• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.331-340
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• 1998

We determined the incidence of activation, male pronuclear formation and apposition of pronuclei in porcine oocytes following intracy-toplasmic injection of various porcine sperm components and foreign species spermatozoa, such as mouse, human or cattle. The porcine oocytes were activated by injection of a spermatozoon or an isolated sperm head. Neither isolated sperm tail nor perinuclear material removed sperm head activated oocytes. Because injection of mouse, bovine or human spermatozoon activated porcine oocytes, the sperm born activation factors is not strict species specific. Male pronuclear formation and pronuclear apposition were observed in the porcine oocytes following injection of porcine, bovine, mouse or human spermatozoa. The electrical stimulation following sperm cell injection did not enhance the incidence of male pronuclear formation nor pronuclear apposition comparent with sperm cell injection alone (p>0.1). Mitosis and two cell division in some oocytes were observed at 20 to 24 h after injection of porcine spermatozoon. However, none of oocytes following injection of mouse, bovine or human spermatozoa developed to the mitotic metaphase or normally divided to the two cell stage. These results suggested that the oocyte activating factor(s) presented in the perinuclear material and it is not species specific for the porcine oocyte.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 1982

In order to define the morphological changes of the secreting cells of prothoracic gland during larva-pupal molt, ultrastructural observations were carried out using Bombyx mori L. as the experimental material. At first stage of present experiment, 4 day old 5th instar larva, the polyhedral secreting cells were centrally located in the prothoracic gland surrounded by the connective sheath. The secreting cells were attached to the neighboring cells by the prominent desmosomes, and the plasma membrane contacted with connective sheath were highly infolded. In cytoplasm, the most of the cell organelles, such as rod-like mitochondria, rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome were developed. As the stages advance from larva to pupa, general feature of the secreting cells were retained, but structural changes of the various cytoplasmic organelles-ribosome, rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, lamellar body, and vesicle-were noted. In the perinuclear cytoplasm of the secreting cells at the stage of 6 day old 5th instar larva, it is peculiar that only a large amount of ribosomes were distributed and the other organelles were retreated from the juxtanuclear region. Just before and after spining cocoon, these features were more remarkable. Rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were gradually increased from the stage just before spining cocoon to the pharate pupa. Rod-like mitochondria with irregular cristae and the matrix showing low density were distributed throughout the cytoplasm in the secreting cells of the 4 day old 5th instar larva. Sometimes, longitudinally distended and curved mitochondria were observed. At the stage of pharate pupa, most of mitochondria were deformed. The rod-like mitochondria of the secreting cells of pupal prothoracic gland were narrower than those of 4 day old 5th instar larva, and the electron density of the mitochondrial matrix is increased in pupa. Golgi apparatus were a few in number in both stages, last instar larva and spining cocoon. In stages of the pharate pupa, the Golgi apparatus were frequently observed. Cytoplasmic vesicles were observed for the first time in the secreting cells of one day after spining cocoon, and the number and the size of cytoplasmic vesicles were distinctly increased inpharate pupa and just after pupation. In the secretory cells of the PG, it in concluded that the RER was closely related to syntheting the enzymes seem to produce the ecdysone.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 1998

This study was designed to investigate the microglial reactions to the neurodegenerative changes in the cat retina. All experiments were performed using adult cats of both sex, weighing $2,500g\sim3,500g$. 5,7-DHT $(100{\mu}g)$ dissolved in 0.1% ascorbic acid was injected into the vitreous body. All injections were performed in one-side eye; the other side served as the control, which was injected only with 0.1% ascorbic acid. Cats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after intravitreal injection of 5,7-DHT For light microscopy, retinae were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and processed using NDPase histochemistry. Same retinae were fixed with 1% para(formaldehyde-2.5% glutaraldehyde and processed for electron microscopy. NDPase-positive microglial cells were mainly distributed in the inner plexiform layer of the retina, and characterized by a small somata with a few slender processes, which were also extended in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner nuclear layer (INL). The intensity of the microglia stained for NDPase was abruptly increased at 7 day as compared with that of the control, and thereafter continuously sustained until 21 day, the last experimental group in this study. Under the electron microscopical observation, microglial cells in the control group exhibited elongate nucleus with perinuclear chromatin condensation, and the perikaryon was scanty. However, a few hypertrophic glial cells were frequently found at 3 days after the drug injection. By 7 day, most microglial cells directed toward the degenerated neurons in the GCL, and the number of microglial cells was slightly increased as compared with the former group. At the 14 day, most microglial cells wrapped the degenerated cells in the GCL, and a few cells showed phagocytotic features. By 21 day, most microglial cells were engaged in phagocytotic activity, and their cytoplasm was filled with the phagorytosed material. Based on the results, 5,7-DHT may act as a specific neurotoxin to the cat retina, and microglial reactions to the neuronal death are already induced in early experimental stage. These results indicate that the microglial cells in the cat retina show characteristic features as a protective effect of neural tissue.