Luminal morphology of small arterial vessels in the contracted spleen,studied by scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion casts

Unique luminal configurations exhibited by small arterial vessels in contracted spleens of dog and cat were studied by means of vascular corrosion casts examined by scanning electron microscopy. Concertina-like pleating was seen in casts of trabecular arteries/arterioles, whereas within lymphatic nodules arteriolar casts lacked pleating and were smooth and uniformly cylindrical (as were all small arterial vessels in distended spleens). Morphological details of arterial vessels observed in histological sections indicated that pleating is not due to contraction of specially arranged vascular smooth muscle but to overall shortening of trabecular arterial vessels, caused by contraction of longitudinal smooth muscle in trabeculae. Another phenomenon observed in casts from contracted spleens was an almost complete "pinching-off" of many arteriolar lumens; histological evidence indicated that this is due to contraction of vascular smooth muscle, which selectively diverts flow away from certain regions of the organ. Also noted was a markedly convoluted, tortuous configuration of arterioles (penicilli) in the red pulp of contracted spleens.     

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection in adult red deer, chamois, and roe deer

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus is an unclassified bacterium that colonizes the ciliated epithelium of airways in laboratory rats, laboratory mice, and laboratory and conventionally reared rabbits, cattle, goats, and pigs. Data on the prevalence of CAR bacillus infection in wild animals are lacking. The present study demonstrated the occurrence of the organism in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from the Val Fontana in northern Italy. Prevalence ranged from 26% for red deer to 56% for chamois, with a statistically significant negative correlation between CAR bacilli infection and the presence of lymphoid follicles.     

Electron microscopic studies of the innervation of the human spleen

Summary The innervation of four normal human spleens was investigated by electron microscopy. Unmyelinated nerve fibers accompanied the arterial vascular system up to the arterioles of the red pulp. Neither myelinated nerve fibers nor ganglion cells were seen in the splenic hilum or in the splenic tissue itself. The nerve fibers terminated against the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels in a manner that is typical of the autonomic nervous system. The terminal axons contained small and large granular vesicles and thus were adrenergic nerve fibers. In contrast to the results of previous studies using silver impregnation methods innervation of the red or white pulp could not be demonstrated. The findings on human spleens agree with those on mammalian spleens obtained by other authors using ultrastructural and fluorescence histochemical methods.We are indebted to Prof. Dr. K. Unsicker for his help in discussing the results     

Topography and structure of the stylohyoid muscle in mammals

Topography and structure of the musculus stylohyoideus (MSH) have been studied in 78 species of Mammalia from 12 orders. The muscle in question has specific peculiarities not only in its position and fixation, but also in a great variability of its structure. The MSH is not revealed in Philander opossum, Lagostrophus fasciatus, guinea pig, Meriones eversmanni, Rhombomys opimus, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Thos aureus, Mastelidae. Various pathways of development and different functional loading define existence of several modifications of the MSH: a) the medial part of the muscle develops (Didelphys, Rodentia, Insectivora, Proboscidea, Dama dama, Capreolus capreolus; b) the lateral part of the musculus develops (Lagomorpha, Canis lupus, Ursidae, Felidae, Pinnipedia, Cavicornia); c) both parts of the musculus develop, determining position of the m. digastricus between these two parts (Alces alces, Pseudaxis sica, Cervus elaphus, Macaca rhesus, Erythrocebus patas, Perissodastyla).     

瓦氏黄颡鱼和岩原鲤脾脏的组织学观察

运用组织学方法对瓦氏黄颡鱼和岩原鲤脾脏的显微结构进行了研究.瓦氏黄颡鱼和岩原鲤脾脏被膜薄,仅由一层单层扁平上皮细胞和结缔组织纤维构成,脾小梁明显,红髓和白髓混合,无明显的分界,鞘毛细血管发达;瓦氏黄颡鱼脾小梁细而少,白髓中淋巴细胞密集,在靠近被膜的脾实质边缘区域密集的淋巴细胞形成外形类似淋巴小结的结构,巨噬细胞聚集形成明显的巨噬细胞中心;岩原鲤脾小梁发达,伸入脾实质将脾脏分隔成一个个的小叶,白髓中密集的淋巴细胞较少,未见类似淋巴小结的结构,巨噬细胞分散存在,无明显的巨噬细胞中心.     

"Intermediate zone" of mammalian spleens: light and electron microscopic study of three primitive mammalian species (platypus, shrew, and mole) with special reference to intrasplenic arteriovenous communication

The intermediate zone (IZ) of nonperfused and perfused spleens in three species of primitive mammals (shrew, mole, platypus) was studied morphologically. The IZ is a tissue zone consisting of plexiform vessels, probably venous capillaries, and is located transitionally between the white and red pulp. The IZ is separated from the white pulp by the arterial net (AN), in which the white pulp arteries terminate. Development of the IZ differs between the three species examined being distinctive in the platypus and shrew. The IZ is thin in the mole spleen. A closed type of arteriovenous (A-V) anastomosis was demonstrated in or around the IZ in the two Insectivora species examined. In the shrew spleen, peripheral arterial branches running within the IZ anastomose with the AN around the follicle. The AN anastomoses eventually with venous plexiform vessels of the IZ around the nonfollicular area of the white pulp to form a closed system. In the mole spleen, A-V anastomoses were noted between white pulp arteries (follicular and AN) and veins of the red pulp, either by direct communication or through fenestrated IZ vessels compatible with the plexiform vessels of the shrew spleen. A-V anastomosis in the IZ is probable, but not confirmed, in the platypus spleen, as analysis was limited to a nonperfused specimen. Well-developed ellipsoids were noted around arterial terminals of the IZ in the shrew spleen. Ellipsoids were also noted around all arterial terminals of the mole spleen directed to the red pulp. Most ellipsoids of the mole spleen appeared located within the IZ. No ellipsoids were present around arterial terminals of the IZ in the platypus spleen. Closed circulation was noted in terminals of the pulp artery in spleens of all three species. All pulp arteries of the mole spleen are postellipsoid segments of white pulp (AN and follicle) arteries. No ellipsoids were found around terminals of the pulp artery (penicillar artery) in shrew and platypus spleens. The IZ is probably homologous to the perilymphatic sinusoid (vein) of the lungfish spleen and may be regarded as part of the red pulp. The IZ may be representative of primitive mammalian spleens that have closed circulation. The marginal zone (MZ) of common mammalian spleens is probably a modified IZ by differentiation (remodelling) of the intrasplenic vein. In this process, withdrawal of venous vessels from the IZ occurred, leaving a lymphoreticular zone with open circulation (MZ). The marginal sinus reported in some mammalian spleens is probably a modified AN formed during this process. Possible morphological alterations of the spleen in vertebrate phylogeny are discussed.     

Annual foods of the Red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the east of England

There have been few studies on the foods of Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in British forests. Notable exceptions are the work of Prior (1968), Henry (1978) and Hosey (1981) on Roe deer. British work on the food of Red deer seems to have been confined to studies of animals on upland swards (Charles, McCowan & East, 1977; Staines ∓ Crisp, 1978). However, a more abundant supply of data on the food and feeding of both Red and Roe deer comes from the Continent (Dragoev, 1964; Gabuzov, 1960; Kolev, 1966; Novikov & Timofeeva, 1964; Siuda, Zorowski & Suida, 1969; Dzieciolowski, 1967 a , b , 1969). Even so the data available were obtained from studies made on individual species of deer. This paper reports the results of an investigation into seasonal changes in the diet of Red and Roe deer coexisting in a conifer forest in the east of England.     

New phylogenetic perspectives on the Cervidae (Artiodactyla) are provided by the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.

The entire mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene was compared for 11 species of the artiodactyl family Cervidae, representing all living subfamilies, i.e., the antlered Cervinae (Cervus elaphus, C. nippon, Dama dama), Muntiacinae (Muntiacus reevesi), and Odocoileinae (Odocoileus hemionus, Mazama sp., Capreolus capreolus, C. pygargus, Rangifer tarandus, Alces alces); and the antlerless Hydropotinae (Hydropotes inermis). Phylogenetic analyses using Tragulidae, Antilocapridae, Giraffidae and Bovidae as outgroups provide evidence for three multifurcating principal clades within the monophyletic family Cervidae. First, Cervinae and Muntiacus are joined in a moderately-to-strongly supported clade of Eurasian species. Second, Old World Odocoileinae (Capreolus and Hydropotes) associate with the Holarctic Alces. Third, New World Odocoileinae (Mazama and Odocoileus) cluster with the Holarctic Rangifer. The combination of mitochondrial cyt b and nuclear k-casein sequences increases the robustness of these three clades. The Odocoileini + Rangiferini clade is unambiguously supported by a unique derived cranial feature, the expansion of the vomer which divides the choana. Contrasting with current taxonomy, Hydropotes is not the sister group of all the antlered deers, but it is nested within the Odocoileinae. Therefore, Hydropotes lost the antlers secondarily. Thus, the mitochondrial cyt b phylogeny splits Cervidae according to plesiometacarpal (Cervinae + Muntiacinae) versus telemetacarpal (Odocoileinae + Hydropotinae) conditions, and suggests paraphyly of antlered deer.     

Antibodies to granulocytic Ehrlichia in moose, red deer, and roe deer in Norway

Serum samples from 104 moose (Alces alces), 124 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 114 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), collected from different counties in southern Norway from 1994 to 2000, were analysed by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody staining method for antibodies to Ehrlichia equi. The overall seroprevalences for granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. in moose, red deer, and roe deer from Ixodes ricinus infested counties were 43%, 55%, and 96%, respectively. Antibody prevalence was significantly higher in roe deer than in moose and red deer (P < 0.001). Mean antibody titers (log10 +/- SD) to E. equi in sera from moose, red deer, and roe deer were 1:1,497 (3.17 +/- 0.646), 1:234 (2.37 +/- 0.424) and 1:676 (2.83 +/- 0.404), respectively. The present work indicates that all these wild ruminant species are exposed to granulocytic Ehrlichia in Norway.     

Selectivity of harvesting differs between local and foreign roe deer hunters: trophy stalkers have the first shot at the right place

Harvesting represents a major source of mortality in many deer populations. The extent to which harvesting is selective for specific traits is important in order to understand contemporary evolutionary processes. In addition, since such data are frequently used in life-history studies, it is important to know the pattern of selectivity as a source of bias. Recently, it was demonstrated that different hunting methods were selected for different weights in red deer (Cervus elaphus), but little insight was offered into why this occurs. In this study, we show that foreign trophy stalkers select for larger antlers when hunting roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) than local hunters, but that close to half of the difference in selectivity was due to foreigners hunting earlier in the season and in locations with larger males. The relationship between antler size and age was nevertheless fairly similar based on whether deer was shot by foreign or local hunters.     

记吉林集安仙人洞的鹿类化石,兼述我国斑鹿化石的分类

本文记述了产于吉林省集安县大路乡仙人洞洞穴堆积中的晚更新世鹿超科化石。这些化石可以分别归入麝科Moschidae和鹿科Cervidae,共四个种:Moschus moschiferus, Cervus (Sika) nippon horiulorum, Megaloceros ordosianus和Capreolus manchuricus。它们代表四种大小不同的鹿类动物,同为我国北方猛犸象-披毛犀动物群的成员。本文还指出斑鹿亚属的拉丁学名应为Sika,而不是Pseudaxis。产于我国的斑鹿化石可分为四个种。     

Serological survey for potential disease agents of free-ranging cervids in six selected national parks from Germany

A total of 164 blood samples, collected from free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) in six German national parks (NP) between 2000 and 2002, were assayed for antibodies against nine viral disease agents. Antibodies were only detected against the alpha-herpesviruses; specifically, bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) (22 of 157, 14%), cervid herpesvirus-1 (17 of 157, 10.8%), and caprine herpesvirus-1 (11 of 159, 6.9%). Titers ranged from 4 to 102. Most of the seropositive sera, and those with the highest antibody titers, were from red and roe deer in the Harz and Hochharz NP, which are connected and allow migration between the two. The distribution and specificity of antibodies detected in individual deer suggests that the three alpha-herpesviruses are circulating in these deer populations. No antibodies were detected against bovine viral diarrhea virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, bovine leukemia virus, bluetongue virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, or sheep and goat poxvirus.     

Spleen mass as a measure of immune strength in mammals

• 1 In studies of birds and their pathogens, spleen size has frequently been used to make inferences about immune system strength. However, the use of spleen size in mammals is more complicated because, in addition to having an immune function, the mammalian spleen is also a reservoir for red blood cells.
• 2 To assess the reliability of mammalian spleen mass as an indicator of immune activity, we quantified the white and red pulp mass by histology of spleens from shot red deer Cervus elaphus. We then analysed the relationships among spleen mass, the amounts of white and red pulp, and the deer's body condition relative to faecal counts of the nematode parasite Elaphostrongylus cervi.
• 3 White and red pulp mass were positively correlated so that an increase in spleen mass was a positive function of both components of the spleen. In male deer, which had significantly lower body condition and higher parasite loads than females, parasite counts were negatively correlated with spleen mass, white pulp mass, and red pulp mass.
• 4 Our findings suggest that (i) spleen mass in shot red deer is a reliable measure of white and red pulp content; and (ii) when looking at the red deer life history, which is greatly influenced by sex of the deer, splenic mass and white pulp mass could be used as reflections of immune system strength.
• 5 Future studies of mammalian spleens can contribute to the understanding of evolved strategies of immune response investment in mammals. However, determination of the white and red pulp spleen components using various sampling methods must be made prior to their application.

     

A comparative scanning electron microscopic study of the cyst wall in 11 Sarcocystis species of mammals

Sarcocysts found in the musculature of necropsied mammals were dried with hexamethyldisilazane and examined by scaning electron microscopy. The object of research in this morphological study was the outer surface configuration of the cyst wall. A smooth cyst wall without villar protrusions ( Sarcocystic cf. sebeki European badger, Meles meles ) was compared with 10 others each with its distinctly characterized villar protrusinos. In scanning electron microscopy these resembled stumpy nails with angular heads ( Sarcocystis sp./serow, Capricornis crispus ), tongues ( S. sp./sambar, Cervus unicolor ), ears ( S. sp./ wapiti, Crevus elaphus canadensis ), elongated cones or clubs ( S. sp./domestic horse, Equus caballus ), hairs ( S. sp./Mongolian gazelle, Procapra gutturosa ), and molar teeth (another S. sp./Mongolian gazelle). This study revealed that what appeared in light microscopy to be finger-like protrusions of Sarcocystis hofamanni in roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), of Sarcocystis hominis in bison ( Bison bison ), of Sarcocystis hirsuta in cattle ( Bos taurus ), and of Sarcocystis tenella in sheep ( Ovis aries ) were more similar to columns ( S. hofmanni ), straps ( S. hominis ), stalked polyhedrons ( S. hirsuta ), or cylinders ( S. tenella ).     

Molecular identification and prevalence of Dictyocaulus spp. (Trichostrongyloidea: Dictyocaulidae) in Swedish semi-domestic and free-living cervids

Lungs of 102 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 136 moose (Alces alces), 68 fallow deer (Dama dama), and six red deer (Cervus elaphus) were examined during hunting seasons from 16 September 1997 to 1 March 2000. The aim was to determine the species composition and prevalence of Dictyocaulus lungworms in these hosts in Sweden. Worms were identified following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS2), followed by hybridization with four species-specific oligonucleotides. In addition, 50 lungworms from five reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) from Norway were similarly analyzed. A total of 399 worms were recovered and analyzed representing a range of 29-128 worms per host species. All specimens from roe deer were identified as Dictyocaulus capreolus, whereas those from red deer and reindeer were identical with D. eckerti. From moose, 73 (81.1%) of the worms were identified as D. capreolus whereas 17 (18.9%) were D. eckerti. The ITS2 sequence of fallow deer lungworms differed significantly when compared with the ITS2 of D. viviparus, D. capreolus, and D. eckerti. This indicated that fallow deer in Sweden may be infected with a new genotype of Dictyocaulus spp. Consequently, a specific probe designed for the ITS2 from this Dictyocaulus sp. hybridized exclusively with samples from lungworms of fallow deer. Interestingly, no D. viviparus were found in any of these hosts. The prevalence of infection in each host was as follows: D. capreolus in roe deer (14.7%) and moose (10.6%); D. eckerti in moose (0.7%) and red deer (33.3%); and Dictyocaulus sp. in fallow deer (10.3%). Regardless of lungworm species, the overall prevalence of Dictyocaulus spp. in these hosts was 12.2%. Prevalence between male and female animals and among the different age groups did not differ significantly. Finally an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for patent D. viviparus infection in cattle was utilized to analyze lung tissue fluids from infected animals. All samples from roe deer, red deer, and fallow deer were negative in the ELISA. However, three out of twelve (25%) samples from moose and 17 of 40 (43%) samples from cattle were positive. This indicated that moose anti-D. capreolus antibodies recognized the D. viviparus antigen and that anti-cattle immunoglobulin cross-reacted with moose antibodies.