The distribution of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) activity was investigated and compared in the rat, rabbit and pheasant thoracic spinal cord. The investigation of all spinal cord regions (laminae) in three experimental species revealed marked differences in the distribution of NADPH-d activity. Cross sectional analysis of the spinal cord of the rat, rabbit and pheasant confirmed differences in the shape of the gray matter in all examined species. More detailed investigation of Rexed´s laminas showed similar distribution of NADPH-d activity in the spinal cord of the rat and rabbit, which were different when compared with the spinal cord of the pheasant. Ventral horn of the rat and rabbit showed no labelling whereas in pheasant this area possessed a number of scattered, intensively stained neurons. In the location of autonomic preganglionic neurons, differences were found as well. In the rat there was seen a number of densely packed, clearly dark blue coloured neurons. Similarly, these neurons were present in the rabbit spinal cord but they were less numerous. No staining was found in this region of pheasant. Pericentral area (lamina X) and intermediate zone (laminaVII) revealed the presence of NADPH-d positive neurons in all examined species although they differed in number and shape of their bodies. The dorsal horn showed the presence of NADPH-d staining in all three animals but its distribution was different in medio - lateral direction. It can be suggested that observed differencies in the presence and distribution of NADPH-d activity across the examined species may reflect different fylogenetic developmen

We have evaluated the impact of chronic administration of clorgyline, a potent monoamine oxidase A inhibitor and a former antidepressant, on the preimplantation embryo development in Wistar rats. Females were injected intraperitoneally daily for 30 days with saline (control animals), or with a low-dose clorgyline (LDC, 0.1 mg/kg per d) or with a high-dose clorgyline (HDC, 1 mg/kg per d). Embryos were isolated on day 5 of pregnancy and urine was collected by puncture of the urinary bladder. The number of embryos per female did not differ between experimental groups and control, but we have recorded a decreased number of embryos in HDC group compared to LDC (P < .05). We have found that LDC significantly reduced the presence of healthy embryos and increased the presence of the degenerated embryos (P < .001). The administration of the LDC resulted in the lowest cell number in blastocysts. We have observed significantly increased serotonin levels in HDC group compared to both control (P < .05) and LDC animals (P < .01). Norepinephrine (NE) levels in both experimental groups were significantly elevated compared to controls. Dopamine levels did not differ between groups (P > .05). We speculate that lesser negative effect of HDC compared to LDC on the preimplantation embryo development could be the consequence of the lower NE levels and/or elevated serotonin levels. Potential mechanisms mediating clorgyline-induced impaired preimplantation embryo development are proposed.

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Innervation of the spleen in guinea-pigs was studied. Adrenergic nerve components of the organ were visualized by glyoxylic acid histofluorescence method. The adrenergic nerve components enter the spleen in a common bundle with arteries. In the organ first they form characteristic dense periarterial plexiform arrangements of thicker and thinner nerve profiles, which are especially conspicuous around the aa. centrales running through the white pulp. Then, nerve fibres extend away from these plexuses into the adjacent layers of fibrous trabeculae, further into the marginal layers of periarterial lymphatic sheath (PALS) as well as into the mantle zone of follicles. Several scattered periarterial and solitary nerve profiles can be seen in the marginal sinuses and cords of the red pulp.Innervation of the wall of large and larger veins is relatively richer than in other mammals. In the fibrous capsule of the spleen several specifically fluorescent nerve fibres can also be seen which have an evident connection with trabecular and parenchymal nerves of the organ.Microscopic findings support the notion that adrenergic nerve components participate in the regulation of vascular motility as well as in the regulation of the microenvironment of the organ's own parenchyma. Innervation, lymphoid organ, white pulp, red pulpWithin the context of developing concept on the immuno-neurohumoral regulation of vitally important functions of the organism, special attention has been paid to the study of the anatomical base for neuroregulation of the lymphoid organs. Based upon a more detailed analysis of published data on the nerve supply of spleen in rats and sheep Felten and Olshowka 1987;Marettová et. al. 1998) as to the results of our previous works on the study of morphological characteristics of innervation of primary and secondary lymphoid organs in various animals (Schmidtová et al. 1995; SiroÈáková and ·kardová 1998; Koãi‰ová et al. 1999), we have examined the adrenergic innervation of the spleen in guinea pigs. Participation of the nerve components in the regulation of organ system function appears to be a very interesting problem also in this laboratory animal. Materials and MethodsClinically healthy animals of both sexes were used in the study. The spleens of eighteen 3-4 month-old guineapigs (weighing 300-350 g) were examined. Before experiments, the animals were reared in the Central Animal Husbandy quarters under veterinary care (food and drinking water were supplied ad libitum). The animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital (40 mg /kg i.p.). Adrenergic nerve components of the organ were visualized by a modified fluorescent histochemical method of Shvalev and Zhuckova (1987). Both the microscopic examination and photographic documentation were performed using a Jenalumar 2 (Zeiss, Jena). ResultsAdrenergic nerve components enter the organ in a common bundle with a. lienalis and its branches. Then, in the organ they pass together with arteries in the form of typical

Abstract:The aim of the present study was to compare the presence and topography of intra bursal adrenergic and ACHE-positive nerve structures in the bursa cloacalis of the chickens and pheasants from hatching until 12 months of age. The adrenergic nervous profiles were demonstrated visualized by means of verified histochemical method with glyoxylic acid and for demonstration of ACHE-positive nerve fibres were used the direct tiocholin method cytochemistry evidence acetylcholinesterase. In the bursa cloacalis the distribution and topography of adrenergic and ACHE-positive nerve formation in chickens and pheasants were corresponding. The visible nerve fibres were founded mainly in close connection with vessels or as solitary fibres running through fibrous septa around the lymphatic follicles. Nerve fibres in germinal center of lymphatic follicles were not discover. The highest density of adrenergic and ACHE-positive nerves was observed in the period between 3rd and 4th months of age. After this period gradual reduction of adrenergic and ACHE-positive nerve structures was observed and the bursa cloacalis of a 12 months old chicken and pheasant showed only single nerve structures located mainly in the perivascular topography.