Urogenital system of the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta Erxleben): a functional histological study

The unique urogenital anatomy and histology of female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta Erxleben) was reexamined to identify adaptations of "structure" that enable/facilitate urination, mating, and parturition through the clitoris. Unusual features of penile anatomy required for meeting ceremonies and successful mating through a clitoral point of insertion were also examined. As reported previously, the upper urogenital tract of the female spotted hyena is typical of other carnivores and consists of the oviducts, uterine horns, uterine body, and vagina. An anatomically defined cervix is absent, even though a histologically defined transition zone between the uterine body and vagina was demonstrated. Adaptive features of the upper genital tract were a helical-shaped uterine cavity, extensive smooth muscle in the uterus and vagina, and a newly discovered submucosal mucous urogenital gland (SMUG) located immediately caudal to the vagina. The extensive smooth muscle facilitates the expulsion of the large pups at parturition through the recurved birth canal. Secretions of the SMUG provide lubrication and protection for the urogenital mucosa during mating and parturition. Two types of "erections" are suggested by behavioral observations: the common hemodynamic erection required for insertion and thrusting by the male, and phallic "flipping" that commonly occurs earlier in the mating sequence and is sometimes seen during meeting ceremonies. Phallic "flipping" appears to be accomplished by the coordinated contractions of the large ischiocavernosus and retractor muscles acting on the semirigid organ. The extremely thick tunica albuginea and interstitial collagen of the common corporal body of the penis and clitoris gives the flaccid phallus some degree of rigidity even in the resting state in males and nulliparous females. Phallic "flipping" implies a hinge region in which flexibility is the key feature. Such a proximal hinge region of the male and female phallus was defined and was notable for its diminished collagen content. The urogenital sinus traversing the clitoris was specialized for distensibility, thus facilitating receipt of the penis during mating and for passage of the infant to the tip of the glans clitoris, where it emerges at parturition. The morphology of the glans penis is notable for the tapered common corporal body that extends to the distal tip of the glans. This adaptation is suggested to be required for a clitoral (as opposed to a vaginal) point of insertion during mating. Finally, additional segments of erectile tissue devoid of a thick collagenous capsule were demonstrated in the glans penis and glans clitoris, which appear to account for the "partially-locking" of the male into the female during the late stages of a mating sequence. Taken together, it is evident that the unusual sexual behaviors of the male and female spotted hyenas are facilitated by unique structural modifications of the relevant organs.     

Role of capsule in Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence: lack of correlation between in vitro and in vivo studies

In vitro and in vivo models were used to investigate the role of capsule on the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae. We showed that capsule expression reduces dramatically the ability of the K. pneumoniae to bind to epithelial cells when compared to its non-capsulated variant. The presence/absence of capsule had no effect on the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, while in the urinary tract we established that capsule is an important virulence factor. Our study demonstrates the caution needed when extrapolating from results of in vitro studies and emphasizes the necessity of in vivo models in studies of bacterial virulence.     

Role of thyroid hormones in human and laboratory animal reproductive health

The highly conserved nature of the thyroid gland and the thyroid system among mammalian species suggests it is critical to species survival. Studies show the thyroid system plays a critical role in the development of several organ systems, including the reproductive tract. Despite its highly conserved nature, the thyroid system can have widely different effects on reproduction and reproductive tract development in different species. The present review focuses on assessing the role of thyroid hormones in human reproduction and reproductive tract development and comparing it to the role of thyroid hormones in laboratory animal reproduction and reproductive tract development. The review also assesses the effects of thyroid dysfunction on reproductive tract development and function in humans and laboratory animals. Consideration of such information is important in designing, conducting, and interpreting studies to assess the potential effects of thyroid toxicants on reproduction and development.     

Structure of a beta-alanine-linked polyamide bound to a full helical turn of purine tract DNA in the 1:1 motif

Polyamides composed of N-methylpyrrole (Py), N-methylimidazole (Im) and N-methylhydroxypyrrole (Hp) amino acids linked by beta-alanine (beta) bind the minor groove of DNA in 1:1 and 2:1 ligand to DNA stoichiometries. Although the energetics and structure of the 2:1 complex has been explored extensively, there is remarkably less understood about 1:1 recognition beyond the initial studies on netropsin and distamycin. We present here the 1:1 solution structure of ImPy-beta-Im-beta-ImPy-beta-Dp bound in a single orientation to its match site within the DNA duplex 5'-CCAAAGAGAAGCG-3'.5'-CGCTTCTCTTTGG-3' (match site in bold), as determined by 2D (1)H NMR methods. The representative ensemble of 12 conformers has no distance constraint violations greater than 0.13 A and a pairwise RMSD over the binding site of 0.80 A. Intermolecular NOEs place the polyamide deep inside the minor groove, and oriented N-C with the 3'-5' direction of the purine-rich strand. Analysis of the high-resolution structure reveals the ligand bound 1:1 completely within the minor groove for a full turn of the DNA helix. The DNA is B-form (average rise=3.3 A, twist=38 degrees ) with a narrow minor groove closing down to 3.0-4.5 A in the binding site. The ligand and DNA are aligned in register, with each polyamide NH group forming bifurcated hydrogen bonds of similar length to purine N3 and pyrimidine O2 atoms on the floor of the minor groove. Each imidazole group is hydrogen bonded via its N3 atom to its proximal guanine's exocyclic amino group. The important roles of beta-alanine and imidazole for 1:1 binding are discussed.     

Flow simulation in the human upper respiratory tract

Computer simulations of airflow patterns within the human upper respiratory tract (URT) are presented. The URT model includes airways of the head (nasal and oral), throat (pharyngeal and laryngeal), and lungs (trachea and main bronchi). The head and throat morphology was based on a cast of a medical school teaching model; tracheobronchial airways were defined mathematically. A body-fitted three-dimensional curvilinear grid system and a multiblock method were employed to graphically represent the surface geometries of the respective airways and to generate the corresponding mesh for computational fluid dynamics simulations. Our results suggest that for a prescribed phase of breath (i.e., inspiration or expiration), convective respiratory airflow patterns are highly dependent on flow rate values. Moreover, velocity profiles were quite different during inhalation and exhalation, both in terms of the sizes, strengths, and locations of localized features such as recirculation zones and air jets. Pressure losses during inhalation were 30-35% higher than for exhalation and were proportional to the square of the flow rate. Because particles are entrained and transported within airstreams, these results may have important applications to the targeted delivery of inhaled drugs.     

Immunization of female cynomolgus macaques with a synthetic epitope of sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase results in high antibody titers but does not reduce fertility

Previous studies have reported reduced fertility in female baboons immunized with a synthetic peptide derived from the sperm-specific isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-C). In this study, a similar approach was used to immunize female cynomolgus macaques with the same peptide sequence (bC5-19) conjugated to a T-cell epitope from tetanus toxin (TT). Twelve female monkeys were immunized with bC5-19:TT delivered with Ribi MPL adjuvant vehicle, and 10 control female monkeys were injected with the adjuvant vehicle only. All 12 females in the treatment group developed LDH-C-specific serum antibodies as measured by ELISA, but anti-LDH-C antibodies were not detected in vaginal fluids of the immunized animals. After 4 months of timed mating immediately following the immunizations, five of the ten immunized females became pregnant, as did six of the ten control females. Anti-sera from both pregnant and nonpregnant bC5-19:TT-immunized females recognize a single band at 35 kDa on Western blots of whole sperm extracts, and purified Igs from the same sera localize along the principle piece of the flagellum of permeabilized sperm.     

Omnivory in lacertid lizards: adaptive evolution or constraint?

Feeding specializations such as herbivory are an often cited example of convergent and adaptive evolution. However, some groups such as lizards appear constrained in the evolution of morphological specializations associated with specialized diets. Here we examine whether the inclusion of plant matter into the diet of omnivorous lacertid lizards has resulted in morphological specializations and whether these specializations reflect biomechanical compromises as expected if omnivores are constrained by functional trade-offs. We examined external head shape, skull shape, tooth structure, intestinal tract length and bite performance as previous studies have suggested correlations between the inclusion of plants into the diet and these traits. Our data show that omnivorous lacertid lizards possess modifications of these traits that allow them to successfully exploit plant material as a food source. Conversely, few indications of a compromise phenotype could be detected, suggesting that the evolution towards herbivory is only mildly constrained by functional trade-offs.