Fetal pig islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were transplanted into the thymus or omentum of STZ-induced diabetic pigs immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (CsA) and deoxyspergualin (DSG), as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes. C-peptide levels in response to glucagon and arginine significantly increased over time using 1 litter of ICCs with highest levels obtained at 100 days post-transplantation. Increasing the number of ICCs to 2 litters was not advantageous. Histology of the graft showed all 4 pancreatic endocrine cells. Normoglycaemia was achieved for transient periods without insulin administration in 4 out of 12 pigs. These results suggest sub-optimal insulin production, possibly due to the adverse effects of CsA on the grafted β cells. The effect of CsA on adult porcine β cells was investigated and adverse effects were shown. Renal toxicity and adverse changes to the haematological parameters did not occur despite high CsA levels although minimal toxicity to the liver was observed. The results indicate that the use of CsA monotherapy in the maintenance phase to prevent rejection of allografted pancreatic β cells may become a subsequent problem over time. As an alternative to chronic immunossuppression, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was administered for 10 days in pigs. Using anti-CD3 alone, only 1 out 4 pigs showed cells positive for insulin. The addition of a 5-day CsA course administered the day before transplantation did not promote allograft survival. The use of DSG for 10 days with anti-CD3 promoted graft survival with the histology showing the 4 endocrine cells 3 weeks post-transplantation. An attempt was made to replace any form of immunossuppression by encapsulating fetal pig ICCs in barium alginate, which were able to remain viable when transplanted in NOD/SCID mice. Fibrosis was detected in BALB/c mice transplanted with encapsulated fetal ICCs suggesting that fetal pig ICCs shed antigens that elicit an immune response. Results from this study show that although fetal pig ICCs may be a viable source of insulin-producing cells, the use of CsA to prevent rejection has adverse effects on graft function. Encapsulation as well as transient immunosuppression is worthy of further investigation to prevent rejection of fetal pig ICCs.

This research was conducted to test the hypothesis that parenteralarginine supplementation is effective in enhancing birth weights of intrauterinegrowth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. Underfed and prolific ewes were used asexperimental models. The first study characterized the pharmacokinetics ofarginine and citrulline and assessed the potential of citrulline to serve as aprecursor for enhancing arginine availability in fetal and maternal plasma. Sixlate pregnant ewes and their fetuses were instrumented to access arterial andvenous circulations. Intravenous boluses of 155 mol of L-arginine-HCl or Lcitrullineper kg body weight were administered to each ewe. Administration ofcitrulline was more effective than arginine in achieving a sustained increase inconcentrations of arginine in maternal and fetal blood. Accordingly, theclearance rate of citrulline was lower and its biological half-life in maternal bloodgreater, when compared with arginine. The second experiment determined ifadministration of arginine to underfed ewes is effective in ameliorating orpreventing IUGR. Ewes were fed either 100% or 50% of the National ResearchCouncil recommended nutrient requirements for pregnant sheep. Between Day60 of pregnancy and parturition control-fed ewes received saline solution and underfed ewes received either saline solution or L-arginine-HCl solution (155mol of arginine/kg body weight) intravenously three times daily (n=5 / treatmentgroup). Birth weights of lambs were lower in saline-infused underfed ewes.There was no difference in birth weights of lambs from control-fed and argininetreatedunderfed ewes. The third experiment determined whether administrationof arginine could improve survival rates of lambs and enhance fetal growth inewes carrying multiple fetuses. Between Days 100 and 121 of pregnancy, ewesreceived an intravenous infusion of either saline solution (n= 14) or L-arginine-HCl solution (345 mol of arginine/kg body weight, n=20) three times daily.Parenteral administration of arginine increased the percentage of lambs bornalive and enhanced the birth weights of quadruplets. Collectively, these resultsindicate that 1) parenteral administration of arginine improves pregnancyoutcomes in underfed and prolific ewes; and 2) the use of arginine or citrullinemay have important implications for the design of an effective treatment forpreventing or ameliorating IUGR in mammals.

This research was conducted to test the hypothesis that parenteralarginine supplementation is effective in enhancing birth weights of intrauterinegrowth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. Underfed and prolific ewes were used asexperimental models. The first study characterized the pharmacokinetics ofarginine and citrulline and assessed the potential of citrulline to serve as aprecursor for enhancing arginine availability in fetal and maternal plasma. Sixlate pregnant ewes and their fetuses were instrumented to access arterial andvenous circulations. Intravenous boluses of 155 mol of L-arginine-HCl or Lcitrullineper kg body weight were administered to each ewe. Administration ofcitrulline was more effective than arginine in achieving a sustained increase inconcentrations of arginine in maternal and fetal blood. Accordingly, theclearance rate of citrulline was lower and its biological half-life in maternal bloodgreater, when compared with arginine. The second experiment determined ifadministration of arginine to underfed ewes is effective in ameliorating orpreventing IUGR. Ewes were fed either 100% or 50% of the National ResearchCouncil recommended nutrient requirements for pregnant sheep. Between Day60 of pregnancy and parturition control-fed ewes received saline solution and underfed ewes received either saline solution or L-arginine-HCl solution (155mol of arginine/kg body weight) intravenously three times daily (n=5 / treatmentgroup). Birth weights of lambs were lower in saline-infused underfed ewes.There was no difference in birth weights of lambs from control-fed and argininetreatedunderfed ewes. The third experiment determined whether administrationof arginine could improve survival rates of lambs and enhance fetal growth inewes carrying multiple fetuses. Between Days 100 and 121 of pregnancy, ewesreceived an intravenous infusion of either saline solution (n= 14) or L-arginine-HCl solution (345 mol of arginine/kg body weight, n=20) three times daily.Parenteral administration of arginine increased the percentage of lambs bornalive and enhanced the birth weights of quadruplets. Collectively, these resultsindicate that 1) parenteral administration of arginine improves pregnancyoutcomes in underfed and prolific ewes; and 2) the use of arginine or citrullinemay have important implications for the design of an effective treatment forpreventing or ameliorating IUGR in mammals.

Fetal pig islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were transplanted into the thymus or omentum of STZ-induced diabetic pigs immunosuppressed with cyclosporine (CsA) and deoxyspergualin (DSG), as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes. C-peptide levels in response to glucagon and arginine significantly increased over time using 1 litter of ICCs with highest levels obtained at 100 days post-transplantation. Increasing the number of ICCs to 2 litters was not advantageous. Histology of the graft showed all 4 pancreatic endocrine cells. Normoglycaemia was achieved for transient periods without insulin administration in 4 out of 12 pigs. These results suggest sub-optimal insulin production, possibly due to the adverse effects of CsA on the grafted β cells. The effect of CsA on adult porcine β cells was investigated and adverse effects were shown. Renal toxicity and adverse changes to the haematological parameters did not occur despite high CsA levels although minimal toxicity to the liver was observed. The results indicate that the use of CsA monotherapy in the maintenance phase to prevent rejection of allografted pancreatic β cells may become a subsequent problem over time. As an alternative to chronic immunossuppression, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was administered for 10 days in pigs. Using anti-CD3 alone, only 1 out 4 pigs showed cells positive for insulin. The addition of a 5-day CsA course administered the day before transplantation did not promote allograft survival. The use of DSG for 10 days with anti-CD3 promoted graft survival with the histology showing the 4 endocrine cells 3 weeks post-transplantation. An attempt was made to replace any form of immunossuppression by encapsulating fetal pig ICCs in barium alginate, which were able to remain viable when transplanted in NOD/SCID mice. Fibrosis was detected in BALB/c mice transplanted with encapsulated fetal ICCs suggesting that fetal pig ICCs shed antigens that elicit an immune response. Results from this study show that although fetal pig ICCs may be a viable source of insulin-producing cells, the use of CsA to prevent rejection has adverse effects on graft function. Encapsulation as well as transient immunosuppression is worthy of further investigation to prevent rejection of fetal pig ICCs.

Bibliography: 161-199. / [xxvi], 199, [151] leaves, [7] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Characterises the normal otogeny of the cellular composition and structure of placentomes in sheep, their relationship to the macroscopic parameters of placentome size and morphology, and the effect of experimental and natural restriction of implantation on the growth and development of placentomes between mid and late gestation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1995

Errata pasted onto back end-paper. / Bibliography: leaves 213-246. / xix, 246, [30] leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Describes the interactions among pituitary-derived peptides, intra-adrenal exposure to glucocorticoids and the local adrenal and endocrine IGF axes in the growth and functional activation of the ovine fetal adrenal gland before birth. Also considers the involvement of these systems in the fetal response to chronic stess and intra-uterine growth restriction. Proposes and develops several conceptual models of the control of adrenal growth and function in late-gestation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 2000

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um estudo estrutural e ontogenético do úraco em fetos humanos normais e da bexiga de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos durante o segundo trimestre gestacional. Cinquenta e nove fetos foram utilizados, 47 normais (22 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino) e 12 anencéfalos (5 do sexo masculino e 7 de sexo feminino) com idade variando entre 13 e 23 SPC. Os componentes fibrosos da matriz extracelular, o tecido muscular e a luz do úraco foram analisados através de métodos estereológicos e bioquímicos. A luz do úraco encontrava-se fechada na 18 SPC nos sexos masculino e feminino. O epitélio de transição no úraco foi facilmente identificO objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um estudo estrutural e ontogenético do úraco em fetos humanos normais e da bexiga de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos durante o segundo trimestre gestacional. Cinquenta e nove fetos foram utilizados, 47 normais (22 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino) e 12 anencéfalos (5 do sexo masculino e 7 de sexo feminino) com idade variando entre 13 e 23 SPC. Os componentes fibrosos da matriz extracelular, o tecido muscular e a luz do úraco foram analisados através de métodos estereológicos e bioquímicos. A luz do úraco encontrava-se fechada na 18 SPC nos sexos masculino e feminino. O epitélio de transição no úraco foi facilmente identificado em fetos com idade inferior a 17 SPC, nos quais a luz encontrava-se aberta. Nos fetos com idade ≥ 18 SPC, não foram visualizados o epitélio porque a luz encontrava-se fechada. Ocorreu um aumento estatisticamente significativo de tecido conjuntivo nas bexigas de fetos anencéfalos e uma redução também significativa do tecido muscular na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os normais. A análise bioquímica mostrou um aumento na concentração de colágeno total nas bexigas dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os fetos normais. O fechamento da luz do úraco ocorre na 17 SPC. Após o fechamento, observa-se a ausência de epitélio de transição em seu interior, uma diminuição de tecido musculae e um aumento de colágeno tipo I, o que pode indicar uma remodelagem na formação do tecido fibroso. Os dados obtidos podem ser utilizados no estudo do desenvolvimento do úraco e da drenagem do tracto urinário embrionário. As alterações estruturais observadas na bexiga podem sugerir a existência de alterações funcionais na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos.ado em fetos com idade inferior a 17 SPC, nos quais a luz encontrava-se aberta. Nos fetos com idade ≥ 18 SPC, não foram visualizados o epitélio porque a luz encontrava-se fechada. Ocorreu um aumento estatisticamente significativo de tecido conjuntivo nas bexigas de fetos anencéfalos e uma redução também significativa do tecido muscular na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os normais. A análise bioquímica mostrou um aumento na concentração de colágeno total nas bexigas dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os fetos normais. O fechamento da luz do úraco ocorre na 17 SPC. Após o fechamento, observa-se a ausência de epitélio de transição em seu interior, uma diminuição de tecido musculae e um aumento de colágeno tipo I, o que pode indicar uma remodelagem na formação do tecido fibroso. Os dados obtidos podem ser utilizados no estudo do desenvolvimento do úraco e da drenagem do tracto urinário embrionário. As alterações estruturais observadas na bexiga podem sugerir a existência de alterações funcionais na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos. / The objective of this work is to present an ontogenetic and structural study of the urachus in normal human fetuses and of the bladder in normal and anencephalic fetuses during the second gestational trimester. Fifty nine fetuses were used, 47 normal (22 male and 25 female) and 12 anencephalic (5 male and 7 female) with ages between 13 and 23 weeks post conception (WPC). Stereological and biochemical methods were used to analyse the extracellular matrix fibrous components, smooth muscle and the urachal lumen. The urachal lumen was closed at the 18th WPC in both males and females. The transitional epithelium in the urachus was clearly identified in fetuses until the 17th WPC, in which the urachal lumen was open. In fetuses aged ≥ 18 WPC, the urachal epithelium was not visualized because the urachal lumen was closed. We observed a significant increase in the Vv of connective tissue in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses and a significant decrease in the Vv of smooth muscle cells in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses when compared to normal fetuses. The biochemical analyses showed a higher concentration of total collagen in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses when compared to normal fetuses. Urachal lumen closing occurs in the 17th WPC. After the lumen closing, we notice an absence of the transitional epithelium in its interior, a decrease in the amount of smooth muscle and an increase in type I collagen, which indicates a characteristic remodeling in fibrous tissue formation. The data obtained in the present study can be used as basic knowledge related to the development of the urachus and embryonic urinary tract drainage. The structural alterations of the bladder found in this study can suggest the existence of functional alterations in the bladder of anencephalic human fetuses.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um estudo estrutural e ontogenético do úraco em fetos humanos normais e da bexiga de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos durante o segundo trimestre gestacional. Cinquenta e nove fetos foram utilizados, 47 normais (22 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino) e 12 anencéfalos (5 do sexo masculino e 7 de sexo feminino) com idade variando entre 13 e 23 SPC. Os componentes fibrosos da matriz extracelular, o tecido muscular e a luz do úraco foram analisados através de métodos estereológicos e bioquímicos. A luz do úraco encontrava-se fechada na 18 SPC nos sexos masculino e feminino. O epitélio de transição no úraco foi facilmente identificO objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um estudo estrutural e ontogenético do úraco em fetos humanos normais e da bexiga de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos durante o segundo trimestre gestacional. Cinquenta e nove fetos foram utilizados, 47 normais (22 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino) e 12 anencéfalos (5 do sexo masculino e 7 de sexo feminino) com idade variando entre 13 e 23 SPC. Os componentes fibrosos da matriz extracelular, o tecido muscular e a luz do úraco foram analisados através de métodos estereológicos e bioquímicos. A luz do úraco encontrava-se fechada na 18 SPC nos sexos masculino e feminino. O epitélio de transição no úraco foi facilmente identificado em fetos com idade inferior a 17 SPC, nos quais a luz encontrava-se aberta. Nos fetos com idade ≥ 18 SPC, não foram visualizados o epitélio porque a luz encontrava-se fechada. Ocorreu um aumento estatisticamente significativo de tecido conjuntivo nas bexigas de fetos anencéfalos e uma redução também significativa do tecido muscular na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os normais. A análise bioquímica mostrou um aumento na concentração de colágeno total nas bexigas dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os fetos normais. O fechamento da luz do úraco ocorre na 17 SPC. Após o fechamento, observa-se a ausência de epitélio de transição em seu interior, uma diminuição de tecido musculae e um aumento de colágeno tipo I, o que pode indicar uma remodelagem na formação do tecido fibroso. Os dados obtidos podem ser utilizados no estudo do desenvolvimento do úraco e da drenagem do tracto urinário embrionário. As alterações estruturais observadas na bexiga podem sugerir a existência de alterações funcionais na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos.ado em fetos com idade inferior a 17 SPC, nos quais a luz encontrava-se aberta. Nos fetos com idade ≥ 18 SPC, não foram visualizados o epitélio porque a luz encontrava-se fechada. Ocorreu um aumento estatisticamente significativo de tecido conjuntivo nas bexigas de fetos anencéfalos e uma redução também significativa do tecido muscular na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os normais. A análise bioquímica mostrou um aumento na concentração de colágeno total nas bexigas dos fetos anencéfalos em comparação com os fetos normais. O fechamento da luz do úraco ocorre na 17 SPC. Após o fechamento, observa-se a ausência de epitélio de transição em seu interior, uma diminuição de tecido musculae e um aumento de colágeno tipo I, o que pode indicar uma remodelagem na formação do tecido fibroso. Os dados obtidos podem ser utilizados no estudo do desenvolvimento do úraco e da drenagem do tracto urinário embrionário. As alterações estruturais observadas na bexiga podem sugerir a existência de alterações funcionais na bexiga dos fetos anencéfalos. / The objective of this work is to present an ontogenetic and structural study of the urachus in normal human fetuses and of the bladder in normal and anencephalic fetuses during the second gestational trimester. Fifty nine fetuses were used, 47 normal (22 male and 25 female) and 12 anencephalic (5 male and 7 female) with ages between 13 and 23 weeks post conception (WPC). Stereological and biochemical methods were used to analyse the extracellular matrix fibrous components, smooth muscle and the urachal lumen. The urachal lumen was closed at the 18th WPC in both males and females. The transitional epithelium in the urachus was clearly identified in fetuses until the 17th WPC, in which the urachal lumen was open. In fetuses aged ≥ 18 WPC, the urachal epithelium was not visualized because the urachal lumen was closed. We observed a significant increase in the Vv of connective tissue in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses and a significant decrease in the Vv of smooth muscle cells in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses when compared to normal fetuses. The biochemical analyses showed a higher concentration of total collagen in the bladders of anencephalic fetuses when compared to normal fetuses. Urachal lumen closing occurs in the 17th WPC. After the lumen closing, we notice an absence of the transitional epithelium in its interior, a decrease in the amount of smooth muscle and an increase in type I collagen, which indicates a characteristic remodeling in fibrous tissue formation. The data obtained in the present study can be used as basic knowledge related to the development of the urachus and embryonic urinary tract drainage. The structural alterations of the bladder found in this study can suggest the existence of functional alterations in the bladder of anencephalic human fetuses.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Anencefalia é o defeito do tubo neural mais severo. A morfologia do ureter de fetos anencéfalos é desconhecida. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a estrutura do ureter de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos (FHA). Nós estudamos 16 ureteres de 8 fetos sem anomalias congênitas (4 masculinos e 4 femininos) com idades entre 16 e 27 semanas pós concepção (SPC) e 14 ureteres de 7 FHA (4 masculinos e 3 femininos) com idades entre 19 e 33 SPC. Os ureteres foram dissecados e emblocados em parafina. Foram feitos cortes com 5 m e depois corados com Tricrômico de Masson, para quantificação das células de músculo liso (CML) e determinação da área da a luz do ureter, espessura e diâmetro. As amostras também foram coradas com Resorcina Fucsina de Weigert ( para observação das fibras elásticas) e Vermelho de Picro Sirius com polarização e análise imunohistoquímica das fibras do colágeno tipo III. Os dados da quantificação do músculo foram expressos em densidade volumétrica (Vv-%). As imagens foram capturadas com microscópio Olympus BX51 e câmera Olympus DP70. A análise morfológica da área do lúmen, espessura e diâmetro foram feitas usando o software Image J. As médias foram comparadas usando o teste t não pareado (p<0.05). O epitélio do ureter estava bem preservado em ambos os grupos, e não houve diferença entre os grupos. Não observamos fibras do sistema elástico em qualquer ureter analisados. Concentração de músculo liso (Vv) não diferiram significativamente (p = 0,4413) em FHA (12% 1,628) e grupo controle (13,51% 0,9231). A área de luz ureteral foi significativamente menor (p = 0,0341) em FHA (6365&#956;m 1,282), quando comparado ao grupo controle (20,170 5,480 mM). O diâmetro ureteral foi significativamente menor (p = 0,0294) em FHA (166.7&#956;m 10,99) quando comparado ao grupo controle (240 26,6 mM). A espessura ureteral foi significativamente menor (p = 0,0448) em FHA (30.57&#956;m 2,034), quando comparado ao grupo controle (7,453 47.49&#956;m). Colágeno tipo III foi observado em maior quantidade nos ureteres da FHA. Alterações estruturais ureterais nos fetos anencéfalos foram significativas em nosso estudo. O ureter de fetos com anencefalia mostraram mais concentração de colágeno tipo III, menor diâmetro, área e espessura. Nervos ureterais em FHA podem ser modificados devido a lesão cerebral com consequente dano no controle dos nervos ureterais. Isto pode levar a alterações estruturais no ureter de fetos anencéfalos. / Anencephaly is the most severe neural tube defect. Morphology of the ureter in anencephalic fetuses is unknown. The objective of this paper is to analyze the structure of the ureter in normal and anencephalic human fetuses (AHF). We studied 16 ureters from 8 fetuses without congenital anomalies (4 male and 4 female) aged 16 to 27 weeks post-conception (WPC) and 14 ureters from 7 AFH (4 male and 3 female) aged 19 to 33 WPC. The ureters were dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5m thick sections were obtained and stained in Masson trichrome, to quantify smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to determine the ureteral lumen area, thickness and diameter. The samples were also stained in Weigert Resorcin Fucsin (to observe elastic fibers) and Picro-Sirius Red with polarization and immunohistochemistry analysis of the collagen type III fibers to observe collagen. Stereological analysis of SMC was performed in sections. Data were expressed as volumetric density (Vv-%). The images were captured with Olympus BX51 microscopy and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis and the ureteral lumen area, thickness and diameter were done using the software Image Pro and Image J. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired t-test (p < 0.05). The ureteral epithelium was well preserved in the anencephalic and control groups without differences in the two groups. We did not observe elastic system fibers in any ureter analyzed. Smooth muscle concentration (Vv) did not differ significantly (p=0.4413) in AFH (12% 1.628) and control group (13.51% 0.9231). The ureteral lumen area was significantly smaller (p=0.0341) in AFH (6365m 1282) when compared to control group (20170 m 5480). The ureteral diameter was significantly smaller (p=0.0294) in AFH (166.7m 10.99) when compared to control group (240 m 26.6). The ureteral thickness was significantly smaller (p=0.0448) in AFH (30.57m 2.034) when compared to control group (47.49m 7.453). Type III collagen was observed in a higher quantity in ureters of AFH. Structural ureteral alterations in AFH were significant in our study. The ureter in fetuses with anencephalia showed more type III collagen concentration, smaller diameter, area and thickness. Ureteral nerves in AFH could be modified due to cerebral lesions with consequent brain control damage in ureteral nerves. This could lead to structural alterations in anencephalic ureter fetuses.

A maioria das perdas auditivas adquiridas ou congênitas decorre de dano ou perda das células ciliares da cóclea ou dos seus neurônios associados. A irreversibilidade da surdez em mamíferos ocorre devido à incapacidade de substituição das células perdidas, seja por divisão celular ou por regeneração de células endógenas no epitélio da orelha interna. Com isso o objetivo deste trabalho foi obtenção de linhagens de células progenitoras do epitélio coclear de fetos de cães com 40 dias de gestação, colaborando com futuras pesquisas relacionadas a trabalhos de tratamento para surdez neurossensorial. Foram utilizados oito fetos caninos com idade compreendidos a 40 dias de gestação, nos quais, foi realizada uma dissecação no crânio, expondo a cóclea para a retirada do epitélio coclear, visando sua analise morfológica, e obtenção de suas células. Para analise morfológica do tecido colear realizou-se as técnicas macroscópica, microscópica e de imunohistoquímica. As células obtidas da cóclea foram fotodocumentadas, e submetidas às analises de método colorimétrico MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-&#1091;l)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide), análise do ciclo celular, análise da imunofenotipagem e da diferenciação celular. Em cultivo as células apresentaram formato fibroblastóide. Na caracterização imunofenotipica apresentaram marcação positiva para marcadores de células-tronco mesenquimais e de pluripotência e marcação negativa para células hematopoiéticas. Apresentaram ainda a capacidade de diferenciação para linhagens celulares osteogênicas, adipogênicas e condrogênicas. Essas análises sugeriram resultados satisfatórios na obtenção, quantificação e caracterização dessas células, as quais foram adquiridas a partir de células do epitélio coclear de feto de cão, as quais poderão constituir fontes de células a serem utilizadas na terapia celular da espécie canina destinada ao tratamento de surdez causada por lesões ou danos do epitélio coclear / Most acquired or congenital hearing loss results from damage or loss of hair cells of the cochlea or their associated neurons. The irreversibility of deafness in mammals is due to the lost cells replacement inability, either by cell division or by regeneration of endogenous cells in the epithelium of the inner ear. Therefore, the objective of this work was to increase knowledge about getting progenitor cell lines of the cochlear epithelium from dogs&rsquo; fetuses with 40 days of gestation, collaborating with future research related to treatment work for sensorineural deafness. Eight canine fetuses were used aged as mentioned above, in which, a dissection was performed in the skull, exposing the cochlea to the withdrawal of the cochlear epithelium, for their morphological analysis and cells obtainment. For morphological analysis of the cochlear tissue was held the macroscopic techniques, microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The cochlea cells obtained were photo documented and analyzed for the colorimetric method MTT ( 3- ( 4,5- dimethylthiazol -2- &#1091;l ) -2,5 - Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide), cell cycle analysis, immunophenotyping analysis and cell differentiation. In culture, the cells showed fibroblast format. In immunophenotype characterization, they presented positive staining for mesenchymal stem cell markers and pluripotency and negative marking for hematopoietic cells. They also exhibit the differentiation capacity for cell osteogenic lineages, adipogenic and chondrogenic. These analyzes suggested satisfactory results in obtainment, quantification and characterization of these cells, which were acquired from the dog fetal cells&rsquo; cochlear epithelium, which may be cells of fonts to be used in cellular therapy of canine species for the treatment of deafness caused by injury or damage to the cochlear epithelium