Circulatory system of red tail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Bloch & Schneider, 1801): a corrosion cast study

Red tail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, in one of the popular ornamental fish. The present study is aimed to describe and visualizes the cardiovascular system of this species with corrosion cast study method. For this purpose, 10 red tail catfish with 580 gr average weight were obtained and were filled their blood vessels and heart with fluid artificial resin made on the basis of methylmetacrylate after anaesthetizing and euthanizing. For complete polymerization and hardening of the methylmetacrylate, the fish were further submersed for 12-24 hrs in water bath following by 24-48 hrs submersion in a 25% solution of KOH to full maceration. Based on the results we describe the cardiovascular system i.e. the afferent and efferent vessels of gill, different parts of the heart, ventral aorta, dorsal aorta, intestinal and gastric vessels, liver, anterior and posterior parts of the kidneys, spleen, portal and hepatic vein

Evaluation of morphologic method for the detection of nervous tissue in minced meat

Producing meat products with ingredients which are not consistent with the label is considered fraud. Due to the high economic value of meat, the use of unauthorized tissue in meat products is possible. Aside from the adulteration aspect, it is important to note that some animal tissues like the brain and the spinal cord can bear infective agents which are transmissible to humans. Based on these observations, the aim of the present study was to apply morphological method for detection of nervous tissues in minced meat. Laboratory adulterated minced beef meat; each containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of beef brain was prepared. Then each sample was divided into three parts and four paraffin embedded blocks were prepared from each part. The sections were stained using sudan black and cresyl violet and also the immunohistochemical staining with fluorescent method were applied using anti-neurofilament 200 antibody for the determination of nervous tissue. Although the neuronal cell bodies and neuronal fibers were clearly detectable in Cresyl violet staining and sudan black staining, respectively, however, staining intensity did not show any difference according to different percentages of added brain. In contrary, immunohistochemical study revealed that neurofilament 200- immunolabeling was present in all percentages of added brain samples and the intensity of the labeling varying from weak to strong consisted by the increasing the amount of brain in samples. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical technique with fluorescent method is an effective method for evaluations of additive brain tissue in minced meat with high sensitivity

Study on the effect of maternal administration of oxaliplatin on offspring testes using unbiased design-based stereology

Oxaliplatin (Ox) is widely used for the treatment of various tumors. Since Ox prevents DNA replication and transcription, it may affect organs with rapid cell divisions such as the testes. Although its use during pregnancy has been reported, no information regarding its effects on the testes of the offspring is not available yet. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (1) was administered intraperitoneally 0.2 ml of saline three times a week for the 21 days of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation. Experimental groups 2, 3 and 4 received 3 mg/kg of oxaliplatin three times a week for 21 days during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation, respectively. The left testis was removed from male offspring 30 and 60 days after birth. The volume of the testes, seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, the surface area and height of the seminiferous epithelium, as well as the length and diameter of seminiferous tubules, were analyzed by means of stereology. Results showed a decrease in the evaluated parameters in experimental groups, in comparison with the control group. Due to the ameliorating effect of Ox on offspring testes, cautiousness is needed during maternal administration in order to preserve the fertility of male offspring.</jats:p