Anencephaly Does Not Cause Structural Alterations in the Fetal Penis

Carvalho, João Paulo Martins de; Costa, Waldemar S.; Sampaio, Francisco J.B.; Favorito, Luciano A.

doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02589.x

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The bladder of anencephalic fetuses had gross histological alterations when compared to normal fetuses (7). Carvalho (8) showed no differences in the structure of the genitalia from anencephalic fetuses compared to normal ones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

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Study of the ureter structure in anencephalic fetuses

et al. 2013

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Purpose: The objective of this paper is to analyze the structure of the ureter in normal and anencephalic human fetuses. Materials and Methods:We studied 16 ureters from 8 human fetuses without congenital anomalies aged 16 to 27 weeks post-conception (WPC) and 14 ureters from 7 anencephalic fetuses aged 19 to 33 WPC. The ureters were dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5 µm thick sections were obtained and stained with Masson trichrome, to quantify smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to determine the ureteral lumen area, thickness and ureteral diameter. The samples were also stained with Weigert Resorcin Fucsin (to study elastic fibers) and Picro-Sirius Red with polarization and immunohistochemistry analysis of the collagen type III fibers to study collagen. Stereological analysis of collagen, elastic system fibers and SMC were performed on the sections. Data were expressed as volumetric density (Vv-%). The images were captured with an Olympus BX51 microscope and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis was done using the Image Pro and Image J programs. For biochemical analysis, samples were fixed in acetone, and collagen concentrations were expressed as micrograms of hydroxyproline per mg of dry tissue. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired t-test (p < 0.05). Results: The ureteral epithelium was well preserved in the anencephalic and control groups. We did not observe differences in the transitional epithelium in the anencephalic and control groups. There was no difference in elastic fibers and total collagen distribution in normal and anencephalic fetuses. SMC concentration did not differ significantly (p = 0.1215) in the anencephalic and control group. The ureteral lumen area (p = 0.0047), diameter (p = 0.0024) and thickness (p = 0.0144) were significantly smaller in anencephalic fetuses. Conclusions: Fetuses with anencephaly showed smaller diameter, area and thickness. These differences could indicate that anencephalic fetal ureters tend to have significant structural alterations, probably due to cerebral lesions with consequent brain control damage of ureter nerves.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…The organ structure of anencephalic fetuses and children is virtually unknown. Recently the structure of anencephalic fetal kidneys (6), bladder (7) and penis (8) has been studied. The bladder of anencephalic fetuses had gross histological alterations when compared to normal fetuses (7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the ureter structure in anencephalic fetuses

et al. 2013

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“…In addition, we studied the urogenital system in fetuses with congenital anomalies, as prune-belly syndrome and anencephaly, and compared these results with normal fetuses, with the view to possible use of anencephalic, for example, as potential donors of tissues and organs [19]–[21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With reference to penis development during the fetal period, the only studies available in the literature, apart from that of our group [5], [6], [17]–[21], [23] were performed by ultrasound or other imaging methods in utero, and were related only to penile length [24]–[27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modifications of Erectile Tissue Components in the Penis during the Fetal Period

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThe penile erectile tissue has a complex microscopic anatomy with important functions in the mechanism of penile erection. The knowledge of such structures is necessary for understanding the normal physiology of the adult penis. Therefore, it is important to know the changes of these penile structures during fetal development. This study aims to analyze the development of the main components of the erectile tissue, such as collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers, in human fetuses.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe studied the penises of 56 human fetuses aged 13 to 36 weeks post-conception (WPC). We used histochemical and immunohistochemical staining, as well as morphometric techniques to analyze the collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers in the corpus cavernosum and in the corpus spongiosum. These elements were identified and quantified as percentage by using the Image J software (NIH, Bethesda, USA). From 13 to 36 WPC, in the corpus cavernosum, the amount of collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers varied from 19.88% to 36.60%, from 4.39% to 29.76% and from 1.91% to 8.92%, respectively. In the corpus spongiosum, the amount of collagen, smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers varied from 34.65% to 45.89%, from 0.60% to 11.90% and from 3.22% to 11.93%, respectively.ConclusionsWe found strong correlation between the elements analyzed with fetal age, both in corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum. The growth rate of these elements was more intense during the second trimester (13 to 24 WPC) of gestation, both in corpus cavernosum and in corpus spongiosum. There is greater proportional amount of collagen in the corpus spongiosum than in corpus cavernosum during all fetal period. In the corpus spongiosum, there is about four times more collagen than smooth muscle fibers and elastic system fibers, during all fetal period studied.

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“…The organ structure of anencephalic fetuses and children is almost unknown. Recently the structure of anencephalic fetal kidneys [7], bladder [8] and penis [9] was studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary Anomalies in Fetus with Neural Tube Defects

Costa¹,

Julio-Junior²,

Bernardo³

et al. 2014

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Background: The objective of this study is to analyze the incidence of congenital urogenital malformations in human fetuses with neural tube defects (NTDs). Methods: We studied 320 human fetuses (214 males and 106 female) ranged in age from 12 to 35 weeks post-conception (WPC). The fetuses were carefully dissected with the aid of a stereoscopic lens with 16/25× magnification. The abdomen and pelvis were opened to identify and expose the urogenital organs. We studied the incidence of renal, ureteral, bladder, urethral, testicular, epididymal, vas deferens, prostate and penile and uterine anomalies. The renal anomalies were divided into rotation, fusion, number and ascension. We observed the presence of seminalvesicle and ureteral duplication, bladderseptation, hypospadias and posterior urethral valve. Results: We observed 17 fetuses (5.31%) with NTDs ranged in age between 18 to 34 WPC, weighted between 170 and 2325 g, and had crownrump length between 13 and 34 cm. Of the 17 fetuses, 4 (23.4%) presented some kind of anomaly of the urogenital system. Renal anomalies were found in three fetuses (17.6%) and a duplication of the left ureter in one fetus (5.8%). We do not observe anomalies in genital organs in this sample. Conclusions: We concluded that the urogenital anomalies in human fetuses with neural tube defects are significant with an incidence superior a 20%. In this study we have not found severe urogenital anomaly that causes damage of the body function.

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Anencephaly Does Not Cause Structural Alterations in the Fetal Penis

Cited by 13 publications

References 28 publications

Study of the ureter structure in anencephalic fetuses

Study of the ureter structure in anencephalic fetuses

Modifications of Erectile Tissue Components in the Penis during the Fetal Period

Urinary Anomalies in Fetus with Neural Tube Defects

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