A light and transmission electron microscope study of hepatic portal tracts in the rhesus monkey (Macacus rhesus)

This study reports on morphological features of hepatic portal tracts in the liver of a rhesus monkey. The light microscope shows that the number of each type of principal component comprising a portal tract varies but that there are usually one to five lymphatics, one bile ductule, one bile duct, one arteriolar and one arterial branch of the hepatic artery, and one hepatic portal vein. Bile ductules, in cross section, have 6-10 cells (mostly low pyramidal, but with a few cuboidal) bordering the lumen, an outside diameter of from about 20 to 25 microm, and a luminal diameter of from 2 to 10 microm. Bile ducts, in cross section, have more than 10 cells (about equal numbers of low pyramidal and cuboidal) bordering the lumen, an outside diameter greater than 25 microm and a luminal diameter of greater than 10 microm. The term "pyramidal" has not previously been applied to the cells of the ductules and ducts. The monkey tracts show several cytological features previously undescribed, viz., abortive cilia and basal bodies in the duct cells, abortive cilia in the ductule cells, and an occasional aggregation of ribosomes in arterial endothelial cells. They also show a major histological feature previously mentioned but not illustrated, viz., bundles of nerve processes which exhibit a preferential location, i.e., proximity to the arterioles and arteries.     

Adrenergic innervation of the fallopian tube of the monkey

Synopsis The distribution of adrenergic nerve terminals in the fallopian tube of the monkey was shown to be generally similar to that of other mammals. Vascular innervation was demonstrated to be present throughout the organ. In contrast, muscular innervation varied directly with the amount of muscle present, being sparse in the ampulla, and more abundant in the isthmus and at the region of junction between ampulla and isthmus. In all regions from infundibulum to isthmus, nerves in the mucosal folds were prominent, a finding only briefly alluded to in studies on other species.     

Postnatal development of sympathetic and sensory innervation of the rhesus monkey ovary.

We have used immunofluorescence to study the postnatal development of the sympathetic and sensory innervation to the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) ovary. Sympathetic nerves were identified as adrenergic by their content of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like immunoreactivity and as peptidergic by the presence of neuropeptide Y (NPY). Fibers containing substance P (SP) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity were considered as sensory, whereas vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-positive fibers were only defined as peptidergic because VIP may be present in both sympathetic and sensory nerves. Ovaries from neonatal (2-mo-old), juvenile (9-18-mo-old), peripubertal (3-3.5-yr-old), adult (9-14-yr-old), and senescent (20-27-yr-old) monkeys were studied. At all ages, with the exception of senescence, TH-, NPY-, and VIP-containing fibers were associated with follicles in different developmental stages. In peripubertal and adult animals, some primordial follicles were found to be selectively innervated by VIPergic fibers that almost completely encircled each follicle. Both sympathetic and VIP fibers were also detected in the interstitial tissue and associated with the ovarian vasculature at all ages. The number of sympathetic and VIP fibers increased significantly (p < 0.01) between 2 mo and 9-18 mo of age, and again increased (p < 0.01) around the age of puberty (approximately 3 yr of age). After this time, the number of NPY and TH fibers remained constant. Conversely, the number of VIP fibers decreased (p < 0.05) by 9-14 yr of age, but remained constant thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Viremia and serum antibodies in Macacus rhesus monkey after inapparent infection with European tick-borne encephalitis virus.

1. Inapparent infection was called forth in M. rhesus monkeys by means of subcutaneous inoculation of ETBE virus. 2. Viremia was found in 18 (86 per cent) of 21 monkeys. In all the 18 monkeys, specific virus-neutralizing antibodies were found; in 17 of them complement-fixing antibodies developed in addition. 3. Neutralizing antibodies (N greater than or equal to 1.7 log10) were first recorded on 10th day with a peak on 32nd day, retaining, after a small decrease, a relatively high level in all reacting animals. 4. Complement-fixing antibodies were first found on 18th day, showing a peak on 22nd day whereafter they dropped considerably or even disappeared so that on 150th day they were present in a low titre in only 35 per cent of the originally reacting monkeys. 5. The findings were compared with the situation in naturally infected humans and in hamsters infected inapparently (experimentally) with ETBE virus.     

Mandibular growth in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Mandibular growth of 42 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Four groups of animals were defined according to dentitional age (i.e., infant, juvenile, adolescent, young adult). At each age growth was observed for a 24 week period. Since some animals were observed at more than one stage of development, 57 periods of growth were studied. The growth incremental data were collected by superimposing serial cephalograms on mandibular implants. Growth and remodeling of both the skeletal and dento-alveolar components of the rhesus mandible were greatest in the infant monkeys and were less in successive age groups. Posterior relocation of the ramus was noted in all age groups while bone deposition on the anterior and inferior borders of the mandibular body was greatest in the younger animals. The most pronounced dental changes also occurred in the younger animals while the dentitions of the adolescent and adult animals were generally more stable. This study demonstrates that the rate and direction of normal mandibular growth varies with the age of the animal. Furthermore, mandibular growth is quantified at four defined maturational levels to provide a set of values illustrating normal mandibular growth. These values can also be used as control data for experimental studies.     

Corneal biometrics of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Keratometry, retinoscopy, horizontal diameter, and pachymetry were measured in adult and infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The adult monkeys had a mean corneal thickness of 0.47 +/- 0.03 mm (+/- standard deviation), corneal diameters of 10.6 +/- 0.5 mm, keratometry values of 51.90 +/- 1.61 diopters, and subjective refractions of 0.48 +/- 2.36 diopters. Female adult monkeys had smaller corneal diameters by 0.06 mm (P = .02) and steeper corneas by 0.77 diopters (P = .04). Infant female monkeys also had steeper corneas by 2.37 diopters (P = .05). No significant differences were found between right and left eyes in either adult or infant monkeys.     

Adrenergic innervation of the umbilical vessels

Summary The intra- and extrafetal portions of the umbilical vessels in the guinea-pig and the umbilical cord of man, mouse and rabbit have been investigated by means of the Falck-Hillarp method for the fluorescence microscopical demonstration of catecholamines.The umbilical cord was found to be devoid of nerves in all species investigated. Adrenergic nerves are present only in the immediate vicinity of the umbilicus.The intrafetal portions of the umbilical artery and umbilical vein receive adrenergic nerves, the distribution pattern of which is different for each vessel. In the guinea-pig the ductus venosus is an intrahepatic branch of the vena umbilicalis. No adrenergically innervated sphincter has been detected in the initial segment of the ductus venosus. Regional variations in the pattern of innervation of the intrafetal portion of the umbilical vein are paralleled by regional differences in the construction pattern of the vessel's wall. Regional differences in the noradrenaline concentration (measured by fluorometry) which correspond to the fluorescence microscopical findings have been detected in umbilical vessels: low noradrenaline content of the umbilical cord, high concentrations in the intrafetal sections of the umbilical vessels. The noradrenaline concentration of the guinea-pig umbilical artery is three times that of the umbilical vein.Supported by the Joachim Jungius-Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, Hamburg.For continuous advice and constructive criticism I am indebted to Prof. Dr. Dr. E. Horstmann.     

Oxytocin is luteolytic in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Oxytocin (10 mi.u./microliter/h) or vehicle (0.5% chlorobutanol in saline, 1 microliter/h) was chronically infused directly into the corpus luteum of normally cyclic rhesus monkeys, by means of an Alzet pump-ovarian cannula system. Infusion of oxytocin (N = 6) or vehicle (N = 5) began 6 days after the preovulatory oestradiol surge, and daily peripheral blood samples were taken. Oxytocin caused a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in progesterone, beginning 1 day after treatment, and oestradiol after 4 days; progesterone and oestradiol remained significantly depressed until menstruation. However, peripheral LH concentrations remained unchanged. The duration of the luteal phase, menstrual cycle and the onset of menses from the initiation of oxytocin infusion were significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter when compared to those of vehicle-treated controls. These results show that oxytocin can induce functional luteolysis in the primate and supports the hypothesis that oxytocin of luteal origin may play a role in spontaneous luteolysis.     

Lipogenesis in liver and adipose tissue of the domestic cat (Felis domestica)

1. Production of fatty acids, CO2 and glycerol from glucose and acetate was determined in slices of liver and adipose tissue taken from mature cats. 2. Acetate was the predominant carbon source for de novo fatty acid synthesis in both liver and adipose tissue. 3. Fatty acid synthesis occurred at much greater rates in adipose tissue than in liver. 4. Relative lipogenic capacity (ratio of production of long-chain fatty acids and glycerol to oxidation of substrates) was 20 times greater in adipose tissue than in liver with both substrates.