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Different segments of the reproductive tract of 100 adult, non-pregnant, female African giant rats (AGR) were carefully examined, weighed, and measured. The ovaries were observed to be small, pinkish, and kidney-shaped. The uterus of the AGR was found to be uterus duplex. The live weight of the AGR was 999.7 ± 16.86 g. The weight, length, and width of the ovary were 0.095 ± 0.003 g, 0.750 ± 0.01 cm, and 0.01± 0.02 cm, respectively. The length of the oviduct, uterus, and vagina/vestibule were 4.44 ± 0.06 cm, 4.877 ± 0.11 cm, and 4.345 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. The weight and length of the entire tubular organs were 3.171 ± 0.01 g and 13.559 ± 0.18 cm with corresponding range values of 1.61-7.10 g and 7.80-17.40 cm, respectively.

The study was conducted to evaluate the sexual dimorphism in the morphometric parameters of the whole brain and the brainstem in adult captive African giant pouched rats. Twenty-nine brain samples, comprising 15 females and 14 males, were utilized. Following brain extraction by standard procedures, the mean values of the weights, lengths, diameters, and volumes of the intact brains and the brainstem structures were compared in male and female rats using quantitative analytical statistical methods. The absolute brain weight obtained in the male was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of the female while the relative brain weight obtained in the female (0.636 +/- 0.049%) was higher than that of the male rats (0.564 +/- 0.032%), although the difference in the values was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The lengths of the brain and myelencephalon, as well as the weights of the myelencephalon and mesencephalon, did not differ between the two sexes (p > 0.05). The weights and lengths of the pons did not differ between the two sexes (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the pyramidal length and a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) in the pyramidal width between the two sexes, with the male rats having higher values. This pioneering sexual dimorphic brain morphometry provides information for further research.

Using the thiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques the pterygopalatine ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) was studied. The ganglion was found to be a single irregular cluster of neurocytes, situated on the medial surface of the maxillary nerve. The ganglion is composed of oval, elliptical and sometimes fusiform ganglionic neurones in compact arrangement without a thick connective-tissue capsule.

Using the thiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques, the otic ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) was studied. The ganglion was found to be a single oval cluster of neurocytes, situated at the medial and posterior surface of the mandibular nerve just above the maxillary artery. The ganglion is composed of typical ganglionic neurons in compact arrangement without a thick connective-tissue capsule.

Examinations were carried out in the Białowieza National Park during 4 consecutive years on 295 bank voles and 265 forest mice caught in February, April, June, July, October and December. The examination material was fixed in the fluids of Bouin, Carnoy, Hell and Lison-Vokaer; 6 microns paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, gallacyanin and by the Azan methods according to Heidenhain. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) together with thyroid was fixed in 10% formalin and sliced frozen for control staining; 10 microns sections were stained with Sudan black B. BAT hyperplasia was observed in rodents caught in winter months--it was most strongly expressed in December and it was the weakest in October. In December the BAT cells appeared in the thyroid of majority of the animals but in different amounts. The BAT cells penetrated deep into the thyroid in about half of the animals but only in some of them the hyperplasia was significant and disappearing thyroid follicles could be observed between the BAT cells. But it may be supposed that BAT may grow in rodents living in unfavorable for survival winter conditions even at the cost of thyroid as a tissue more important for processes of effective thermogenesis.