Structure, histochemistry and seasonal variations of the male reproductive accessory glands in the Pallas’s mastiff bat, Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline M. Christante ◽  
Mateus R. Beguelini ◽  
Cintia C. I. Puga ◽  
Ana C. Negrin ◽  
Eliana Morielle-Versute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ventral Region ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Wide Geographical Distribution ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Histological Processing ◽  
Molossus Molossus

Due to their wide geographical distribution, bats suffer considerable influence from abiotic factors on their reproductive strategies, detected through behavioural or functional assessment of the gonads and accessory glands. The present study aimed to characterise anatomically and morphologically the reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) of Molossus molossus (Molossidae) and evaluate their seasonal variations. The RAGs were removed, fixed, sectioned after histological processing and submitted to the following stains: haematoxylin–eosin, periodic acid­–Schiff (PAS) and Gömöri’s reticulin. Our data demonstrated that the RAGs of M. molossus are composed of a semi-lobed prostatic complex associated with the urethra and a pair of inguinal bulbourethral glands. Histology and three-dimensional reconstruction of the prostatic complex demonstrated the existence of two regions: ventral and dorsal (named according to the position around the urethra). The two regions had distinctive morphological and histological differences, with the ventral region being the most prominent and the dorsal formed by four lobes. Considering the seasonal evaluation, we can infer that the prostatic complex of M. molossus is active throughout the seasons in São Paulo State (Brazil) and, although each of the prostatic regions has inherent characteristics, they synchronise to establish the main reproductive peak in spring (early rainy season).

Structure, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the male reproductive accessory glands in the neotropical flat-faced fruit-eating bat Artibeus planirostris (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cíntia C. I. Puga ◽  
Mateus R. Beguelini ◽  
Ana C. Negrin ◽  
Caroline M. Christante ◽  
Eliana Morielle-Versute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Ventral Region ◽  
Periodic Acid Schiff ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Pseudostratified Epithelium ◽  
Composition Structure

Chiroptera, the second largest mammalian order, presents different reproductive strategies and unique reproductive features. However, there are few reports regarding male reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) in Chiroptera. Thus, the aim of the present study was to characterise the RAGs of the exclusively neotropical bat Artibeus planirostris (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) macroscopically, microscopically and ultrastructurally. The RAGs were composed of a prostatic complex with two regions (ventral and dorsal) and paraurethral and bulbourethral glands, but no seminal vesicles. The ventral region had an undefined epithelium, with secretory and basal cells, and its secretions were periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive. The dorsal region received both deferens ducts, had a columnar pseudostratified epithelium with secretory and basal cells. There were two types of secretions from the dorsal region: one that was basophilic and another that was mixed PAS positive and PAS negative. The paraurethral glands were dispersed in the connective tissue of the urethra, whereas the bulbourethral glands were located in the penile root. Histological and ultrastructural data confirmed the prostatic nature of the ventral and dorsal regions and the holocrine nature of the ventral region, with the latter finding never having been described previously for the prostate gland. Our findings demonstrate the wide discrepancy of RAGs between A. planirostris and other mammals in terms of their composition, structure and morphology.

Structure, histochemistry, ultrastructure and seasonal variations of the male prostatic complex in the black Myotis bat, Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Negrin ◽  
Mateus R. Beguelini ◽  
Cintia C. I. Puga ◽  
Caroline M. Christante ◽  
Larissa M. Bueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Considerable Variability ◽  
Annual Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Wide Geographic Distribution ◽  
Sexually Mature

Chiroptera are one of the most diverse orders of mammals and a unique group within Mammalia that posses a wide geographic distribution and considerable variability in reproductive strategies. The aims of the present study were to characterise the male prostatic complex of the bat Myotis nigricans (Vespertilionidae) and evaluate seasonal variations in the prostatic complex of M. nigricans specifically. Twenty-three sexually mature specimens (four sample groups: winter, spring, summer and autumn) were subjected to macroscopic, microscopic, morphometric and ultrastructural analyses. The reproductive accessory glands of M. nigricans were found to be composed of a multilobed complex associated with the urethra and a pair of inguinal bulbourethral glands. The complex was composed of three bilobed prostatic regions (ventral, dorsolateral and dorsal) with no ampullary gland and seminal vesicles. This pattern of lobulation is very similar to that described for the prostate of rodents; however, it differs from that of other mammals and even other families of bats (e.g. Phyllostomidae and Molossidae). Each prostatic region in M. nigricans has unique and distinctive characteristics, which synchronise to establish the main reproductive peak of the species in summer. The data also indicated an asynchrony in the activity of primary and secondary reproductive organs in the annual reproductive cycle of M. nigricans in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Using Stereo Pairs from Serial Thick Sections

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 562-563
Author(s):  
Robert Glaeser ◽  
Thomas Bauer ◽  
David Grano
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Whole Mounts

In transmission electron microscopy, the 3-dimensional structure of an object is usually obtained in one of two ways. For objects which can be included in one specimen, as for example with elements included in freeze- dried whole mounts and examined with a high voltage microscope, stereo pairs can be obtained which exhibit the 3-D structure of the element. For objects which can not be included in one specimen, the 3-D shape is obtained by reconstruction from serial sections. However, without stereo imagery, only detail which remains constant within the thickness of the section can be used in the reconstruction; consequently, the choice is between a low resolution reconstruction using a few thick sections and a better resolution reconstruction using many thin sections, generally a tedious chore. This paper describes an approach to 3-D reconstruction which uses stereo images of serial thick sections to reconstruct an object including detail which changes within the depth of an individual thick section.

3-D reconstruction of molecular shape from microcrystal thin sections

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 748-749
Author(s):  
S. Cusack ◽  
J.-C. Jésior
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Molecular Shape ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Fourier Space ◽  
Single Particles ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction

Three-dimensional reconstruction techniques using electron microscopy have been principally developed for application to 2-D arrays (i.e. monolayers) of biological molecules and symmetrical single particles (e.g. helical viruses). However many biological molecules that crystallise form multilayered microcrystals which are unsuitable for study by either the standard methods of 3-D reconstruction or, because of their size, by X-ray crystallography. The grid sectioning technique enables a number of different projections of such microcrystals to be obtained in well defined directions (e.g. parallel to crystal axes) and poses the problem of how best these projections can be used to reconstruct the packing and shape of the molecules forming the microcrystal.Given sufficient projections there may be enough information to do a crystallographic reconstruction in Fourier space. We however have considered the situation where only a limited number of projections are available, as for example in the case of catalase platelets where three orthogonal and two diagonal projections have been obtained (Fig. 1).

Computer Assisted Image Reconstruction of Oligomer Structure

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 472-473
Author(s):  
A.M. Jones ◽  
A. Max Fiskin
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Depth Of Field ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Projection Data ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Single Particles ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Computer Assisted Image ◽  
The Fourier Transform ◽  
Space Approach

If the tilt of a specimen can be varied either by the strategy of observing identical particles orientated randomly or by use of a eucentric goniometer stage, three dimensional reconstruction procedures are available (l). If the specimens, such as small protein aggregates, lack periodicity, direct space methods compete favorably in ease of implementation with reconstruction by the Fourier (transform) space approach (2). Regardless of method, reconstruction is possible because useful specimen thicknesses are always much less than the depth of field in an electron microscope. Thus electron images record the amount of stain in columns of the object normal to the recording plates. For single particles, practical considerations dictate that the specimen be tilted precisely about a single axis. In so doing a reconstructed image is achieved serially from two-dimensional sections which in turn are generated by a series of back-to-front lines of projection data.

Computer-aided methods for 3-D visualization of serial sections and thick biological specimens

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1060-1061
Author(s):  
Mark Ellisman ◽  
Maryann Martone ◽  
Gabriel Soto ◽  
Eleizer Masliah ◽  
David Hessler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Neuritic Plaque ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Molecular Physiology ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction

Structurally-oriented biologists examine cells, tissues, organelles and macromolecules in order to gain insight into cellular and molecular physiology by relating structure to function. The understanding of these structures can be greatly enhanced by the use of techniques for the visualization and quantitative analysis of three-dimensional structure. Three projects from current research activities will be presented in order to illustrate both the present capabilities of computer aided techniques as well as their limitations and future possibilities.The first project concerns the three-dimensional reconstruction of the neuritic plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. We have developed a software package “Synu” for investigation of 3D data sets which has been used in conjunction with laser confocal light microscopy to study the structure of the neuritic plaque. Tissue sections of autopsy samples from patients with Alzheimer's disease were double-labeled for tau, a cytoskeletal marker for abnormal neurites, and synaptophysin, a marker of presynaptic terminals.

The Three-dimensional structure of frozen-hydrated nudaurelia capensis β virus

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 650-651
Author(s):  
N. H. Olson ◽  
T. S. Baker ◽  
Wu Bo Mu ◽  
J. E. Johnson ◽  
D. A. Hendry
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Carbon Film ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Electron Dose ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
Negative Stain ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction

Nudaurelia capensis β virus (NβV) is an RNA virus of the South African Pine Emperor moth, Nudaurelia cytherea capensis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). The NβV capsid is a T = 4 icosahedron that contains 60T = 240 subunits of the coat protein (Mr = 61,000). A three-dimensional reconstruction of the NβV capsid was previously computed from visions embedded in negative stain suspended over holes in a carbon film. We have re-examined the three-dimensional structure of NβV, using cryo-microscopy to examine the native, unstained structure of the virion and to provide a initial phasing model for high-resolution x-ray crystallographic studiesNβV was purified and prepared for cryo-microscopy as described. Micrographs were recorded ∼1 - 2 μm underfocus at a magnification of 49,000X with a total electron dose of about 1800 e-/nm2.

Visualisation of E. coli ribosomal RNA in situ by electron spectroscopic imaging and image averaging

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 466-467
Author(s):  
Daniel Beniac ◽  
George Harauz
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spectroscopic Imaging ◽  
Electron Spectroscopic Imaging ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Microscopical Technique ◽  
Quantitative Image ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Image Averaging ◽  
Protein Components

The structures of E. coli ribosomes have been extensively probed by electron microscopy of negatively stained and frozen hydrated preparations. Coupled with quantitative image analysis and three dimensional reconstruction, such approaches are worthwhile in defining size, shape, and quaternary organisation. The important question of how the nucleic acid and protein components are arranged with respect to each other remains difficult to answer, however. A microscopical technique that has been proposed to answer this query is electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI), in which scattered electrons with energy losses characteristic of inner shell ionisations are used to form specific elemental maps. Here, we report the use of image sorting and averaging techniques to determine the extent to which a phosphorus map of isolated ribosomal subunits can define the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) distribution within them.

Semi-automated methods for 3-D reconstruction of macromolecular complexes

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 42-43
Author(s):  
B. Carragher ◽  
M. Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Macromolecular Complexes ◽  
Symmetry Properties ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Experienced Operator ◽  
Projection Images ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Natural Symmetry

Techniques for three-dimensional reconstruction of macromolecular complexes from electron micrographs have been successfully used for many years. These include methods which take advantage of the natural symmetry properties of the structure (for example helical or icosahedral) as well as those that use single axis or other tilting geometries to reconstruct from a set of projection images. These techniques have traditionally relied on a very experienced operator to manually perform the often numerous and time consuming steps required to obtain the final reconstruction. While the guidance and oversight of an experienced and critical operator will always be an essential component of these techniques, recent advances in computer technology, microprocessor controlled microscopes and the availability of high quality CCD cameras have provided the means to automate many of the individual steps.During the acquisition of data automation provides benefits not only in terms of convenience and time saving but also in circumstances where manual procedures limit the quality of the final reconstruction.

Methods for three-dimensional reconstruction of cellular components within a thick section

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 18-21
Author(s):  
J. Frank ◽  
B. F. McEwen ◽  
M. Radermacher ◽  
C. L. Rieder
Keyword(s):  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Tomographic Reconstruction ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Thick Section ◽  
Three Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Axis Ratio ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Cellular Components

The tomographic reconstruction from multiple projections of cellular components, within a thick section, offers a way of visualizing and quantifying their three-dimensional (3D) structure. However, asymmetric objects require as many views from the widest tilt range as possible; otherwise the reconstruction may be uninterpretable. Even if not for geometric obstructions, the increasing pathway of electrons, as the tilt angle is increased, poses the ultimate upper limitation to the projection range. With the maximum tilt angle being fixed, the only way to improve the faithfulness of the reconstruction is by changing the mode of the tilting from single-axis to conical; a point within the object projected with a tilt angle of 60° and a full 360° azimuthal range is then reconstructed as a slightly elliptic (axis ratio 1.2 : 1) sphere.

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