BackgroundThe European bison (Bison bonasus) is an endangered species. More information on its anatomy is needed as only few studies have been published. This study is the first report on the morphology of the coronary vessels. Given the anatomical similarity between the European bison and other ruminants, the results of this study can be applied to other species, including endangered ones.ResultsThe study was conducted on 70 hearts of European bisons of both sexes, aged 5–20 years, with an average body weight of 449 kg. A distinct view of subepicardial arterial vessels was obtained by filling them with dyed synthetic latex (LBS 3060) and Plastogen G. There was a division of the common trunk of the left coronary artery into the interventricular paraconal branch and the left circumflex branch in 63 individuals (90 %). In five individuals (7.1 %), the presence of a third vessel, which was a branch of the interventricular septum, was observed. There was a lack of a common trunk in two individuals (2.9 %). Ramifications of the interventricular paraconal branch to the wall of the left ventricle were significantly larger than those to the wall of the right ventricle. In 17 individuals (24.3 %), the right coronary artery extended into the subsinuosal interventricular branch.ConclusionThe blood supply to the heart in bisons is provided by the left and right coronary arteries. In all the studied specimens, the left coronary artery was better developed than the right coronary artery.

Normal structure of the accessory organs of the eye is essential for normal eye physiology. Among the most important accessory organs of the eye are the eyelids, the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and the lacrimal gland (LG). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the histological structure of the eyelids and LG by histochemical and ultrastructural analysis. The study was performed on 13 adult female Bilgorajska geese. Eyelid samples were stained with the Alcian blue (AB pH 2.5) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) methods. Staining methods used for LG were AB pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin (AF), PAS and Hale's dialysed iron (HDI). Within the connective tissue of the eyelids, well-developed, diffuse, CALT follicles were observed, mostly under the conjunctival epithelium. Numerous lymphocytes were present within loose connective tissue. Staining of the eyelids with the PAS method demonstrated the presence of goblet cells of a mucous nature, and AB pH 2.5 staining indicated the presence of sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides. PAS staining of LG revealed the presence of secretory cells containing weakly PAS-positive granules. All epithelial cells of the corpus glandulae and the duct systems reacted positively to AB pH 2.5. HDI staining detected the presence of carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides. Transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed two types of secretory epithelial cells in LG. Both types of LG cells contained drop-like secretory vesicles of different sizes with low or high electron density in cytoplasm, as well as small and large lipid vacuoles, and numerous small primary lysosomes.

The aim of this study was to measure the area of the coronary ostia, assess their localization in the coronary sinuses and to determine the morphology of the stem of the left and right coronary arteries in the domestic shorthair cat. The study was conducted on 100 hearts of domestic shorthair cats of both sexes, aged 2–18 years, with an average body weight of 4.05 kg. A morphometric analysis of the coronary ostia was carried out on 52 hearts. The remaining 48 hearts were injected with a casting material in order to carry out a morphological assessment of the left and right coronary arteries. In all the studied animals, the surface of the left coronary artery ostium was larger than the surface of the right coronary artery ostium. There were four types of the left main coronary artery: type I (23 animals, 49%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch and the interventricular paraconal branch, which in turn gave off the septal branch), type II (12 animals, 26%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch and the interventricular paraconal branch without the septal branch), type III (11 animals, 23%)–triple-branched left main stem (giving off the left circumflex branch, interventricular branch and the septal branch, type IV (1 animal, 2%)–double-branched left main stem (giving off the interventricular paraconal branch and the left circumflex branch, which in turn gave off the septal branch). The left coronary artery ostium is greater than the right one. There is considerable diversity in the branches of proximal segment of the left coronary artery, while the right coronary artery is more conservative. These results can be useful in defining the optimal strategies in the endovascular procedures involving the coronary arteries or the aortic valve in the domestic shorthair cat.

Diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases due to changes in the coronary vascularization need a detailed knowledge on the morphology and possible variations of the aortic valves and coronary ostia. This study was performed to clarify details on morphology of these structures in domestic cats. The tricuspid aortic valve was examined in 65 domestic shorthair cats. The location of coronary ostia was determined either inferior to (26 and 20%, left and right coronary ostium - LCO and RCO), at (65 and 66%) or superior to the intercommissural line (9 and 14%). In 13 cats (20%), accessory ostia were found either for left, right or both coronary arteries (LCA and RCA). Their position varied between specimens. They were located beyond the main ostium, at its edge, or inside just below the edge. In one cat, no main trunk of the LCA was found. In one cat, two accessory ostia next to the RCO were observed. Coronary ostia in cats show anatomical variants and morphological anomalies. This study provides basic data useful for, for example, angiography performed for diagnosis of cardiac diseases and as a basis for surgical interventions.

The aim of this study was to characterise the tongue in wild-type rats using several microscopic techniques. Warsaw Wild Captive Pisula Stryjek (WWCPS) rats belong to a lineage of wild-caught rats. The study was carried out on tongues of 15 male and 15 female WWCPS rats. Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies were carried out. There were no significant differences between the male and female WWCPS rat tongues. There was a median groove approximately 1 cm long in the apex of the tongue that faded caudally. The intermolar prominence was clearly marked in the distal part of the lingual body. Lingual mechanical papillae located on the surface of the tongue formed four subtypes based on their shape: small filiform papillae, giant filiform papillae, thin elongated filiform papillae and wide filiform papillae. Gustatory papillae formed the second group of papillae and were divided into bud-shaped fungiform papillae, a single vallate papilla surrounded by an incomplete papillary groove and foliate papillae, which were a well-formed and composed of several pairs of folds divided by longitudinal grooves. In the posterior lingual glands (mucoserous and serous), acidic sulphated mucin-secreting cells gave a strong AB pH 2.5 positive reaction, and a positive reaction with the AB pH 1.0 stain for acidic carboxylated mucin. Double AB/PAS staining showed the presence of the majority of mucous cells with predominant of acidic mucins. Positive PAS staining showed the presence of neutral mucin. HDI staining demonstrated a weak positive reaction within Weber’s glands of the WWCPS rat tongue.

BackgroundThe anatomy of the adrenal glands has been widely studied in many species of domestic and wild mammals. However, there are no available literature reports describing the morphology and morphometry of the adrenal glands of the European bison (Bison bonasus).ResultsThe study was conducted on 97 European bison of both sexes. The growth of the adrenal glands corresponded to the growth of the whole body, with the largest increase in size occurring in the first 2 years of the animal’s life, followed by a slower increase in size until the animal was 5–7 years old. There were no statistically significant differences between ipsilateral adrenal glands of males and females with respect to age. There was no statistically significant difference in weight between the left and the right adrenal gland. However, there was a difference in the length, width and thickness of the two glands. Reference intervals for adrenal gland size and weight were computed separately for two bison age groups (up to 2 years of age and older than two years). The adrenal gland consisted of a cortex and a medulla. The connective-tissue capsule contained two layers. It had a fibrous structure and abundant adipose tissue. The cortex was divided into three zones. The zona glomerulosa contained cells arranged in bundles and curves. Numerous apoptotic cells were observed among regular cells in the zona reticularis. There were vacuoles in the cells of both zona fasciculata and zona reticularis, which formed a foamy cytoplasm. The adrenal medulla was composed of large, dark cells with a highly basophilic cytoplasm in the superficial region and of smaller, lighter cells in deeper layers. Sinusoidal vessels were located in the central part of the medulla.ConclusionsThe left adrenal gland was significantly longer, narrower and thinner than the right one. There were no significant differences in the structure of the adrenal medulla and cortex of the European bison compared to other species of domestic and wild mammals. There was a thick layer of adipose cells at numerous locations in the adrenal capsule of the bison.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0783-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Although significant efforts have been put into restituting the European bison (Bison bonasus) and increasing its population, it remains a globally endangered species and requires conservation. Protection programs of bison indicate the need for morphological studies of their individual systems, in order to enhance restitution programs and enable appropriate veterinary care. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the coronary veins of the European bison (Bison bonasus). Results: The study was carried out on 78 hearts of European bison of both sexes, aged 5 to 21 years. The subepicardial veins were clearly visible after being filled with dyed synthetic latex (LBS 3060), Plastogen G and Batson's No. 17. In all the studied animals, the great cardiac vein drains into the coronary sinus. The interventricular paraconal branch and the circumflex branch of the great cardiac vein were distinguished. The left marginal vein, which originated in the apical area or halfway along the length of the left ventricular margin, was easily identified in 65 animals (83%). In most animals (51 bison, 65%), the middle cardiac vein drained into the coronary sinus, while in some animals it drained into the right atrium (27 animals, 35%). Conclusions: Blood from the cardiac walls is drained into the great cardiac vein, the middle cardiac vein, the right coronary veins and numerous small cardiac veins.

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