A comparison of the retinal structure in the zebra-snout seahorse (Hippocampus barbouri Jordan & Richardson, 1908) between juveniles and adults in captivity

The activity of the sensory organ in the eye structure of the teleost fish is essential as it plays an important role in regulating fish-feeding behaviours. Unfortunately, the above information of zebra-snout seahorse Hippocampus barbouri, an aquaculture species in Thailand, has not been described. In this study, the eye structure, together with the retinal structure of juvenile [5th and 20th day after birth (DAB)] and adult (35th DAB), H. barbouri reared in captivity was investigated. All DABs were carried out and histologically observed. Light microscopic level explored the external-lateral surface of eye structure of H. barbouri, which consisted of the external, middle, and inner layers, as similarly reported in other teleost species. A well-differentiated retinal and photoreceptor cell layer were observed at 35th DAB compared to that at other DABs. This feature might be adequate to support the base of the increased feeding activity of adult seahorse in captivity for further research.

Testicular structure and spermatogenesis of short mackerel, Rastrelliger brachysoma (Bleeker, 1851) in Upper Gulf of Thailand

Testicular structure and spermatogenesis of short mackerel, Rastrelliger brachysoma (Bleeker, 1851) (Teleostei: Scombridae) was first investigated. The testicular parenchyma was a lobular organ, which was classified as an unrestricted spermatogonial type. The classification of spermatogenetic stage could be classified into six stages based on the pattern of chromatin condensation and other characterizations at the light microscopic level. These six stages included the primary and secondary spermatogonium, primary and secondary spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoon. The spermatogenesis could also be classified into another four stages based on the nuclear and cytoplasmic characterizations at the ultrastructural level. Spermatogonium was the early germ cell. It underwent a series of mitotic division to reach the primary spermatocyte. Secondary spermatocyte was shown as the heterochromatin surrounding the nuclear membrane, which was rarely seen within seminiferous lobules. Stages during the spermatids differentiation comprised of the early, intermediate and late stages which are under the degree/change of chromatin condensation. Finally, the spermatozoon was revealed as the aquasperm primitive type. It was composed of an oval head without an acrosome, a short mid-piece consisting of two basal bodies (proximal and distal centrioles) and a long flagella tail without lateral fins. The axonemes of classical form with 9+2 microtubules were presented in the flagellum.

Early signs of toxicity in testes and sperm of rats exposed to low cadmium doses

The cadmium (Cd) concentration in the environment has increased as a consequence of anthropogenic activity. The objective of this study was to determine early signs of Cd toxicity in testes and sperm as possible biomarkers. The dose orally administered to Wistar rats was within the range where chronic toxicity can appear. At the light microscopic level, gonads presented preserved cytoarchitecture throughout treatment; however, after the second month, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed disruption of the blood–testis barrier. The study of sperm with light microscopy showed defects in gamete morphology after 2 months of treatment. Another parameter that revealed alteration was sperm motility after 3 months of treatment. TEM was used to analyze the flagellum, which in the midpiece showed aberrant mitochondria and displacement of outer dense fibers in relation to the central axoneme after 2 months. The data obtained were associated with Cd concentration in the testes, an increase in its levels being observed in a time-dependent manner. The results provided in this study demonstrated that early signs of Cd toxicity were observed in gonads and gametes during the second month of the treatment, generating morphological and functional alterations in the sperm that could lead to infertility.

Use of Autometallography in Studies of Nanosilver Distribution and Toxicity

With the increasing use of and interest in nanoparticles in medicine and technology, the tissue and cell-specific localization of the particles are important considerations when the nanomaterials find their way into biological systems. This brief communication shows the utility of autometallography in determining the location of metal deposition at the light microscopic level. Although primarily focusing on studies of the toxicity and deposition of silver nanoparticles, use of autometallography to localize zinc and other metals at the tissue and subcellular localization is also recognized.

UNBIASED STEREOLOGICAL ESTIMATION OF DIFFERENT CELL TYPES IN RAT CEREBRAL CORTEX

The total numbers of neurons, glial cells, and endothelial cells in rat cerebral cortex were estimated using unbiased stereological counting techniques and systematic sampling. The reference volume chosen was the entire neocortex, most of the allocortex and parts of claustrum using the rhinal fissure as the macroscopical anatomical landmark. These regions are referred to collectively as syncortex. A method has been devised for reducing problems associated with the uncertainties that arise when distinguishing between various types of cells. At the light microscopic level, using the detailed criteria described in this article, the total numbers of neurons, glial cells, and endothelial cells, respectively, were estimated for the entire syncortex as the product of the estimate of the volume of the syncortex, made with point counting techniques, and the estimates of the numerical density for each group of cells, made with optical disectors. In a sample of three brains, the mean total number of cells (neurons, glial and endothelial) in the syncortex of the rat brain is 128 x 106. This number is made up of 47% neurons, 24% glial cells, 17% endothelial cells, and 11% uncertain cell types (probably mostly glial cells).

Observations on morphology of insufficiently known amoebae Saccamoeba wellneri Siemensma, 1987 and Saccamoeba limna Bovee, 1972 (Gymnamoebia: Hartmannellidae)

The morphology of poorly known freshwater amoebae, Saccamoeba wellneri Siemensma, 1987 and Saccamoeba limna Bovee, 1972, were investigated using living observations at light microscopic level. S. wellneri was collected from Karloveské rameno branch of the Danube River and Štrkovecké jazero lake in Bratislava, Slovakia. Its locomotive form is typical with crescent-shaped and bipyramidal crystals and uroid with short wart-like papillae. S. limna was found in an indoor freshwater aquarium in Bratislava, Slovakia. The locomotive form of S. limna has broad monopodial shape and possesses typical hyaline uroid with short nonadhesive filaments. Many small bipyramidal crystals were noted. Additional data and details on the morphology of both species were described and illustrated and re-diagnoses are presented. This paper is helpful for their identification on the base of locomotive morphology, floating, and resting forms and allows distinguishing S. wellneri and S. limna from other hartmannellids at light microscopic level.