To assess the influence of diclofenac sodium (DIC) treatment on tilmicosin (TIL) prompted cardiotoxicity, forty albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: control, TIL group (single subcutaneous injection of 75 mg/kg BW tilmicosin phosphate 30%), TIL + DIC group (single subcutaneous injection of tilmicosin phosphate 30% and then injection intramuscularly of 13.5 mg/kg BW/day for 6 days diclofenac sodium) and DIC group (intramuscular injection of 13.5 mg/kg BW/day diclofenac sodium for 6 days). Creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and creatinine significantly elevated in all treated groups, but markedly in TIL + DIC group serum. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased, and reduced glutathione significantly decreased in tissues of all groups. Several histopathological alterations were noticed in heart, liver, kidneys and lungs of all treated groups, particularly TIL + DIC group. Ultrastructurally, myocardium of TIL and TIL + DIC groups showed characteristic changes for myocardial apoptosis and degeneration. Significant differences were detected in area percentage of caspase-3 protein expression and bcl-2 immunoreactivity in cardiomyocytes, particularly in TIL + DIC group. This study is the first to indicate that one of the possible mechanisms of TIL cardiotoxicity is myocardial apoptosis. DIC amplifies TIL-induced cardiotoxicity besides its hepato-nephrotoxicity.

Tonsils form Waldeyer's ring which guards all body orifices. They form the first line of defense against foreign antigens and play a key role in initiating immune responses. The lingual tonsils react to ingested antigen and are replication sites of some pathogens. The data about the lingual tonsils of buffalo are lacking, therefore the present work studied the lingual tonsils of 5 buffalo calves (40-60 days). Fresh lingual tonsils were examined macroscopically and used for microscopic and ultrastructural investigations. The lingual tonsils were formed from several elevated macroscopic spherical masses on the dorso-lateral surface of the tongue with central crypt. The surface and crypt was covered with stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium. An incomplete capsule encloses all the tonsils except at the crypt. The parenchyma was formed mainly from lymphoid follicles and interfollicular diffused lymphocytes. The lymphoid follicles arranged as one layer around the crypts. The interfollicular regions were formed from diffused lymphocytes supported with reticular fibers. High endothelial venules were present among these lymphocytes. Groups of mucous secreting units were distributed among the tonsilar units enclosed within the connective tissue capsule.

The ostrich foot has four toepads, two on the 3rd digit, one on the 4th digit and one at metatarso-phalangeal joint. Previous studies have not detailed the histo-morphological structure of these toepads. In this study, we have described the macroscopic and microscopic structures of the toepad of ostrich (Struthio camelus). Numerous papillae with different direction, length and thickness have been observed grossly on the ventral surface of each toepad. Histological examinations have revealed that the epidermis of the ostrich toepad, similar to other digitigrades, consists of an outer stratum corneum and an inner stratum germinativum (which is subdivided into basal, intermediate and transitional layers). The stratum corneum has several layers of flattened horny cells. The nuclei of basal cells have several mitotic figures. The cytoplasm of the stratum germinativum cells has multiple lipid droplets and multigranular bodies (in transitional cells only). Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed presence of collagen fibers in mid and deep dermis of each toepad. These fibers run parallel and connect to each other by very thin fibrils which are branched, crossed with each other in an oblique direction. Such arrangement of these collagen fibers, thin fibrils and presence of digital cushion are likely to be responsible for the protection of the underlying soft tissues and absorption of concussion.

The footpad of ostrich El-Gendy et al.,

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