Antioxidant enzymes and lipoperoxide in blood in uremic children and adolescents

To determine whether oxidant-antioxidant balance is altered in chronic renal failure, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide in peripheral blood cells and lipid peroxide in plasma were measured. Nine children and adolescents maintained on hemodialysis (HD), 9 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and 14 controls were studied. Lipid peroxide was assayed fluorimetrically as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, superoxide dismutases by radioimmunoassays. Both manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutases in lymphocytes and monocytes in the HD and CAPD patients, and manganese superoxide dismutase in polymorphs in the HD patients were higher than in the controls. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in erythrocytes were unaltered. The lipid peroxide level in plasma in the dialyzed patients was increased, whereas those in polymorphs and lymphocytes were unaltered. Triglyceride and total cholesterol in plasma in the dialyzed patients were also increased. The plasma lipid peroxide in the patients correlated with the triglyceride and total cholesterol level. This is the first study in which manganese superoxide dismutase is measured in nucleated cells of the patients with chronic renal failure. The present results suggest that increased superoxide dismutases protect against oxidative stress induced by chronic renal failure in nucleated cells but in neither erythrocytes nor plasma.     

Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum in relation to fish consumption and amalgam fillings in adolescents

Mercury and selenium in whole blood and serum of 245 17-year old Swedish adolescents were analysed. The relationships between these elements' concentrations and the consumption of fish as well as the number of dental amalgam fillings were studied. The geometric means (GM) of the mercury concentrations were 1.1 microg/L in blood and 0.43 microg/L in serum. The mean selenium concentration in blood was 110 microg/L and the GM of the serum selenium concentration 110 microg/L. Fish species with dietary restrictions due to elevated mercury Levels (i.e. pike, perch, pikeperch, burbot, eel and halibut) were consumed on average 0.7 times/month and fish species without such restrictions 4.1 times/month. Despite this comparatively low fish consumption, the adolescents' blood mercury concentrations were positively correlated with fish consumption. Of the adolescents, 39% had amalgam fillings (mean 2 +/- 1.5). Serum mercury was influenced by the number of amalgam fillings, by fish consumption, blood and serum levels of selenium and the residential area. Blood and serum selenium concentrations were not influenced by fish consumption, but were positively associated with the serum mercury concentration.     

Gap and tight junctions in tunicates. Study in conventional and freeze-fracture techniques

Intercellular junctions have been investigated in epidermis and pharyngeal epithelium of larvae and adults of various species of tunicates with conventional and freeze-fracture techniques. Gap and tight junctions were found, similar to those observed in vertebrate tissues. Gap junctions were frequent in glandular epithelia and in larval tissues. They were interpreted as ways of intercellular communication in these developing tissues. They were also particularly numerous in Phallusia pharyngeal cells. Tight junctions were found preferentially in adult pharyngeal and epidermal epithelia, where they were arranged in strands of distinct particles forming a belt-like network at the apical part of cells. These junctions were interpreted as providing a tight barrier between the internal medium and the external environment. In larvae, tight junctions were found only between epidermal cells of the tail. These junctions thus characterized completely differentiated tissues, where they might play, in tunicates and in vertebrates, the same role as septate junctions do in invertebrates.     

Actinomycetes and Fungi in Surface Waters and in Potable Water

In Finnish lakes and rivers used as water supplies, mesophilic fungi and actinomycetes were common, whereas thermophilic fungi and actinomycetes were present only in low concentrations. Fungi and actinomycetes were more abundant in eutrophic and mesotrophic lakes than in oligotrophic lakes. River water contained more thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi and mesophilic actinomycetes than did lake water. Runoff from soil seemed to be an important factor contributing to the incidence of these microbes in water. Chemical coagulation removed actinomycetes and fungi efficiently, but sand filtration allowed their passage. Disinfection could not prevent actinomycetes and fungi from reaching the distribution system. During infiltration in the production of recharged groundwater, mesophilic actinomycetes could even multiply appreciably.     

Colocalization in vivo and association in vitro of perlecan and elastin

We have colocalized elastin and fibrillin-1 with perlecan in extracellular matrix of tensional and weight-bearing connective tissues. Elastin and fibrillin-1 were identified as prominent components of paraspinal blood vessels, and posterior longitudinal ligament in the human fetal spine and outer annulus fibrosus of the fetal intervertebral disc. We also colocalized perlecan with a synovial elastic basal lamina, where the attached synovial cells were observed to produce perlecan. Elastin, fibrillin-1 and perlecan were co-localized in the intima and media of small blood vessels in the synovium and in human fetal paraspinal blood vessels. Elastic fibers were observed at the insertion point of the anterior cruciate ligament to bone in the ovine stifle joint where they colocalized with perlecan. Elastin has not previously been reported to be spatially associated with perlecan in these tissues. Interactions between the tropoelastin and perlecan heparan sulfate chains were demonstrated using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation solid phase binding studies. Electrostatic interactions through the heparan sulfate chains of perlecan and core protein mediated the interactions with tropoelastin, and were both important in the coacervation of tropoelastin and deposition of elastin onto perlecan immobilized on the chip surface. This may help us to understand the interactions which are expected to occur in vivo between the tropoelastin and perlecan to facilitate the deposition of elastin and formation of elastic microfibrils in situ and would be consistent with the observed distributions of these components in a number of connective tissues.     

Tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide-Y immunoreactivity in pineal glands developing in situ and in pineal grafts

Summary Postnatal development of the innervation of the pineal gland in situ as well as the reinnervation of pineal grafts by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-immunoreactive nerve fibers were examined using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistochemical technique. TH-immunoreactive nerve fibers appeared in the pineal gland on the second postnatal day (P2) in both hamsters and gerbils. NPY-immunoreactive nerve fibers first appeared in the pineal gland of gerbils on P2 and in the hamsters on P3. By the seventh postnatal day (P7), the pineal glands of both hamsters and gerbils were richly innervated by TH- and NPY-fibers that appeared as smooth fibers or fibers with sporadic varicosities. By the age of 4 weeks, the innervation of the pineal glands of hamsters and gerbils by TH-and NPY-fibers was fully developed. Abundant TH- and NPY-fibers formed a dense meshwork in the parenchyma of the superficial and deep pineals. The great majority of the fibers bore a large number of varicosities. More NPY-fibers were found in the pineal glands of gerbils than hamsters. NPY fibers were distributed evenly throughout the pineal glands of the gerbil, but they were more often located in the central region of the superficial pineal of the hamster. For the pineal grafts, superficial pineals from neonatal and 4-week-old hamsters were transplanted to different sites in the third cerebral ventricle (infundibular recess, posterior third ventricle) or beneath the renal capsule. The pineal grafts from 4-week-old donors appeared to undergo severe degeneration and eventually disappeared. The pineal grafts from neonatal hamsters, however, successfully survived and became well integrated into their new locations. Abundant TH-and NPY-fibers in the host brain were found surrounding the pineal grafts placed in the third cerebral ventricle, but were only rarely seen entering the parenchyma of the grafts. A few TH-fibers were demonstrated in the renal grafts 4 weeks after transplantation. These studies describe the postnatal development of the innervation of the pineal glands in situ by TH-and NPY-nerve fibers, and demonstrate a lack of reinnervation of cerebroventricular pineal grafts by TH and NPY fibers from adjacent host brain.Portions of the results of this paper were previously reported in abstract form at the 1990 Meeting of The American Association of Anatomists (Anat Rec 226:57A)     

A dichotomy between lipophilicity and in vivo and in vitro genotoxicity

An analysis of a number of data bases revealed a dichotomy between the lipophilicity of groups of agents capable of inducing genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Thus agents with the potential for reacting with cellular DNA, inducing mutations in Salmonella and clastogenicity in cultured cells were characteristically significantly more hydrophilic than agents which did not induce such effects. On the other hand, in vivo inducers of clastogenicity (micronuclei) were significantly more lipophilic than non-inducers. Cellular and systemic toxicants were also more lipophilic than non-toxicants.     

Enzyme Activities in Relation to pH and Lactate in Postmortem Brain in Alzheimer-Type and Other Dementias

Phosphate-activated glutaminase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, pH, and lactate were measured in frontal cortex and caudate nucleus of postmortem brains from cases of Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD), Down's syndrome, Huntington's disease, and one case of Pick's disease, as well as from sudden death and agonal controls. Lactate levels were higher and pH, phosphate-activated glutaminase, and glutamic acid decarboxylase levels were lower in the agonal controls than in the sudden death controls. Phosphate-activated glutaminase and glutamic acid decarboxylase were correlated with tissue pH and lactate, and also were reduced by in vitro acidification, suggesting that the low activities of these enzymes in agonal controls were related to decreased pH consequent upon lactate accumulation. Compared with control tissues at the same pH, phosphate-activated glutaminase and glutamic acid decarboxylase were unaltered in ATD and Down's frontal cortex and reduced in Huntington's caudate nucleus, and glutamic acid decarboxylase was reduced in Huntington's frontal cortex. These data suggest that GABAergic neurons are not affected in ATD and confirm the GABAergic defect in Huntington's disease. Pyruvate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase activities were the same in agonal controls and sudden death controls and were unaffected by acid pH and lactate in vitro, and pyruvate dehydrogenase was not correlated with pH or lactate. Reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase in frontal cortex of individual ATD, Down's, and Pick's cases, and in the caudate nucleus of Huntington's and Down's cases, was accompanied by gliosis/neuron loss. We conclude that decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase reflects neuronal loss.     

Differences in Context and Feedback Result in Different Trajectories and Adaptation Strategies in Reaching

Computational models of motor control have often explained the straightness of horizontal planar reaching movements as a consequence of optimal control. Departure from rectilinearity is thus regarded as sub-optimal. Here we examine if subjects may instead select to make curved trajectories following adaptation to force fields and visuomotor rotations. Separate subjects adapted to force fields with or without visual feedback of their hand trajectory and were retested after 24 hours. Following adaptation, comparable accuracies were achieved in two ways: with visual feedback, adapted trajectories in force fields were straight whereas without it, they remained curved. The results suggest that trajectory shape is not always straight, but is also influenced by the calibration of available feedback signals for the state estimation required by the task. In a follow-up experiment, where additional subjects learned a visuomotor rotation immediately after force field, the trajectories learned in force fields (straight or curved) were transferred when directions of the perturbations were similar but not when directions were opposing. This demonstrates a strong bias by prior experience to keep using a recently acquired control policy that continues to produce successful performance inspite of differences in tasks and feedback conditions. On relearning of force fields on the second day, facilitation by intervening visuomotor rotations occurred only when required motor adjustments and calibration of feedback signals were similar in both tasks. These results suggest that both the available feedback signals and prior history of learning influence the choice and maintenance of control policy during adaptations.     

Changes of the Cu and Zn contents in lung and liver in intestinal ischemic reperfusion and general ischemic reperfusion in rabbits

The changes of pulmonary and liver Cu-Zn contents were determined and evaluated in intestinal ischemic reperfusion (IIR) and general ischemic reperfusion (GIR) of rabbits. The contents of pulmonary Zn and liver Cu were found to be lower, and Cu/Zn ratio increased in lung tissue and decreased in liver tissue in IIR. The contents of pulmonary Zn were increased, and the contents of liver Cu were decreased; Cu/Zn ratio also decreased in both tissues in GIR. Pulmonary Cu and liver Zn contents were not changed in IIR and GIR. These results showed that lower or higher Zn in lung tissue and lower Cu in liver tissue were related to the acute tissue injury during IIR and GIR, suggesting that regulating the state of pulmonary Zn and liver Cu should be attempted during the prevention and treatment of both ischemic reperfusions.     

Morphologic evaluation and actin filament distribution in porcine embryos produced in vitro and in vivo

Porcine embryos produced in vitro have a small number of cells and low viability. The present study was conducted to examine the morphological characteristics and the relationship between actin filament organization and morphology of porcine embryos produced in vitro and in vivo. In vitro-derived embryos were produced by in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and in vitro development. In vivo-derived embryos were collected from inseminated gilts on Days 2-6 after estrus. In experiment 1, in vitro-derived embryos (相似文献   

Giardia and Cryptosporidium in inflowing water and harvested shellfish in a lagoon in Southern Italy

Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. are important enteric protozoan pathogens for humans and animals, and have been found to contaminate water as well as edible shellfish all over the world. This is the first study to simultaneously investigate the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in inflowing water and harvested shellfish in a geographically closed environment (Varano Lagoon, Southern Italy). Samples of treated wastewater were collected each month - at the outlet from the treatment plant, and downstream at the inlet into the lagoon - from the channels flowing into the Lagoon, together with specimens of Ruditapes decussatus and Mytilus galloprovincialis from shellfish-farms on the same lagoon. Giardia cysts were found by immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy in 16 out of 21 samples of treated wastewater and in 7 out of 21 samples from downstream water channels, and viable cysts were also detected by a beta-giardin RT-PCR. G. duodenalis Assemblages A and B were identified by small ribosomal subunit (18S-rDNA) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi)-PCR, followed by sequencing. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found by IF in 5 out of 21 wastewater samples, and in 8 out of 21 samples from water channels. Molecular analysis identified the zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum by oocyst wall protein (COWP)-PCR and sequencing. Higher concentrations of Giardia cysts than Cryptosporidium oocysts were registered in almost all wastewater and water samples. IF and molecular testing of shellfish gave negative results for both protozoa. Wastewaters carrying Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts are discharged into the Lagoon; however, the shellfish harvested in the same environment were found to be unaffected, thus suggesting that physical, ecological and climatic conditions may prevent contamination of harvested shellfish.     

TnT-Hs和NSE在手足口病患儿中的表达水平及临床意义

目的：探讨TnT-Hs和NSE水平在手足口病患儿中的表达及临床意义。方法：选择我院2012年6月-2013年6月确诊为手足口病的住院患儿68例作为观察组,选择同期入院健康体检的68例正常儿童作为对照组,对比两组心肌钙蛋白T（TnT—Hs）与血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）水平;并对观察组EV71阳性患儿与阴性患儿TnT-Hs与NSE水平进行比较。结果：①相比健康对照组,观察组TnT-Hs与NSE水平均较高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。②EV71阳性患儿46例,阴性患儿22例,阳性患儿相比阴性患儿TnT-Hs与NSE水平较高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：Tn—T-Hs和NSE水平可反映手足口病患儿病情进展变化,其可作为早期预测手足口病患儿心肌损害及脑损伤的依据及重症病例的预警指标。     

Changes in Waist Circumference and Mortality in Middle-Aged Men and Women

Background

Waist circumference (WC) adjusted for body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with mortality, but the association with changes in WC is less clear. We investigated the association between changes in WC and mortality in middle-aged men and women, and evaluated the influence from concurrent changes in BMI.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Data on 26,625 healthy men and women from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health study was analyzed. WC and BMI were assessed in 1993–97 and in 1999–02. Information on mortality was obtained by linkage to the Danish central Person Register. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated with Cox regression models. During 6.7 years of follow-up, 568 and 361 deaths occurred among men and women, respectively. Changes in WC were positively associated with mortality (HR per 5 cm for the sexes combined  = 1.09 (1.02∶1.16) with adjustment for covariates, baseline WC, BMI and changes in BMI), whereas changes in BMI were inversely associated with mortality (HR per kg/m2 for the sexes combined  = 0.91 (0.86, 0.97) with adjustment for covariates, baseline WC, BMI and changes in WC). Associations between changes in WC and mortality were not notably different in sub-groups stratified according to changes in BMI, baseline WC or when smokers or deaths occurring within the first years of follow-up were excluded.

Conclusions/Significance

Changes in WC were positively associated with mortality in healthy middle-aged men and women throughout the range of concurrent changes in BMI. These findings suggest a need for development of prevention and treatment strategies targeted against redistribution of fat mass towards the abdominal region.     

Leprosy perceptions and knowledge in endemic districts in India and Indonesia: Differences and commonalities

BackgroundUnderstanding how knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding leprosy differ in endemic countries can help us develop targeted educational and behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to examine the differences and commonalities in and determinants of knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears regarding leprosy in endemic districts in India and Indonesia.Principle findingsA cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Persons affected by leprosy, their close contacts, community members and health workers were included. Through interview-administered questionnaires we assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears with the KAP measure, EMIC-CSS and SDS. In addition, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. The quantitative data were analysed using stepwise multivariate regression. Determinants of knowledge and stigma that were examined included age, gender, participant type, education, occupation, knowing someone affected by leprosy and district. The qualitative data were analysed using open, inductive coding and content analysis.We administered questionnaires to 2344 participants (46% from India, 54% from Indonesia) as an interview. In addition, 110 participants were interviewed in-depth and 60 participants were included in focus group discussions. Knowledge levels were low in both countries: 88% of the participants in India and 90% of the participants in Indonesia had inadequate knowledge of leprosy. In both countries, cause, mode of transmission, early symptoms and contagiousness of leprosy was least known, and treatment and treatability of leprosy was best known. In both countries, health workers had the highest leprosy knowledge levels and community members the highest stigma levels (a mean score of up to 17.4 on the EMIC-CSS and 9.1 on the SDS). Data from the interviews indicated that people were afraid of being infected by leprosy. Local beliefs and misconceptions differed, for instance that leprosy is in the family for seven generations (Indonesia) or that leprosy is a result of karma (India). The determinants of leprosy knowledge and stigma explained 10–29% of the variability in level of knowledge and 3–10% of the variability in level of stigma.ConclusionOur findings show the importance of investigating the perceptions regarding leprosy prior to educational interventions in communities: even though knowledge levels were similar, local beliefs and misconceptions differed per setting. The potential determinants we included in our study explained very little of the variability in level of knowledge and stigma and should be explored further. Detailed knowledge of local knowledge gaps, beliefs and fears can help tailor health education to local circumstances.     

Amino Acids in Plasma and CSF and Monoamine Metabolites in CSF: Interrelationship in Healthy Subjects

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of amino acids were measured in 65 healthy volunteers (50 men and 15 women). The CSF levels of the monoamine metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MOPEG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were also determined. Sex differences were observed in both plasma and CSF amino acid levels as well as in the relationship between these concentrations. No significant correlations were observed between the CSF levels of HVA and 5-HIAA, and the concentrations of their precursor amino acids in either plasma or CSF. The MOPEG level in CSF correlated positively with the plasma concentrations of several amino acids.     

Copper and zinc concentrations in human hair and popular foodstuffs in China

Concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were determined in 383 human hair samples and in 445 food samples purchased in 11 Chinese cities. The concentrations of Cu were 7.91, 5.39, 2.27 and 2.20 mg kg^?1 and those of Zn were 47.2, 24.8, 52.8 and 30.2 mg kg^?1 in vegetables, cereals, meat and fish, respectively. The overall mean concentrations of hair Cu and Zn were 8.97 and 128 mg kg^?1, respectively. Hair Cu and Zn concentrations were higher in females than in males, especially in the 13–19 and 20–50 year age groups. Hair Cu concentration increased with increasing age and these changes occurred mainly in males. In contrast, 51–65 years old females had the lowest hair Zn concentrations. Residents of rural areas had similar hair Cu or Zn concentrations to people in urban areas. There were no significant correlations between hair concentration and food intake in terms of Cu and Zn among the cities. The results indicate that hair Cu and Zn concentrations and their changes with biological and environmental factors cannot be explained satisfactorily by the estimated food intakes in the cities sampled.     

Distribution and characterisation of neuromedin U-like immunoreactivity in rat brain and intestine and in guinea pig intestine

Neuromedin U-8 (NMU-8) is a peptide isolated from porcine spinal cord which contracts blood vessels and the uterus. Antisera were raised against NMU-8 and used in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) together with HPLC to characterize NMU-like immunoreactivity (NMU-LI) in tissues extracts of rat brain and gut and guinea pig gut. Samples of duodenum, ileum and distal colon were taken from both species, and processed for detection of NMU-LI by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. In RIA the antiserum had no cross-reactivity with neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide or the C-terminal hexapeptide of pancreatic polypeptide. Preincubation of antiserum with any of these peptides had no effect on the NMU-LI staining. In rats the highest content of NMU-LI was found in the ileum and the lowest in the cerebral cortex and striatum. HPLC studies showed that at least two molecular forms of NMU-LI were present in both species. In rat small intestine, subpopulations of submucous and myenteric neurones were stained; nerve fibres and terminals within these ganglia and in the mucosa were also seen. NMU-LI was sparse in the muscle. In guinea pig ileum small populations of nerve terminals were seen in both myenteric and submucous ganglionated plexuses. No endocrine cells were stained in either species.     

Chlamydiosis in cattle and in man: an epidemiologic and serologic study

In the Pardubice area, the systematic examinations for Chlamydia-specific antibodies in cattle were started in 1967. In the years 1967-1978 the detectable levels of antibody to Chlamydia were demonstrated in 16.1% of 38,394 sera from cattle and in 18.6% of 5,244 sera from slinking cows. In the year 1979 the percentage of seropositivity in cattle increased significantly to 23.5% of the 4,197 sera examined. Examinations in 1980 revealed that 23.1% of 4,042 sera from cattle, 34.4% of 319 sera from slinking cows and 17.9% of 209 sera from calves were found antibody positive. Over the period from 1974 to 1978 isolates of Chlamydia organisms were obtained from 11.7% of 452 bovine slinks and from 10% of 271 dead or prematurely slaughtered calves. In the years 1979-1981 a total of 775 individuals were subjected to medical and serological examinations for Chlamydia infection using the BIOVETA group antigen. The first group of examinees included 307 farm personnel, attendants to healthy breeds of cattle. Detectable levels of antibody to Chlamydia were recorded in 1.3% of clinically healthy individuals and in 12% of the 75 healthy, randomly selected cows taken care of by this group of personnel. The second group included 280 individuals who were in charge of slinking cows or calves with chlamydial pneumonia, or who were employed in a rendering plant. A total of 7.5% of antibody-positive individuals was found in this group of examinees. Of the 439 calves attended 17.9% had serologic evidence of infection and the 30 dead calves examined were isolate-positive: sera from 176 slinking cows showed positivity in 23.8% of cases. In the third group of 188 persons serving as controls 5.3% had serologic evidence of chlamydial infection. The statistical analysis of deviations from the Gaussian variance normal curve showed neither sex-related nor inter-group differences. At the time of serologic examinations of humans the epidemiologic situation in the given area was extremely favorable. The importance of a close cooperation between the public health and veterinary service personnel (notification of abortions in cattle) and the need of a due attention of gynecologists, dermatologists and urologists are emphasized.     

Microtubule and microfilament organization in immature, in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized prepubertal goat oocytes

The aim of our study was to analyse the cytoskeletal organization of prepubertal goat oocytes. Microtubule and microfilament organization during in vitro maturation of prepubertal and adult goat oocytes and presumptive zygotes of in vitro matured-in vitro fertilized (IVM-IVF) prepubertal goat oocytes were analysed. Oocytes were matured in M-199 with hormones and serum and inseminated with frozen-thawed sermatozoa. Oocytes and presumptive zygotes were treated with anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled goat anti-mouse antibody to stain the microtubules. Microfilaments were localized by means of phalloidin 5 microg/ml conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-phalloidin). DNA was stained with propidium iodide. Stained oocytes were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. At the germinal vesicle nuclear stage, microfilaments were distributed at the cortex of the oocytes. After in vitro maturation, 91.7% of metaphase II (MII) oocytes from adult goats displayed microfilaments in the cortex and within the polar body and were characterized by the presence of a microfilament thickening at the cortical region over the meiotic spindle. In prepubertal goat MII oocytes only 5.7% of oocytes displayed microfilaments at the cortex and within the polar body. After insemination, most of the zygotes displayed microfilaments distributed at the cortex. An undefined microtubular network was observed in adult and prepubertal goat oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage. After in vitro maturation, 100% of MII oocytes from adult goats displayed microtubules on the meiotic spindle and within the polar body. This pattern of distribution was observed in 71.6% of prepubertal goat oocytes. Undefined microtubule networks were present in most of the zygotes analysed. In conclusion, cytoskeletal differences were found between prepubertal and adult goat MII oocytes. Furthermore, most of the zygotes from IVM-IVF prepubertal goat oocytes displayed cytoskeletal anomalies.