Stereological assessment of normal Persian squirrels (Sciurus anomalus) kidney

Abstract

The functions of the mammalian kidney are closely related to its structure. This suggests that renal function can be completely characterized by accurate knowledge of its quantitative morphological features. The aim of this study was to investigate the histomorphometric features of the kidney using design-based and unbiased stereological methods in the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus), which is the only representative of the Sciuridae family in the Middle East. The left kidneys of five animals were examined. Total volume of the kidney, cortex, and medulla were determined to be 960.75 ± 87.4, 754.31 ± 77.09 and 206.1 ± 16.89 mm, respectively. The glomerular number was 32844.03 ± 1069.19, and the total glomerular volume was estimated to be 36.7 ± 1.45 mm. The volume and length of the proximal convoluted tubule were estimated at 585.67 ± 60.7 mm and 328.8 ± 14.8 m, respectively, with both values being greater than those reported in the rat kidney. The volume and length of the distal convoluted tubule were calculated at 122.34 ± 7.38 mm and 234.4 ± 17.45 m, respectively, which are also greater than those reported in the rat kidney. Despite the comparable body weight, the total number and mean individual volume of glomeruli in the Persian squirrel kidney were greater than those in the rat kidney. Overall, the stereological variables of the kidneys elucidated in this study are exclusive to the Persian squirrel. Our findings, together with future renal physiological data, will contribute to a better understanding of the renal structure-function relationship in the Persian squirrel.

The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. on sperm parameters, oxidative injury and apoptotic changes in oxymetholone‐induced testicular toxicity in mouse

“…Paraffin‐embedded blocks were prepared from each slab, cut into 5 μm sections (LEICA SM2010RV1.2 Microtome, Germany) and stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to analyse the volume and length parameters of each slab. To estimate stereological parameters such as volume (parenchyma, interstitial tissues and seminiferous tubules), length (seminiferous tubules), lumen diameter and germinal epithelium height of testicular tissue, consistent with previous study, the slides were analysed under a Nicon light microscope (Nicon microscope ECLIPSE E600W) equipped with KE cam (KEcam Technologies, Lekki Lagos, Nigeria) with stereological probes and using Adobe Photoshop CC (Adobe system) (Akbari, Goodarzi, & Tavafi, ) (Figure a‐b).…”

Nasturtium Officinale L. hydroalcoholic extract improved oxymetholone‐induced oxidative injury in mouse testis and sperm parameters

“…The paraffin‐embedded blocks were cut into 5‐μm sections (LEICA SM2010RV1.2 Microtome Machine) and stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for general histological examinations. After staining, the tissue sections were dehydrated in alcohol, cleared in xylene and mounted (Entellan New; Merck); (Akbari, Goodarzi, & Tavafi, ).…”

Gestational hypoxia and programming of disease

“…Furthermore, it is unclear whether that study used isotropic sections to estimate tubule lengths. The orientator/point-counting method was also used recently to estimate tubule lengths in the kidneys of Persian squirrels (1). The Persian squirrel kidney was ~2.5x larger than the CD-1 mice kidney at 12 months of age, however the overall length of the proximal tubule was approximately the same in the two species.…”

“…In addition to this predominant arm of the RAS, a number of additional peptides, enzymes, and receptors have all been shown to play a role in renal function and adult disease. This includes angiotensin (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) [ , a small peptide generated from angiotensin II trhough the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (Santos, 2014). Recently it has become clear that Angi 1-7 exerts protective effects on the cardiovascular system through its receptor, Mas by promoting vasodilation, decreased blood pressure and anti-fibrotic effects.…”

“…Sex hormones have been highlighted as a critical determinant of blood pressure outcomes, in part through both testosterone (Ojeda et al, 2007b) and estradiol/estrogen modulating the RAS. Estradiol has appears to be protective against hypertension in adult female growthrestricted offspring, in part through increased expression of Ace2 mRNA (Ojeda et al, 2007a), a RAS component which generates vasoactive peptide angiotensin (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) to negatively regulate vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II (Ferrario & Chappell, 2004). However, female hypoxiaexposed mice exhibited similar elevations in mean arterial pressure compared to males in the present study.…”