Endocrine embryology and anatomy Flashcards
(103 cards)
Describe the process of a Sandwich ELISA
- Immobilise antibody being tested on a solid substrate/plastic well
- Add substrate, antigen (hormone) will bind
- Was to remove substances not bound to antibodies
- Add antibodies that will bind to antigen (hormone) and are already enzyme linked
- Wash to remove excess, unbound antibodies
- Add reagent that will change colour in presence of enzymes
- Measure degree of colour change to assess concentration of antigen (hormone)
Describe the process of radio-immuno assays
- Known concentration of hormone/antigen radiolabelled (iodine) bound by Ab to form Ab-hormone complex
- Unlablleded hormone being tested for added, competes with labelled hormone
- Resulting hormone-Ab-complexes precipitated using secondary Ab
- Radiolabelled measured
- Compare starting amount of radiolabelled to new level, can determine concentration of unknown hormone
What is the coefficient of variation?
SD/mean
What is diagnostic sensitivity?
The proportion of true positives correctly identified by a test
What is assay sensitivity?
The assay’s ability to detect a low concentration of a given substance in a biological sample. Is usually expressed as a concentration
What are the advantages of disadvantages of RIAs?
- Cheap per sample
- But expire quickly
- Use of radioisotopes so not suitable for use in veterinary practice
- Good sensitivity
- But high coefficient of variation
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ELISA?
- Does not require radioisotopes
- Good sensitivity (not as good as RIA)
- Low CV
- More expensive
- Easier to do in practice
- Less kit wastage (do not expire as quickly as RIAs)
What are typical capillary features for endocrine organs?
- Fenestrated epithelium
- Obvious transcytosis
- No pericyte
Describe pericytes
- Cells crucial to blood-brain barrier
- Rounded nucleus vs crescent nucleus of endothelial cells
- Endothelial cells and pericytes share basement memrbanes
- Important in control of molecular transport between blood and CNS
List the glands that are entirely endocrine in function
- Hypophysis (pituitary)
- Pineal
- Thyroids
- Parathyroids
- Adrenals
List the glands that are partly endocrine in function
- Pacreas
- GIT
- Kidneys
- Testes
- Ovaries
- Placenta
- Thymus
- Heart
- Adipose
- Liver
Outline the embryological development of the brain
- Changes in cell shape and number lead to folding
- Neural plate invaginates along axis = neural groove
- Neural folds on each side fuse dorsally = tube
- Neural tube = tissues of CNS (brain rostrally, spinal cord caudally)
- Neuroepithelial cells bipotential = neurons or supporting neuroglial cells
- Closure of tube progresses antero-posteriorly
- Once closed, meninges and vertebral structures develop around it
Outline the development of the ganglia, cranial and spinal nerves
- Some neuroextodermal cells from lateral edges of neural plate not incoporated into tube
- Persist as neural crest dorsal to neural tube
- Separate into right and left columns
- Lots of potential for migration
What is the embryological origin of the pituitary gland?
- Adenohypophysis from roof of mouth
- Neurohypophysis from hypothalamus
What is the origin of the pineal gland?
CNS
What is the origin of the thyroid glands?
Floor of mouth
What is the origin of parathyroid glands?
Pharyngeal arches
What is the origin of the adrenal glands?
- Medulla from neuroectoderm
- Cortex from medoderm (mesonephros)
Describe the embryology of the adenohypophysis
- Upgrowth of ectodermof roof of developing mouth - Rathke’s pouch
- Buds off, hole in middle becomes left, migrates towards growing brain
- Cups around developing neurohypophysis
- Connection with mouth lost
- Differentiation to glandular tissue
- Initially round, flattened as comes into contact with the neurohypophysis
What is the consequence of Rathke’s pouch failing to differentiate into glandular tissue?
- Pituitary cysts instead of adenohypophysis
- Leads to pituitary dwarfism
- Otherwise are completely neurally competent
Outline GnRH cell migration
- Start in olfactory bulb
- Migrate to hypothalamus
Outline the embryology of the neurohypophysis
- Downgrowth of ectoderm of forebrain (diencephalong/future hypothalamus)
- Retains connection with brain via infundibulum
What are the 2 holes in the pituitary and where do they come from?
- Recess of third ventricle, dragged down by neurohypophysis
- Hypophyseal cleft from space in Rathke’s pouch
What are the structures of the diencephalon
- Epithalamus (incl pineal gland)
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus