Summary

The placenta plays an essential role in calcium transport and regulation during gestation; however, few studies have investigated the identification of placental transporters in animals. The present study aimed to identify calcium transporters in the placentas of postpartum alpacas. A total of 12 placentas were collected from adult huacaya alpacas. The material was fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution and reduced in paraffin blocks. The material was fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution and reduced in paraffin blocks. Sections measuring 5 µm were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical reactions to detect calbindin D-9K (CaBP-9K) and calbindin D-28K (CaBP-28K). The results obtained in the present study reveal chorionic projections exhibiting a trophoblast with variable cell morphology and multinucleated giant cells in the apical regions of the chorionic projections. In turn, columnar trophoblastic cells with a developed cytoplasm and a centric nucleus were observed. A moderate immunoexpression to CaBP-9K was identified in the chorionic trophoblast cells, being lower towards CaBP-28K, the multinucleated giant cells showed a moderate immunoexpression to both transporters, likewise, CaBP-28K showed a moderate reaction in the columnar cells, being more intense in the apical surface, while CaBP-9K showed a mild immunoexpression, regarding the allantois, this showed a moderate immunoexpression to CaBP-28K. These results confirm a complex regulation system of placental calcium transport, since CaBP-28K would act as a regulator of calcium entry into trophoblast cells, especially in the tall columnar cells related to areola formation. At the same time, CaBP-9K, being lighter, is detectable in the trophoblast cytoplasm, thus confirming that calbindins mediate calcium transport in the alpaca placenta, this being the first report in the species.

Keywords

Placenta; Alpaca; Immunohistochemistry; Calbindin; Calcium transport.

Summary

The book Advances in Plastination Techniques by Dr. Nicolás E. Ottone (Springer Nature, 2023) offers a comprehensive and methodologically rigorous overview of plastination, consolidating its role in anatomical education, research, and public engagement. This reflection highlights the book's thorough historical contextualization of anatomical preservation methods and its detailed description of plastination techniques using silicone, epoxy, and polyester resins. Notable innovations such as ultra-thin sectioning and microplastination are emphasized for their value in correlating micro- and macroanatomy, morphometric analysis, and 3D reconstruction. The work also addresses critical topics including biosecurity, ethical considerations surrounding body donation, and the institutional role of the International Society for Plastination. Moreover, the book explores the applications of plastinated specimens in clinical training, comparative anatomy, and forensic science—particularly when integrated with advanced imaging technologies. Ottone’s contribution is positioned as an essential reference for morphologists, educators, and biomedical researchers engaged in anatomical preservation.

Keywords

Plastination; Anatomical preservation; Microplastination; Anatomical education, 3D reconstruction.

Summary

Accurate visualization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is critical for comparative anatomical studies, surgical training, and biomechanical research. This study demonstrates the combined use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and E12 sheet plastination to elucidate the morphology of the porcine TMJ. Fresh TMJ samples were harvested from domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) immediately post-mortem and scanned using CBCT to capture high-resolution images of osseous structures. MRI was subsequently employed to visualize soft tissues, including the articular disc and surrounding ligaments, enabling pre-plastination correlation of bony and soft tissue relationships. Following imaging, the specimens were frozen, serially sectioned into 2–3 mm sheets, and dehydrated through a graded series of acetone through freeze substitution, then impregnated under vacuum with E12 epoxy resin. Finally, the slices were curing. The integrated approach yielded three complementary datasets: (1) CBCT images clearly delineating cortical and trabecular bone architecture, (2) MRI scans highlighting cartilage and synovial structures, and (3) durable, anatomically faithful E12 plastinated slices suitable for direct macroscopic inspection. Correlation of the pre-plastination imaging with the plastinated slices validated both the fidelity of the plastination process and the utility of multimodality imaging. The E12 sheets provided transparent, thin slices that preserved key features of the TMJ, including the articular surfaces, disc, ligaments, and joint capsule, facilitating comparative and functional analyses. This combination of CBCT, MRI, and E12 sheet plastination offers a powerful, integrative method to study the complex anatomy of the porcine TMJ. By fusing high-resolution radiographic data with tangible, anatomically precise plastinated sections, researchers and educators gain comprehensive insights into TMJ morphology, enabling enhanced comparative anatomical research, surgical planning, and teaching applications.

Keywords

E12 sheet plastination; Temporomandibular joint; Porcine model; Cone beam computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging.

Summary

It is my pleasure to introduce Anatomy & Morphology, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to providing a focused platform for research, discussion, and innovation in the structural sciences. As the Editor-in-Chief, I would like to share the vision behind this endeavor and highlight why a journal devoted exclusively to Anatomy and Morphology is both timely and essential.