To elucidate the macroscopical and microscopical structure of dog's lacrimal gland, 15 adult dogs (Canis familiaris) were utilized in this study. Macroscopically, the lacrimal gland was located on the dorsolateral aspect of the eyeball and bounded dorsolaterally by the orbital ligament, zygomatic process of the frontal bone and frontal process of malar bone. Its shape was nearly rectangular with the average width (1.38 ± 0.13 cm) and length (1.52 ±0.12 cm). In between the dorsal and lateral rectus muscles, the lacrimal artery, vein and nerve were observed. Microscopically, the lacrimal gland was enveloped by the fibromuscular capsule and lobulated. Each lobule was formed of secretory endpieces and ducts. The secretory endpieces were mucous and serous. However, the mucous type was predominant. The lining cells of the secretory endpieces expressed a positive reaction to alcian blue and Periodic acid Shiff. A series of duct system within the lobules and septa was seen. The scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that the secretory endpieces covered with granular secretory substance. Several crystals with sharp taper ends were seen around the secretory endpieces.

Objective: Regarding the displaying of the main differences between the pelvic limb of rabbit and cat. Materials and methods: Our work was performed on 10 New Zealand rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) and domestic cats ( Felis domestica ) with variable ages and of both sexes. After weighing of the animals, sedation, and anesthesia, the animals were examined radiographically. The bones of the pelvic limb were prepared, measured for its length/cm then described and compared. Results: The iliac tuberosity and the conversion of the acetabular notch into foramen were characteristics of Os coxae of the rabbit. The intertrochanteric crest was detected on the femur of the cat. In the rabbit, the leg interosseous space was located in the proximal third of this region while in the cat, it was extended along its length. The first metatarsal was undeveloped in the cat but was absent in the rabbit so metatarsal were four in the rabbit and five in the cat. The digits of the pelvic limbs in both animals were four in number. The distal sesamoid was single, transversely situated, and shuttle-shaped in rabbit but it was absent in cat. Conclusion: So, the chief points of variation between the pelvic limb bones of rabbit and cat enabled us to keep away the commercial fraud and facilitated their use as an animal model for education purposes.

The rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing globally, and it is caused by continuous damage to kidney tissue. With time the renal damage becomes irreversible, leading to CKD development. In females, post-menopause lack of estrogen supply has been described as a risk factor for CKD development, and studies targeting post-menopause CKD are scarce. In the present study, we used exosomes isolated from bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) to test their therapeutic potential against the development of CKD. At first, the menopause model was achieved by surgical bilateral ovariectomy in female albino rats. After that, 100 µg of exosomes was given to ovariectomized rats, and the study continued for 2 months. Changes in urine volume, urine protein content, kidney function biochemical parameters (creatinine and BUN), kidney antioxidant parameters (SOD, GPx and CAT), histological changes, immunohistochemical levels of caspase 3, and the gene expression of NGAL (related to kidney damage), TGFβ1 and αSMA (related to fibrosis and EMT), and caspase 3 (related to apoptosis) were studied. After the ovariectomy, the occurrence of CKD was confirmed in the rats by the drastic reduction of serum estrogen and progesterone levels, reduced urine output, increased urinary protein excretion, elevated serum creatinine and BUN, reduced GPx SOD, and CAT in kidney tissue, degenerative and fibrotic lesions in the histopathological examination, higher immunohistochemical expression of caspase 3 and increased expression of all studied genes. After exosomes administration, the entire chronic inflammatory picture in the kidney was corrected, and a near-normal kidney structure and function were attained. This study shows for the first time that BM-MSCs exosomes are potent for reducing apoptosis and fibrosis levels and, thus, can reduce the chronic damage of the kidneys in females that are in their menopause period. Therefore, MSCs-derived exosomes should be considered a valuable therapy for preserving postmenopausal kidney structure and function and, subsequently, could improve the quality of females’ life during menopause.

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Prenatal nos tril development in rabbit Alomaisi et al.,