate demonstration of observer reproducibility remains an essential part of tissue investigation, even when the objective methods typical of morphometry are used.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

Processing of free cells for electron microscopy using a fibrin clot.

A method of fibrin clot preembedding permitting the simple and gentle handling of free cells to be processed for electron microscopy is described. This technique is particularly useful for immunocytochemical techniques such as Lowicryl and thawed croysection approaches and represents a convenient alternative to procedures such as gelatine or agar preembeddings.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Combining laser scanning confocal microscopy and electron microscopy in studies of the insect nervous system.

Experimentally determining the synaptic interconnections between neurons in the nervous system is laborious and difficult in any animal species, but especially so in many invertebrates, including insects, where neurons generally have large, finely branching neuritic trees that form both pre- and postsynaptic specializations in dense neuropils with other neuritic trees. Electron microscopy is needed to identify synapses, but correlation of synapse type and location with the overall branching patterns of neurons, which are visible readily only in the light microscope or through extensive reconstruction of serial electron-microscope sections, is very difficult. In this paper, we present a simple method that we have developed (Sun et al. (1995) J. Histochem. Cytochem., 43: 329-335) that combines laser scanning confocal microscopy and electron microscopy for the study of synaptic relationships of neurons in the antennal lobe, the first central neuropil in the olfactory pathway, of the moth Manduca sexta. Briefly, neurons are labeled by intracellular injection with neurobiotin or biocytin, and then processed with a gold-particle tag for electron microscopic study and a fluorescent tag for confocal microscopy, and embedded in plastic. The fluorescence of the labeled neuron in the plastic blocks is imaged in three dimensions with laser scanning confocal microscopy and then the neuron is thin-sectioned at precisely chosen depths for electron microscopic study. The fluorescence pattern can be monitored repeatedly between episodes of thin-sectioning, and subtraction of a fluorescence image from the previous fluorescence image reveals which fluorescent processes have been sectioned. In this way, electron microscopic detail can be mapped onto a three-dimensional light microscopic image of the neuron.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Chondrocyte volume fraction distribution in porcine septal cartilage: an initial stereoscopic evaluation.

This study uses stereology to determine the volume fraction distribution of chondrocytes throughout septal cartilage. En bloc submucous resection of septal cartilage from four different age groups was performed. Each age group contained three pigs. The weight, volume, and dimensions of the septi were determined. The septi were fixed, embedded in plastic, sectioned vertically at regular intervals along their anterior-posterior axis, and stained with toluidine blue. Each section was further stratified horizontally to allow chondrocyte volume fraction changes to be observed as a function of the two-dimensional location within the septum. The volume fraction of the chondrocytes within the septal cartilage was obtained through light microscopy and stereologic technique. Nested analysis of variance for age groups, individuals within age groups, and locations on the septum was performed. Additionally, unequal number-comparison tests for age groups were calculated. Gross septal parameter changes regarding weight, volume, and length all increased with advancing age. Overall, chondrocyte volume fraction decreased with advancing age. Chondrocyte volume fraction was not found to vary along the anterior-posterior axis or along the vertical axis. Stereologic methodology is an unbiased, simple, and efficient technique to understand the distribution of cells within a tissue.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Testing the potential of sodium fluoride to affect spermatogenesis: a morphometric study.

This study provides quantitative information on the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the testes of F1 generation male rats exposed in utero and during lactation to NaF at one of four concentrations (25, 100, 175, 250 ppm). At weaning, the F1 generation males were exposed to NaF in their drinking water for 14 weeks, after which time testicular tissues were perfusion-fixed with glutaraldehyde and observed after being embedded in plastic. The seminiferous tubules comprised 89%, 87%, 88%, 88% and 88% of the total testis volume while the interstitial space occupied 9.3%, 11.2%, 10.2%, 9.8% and 9.9% of the total testis volume for the 0, 25, 100, 175 and 250 ppm NaF treatment groups, respectively. Statistically significant differences between control and NaF-treated rats were not observed with respect to absolute volume of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial space, Leydig cells, blood vessels boundary layer, lymphatic space, macrophages, tubular lumen or absolute tubular length and absolute tubular surface area, mean Sertoli cell nucleoli number per tubular cross-section, mean seminiferous tubule diameter and the mean height of the seminiferous epithelium. A statistically significant decrease in the absolute volume and volume percent of the lymphatic endothelium was observed in the 175 and 250 ppm NaF-treated groups and in the testicular capsule in the 100 ppm NaF-treated groups. The significance of this finding is unknown at the present time. Overall, the quantitative information obtained suggests that exposure to NaF at the doses used in the present study does not adversely affect testis structure or spermatogenesis in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A general model for the light and electron microscopic morphometry/stereology (M & S) of precancerous epithelial transformation using clinical biopsies.

A morphometric model is presented which has proved valuable in the analysis of precancerous lesions at the light and electron microscopic level. The material consisted of biopsies of nasal mucosa embedded in plastic and sectioned perpendicular to the luminal surface. Sampling was restricted to the basal layer in order to compare in the different metaplastic and dysplastic stages a common cell type which is easy to identify in all stages and to reduce the workload. The application of digitizers, classical point counting procedures and linear parameters all allow a good separation between the different types of epithelium. The latter method is especially advisable in diagnostic pathology since the workload becomes drastically reduced as a consequence of linear instead of area parameters (e.g. cell width, i.e. contract zone with basement membrane, instead of cell size) and classifying instead of counting points. A 3-class ruler served for the estimation of the transverse diameters of nuclei, cell width and the sum of the longitudinal and transverse nucleolar axes. The use of a weighted index is more sensitive than simple measurements. The reliability of the method was also tested in a prospective study in which the biopsies were first analyzed by morphometry. The agreement between the prior morphometric classification and the subsequent histologic classification was 91%. The results demonstrate that basal cells alone carry the information for grading metaplastic and dysplastic changes in epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epithelium↗
PubMed2001

The sow endometrium at different stages of the oestrous cycle: studies on morphological changes and infiltration by cells of the immune system.

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of leukocytes and the morphological changes of the sow endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle. Fifteen crossbred multiparous sows (Swedish Landrace x Swedish Yorkshire), with an average parity number of 3.4 +/- 0.7 (mean +/- S.D.) were used. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein 1h before slaughter for analyses of oestradiol-17beta and progesterone levels. Uterine samples from the mesometrial side of both horns, taken immediately after slaughter at late dioestrus, prooestrus, oestrus, early dioestrus and dioestrus, were fixed, embedded in plastic resin and stained with toluidine blue. The surface and glandular epithelium as well as subepithelial and glandular connective tissue layers were examined by light microscopy. The significantly highest surface and the glandular epithelium were observed at oestrus and dioestrus, respectively. The largest number of capillaries (underneath the surface epithelium) was found at oestrus. In the surface epithelium, the largest number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs, round nucleus) was found at early dioestrus. The largest number of lymphocytes and macrophages within the glandular epithelium were found at early dioestrus and oestrus, respectively. In the subepithelial connective tissue layer, the most common type of leukocytes during all stages was the lymphocyte. The largest numbers of lymphocytes and neutrophils were found at oestrus while the largest number of eosinophils was found at dioestrus. The dominating cells of the immune system in the connective tissue of the glandular layer were lymphocytes and macrophages. The significantly largest numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells were found at early dioestrus and dioestrus, respectively. The number of lymphocytes in the connective tissue of the glandular layer and the number of plasma cells in the subepithelial layer were positively correlated with the plasma level of progesterone (P < or = 0.05). The numbers of capillaries and neutrophils in the subepithelial layer underneath the surface epithelium as well as the number of macrophages in both surface and glandular epithelium were positively correlated with the plasma level of oestradiol-17beta (P < or = 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed a variation in the infiltration and distribution of lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells and plasma cells in the sow endometrium during different stages of the oestrous cycle. Also morphological parameters (e.g. height of surface and glandular epithelium, capillaries density and degree of oedema) varied throughout the oestrous cycle.

Animals↗