Investigation of the Fetal Membranes and the Fetal Organs Under Different Conditions
Main researcher
: ZOBUNDŽIJA, MLADEN (55014) Assistants
JAKOVAC, MARTIN (17824)
ŠIR, STANKO (47096)
DEVČIĆ, BRANKA (123076)
SLADIĆ, ZLATA (117061)
ĆURKOVIĆ-KALINIĆ, SNJEŽANA (900627)
Type of research: basic Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/15/95. Papers on project (total): 11
Institution name: Veterinarski fakultet, Zagreb (53) Department/Institute: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Address: Heinzelova 55 City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)41 290-111, 290-240
Fax: 385 (0) 214-697
E-mail: tomic mavef.vef.hr (internet)
Summary: The activity of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes (AP, SP,
NE, LDH, SDH, IDH, GLDH, Gl-6-PDH, ŕ-GPDH, á-HBDH, NADH2 and NADPH2) was
investigated in the allantoic and amnionic epithelium of pig fetuses 35-37
days old. The investigated enzymes were found in the allantoic and amnionic
epithelium in different degrees of activity. The concentration of estradiol
and progesterone was controlled in the allantoic and amnionic fluid of the
same fetuses. The concentration of estradiol was ranging 0.02-63.82 mmol/l
in the amnionic fluid and 0.02-35.23 mmol/l in the allantoic fluid, the
concentration of progesterone being 1.3-8.5 mmol/l in the amnionic and
4.7-307.0 mmol/l in the allantoic fluid. The morphology of cells as well as
the activity of the mentioned enzymes were studied in the chorionic,
amnionic and allantoic epithelium and in the endometrium of wild pigs
gravid for 28-77 days and in deers gravid for 8 weeks. In the fetal fluids
of the same fetuses the concentration of sodium and potassium was stated
varying within the fetuses of the same or of different age. The influence
of hypervitaminosis D3 on the parenchymal organs and placental tissues was
investigated in mice and rats. In sacrified animals the sedimentation of
calcium was proofed histochemically in subepicardium, within pulmonar
alveoli, in renal ducts, in liver cells and in spleen, along placental
vessels and within fetal tissues, and it was the strongest in the animals
that died till the end of the experiment (6th day). The development of
NADPH2-d positive neurons was controlled in the prefrontal cortex of rats
0-210 days old. These neurones have an prolonged development, their
definitive distribution being established after 21 days and their definitve
morphology after 60 days, which indicates an older phylogenetic origin of
the prefrontal cortex and later maturing of the corresponding
neurotransmitting system. The appearance of collagen was controlled in
skeletal muscles of rat fetuses. In muscles collagen is apparent on the
15th day, being more manifested on the 18th day. During the development of
the skin in mice, the activity of SDH, ŕ-GLDH, á-HBDH, NADH2 and NADPH2
increase till the 18th day of fetal age, and the 20th day the activity
decreases because of initiation of the horning process. Within the mice
placenta the activity of AP and NE increases till the 18th day, of SP till
the 14th day and the activity of 5-nucleotidase and adenilcyclase is
increasing till the end of gravidity. During the experimentally provoked
acidosis, the activity of GLDH, Gl-6-PDH and á-HBDH within the trophoblast
and decidua is more intense, which might be justified by a possible role
played by the placenta in regulation of acidobasic balance. Investigating
the morphohistochemical characteristics of muscles, we presented a new
procedure by means of which various types of muscle fibres and connective
tissue may be shown simultaneously within the muscles of birds.
Research goals: Investigations of fetal placenta and of fetal organs
in normal and experimental conditions do continue our former investigations
and they include those made on some organs of domestic pigs, wild pigs,
roes and deers, rabbits, rats and mice and, possibly, of other animals from
different biotopes, inclusively those that are more or less exposed to
various chemical influences. These investigations will extend and complete
our actual knowledge concerning: the histomorphological characteristics of
fetal placenta, the dynamics of chemical components in fetal fluids, and
the influence of the environment if there is such influence. Experimentally
simulated some influences on the fetal placenta as a whole as well as on
fetal tissues might show some compesatory possibilities and capacities of
placental tissue reacting to negative stimulations. Such investigations
could offer considerable contribution to a better knowledge of what is
really occuring within the fetal placenta itself. The contributions should
give an account of: the manifest dynamics of enzymatic activities related
with growth and development of the placenta itself as well as of the
extraembryonal membranes, the knowledge of enzymatic and ionic components
within fetal fluids, the cognition of reactions of fetal tissues as
responding to some chemical stimulations or interactions with fetal tissue
components within fetal organs. The obtained results would be a further
contribution to a knowledge of reproduction in domestic and wild animals as
well as to a study of possible influences on the reproduction itself. The
inclusion of junior investigators and students into the program of our
research will contribute to the education of new scientific personnel, so
that we believe that our investigations will apport new scientific
publications, student papers, master,s and doctoral dissertations and
numerous congress communications. Other information about the project.