Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) family: transcripts and gene amplicons in camelids.

In this study, the placental localization of PAG-like transcripts and genomic existence of PAG-like amplicons in new-world (Lp, Lama pacos, alpaca) and old-world camelids (Cb, Camelus bactrianus, bactrian; Cd, Camelus dromedarius; dromedary) are reported for the first time. Sections of Lp (150-347 days post coitum), Cd (43-90 cm crown-rump length) and Cb (term) placentas were used for heterologous (ht; cross-species) autoradiographic in situ hybridization (aISH) with single-stranded diagnostic (antisense) or control (sense) [alpha-(35)S]dATP-labeled 323 nt porcine PAG8 (pPAG8) cDNA probes produced by asymmetric PCRs. The aISH with antisense (35)S-pPAG8 probe identified camelid PAG-like (LpPAG, CbPAG and CdPAG) mRNA expression restricted to chorionic epithelium cells within placentas of camelids.

Microvascular architecture of the fetal cotyledons in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during different stages of pregnancy.

To elucidate the morphological background of physiological differences between bovine and buffalo gestation forty-two placentae ranging from the 3rd to 10th month of pregnancy were used to study the microvascular architecture of the fetal cotyledons in the buffalo. The tissues were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy by paraformaldehyde fixation and corrosion casting of the fetal cotyledonary vascular system. Histology and vascular casts revealed the buffalo fetal cotyledons to consist of a series of conical villous trees changing from a wide to slender shape during pregnancy, and with a base strictly facing the fetal side.

Morphological characteristics of the tongue and its papillae in the donkey (Equus asinus): a light and scanning electron microscopical study.

The morphology of the donkey tongue and its papillae were investigated by macroscopy and by light and scanning electron microscopy in ten adult animals (six males and four females). The spatula-shaped tongues measured about 28 cm in length, 4.5 cm in breadth and 3.