Ultrastructure and motility of spermatozoa in the male reproductive tract of perameloid marsupials

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Taggart ◽  
CM Leigh ◽  
WG Breed
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Head Displacement ◽  
Number Distribution ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Epididymal Maturation ◽  
Nuclear Rotation ◽  
Lateral Head

The number, distribution, maturation, motility and ultrastructure of spermatozoa from both northern (Isoodon macrourus) and southern (Isoodon obesulus) brown bandicoots were examined. One epididymidis per animal was fixed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the contralateral side was used for the determination of sperm number, distribution and motility. Sperm form was similar between the two species. Approximately 56 x 10(6) testicular sperm and 100 x 10(6) epididymal sperm per side were present in I. macrourus, about 60% of which were in the caudal region. Initiation of sperm nuclear rotation and loss of the cytoplasmic droplet was first observed in distal caput or proximal corpus segments along with slow progressive motility. In these sperm, dislocation and anterior movement of the sperm neck from the implantation fossa and the modification of the distal margins of the sperm acrosome were evident. Motility of cauda epididymidal spermatozoa was rapid and coordinated, movement was restricted to one plane, and lateral head displacement was marked. As media viscosity increased, sperm velocity decreased, as did the amplitude of the tail beat, its frequency, and lateral head displacement but, in viscous mineral oil and mixtures of media and prostatic exudate, extremely rapid sinusoidal motility occurred. This study has detailed unusual morphological changes in bandicoot sperm during epididymal maturation and has shown that, although bandicoot sperm differ morphologically from those of the dasyurids, particularly in relation to head-tail orientation and tail ultrastructure, they exhibit similar motility.

scholarly journals Determination of ultra-morphological changes of Trichophyton rubrum treated with hydroxychavicol

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.M Ridzuan ◽  
Nasir Mohamad ◽  
Salwani Ismail ◽  
Nor Iza A. Rahman ◽  
Mohd Adzim Khalili R. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trichophyton Rubrum ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Minimum Fungicidal Concentration ◽  
Betel Leaf ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Resistant Strains

Introduction: Trichophyton rubrum is a common pathogenic fungal species that is responsible for causing infection of human skin, hair and nail. The antifungal-resistant strains however, complicate the treatment regime. Hydroxychavicol (HC) is one of the main compounds from the Piper betel leaf that have antifungal potential and its mechanism of action has yet to be studied. This study was carried out to determine the antifungal properties of HC against Trichophyton rubrum using transmission electron microscope (TEM) on gross and ultrastructure of Trichophyton rubrum hypha. Methods: Broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of HC and miconazole (MI) against the Trichophyton rubrum (ATCC 28188). Trichophyton rubrum was treated with HC and MI at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/mL for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days continuously. Results: The MIC results of the HC and MI against Trichophyton rubrum were 0.00048 mg/mL and 0.000061 mg/mL respectively. MFC results showed 0.0019 mg/mL for HC and 0.000061 mg/mL for MI. Microscopically, the fungi structures became more severely damaged at increasing treatment duration. The cell wall of the fungi treated with HC showed a rough surface, shrinkage and demolition similar to that of the MI treated group. The fungi organelles were also demolished and disorganized. Conclusions: This study reveals that HC has the ability to inhibit Trichophyton rubrum growth and it has the potential to be an antifungal agent especially in treating dermatitis.

Effect of Contraceptive Steroids on the Endometrium of Guinea Pig: SEM study

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 668-669
Author(s):  
Mai M. Said ◽  
Ramesh K. Nayak ◽  
Randall E. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Surface Ultrastructure ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Sem Study ◽  
Uterine Mucosa ◽  
Group 1

Burgos and Wislocki described changes in the mucosa of the guinea pig uterus, cervix and vagina during the estrous cycle investigated by transmission electron microscopy. More recently, Moghissi and Reame reported the effects of progestational agents on the human female reproductive tract. They found drooping and shortening of cilia in norgestrel and norethindrone- treated endometria. To the best of our knowledge, no studies concerning the effects of mestranol and norethindrone given concurrently on the three-dimensional surface features on the uterine mucosa of the guinea pig have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mestranol and norethindrone on surface ultrastructure of guinea pig uterus by SEM.Seventy eight animals were used in this study. They were allocated into two groups. Group 1 (20 animals) was injected intramuscularly 0.1 ml vegetable oil and served as controls.

Transmission Electron Microscopy of Protein Macromolecules

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 424-425
Author(s):  
Henry S. Slayter
Keyword(s):  
Biological Systems ◽  
Metal Vapor ◽  
Resolving Power ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Transmission Electron

Electron microscopic methods have been applied increasingly during the past fifteen years, to problems in structural molecular biology. Used in conjunction with physical chemical methods and/or Fourier methods of analysis, they constitute powerful tools for determining sizes, shapes and modes of aggregation of biopolymers with molecular weights greater than 50, 000. However, the application of the e.m. to the determination of very fine structure approaching the limit of instrumental resolving power in biological systems has not been productive, due to various difficulties such as the destructive effects of dehydration, damage to the specimen by the electron beam, and lack of adequate and specific contrast. One of the most satisfactory methods for contrasting individual macromolecules involves the deposition of heavy metal vapor upon the specimen. We have investigated this process, and present here what we believe to be the more important considerations for optimizing it. Results of the application of these methods to several biological systems including muscle proteins, fibrinogen, ribosomes and chromatin will be discussed.

Determination of the phase structure of polymerblends by electron microscopy

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 492-493
Author(s):  
Dr. G. Kaemof
Keyword(s):  
Screw Extruder ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Single Screw Extruder ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
Special Case ◽  
Microscopic Investigations

A mixture of polycarbonate (PC) and styrene-acrylonitrile-copolymer (SAN) represents a very good example for the efficiency of electron microscopic investigations concerning the determination of optimum production procedures for high grade product properties.The following parameters have been varied:components of charge (PC : SAN 50 : 50, 60 : 40, 70 : 30), kind of compounding machine (single screw extruder, twin screw extruder, discontinuous kneader), mass-temperature (lowest and highest possible temperature).The transmission electron microscopic investigations (TEM) were carried out on ultra thin sections, the PC-phase of which was selectively etched by triethylamine.The phase transition (matrix to disperse phase) does not occur - as might be expected - at a PC to SAN ratio of 50 : 50, but at a ratio of 65 : 35. Our results show that the matrix is preferably formed by the components with the lower melting viscosity (in this special case SAN), even at concentrations of less than 50 %.

Enhanced information from biological materials through technological improvements in cryo-electron microscopy

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 788-789
Author(s):  
Marc J.C. de Jong ◽  
Wim M. Busing ◽  
Max T. Otten
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Beam ◽  
Biological Materials ◽  
Electron Crystallography ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
The Many ◽  
Technological Improvements ◽  
Beam Damage

Biological materials damage rapidly in the electron beam, limiting the amount of information that can be obtained in the transmission electron microscope. The discovery that observation at cryo temperatures strongly reduces beam damage (in addition to making it unnecessaiy to use chemical fixatives, dehydration agents and stains, which introduce artefacts) has given an important step forward to preserving the ‘live’ situation and makes it possible to study the relation between function, chemical composition and morphology.Among the many cryo-applications, the most challenging is perhaps the determination of the atomic structure. Henderson and co-workers were able to determine the structure of the purple membrane by electron crystallography, providing an understanding of the membrane's working as a proton pump. As far as understood at present, the main stumbling block in achieving high resolution appears to be a random movement of atoms or molecules in the specimen within a fraction of a second after exposure to the electron beam, which destroys the highest-resolution detail sought.

Ultrastructural Study of Rat Colon Following Psyllium Ingestion

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 580-581
Author(s):  
F.G. Lightfoot ◽  
L.E. Grau ◽  
M.M. Cassidy ◽  
G.R. Tadvalkar ◽  
G.V. Vahouny
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Rat Colon ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Luminal Surface ◽  
Fecal Material ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Morphologic Analysis ◽  
Irritable Bowel

Psyllium hydrophillic mucilloid is a natural gelling fiber consumed by a large population of our society. It is used as a bulk-producing laxative and in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. The literature pertaining to the ultrastructural effects of this agent is sparse.This study documents morphological changes induced by psyllium. Animals fed a diet containing 2% psyllium for four weeks were subsequently sacrificed and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The colon contained fecal material combined with psyllium which conformed to the contour of the luminal surface. This mixture formed surface replicas of the intestinal mucosa. These replicas and their related colonic sites were processed for morphologic analysis.

Correlation Between Cellular Functions and Morphological Changes of Human Trophoblast in Vitro

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 600-601
Author(s):  
John C. Garancis ◽  
Robert O. Hussa ◽  
Michael T. Story ◽  
Donald Yorde ◽  
Roland A. Pattillo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Culture Fluid ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Marked Activity ◽  
Malignant Trophoblast

Human malignant trophoblast cells in continuous culture were incubated for 3 days in medium containing 1 mM N6-O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) and 1 mM theophylline. The culture fluid was replenished daily. Stimulated cultures secreted many times more chorionic gonadotropin and estrogens than did control cultures in the absence of increased cellular proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable surface changes of stimulated cells. Control cells (not stimulated) were smooth or provided with varying numbers of microvilli (Fig. 1). The latter, usually, were short and thin. The surface features of stimulated cells were considerably different. There was marked increase of microvilli which appeared elongated and thick. Many cells were covered with confluent polypoid projections (Fig. 2). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated marked activity of cytoplasmic organelles. Mitochondria were increased in number and size; some giant forms with numerous cristae were observed.

High-resolution microscopy of twin boundaries in gold

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 260-261
Author(s):  
William Krakow ◽  
David A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
Gold Films ◽  
Boundary Area ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Tilt Boundaries ◽  
High Resolution Microscopy ◽  
Twist Boundaries

Recent developments in specimen preparation, imaging and image analysis together permit the experimental determination of the atomic structure of certain, simple grain boundaries in metals such as gold. Single crystal, ∼125Å thick, (110) oriented gold films are vapor deposited onto ∼3000Å of epitaxial silver on (110) oriented cut and polished rock salt substrates. Bicrystal gold films are then made by first removing the silver coated substrate and placing in contact two suitably misoriented pieces of the gold film on a gold grid. Controlled heating in a hot stage first produces twist boundaries which then migrate, so reducing the grain boundary area, to give mixed boundaries and finally tilt boundaries perpendicular to the foil. These specimens are well suited to investigation by high resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Liver Toxicity in Rats Fed A Mixture of Pcb Congeners and 2,3,7,8-Tcdd

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 51-52
Author(s):  
B.J. Cornell ◽  
A. Singh ◽  
I. Chu
Keyword(s):  
Aromatic Compounds ◽  
Liver Toxicity ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Test Substance ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Morphological Alterations ◽  
Pcb Congeners ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats

Polyhalogenated aromatic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) continue to be environmental contaminants because of their bioaccumulation in the food chain and high resistance to biodegradation. The current study was undertaken to determine if a mixture of PCB congeners (WHO-IPCS) were interactive with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in producing morphological changes in the rat liver. Both compounds are known to produce a broad range of biochemical and morphological alterations including enzyme induction.Groups (N=5) of female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered TCDD (0, 2.5, 25, 250, 1000 ng/kg bw/day) or PCB (0, 2, 20 μg/kg bw/day) alone, or in combination with each concentration of both compounds. Incorrect concentrations were published in a previous abstract. The test substance was mixed with corn oil and given by gavage at 2 ml/kg daily for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed and liver samples were prepared for transmission electron microscopy.

scholarly journals Using seed respiration as a tool for calculating optimal soaking times for ‘on-farm’ seed priming of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Javier Carrillo-Reche ◽  
Adrian C. Newton ◽  
Richard S. Quilliam
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Embryonic Axes ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Soaking Time ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Seed Respiration

Abstract A low-cost technique named ‘on-farm’ seed priming is increasingly being recognized as an effective approach to maximize crop establishment. It consists of anaerobically soaking seeds in water before sowing resulting in rapid and uniform germination, and enhanced seedling vigour. The extent of these benefits depends on the soaking time. The current determination of optimal soaking time by germination assays and mini-plot trials is resource-intensive, as it is species/genotype-specific. This study aimed to determine the potential of the seed respiration rate (an indicator of metabolic activity) and seed morphological changes during barley priming as predictors of the priming benefits and, thus, facilitate the determination of optimal soaking times. A series of germination tests revealed that the germination rate is mostly attributable to the rapid hydration of embryo tissues, as the highest gains in the germination rate occurred before the resumption of respiration. Germination uniformity, however, was not significantly improved until seeds were primed for at least 8 h, that is, after a first respiration burst was initiated. The maximum seedling vigour was attained when the priming was stopped just before the beginning of the differentiation of embryonic axes (20 h) after which vigour began to decrease (‘over-priming’). The onset of embryonic axis elongation was preceded by a second respiration burst, which can be used as a marker for priming optimization. Thus, monitoring of seed respiration provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the current practice. The method could be carried out by agricultural institutions to provide recommended optimal soaking times for the common barley varieties within a specific region.

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