Figure 1

Quantification of PrP^Scdeposition, glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and spongiform degeneration. The values represent the means (± standard deviation) of intensity of the DAB color (PrP^Sc and astrocytosis) and Haematoxiline & Eosine (spongiosis) obtained from ImageJ software (A). Grey bar correspond to scrapie-affected sheep and black bar to control sheep. Significant differences were detected using Student´s t test (**P < 0.01, *P < 0.05). A generalized increase in the expression of the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed in the brains of the scrapie-affected sheep (P < 0.01). Hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the stellate GFAP-positive cells were observed in the medulla oblongata of the affected sheep, which is consistent with reactive astrocytosis. PrP^Sc staining in control (B) and scrapie medulla oblongata sample (C). GFAP staining in control (D) and scrapie medulla oblongata sample (E). Haematoxylin/Eosin staining in control (F) and scrapie medulla oblongata sample (G).