Tumors in Cetaceans: Analysis and New Findings

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1289-1300 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Geraci ◽  
N. C. Palmer ◽  
D. J. St. Aubin

We describe 14 tumors, including 5 leiomyomas, 6 papillomas, 2 adrenal adenomas, and a bronchogenic carcinoma collected from over 1800 free-ranging and captive cetaceans examined since 1973. These bring to 41 the number of confirmable tumors reported from cetaceans. Of the 52 cases previously reported, 23 were described in sufficient detail to confirm the diagnoses, 15 were considered probable, and 4 were reclassified. Organ systems most commonly affected were the gastrointestinal tract (31%), skin (24%), and female reproductive tract (21%). Sampling bias may account for this apparent trend. Etioiogic agents have rarely been identified, and attempts to do so are hampered by inadequate sample sizes.

2017 ◽  
Vol 242 (17) ◽  
pp. 1690-1700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria N Young ◽  
Georgette Moyle-Heyrman ◽  
J Julie Kim ◽  
Joanna E Burdette

Microphysiologic systems (MPS), including new organ-on-a-chip technologies, recapitulate tissue microenvironments by employing specially designed tissue or cell culturing techniques and microfluidic flow. Such systems are designed to incorporate physiologic factors that conventional 2D or even 3D systems cannot, such as the multicellular dynamics of a tissue–tissue interface or physical forces like fluid sheer stress. The female reproductive system is a series of interconnected organs that are necessary to produce eggs, support embryo development and female health, and impact the functioning of non-reproductive tissues throughout the body. Despite its importance, the human reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems, such as the liver and kidney, in terms of modeling with MPS. In this review, we discuss current gaps in the field and areas for technological advancement through the application of MPS. We explore current MPS research in female reproductive biology, including fertilization, pregnancy, and female reproductive tract diseases, with a focus on their clinical applications. Impact statement This review discusses existing microphysiologic systems technology that may be applied to study of the female reproductive tract, and those currently in development to specifically investigate gametes, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and diseases of the female reproductive tract. We focus on the clinical applicability of these new technologies in fields such as assisted reproductive technologies, drug testing, disease diagnostics, and personalized medicine.


1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. CHATWIN ◽  
J. L. LINZELL ◽  
B. P. SETCHELL

SUMMARY The effect of lactation on cardiac output, measured by Fegler's thermodilution technique, and on organ blood flow, measured by Sapirstein's indicator fractionation technique, has been investigated by studying three groups of rats: (1) on day 1 of lactation; (2) on day 12 of lactation, suckling a large litter; (3) on day 12, the young having been removed on day 1. Lactation was accompanied by a significant increase in the weight of the mammary glands, the liver and the small and large intestines and a decrease in the weight of the female reproductive tract and of the skin. Cardiac output in 12-day lactating animals was significantly higher than in non-lactating and in rats on day 1. The proportion of the cardiac output taken by the mammary glands, liver, gastrointestinal tract and their blood flow/g. tissue, increased. Skin blood flow increased, but not that of brain, heart or kidney.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1567-1580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Meslin ◽  
Melissa S. Plakke ◽  
Aaron B. Deutsch ◽  
Brandon S. Small ◽  
Nathan I. Morehouse ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 637
Author(s):  
Amy Winship ◽  
Jacqueline Donoghue ◽  
Brendan J. Houston ◽  
Jacinta H. Martin ◽  
Tessa Lord ◽  
...  

The 2019 meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) provided a platform for the dissemination of new knowledge and innovations to improve reproductive health in humans, enhance animal breeding efficiency and understand the effect of the environment on reproductive processes. The effects of environment and lifestyle on fertility and animal behaviour are emerging as the most important modern issues facing reproductive health. Here, we summarise key highlights from recent work on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and diet- and lifestyle-induced metabolic changes and how these factors affect reproduction. This is particularly important to discuss in the context of potential effects on the reproductive potential that may be imparted to future generations of humans and animals. In addition to key summaries of new work in the male and female reproductive tract and on the health of the placenta, for the first time the SRB meeting included a workshop on endometriosis. This was an important opportunity for researchers, healthcare professionals and patient advocates to unite and provide critical updates on efforts to reduce the effect of this chronic disease and to improve the welfare of the women it affects. These new findings and directions are captured in this review.


Endocrinology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 157 (9) ◽  
pp. 3309-3319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa L. McCallum ◽  
Cindy A. Pru ◽  
Yuichi Niikura ◽  
Siu-Pok Yee ◽  
John P. Lydon ◽  
...  

Progesterone (P4) is essential for female fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional requirement of the nonclassical P4 receptor (PGR), PGR membrane component 1, in regulating female fertility. To achieve this goal, the Pgrmc1 gene was floxed by insertion of loxP sites on each side of exon 2. Pgrmc1 floxed (Pgrmc1fl/fl) mice were crossed with Pgrcre or Amhr2cre mice to delete Pgrmc1 (Pgrmc1d/d) from the female reproductive tract. A 6-month breeding trial revealed that conditional ablation of Pgrmc1 with Pgrcre/+ mice resulted in a 40% reduction (P = .0002) in the number of pups/litter. Neither the capacity to ovulate in response to gonadotropin treatment nor the expression of PGR and the estrogen receptor was altered in the uteri of Pgrmc1d/d mice compared with Pgrmc1fl/fl control mice. Although conditional ablation of Pgrmc1 from mesenchymal tissue using Amhr2cre/+ mice did not reduce the number of pups/litter, the total number of litters born in the 6-month breeding trial was significantly decreased (P = .041). In addition to subfertility, conditional ablation of Pgrmc1 using either Amhr2cre/+ or Pgrcre/+ mice resulted in the development of endometrial cysts starting around 4 months of age. Interestingly, pregnancy attenuated the formation of these uterine cysts. These new findings demonstrate that PGR membrane component 1 plays an important role in female fertility and uterine tissue homeostasis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthonio O. Adefuye ◽  
Henry A. Adeola ◽  
Kurt J. Sales ◽  
Arieh A. Katz

Inflammation is a multifaceted process involving a host of resident and recruited immune cells that eliminate the insult or injury and initiate tissue repair. In the female reproductive tract (FMRT), inflammation-mediated alterations in epithelial, vascular, and immune functions are important components of complex physiological processes and many local and systemic pathologies. It is well established that intracoital and postcoital function of seminal fluid (SF) goes beyond nutritive support for the spermatozoa cells. SF, in particular, the inflammatory bioactive lipids, and prostaglandins present in vast quantities in SF, have a role in localized immune modulation and regulation of pathways that can exacerbate inflammation in the FMRT. In sexually active women SF-mediated inflammation has been implicated in physiologic processes such as ovulation, implantation, and parturition while also enhancing tumorigenesis and susceptibility to infection. This review highlights the molecular mechanism by which SF regulates inflammatory pathways in the FMRT and how alterations in these pathways contribute to physiology and pathology of the female reproductive function. In addition, based on findings from TaqMan® 96-Well Plate Arrays, on neoplastic cervical cells treated with SF, we discuss new findings on the role of SF as a potent driver of inflammatory and tumorigenic pathways in the cervix.


Author(s):  
Mai M. Said ◽  
Ramesh K. Nayak ◽  
Randall E. McCoy

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.


Author(s):  
R.P. Apkarian ◽  
J.S. Sanfilippo

The synthetic androgen danazol, is an isoxazol derivative of ethisterone. It is utilized in the treatment of endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, and has a potential use as a contraceptive. A study was designed to evaluate the ultrastructural changes associated with danazol therapy in a rat model. The preliminary investigation of the distal segment of the rat uterine horn was undertaken as part of a larger study intended to elucidate the effects of danazol on the female reproductive tract.Cross-sections (2-3 mm in length) of the distal segment of the uterine horn from sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared for SEM. Ten rats in estrus served as controls and six danazol treated rats were noted to have alterations of the estrus cycle i.e. a lag in cycle phase or noncycling patterns. Specimens were fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.05M phosphate buffer containing CaCl2 at pH 7.0-7.4 and chilled to 4°C. After a brief wash in distilled water, specimens were passed through a graded series of ethanol, critical point dryed in CO2 from absolute ethanol, and coated with 6nm Au. Observations were made with an IS1-40 SEM operated at 15kV.


Author(s):  
Lawrence M. Roth

The female reproductive tract may be the site of a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors, as well as non-neoplastic tumor-like conditions, most of which can be diagnosed by light microscopic examination including special stains and more recently immunoperoxidase techniques. Nevertheless there are situations where ultrastructural examination can contribute substantially to an accurate and specific diagnosis. It is my opinion that electron microscopy can be of greatest benefit and is most cost effective when applied in conjunction with other methodologies. Thus, I have developed an approach which has proved useful for me and may have benefit for others. In cases where it is deemed of potential value, glutaraldehyde-fixed material is obtained at the time of frozen section or otherwise at operation. Coordination with the gynecologic oncologist is required in the latter situation. This material is processed and blocked and is available if a future need arises.


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