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Objective: Anatomical variants in the brachial plexus of the cat are few reported, and its knowledge should be considered in veterinary procedures of the thoracic limb. Thus, this study aimed to report the anatomical variants of the brachial plexus nerves presented in three cats. Methods: Gross dissections were performed in three formalin-fixed specimens (two females and one male) of the Veterinary Anatomy Laboratory of the Universidade de São Paulo (Brasil). The bioethics committee approved this study (CEUAx 3928240820). Results: All brachial plexus originated from C6-T1. In one specimen, the nerve to the coracobrachialis muscle originates directly from a communicating branch between the cranial and caudal pectoral nerves. In two specimens, C7 sent a branch to the median nerve, which passed medial to the axillary artery forming an ansa axillaris, while in one specimen, the same branch joined to the median nerve medially to the brachial artery. On the dorsum of the manus in two specimens, the lateral branch of the superficial branch of radial nerve sent a communicating branch to the abaxial dorsal proper common digital nerve IV (ulnar nerve). Whereas in another specimen, on the right manus, there was no communication; however, on the left manus, the dorsal common digital nerve IV (ulnar nerve) sent a branch to the dorsal common digital nerve III (radial nerve). Conclusion: The brachial plexus of the cat may have ansa axillaris as an anatomical variant but formed from C7 and not from the musculocutaneous nerve. The nerves to the manus can have communications among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some batoid species are covered with dermal denticles (or placoid scales) that occasionally develop into thorns. In sexually mature males, sharp teeth and alar thorns found on the apex of the lateral disc are used to hold the female during copulation. This study set out to analyze microscopic features of modified dermal denticles and thorns and to investigate sexual dimorphism in Atlantoraja cyclophora and A. castelnaui species. Skin samples collected from areas covered with thorns were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, processed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Alar thorn morphology varied within species, while caudal thorn, rostral and caudal dermal denticle morphology varied within and between species. These structures play an important role in the protection and reproduction of the species studied and constitute important taxonomic information, given they are often the only elements preserved in archaeological sites and fossil records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Problem: Several mechanisms contribute to the tolerogenic state observed during pregnancy, such as the activity of the enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO). This initializes the catabolism of tryptophan, inducing T cells to apoptosis due to its deprivation and by the action of its catabolites in the placental microenvironment. Progesterone plays an important part on immunological tolerance mechanisms during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence it is related to IDO activity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate progesterone influence on the maternal-fetal interface of pregnant Wistar rats, by identifying IDO positive cells by immunophenotyping and flow cytometry under exogenous progesterone supplementation., Method of Study: Placenta and embryo cells were cultured and separated into groups that received interferon γ or progesterone, supplemented or not with mifepristone. After 2 and 24 h, these were labeled with an anti-IDO and a series of antibodies specific to leucocytes and progesterone receptor and processed through flow cytometry analysis., Results: Progesterone induced a significant decrease in the expression of IDO in dendritic cells and CD4 + lymphocytes., Conclusion: The blocking of progesterone receptor on these cells by mifepristone restored IDO expression levels and may constitute evidence of the participation of this hormone through a direct route in these cells.