Development of the Lacrimal Apparatus in the Rabbit (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) and Its Potential Role as an Animal Model for Humans

Rehorek, Susan J.; Holland, J. R.; Johnson, Jessica L.; Caprez, J. M.; Cray, James J.; Mooney, Mark P.; Hillenius, Willem J.; Smith, Tim D.

doi:10.1155/2011/623186

Cited by 19 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…[13–15, 40, 74]). Secretion of the primary orbital gland, the Harderian gland, was traditionally thought to be linked with the lubricative function in the eye, but in various taxa numerous functions at the anterior end of the lacrimal duct have been ascribed to this gland, including vomeronasal sense, immune response, pheromone production and thermoregulation [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A presumed role in vomerolfaction has been suggested especially for squamate reptiles in which a relatively close association occurs between the lacrimal duct and the Harderian gland and the lacrimal duct and the duct of the VNO or choanal groove [23, 40, 41]. However, also in other taxa, in which this association is not as evident, as in mammals, anurans, urodeles and Sphenodon , a functional interaction between the Harderian gland and the VNO may be present [15, 74]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Embryology of the VNO and associated structures in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Natricinae): a 3D perspective

2017

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BackgroundSnakes are considered to be vomerolfaction specialists. They are members of one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates, Squamata. The vomeronasal organ and the associated structures (such as the lacrimal duct, choanal groove, lamina transversalis anterior and cupola Jacobsoni) of adult lizards and snakes have received much anatomical, histological, physiological and behavioural attention. However, only limited embryological investigation into these structures, constrained to some anatomical or cellular studies and brief surveys, has been carried out thus far. The purpose of this study was, first, to examine the embryonic development of the vomeronasal organ and the associated structures in the grass snake (Natrix natrix), using three-dimensional reconstructions based on histological studies, and, second, to compare the obtained results with those presented in known publications on other snakes and lizards.ResultsFive major developmental processes were taken into consideration in this study: separation of the vomeronasal organ from the nasal cavity and its specialization, development of the mushroom body, formation of the lacrimal duct, development of the cupola Jacobsoni and its relation to the vomeronasal nerve, and specialization of the sensory epithelium. Our visualizations showed the VNO in relation to the nasal cavity, choanal groove, lacrimal duct and cupola Jacobsoni at different embryonic stages. We confirmed that the choanal groove disappears gradually, which indicates that this structure is absent in adult grass snakes. On our histological sections, we observed a gradual growth in the height of the columns of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium and widening of the spaces between them.ConclusionsThe main ophidian taxa (Scolecophidia, Henophidia and Caenophidia), just like other squamate clades, seem to be evolutionarily conservative at some levels with respect to the VNO and associated structures morphology. Thus, it was possible to homologize certain embryonic levels of the anatomical and histological complexity, observed in the grass snake, with adult conditions of certain groups of Squamata. This may reflect evolutionary shift in Squamata from visually oriented predators to vomerolfaction specialists. Our descriptions offer material useful for future comparative studies of Squamata, both at their anatomical and histological levels.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-017-0188-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embryology of the VNO and associated structures in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Natricinae): a 3D perspective

2017

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“…The very limited literature on orbital gland ontogeny in cetaceans is restricted to a few fetal specimens (Pütter, ). There are, however, several descriptions of orbital gland ontogeny in other mammals (Rehorek et al, ) that show a distinct relationship between the orbital glands and the NLD, in terms of timing of development. The purpose of this study was to examine the ontogeny of these features in an embryonic and fetal series of the pantropical spotted dolphin ( Stenella attenuata : Delphinidae: Ondontoceti).…”

Section: Summary Of Descriptions Of Individual Cetacean Orbital Glandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontogeny of the Orbital Glands and Their Environs in the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata: Delphinidae)

Rehorek

Hillenius

Lovano

et al. 2017

The Anatomical Record

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The nasolacrimal duct (NLD) connects the orbital (often associated with the Deep Anterior Orbital gland: DAOG, a.k.a. Harderian gland) and nasal regions in many tetrapods. Adult cetaceans are usually said to lack an NLD, and there is little agreement in the literature concerning the identity of their orbital glands, which may reflect conflicting definitions rather than taxonomic variation. In this study, we examined an embryological series of the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and report numerous divergences from other tetrapods. Underdeveloped eyelids and a few ventral orbital glands are present by late Stage (S) 17. By S 19, circumorbital conjunctival glands are present. In S 20, these conjunctival glands have proliferated, eyelids (and scattered palpebral glands) have formed, and a duct similar to the NLD has appeared. Subsequently, both the palpebral glands and the NLD are progressively reduced by S 22, even as the conjunctival glands exhibit regional growth. In most tetrapods examined, the ontogeny of the NLD follows a series of three stages: Inception of NLD, Connection of orbit and nasal cavity by the NLD and Ossification (i.e., formation of the bony canal surrounding the NLD, emerging into the orbit via the lacrimal foramen in the lacrimal bone). In contrast, the dolphin NLD originates at the same time as the lacrimal bone, and a lacrimal foramen fails to develop. The cetacean fossil record shows that a lacrimal foramen was present in the earliest ancestral amphibious, freshwater forms, but was soon lost as the lineage invaded the oceans. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:77-87, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…Unfortunately, modeling of lacrimal passage obstruction has been less frequently reported, and there still lacks a reliable and well-established animal model, which greatly limits potential studies on determining the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for lacrimal passage obstruction and subsequent chronic dacryocystitis [10–12]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Chronic Dacryocystitis in Rabbits by Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction with Self-Curing Resin

Hou

et al. 2017

Journal of Ophthalmology

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We established a chronic dacryocystitis model by injecting of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 ml self-curing resin via the lacrimal punctum in rabbits. Animals were randomized into four groups (n = 11 animals/group). The control group received 0.15 ml normal saline. Within three months postinjection, epiphora and eye discharge were observed. At the 90th day postlacrimal passage irrigation, CT dacryocystography was performed to find changes in the lacrimal image, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was made to identify pathological changes of the lacrimal sac. Three months postinjection, the rabbits in control group and those who received 0.05 and 0.1 ml self-curing resin failed to develop chronic dacryocystitis. However, 8/11 (72.7%) rabbits those received 0.15 ml self-curing resin were symptomatic and showed complete reflux in lacrimal passage irrigation, indicating the obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. CT dacryocystography showed that the obstruction was present only in the animals with chronic dacryocystitis. Pathological examinations of chronic dacryocystitis also revealed significantly inflammatory changes, such as mucus epithelium thickening, irregular papillary proliferation, and submucosal fibrous deposition. Local injection of 0.15 ml self-curing resin can induce permanent obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct in rabbits and establish a model of chronic dacryocystitis.

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Development of the Lacrimal Apparatus in the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Its Potential Role as an Animal Model for Humans

Cited by 19 publications

References 26 publications

Embryology of the VNO and associated structures in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Natricinae): a 3D perspective

Embryology of the VNO and associated structures in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Natricinae): a 3D perspective

Ontogeny of the Orbital Glands and Their Environs in the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata: Delphinidae)

Modeling Chronic Dacryocystitis in Rabbits by Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction with Self-Curing Resin

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