Histological, histochemical, and fine structural observations on the spleen of seals

Schumacher, Udo; Welsch, Ulrich

doi:10.1002/aja.1001790406

Cited by 30 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The thick capsule, well developed trabeculae, arrangement of the red and white pulp and plentiful plasma cells found in the present study were in keeping with findings of the detailed report of Schumacher & Welsch (1987). However, eosinophils and plentiful macrophages in the marginal zone of follicles were not detected in the present study.…”

Section: Spleensupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Notwithstanding postmortem autolysis of some tissues and sole reliance on haematoxylin and eosin stained sections, examination of the salient histological features of the tissues was possible. The histological organisation of the viscera was generally consistent with that previously described for this species (Denison & Kooyman, 1973 ;Bester, 1975 ;Schumacher & Welsch, 1987) and other pinnipeds (Simpson & Gardner, 1972 ;Lowenstine & Osborn, 1990).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…The histological features of the Cape fur seal spleen were similar to those previously reported in other pinnipeds (Simpson & Gardner, 1972 ;Schumacher & Welsch, 1987 ;Lowenstine & Osborn, 1990). The thick capsule, well developed trabeculae, arrangement of the red and white pulp and plentiful plasma cells found in the present study were in keeping with findings of the detailed report of Schumacher & Welsch (1987).…”

Section: Spleensupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Apart from organ weights, no attempt has been made to describe the gross visceral anatomy of this genus. Published information on histological features of southern fur seals is limited to a study of the kidneys of 6 Cape fur seals, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Bester, 1975), the lung of 1 Cape fur seal (Denison & Kooyman, 1973), and the spleen of 1 Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus gazella (Schumacher & Welsch, 1987).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Pinnipedia: Otariidae), with reference to organ size and growth

Stewardson

Hemsley

Meyer³

et al. 1999

Journal of Anatomy

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The gross and microscopic anatomy of the Cape fur seal heart, lung, liver, spleen, stomach, intestine and kidneys (n l 31 seals) is described. Absolute and relative size of organs from 30 male seals are presented, with histological examination conducted on 7 animals. The relationship between log body weight, log organ weight and age was investigated using linear regression. Twenty five animals were of known age, while 6 were aged from counts of incremental lines observed in the dentine of tooth sections. For the range of ages represented in this study, body weight changes were accurately described by the exponential growth equation, weight l w o r t , with body weight increasing by 23 % per annum until at least 9-10 y of age. Organ weight increased at a rate of between 25 % and 33 % per annum until at least 9-10 y of age, with the exception of the intestines, where exponential increase appeared to have ceased by about 7 y. The relationship between body weight and organ weight was investigated using logarithmic transformations of the allometric equation, y l ax b , where the exponent b is 1 if organ weight is proportional to body weight. Most organs increased in proportion to the body. However, the heart, liver and spleen had exponents b 1, suggesting that these organs increased at a faster rate than the body. The basic anatomical features of the viscera were similar to those of other pinnipeds, with some exceptions, including the arrangement of the multilobed lung and liver. Apart from the large liver and kidneys, relative size of the organs did not differ greatly from similar sized terrestrial carnivores. The histological features of the organs were generally consistent with those previously described for this species and other otariids. The heart, as in other pinnipeds, was unlike that of cetacea in not having unusually thick endocardium or prominent Purkinje cells. Notable histological features of the lungs included prominent fibrous septa, prominent smooth muscle bundles, cartilage extending to the level of the alveolar sacs and ample lymphoid tissue. The spleen had a thick capsule, well developed trabeculae and plentiful plasma cells. Abundant parietal cells were present in the fundic glands and lymphoid follicles were present in the gastric lamina propria, particularly in the pyloric region. Small intestinal villi were very long but this could have resulted from underlying chronic inflammation. Lymphoid follicles were prominent in the colon. The kidney reniculi each had a complete cortex, medulla and calyx, but a sportaperi medullaris musculosa was not identified.

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Section: Spleensupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Spleensupporting

confidence: 72%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Pinnipedia: Otariidae), with reference to organ size and growth

Stewardson

Hemsley

Meyer³

et al. 1999

Journal of Anatomy

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“…Strong evidence supports this line of reasoning. Histological and physiological data collected on seal spleens indicate that the organ is capable of considerable RBC storage and that it reacts to catecholamine stimulation (6)(7)(8)(9). The ability of the phocid spleen to concentrate RBCs is supported by high Hct values obtained from splenic venous blood during catecholamine-induced contraction (88-93% in hooded seals; 82-88% in harp seals; ref.…”

mentioning

confidence: 95%

Effects of forced diving on the spleen and hepatic sinus in northern elephant seal pups

Thornton

Spielman

Pelc

et al. 2001

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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In phocid seals, an increase in hematocrit (Hct) accompanies diving and periods of apnea. The variability of phocid Hct suggests that the total red cell mass is not always in circulation, leading researchers to speculate on the means of blood volume partitioning. The histology and disproportionate size of the phocid spleen implicates it as the likely site for RBC storage. We used magnetic resonance imaging on Northern elephant seals to demonstrate a rapid contraction of the spleen and a simultaneous filling of the hepatic sinus during forced dives (P < 0.0001, R 2 ‫؍‬ 0.97). The resulting images are clear evidence demonstrating a functional relationship between the spleen and hepatic sinus. The transfer of blood from the spleen to the sinus provides an explanation for the disparity between the timing of diving-induced splenic contraction (Ϸ1-3 min) and the occurrence of peak Hct (15-25 min). Facial immersion was accompanied by an immediate and profound splenic contraction, with no further significant decrease in splenic volume after min 2 (Tukey-Kramer HSD, P ‫؍‬ 0.05). At the conclusion of the dive, the spleen had contracted to 16% of its predive volume (mean resting splenic volume ‫؍‬ 3,141 ml ؎ 68.01 ml; 3.54% of body mass). In the postdive period, the spleen required 18 -22 min to achieve resting volume, indicating that this species may not have sufficient time to refill the spleen when routinely diving at sea, which is virtually continuous with interdive surface intervals between 1 and 3 min. P hocid seals exhibit a higher hematocrit (Hct) during apnea and diving than during periods of eupneic respiration (1-4). This variation in red cell mass indicates that seals have some method of sequestering red cells during nonapneic events. Bryden and Lim (5) found the Hct values of elephant seal pups to be highly variable and suggested that the spleen acts as a dynamic reservoir for erythrocytes, releasing RBCs into general circulation when required. Qvist et al. (2) recorded a distinct rise in Weddell seal Hct during diving and suggested that the total red cell mass is partitioned between general circulation and the splenic reservoir. The concept of splenic red cell storage is well accepted by many researchers, and a diving-induced sympathetic vasoconstriction is thought to be the stimulus for splenic contraction and subsequent injection of oxygenated RBCs into circulation (2, 4, 6, 7). Strong evidence supports this line of reasoning. Histological and physiological data collected on seal spleens indicate that the organ is capable of considerable RBC storage and that it reacts to catecholamine stimulation (6-9). The ability of the phocid spleen to concentrate RBCs is supported by high Hct values obtained from splenic venous blood during catecholamine-induced contraction (88-93% in hooded seals; 82-88% in harp seals; ref. 7). Ultrasound imaging in Weddell seals demonstrates a correlation of the diving-induced rise in Hct with a postdive reduction in spleen size (6).Dive and postdive catecholamine levels collected fro...

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Histological, histochemical, and fine structural observations on the lymph node of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

Welsch¹,

Schwertfirm²,

Skírnisson

et al. 1997

Anat. Rec.

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Histological, histochemical, and fine structural observations on the spleen of seals

Cited by 30 publications

References 19 publications

Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Pinnipedia: Otariidae), with reference to organ size and growth

Gross and microscopic visceral anatomy of the male Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Pinnipedia: Otariidae), with reference to organ size and growth

Effects of forced diving on the spleen and hepatic sinus in northern elephant seal pups

Histological, histochemical, and fine structural observations on the lymph node of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

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