• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.429-436
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• 2002

Hydrocepbalus may be an acquired or a congenital condition. We have studied the macroscopic and microscopic changes in the hydrocephalus of an inbred Sprague-Dawley rat at postnatal week 8. The animal suspected with the hydrocephalus showed clinical syndromes such as depression, severe ataxia, eye abnormalities, dome-shaped head, and persistent fontanelle. With the postmortem examination, the suspected animal was clearly revealed as a severe internal hydrocephalus. In this animal, severe ventriculomegaly was limited to the third and lateral ventricles, and cortical thining was most apparent in the parieto-occipital region. With the routine histological examination, brain tissue showed aqueductal obstruction, thinning of the cerebral cortex, severe ependymal damage, subependymal edema, damage of choroid plexus of fourth ventricle, enlarged cortical vessels, and expanded ventricles. Aqueductal obstruction was observed with the appearance of simple stenosis at the level of rostral colliculus. Subsequently, the other structures of brain such as septal nucleus, caudate nucleus, and hippocampus etc. were abnormally reconstructed by hydrocephalus. This study suggests that the hydrocephalus can be taken place by primary aqueductal obstruction and this type of hydrocephalus is classified as uncommunicating type. Though the mechanism of aqueductal obstruction is not clear, the morphological studies of this case may be helpful for the further study of hydrocephalus.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 1993

The midbrain periaqueductal gray is a midline structure that encircles the mesencephalic aqueduct of midbrain and plays an important role in anaglgesia and modulation of nociceptive input to the central nervous system. It has been demonstrated that the periaqueductal gray contains several neuropeptides including neurotensin, which has been postulated antinociceptive effect to the periaqueductal gray. The present study was performed to provide immunohistochemical localization of neurotensin of midbrain periaqueductal gray in the Korean native goat by using immunohistochemical method. Neurotensin-like immunireactive neurons were localized throughout the midbrain periaqueductal gray, although more immunoreactive neurons were present in the middle and caudal parts of periaquductal gray than the rostral part. Dense neurotensin-like immunoreactive neurons were much more numerous in the ventral lateral division of the mid- and caudal periaqueductal grays. Neurotensin-like immunoreactive neurons were much larger and more prominent near the external margin of the gray than in the juxta-aqueductal region. Neurotensin-like immunoreactive fibers were observed as short processes extending from immunoreactive cells and some small immunoreactive puncta and varicose-like fibers were also seen.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.535-543
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• 1998

In the present study, we designed and constructed new microdialysis probe in order to improve the efficacy and accuracy of microdialysis method. In addition, extracellular concentrations of GABA, glutamate, aspartate and glycine were monitored with new designed probe in the lateral portion of the ventrocaudal periaqueductal gray using unanesthetized and unrestrained rats. Furthermore, the effect of opiates on release of these amino acids, especially GABA, was analyzed by measuring their concentration in PAG dialysates following veratridine administration in the presence of systemic morphine. The results were summerized as follow : 1. The damaging rates of 1.0mm or 1.5mm window probe were 12.5% or 42.8%, respectively. In the group using 1.5mm window probe, the damaging area was extended into mesencephalic aqueduct because of microdialyzing pressure. 2. Because of the unique design of our probes with an opening facing one side, dialysis occurs in a hemisphere($600{\mu}m$ in mediolateral direction and $100{\mu}m$ in opposite side of the dialysis probe) around the opening rather than in a spherical shaped configuration which is typical of most commercially available probe designs. 3. Glutamate, taurine and glycine were present in the highest concentration in the dialysate sample obtained before treatment with veratridine, whereas, aspartate and GABA were present in the lowest concentration. 4. The concentration of all 5 amino acids increased significantly following $75{\mu}m$ veratridine perfusion into lateral ventrocaudal PAG. 5. There was no significant difference between basal and peak amino acid concentrations according to window sizes. 6. Morphine had no effect on baseline concentrations of amino acids in dialysates obtained from the lateral PAG as compared to saline treated controls. However, following veratridine treatment, morphine selectively affected GABA release in the lateral ventrocaudal PAG as compared to saline treated controls. These results suggest that GABAergic interneurons in the PAG are inhibited by opioids. Therefore, endogenous enkephalins or endorphins may directly inhibit intrinsic GABAergic intemeurons and block their tonic inhibition of PAG-NMR projection neurons. Moreover, new designed probes demonstrate improved efficiency and accuracy in collecting samples as compared to commercial types of microdialysis probes.