Search

Progesterone (P4) is essential for embryonic development and maintenance of pregnancy when deficiency causes early embryonic loss. In this study, we investigated the ability of hormonal supplementation to improve the fertility of Nellore females subjected to fixed-time artificial insemination (IATF) protocols. Here, we evaluated the effect of long-acting injectable progesterone (iP4) supplementation in the D4 after IATF on pregnancy rate and pregnancy loss in Nellore females (Bos taurus indicus) from different reproductive categories in Western Amazonia. Materials, Methods & Results: Eight hundred thirteen Nellore females from 5 farms were selected and distributed into 2 groups: control [GC; administration of 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline solution, intramuscularly - IM] (n = 407) and a group that received injectable progesterone (iP4) that was long-acting [GiP4; administration of 0.5 mL of iP4, 300 mg, via IM four days after IATF] (n = 406). Each group contained 3 subgroups: heifers, primiparous cows, and multiparous cows. Of the 407 animals in the CG, 103 were heifers, 107 primiparous, and 197 multiparous. Of the 406 animals in the GiP4 group, there were 101 heifers, 107 primiparous, and 198 multiparous. On a random day of the estrous cycle (D0), an intravaginal device containing 1 g of P4 and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (BE) was inserted by intramuscular injection. On D8, the P4 device was removed and 150 μg of D-cloprostenol (PGF2α), 300 IU eCG, and 1 mg BE were administered IM. Cows were inseminated at D10, 48-52 h after procedure on D8. Pregnancy diagnosis was made between 35 and 40 days after insemination through ultrasound examination. Between 80 and 90 days after insemination, a new ultrasound examination was performed to assess early pregnancy loss. The data were processed using the SAS 9.2. The conception rate, pregnancy loss, and final conception rate were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX according to groups (CG and GiP4), categories (heifers, primiparous and multiparous), and their interactions as variables. The differences in the means of least squares were adjusted using the Tukey?Kramer method. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. The general conception rate was 46% (375/816). Regardless of the animal class, GiP4 animals (51.97%) had higher conception rates (P < 0.05) than CG (40.29%). In the subgroups (heifers, primiparous and multiparous cows), there was a difference (P < 0.05) between animals treated with iP4 (52.48%, 57.94%, and 48.48%, respectively) and those who were not (39.81%, 41.12%, and 40.10%, respectively). Gestational losses, regardless of the animal class, were higher in females in the CG (7.93%) [P < 0.05] compared to those in the GiP4 group (2.84%). Regardless of treatment with iP4, the percentage of gestational loss in heifers was significantly higher (10.64%) than that in primiparous and multiparous cows (3.77% and 2.86%, respectively). The final conception rates were higher in animals that received long-acting iP4, which increased the final pregnancy in all parity categories. Discussion: In the present study, the use of iP4 increased the pregnancy rate in Nellore females, regardless of the category. Although there has been no consensus on the use of iP4, there is an agreement that increases in the pregnancy rate are related to the moment of exogenous P4 application. In addition to influencing the pregnancy rate, reduction in pregnancy losses is also attributed to iP4 treatment, a fact demonstrated in the present study, where animals treated with iP4 had a lower pregnancy loss rate than normally occurs in beef cattle. Supplementation with long-acting iP4 increased the pregnancy rate at D35-40, reduced pregnancy losses, and increased the conception rate on D80-90 days in Nellore females reared in the Western Amazon, regardless of the animal category. Made available in DSpace on 2022-01-31T16:01:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 27293.pdf: 183754 bytes, checksum: 1d786ec7c3578c46ab24e7859d5545d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-11T01:40:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-09-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T14:37:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352019000501531.pdf: 781261 bytes, checksum: 9af7d755b1993ecdeaa580ee497eb377 (MD5) The present study describes a rare condition of uterine intussusception in a 4 year old crossbred female dog diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy and anatomopathological analysis. As treatment, a ovariohysterectomy (OH) was performed. This pathology usually requires surgical management because the initial diagnosis can be challenging. Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-11T01:40:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-09-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T14:37:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352019000501735.pdf: 687999 bytes, checksum: 032ba3d5857f50c5189f372ae3576a4b (MD5) The aim of this study was to describe population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of not pregnant cows, pregnant cows and fetus. Ten ovaries of non-pregnant Nelore cows, eighteen ovaries of pregnant cows and eighteen ovaries of fetus were used. For pregnant cows, six ovaries from each third (initial, middle and final) were evaluated, acquired from a slaughterhouse. For fetus, the same methodology and proportion of ovaries were used. Ovaries were washed, fixed and embedded in paraffin. They were then sectioned in longitudinal sections and stained by the Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Preantral follicles were classified according to morphology (primordial, primary and secondary) and degree of viability (intact and in initial, moderate and marked atresia). Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed through KS300 image analysis program and Tukey's test. A greater proportion of primordial follicles were found in all categories. Secondary follicles were not observed in ovaries of fetus and cows in the initial third of pregnancy. All the ovary dimensions were higher in non-pregnant cows and in the final third of cows' pregnancy, and lower in final third of pregnancy fetus. It was concluded that follicle isolation was effective in describing population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of cows and fetus. Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Grad, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Grad, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-29T22:37:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-05-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T14:32:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352018000301013.pdf: 218517 bytes, checksum: a534082a8691808665ade9cf164914a7 (MD5) The aim was to study pregnant cervus in captivity, to obtain body morphometric data, serum progesterone concentrations, and pH of the vagina. Females of cervus (Cervus unicolor), (n=8) between 2 and 3 years old were used in November during breeding season. After sedation, in one collection, the following was measured: body weight 54.50 +/- 18.70kg, body length 1.21 +/- 0.16m, height at withers 0.75 +/- 0.08m, thoracic perimeter 0.84 +/- 0.12m, and body mass index 97.32 +/- 10.50kg / m(2). After sedation, blood samples were collected to measure progesterone concentration by radioimmunoassay and the use of an indicator tape to obtain the pH of the vagina was performed eight times at four day intervals in the eight females, in a total of 64 samples for each exam. Data were analyzed, and significance was at 5%. There were no differences (P> 0.05) between measurements for serum progesterone concentrations and pH of the vagina. The correlations between body weight, progesterone, pH, and body mass index were not significant (P> 0.05). There was no significant oscillation of progesterone concentration and pH of the vagina in the pregnancy period studied. Univ Oeste Paulista, Unoeste, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil Univ Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

This study evaluated the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of Nelore bull sperm from early puberty to early sexual maturity and their associations with sperm motility and vigor, the mass motility of the spermatozoa (wave motion), scrotal circumference, and testosterone. Sixty Nelore bulls aged 18 to 19 months were divided into four lots (n=15 bulls/lot) and evaluated over 280 days. Semen samples, collected every 56 days by electroejaculation, were evaluated soon after collection for motility, vigor and wave motion under an optical microscope. Sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial activity were evaluated under a fluorescent microscope using probe association (FITC-PSA, PI, JC-1, H342). The sperm were classified into eight integrity categories depending on whether they exhibited intact or damaged membranes, an intact or damaged acrosomal membrane, and high or low mitochondrial potential. The results show that bulls have a low amount of sperm with intact membranes at puberty, and the sperm show low motility, vigor, and wave motion; however, in bulls at early sexual maturity, the integrity of the sperm membrane increased significantly. The rate of sperm membrane damage was negatively correlated with motility, vigor, wave motion, and testosterone in the bulls, and a positive correlation existed between sperm plasma membrane integrity and scrotal circumference. The integrity of the acrosomal membrane was not influenced by puberty. During puberty and into early sexual maturity, bulls show low sperm mitochondrial potential, but when bulls reached sexual maturity, high membrane integrity with high mitochondrial potential was evident. RESUMO Este estudo avaliou a integridade da membrana plasmática, da membrana acrossomal e o potencial da membrana mitocondrial de espermatozoides de touros da raça Nelore da puberdade até à maturidade sexual e suas correlações com motilidade, vigor, turbilhão dos espermatozoides, circunferência escrotal e testosterona. Sessenta touros da raça Nelore, com idade entre 18 e 19 meses, foram divididos em quatro lotes (n=15 touros / lote) e foram avaliados por 280 dias. Coletaram-se as amostras de sêmen a cada 56 dias por eletroejaculação e, logo após, foram determinados a motilidade, o vigor e o turbilhão dos espermatozoides por microscopia óptica. A integridade da membrana de esperma, da membrana acrosomal e da atividade mitocondrial foi avaliada por microscopia de fluorescência, utilizando-se associação das sondas (FITC-PSA, PI, JC-1, H342). Os espermatozoides foram classificados em oito categorias de integridade, dependendo se eles exibiram membranas plasmática e mitocondrial intactas ou danificadas e potencial mitocondrial elevado ou baixo. Os resultados mostram que os touros têm uma baixa quantidade de espermatozoides com membranas íntegras na puberdade, com baixa motilidade, vigor e turbilhão. No entanto, nos touros na maturidade sexual precoce, a integridade da membrana dos espermatozoides aumentou significativamente. A taxa de dano à membrana espermática foi negativamente correlacionada com a motilidade, o vigor, o movimento das ondas e a concentração de testosterona nos touros, e uma correlação positiva existiu entre a integridade da membrana plasmática e a circunferência escrotal. A integridade da membrana acrossomal não foi influenciada pela puberdade.

The aim of this study was to investigate antibodies against brucellosis, leptospirosis, bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR/ BoHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and neosporosis through immunodiagnostic. These agents may directly or indirectly compromise the female bovine reproductive tract as well as embryonic and fetal development, therefore we also tried to establish a probable relation between those antibody with the utilization rates of fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET) protocols, with pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (ET) and the occurrence of miscarriages. Embryos were obtained by in vitro fertilization of the ovum and sperm from the Gyr dairy breed, which were transferred to 235 zebu-crossbred cows under FTET protocols. The blood samples to obtain serum were collected by venous puncture from coccygeal vein, only a few days of the completion of ET. For the immunodiagnostic research of brucellosis, leptospirosis, IBR/BoHV-1, BVD and neosporosis, the complement fixation assay, the microscopic agglutination test, virus neutralization, and linked immunosorbent assay to enzymes in conjunction with the indirect immunofluorescence were used. The utilization rates of the FTET protocols related to pregnancy and abortion in D16, D35, and D75 were 67.23%, 34,18% and 20,37% respectively. The immunodiagnostic results related to seropositive animals were obtained for brucellosis (7/235 = 2.89%), leptospirosis (128/235 = 54.47%), IBR (103/235 = 43.83%), BVD (174/235 = 74.04%), and neosporosis (150/235 = 63.82%). In seropositive recipients, there was an observed influence (P < 0.05) of leptospirosis and neosporosis on the rate of protocol utilization of brucellosis on both the pregnancy and abortion rate, and of BVD and IBR on abortion rate. El estudio tuvo por finalidad evidenciar, mediante técnicas de inmunodiagnóstico, anticuerpos contra Brucelosis, Leptospirosis, Rinotraqueítis Infecciosa Bovina (IBR), Diarrea Viral Bovina (DVB) y Neosporosis, agentes que directa o indirectamente pueden comprometer el tracto reproductor de las hembras así como el desarrollo embrionario y fetal. Se estableció una probable relación entre la presencia de anticuerpos contra los agentes con la tasa de aprovechamiento de protocolos de transferencias de embriones en tiempo fijo (TETF), la tasa de preñez por transferencia de embriones (TE) y la ocurrencia de abortos. Los embriones fueron obtenidos por fertilización in vitro (FIV) a partir de aspiración folicular y semen de toros, ambos de raza Gyr lechero, y tranferidos a 235 vacas receptoras cruzadas con Cebú sometidas a protocolos para TETF. Se obtuvo suero de muestras de sangre mediante venopunción de la vena coccígea solamente en los días de realización de TE. Para evidenciar Brucelosis, Leptospirosis, IBR, DVB y Neospora se emplearon las técnicas de fijación de complemento, seroaglutinación microscópica, seroneutralización y test de inmunoensayo (ELISA) junto con la inmunofluorescencia indirecta (RIFI), respectivamente. El diagnóstico de gestación de las receptoras fue efectuado por ultrasonografía, a los 35 días después de la TE y repetido a los 75 días para confirmar la gestación o eventual aborto. Los animales serorreactivos para cada agente fueron: Brucella (7/235 = 2,89%), Leptospirosis (128/235 = 54,47%), IBR (98/235 = 43,83%), DVB (174/235 = 74,04%) y Neosporosis (150/235 = 63,82%). En las receptoras serorreactivas se observaron influencias (P < 0,05) de la leptospirosis y de la neosporosis sobre la tasa de aprovechamiento del protocolo, de brucelosis en las tasas de preñez y aborto y en DVB e IBR en las tasas de aborto.

Purpose: This study applies treatment methods to rat retina subjected to acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and compares by histopathological examination the efficacy of Memantine and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Material and Methods: Twentyfour adult Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups after retinal ischemia was induced by elevating the intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg. The groups were: Group 1: Control group, right eyes were cannulated with a 30 gauge needle and removed without causing any intraocular pressure change. Group 2: Memantine treatment group, animals were given single dose of intravenous 25 mg/kg Memantine by tail vein route after inducing acute retinal ischemia. Group 3: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy group, in two hours following acute retinal ischemia HBO treatment was applied for nine days. Group 4: Acute retinal ischemia model but without treatment (ARI). Results: Twenty-one days after establishing ischemia- reperfusion, the right eyes were enucleated after cardiac glutaraldehyde perfusion method, and then submitted to histological evaluation. In average, the total retinal ganglion cell count (RGCC) was 239.93±8.60 in control group; 125.14±7.18 in ARI group; 215.89±8.36 in Memantine group and 208.69±2.05 in HBO group. Mean apoptotic index in groups were 0.03±0.02; 0.5±0.03; 0.22±0.05 and 0.08±0.03 respectively. Conclusion: The present study shows that Memantine and HBO therapy was effective in reducing the damage induced by acute ischemia-reperfusion in rat retina. Our study suggests that these treatments had beneficial effects due to neuroprotection,and therefore may be applied in clinical practice.

Purpose: This study applies treatment methods to rat retinas subjected to acute ischemia reperfusion injury and compares the efficacy of memantine, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, and brimonidine by histopathological examination. Methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups after retinal ischemia was induced by elevating the intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg. The groups were as follows: group 1: control; group 2: acute retinal ischemia (ARI) model but without treatment group; group 3: memantine (MEM) treatment group; group 4: HBO therapy group; and group 5: brimonidine treatment (BRI) group. In the control group, right eyes were cannulated with a 30-gauge needle and removed without causing any intraocular pressure change. The ARI group was an acute retinal ischemia model, but without treatment. In the MEM group, animals were given a unique dose of intravenous 25 mg/kg memantine by the tail vein route after inducing ARI. In the HBO group, at 2 h following ARI, HBO treatment was applied for nine days. In the BRI group, a 0.15% brimonidine tartrate eye drop treatment was applied twice a day (BID) for seven days before ARI. Twenty-one days after establishing ischemia reperfusion, the right eyes were enucleated after the cardiac gluteraldehyde perfusion method, and then submitted to histological evaluation. Results: On average, the total retinal ganglion cell number was 239.93±8.60 in the control group, 125.14±7.18 in the ARI group, 215.89±8.36 in the MEM group, 208.69±2.05 in the HBO group, and 172.27±8.16 in the BRI group. Mean apoptotic indexes in the groups were 1.1±0.35%, 57.71±0.58%, 23.57±1.73%, 15.63±0.58%, and 29.37±2.55%, respectively. Conclusions: The present study shows that memantine, HBO, and brimonidine therapies were effective in reducing the damage induced by acute ischemia reperfusion in the rat retina. Our study suggests that these treatments had beneficial effects due to neuroprotection, and therefore may be applied in clinical practice. © 2011 Molecular Vision.

Callithrix jacchus is a neotropical primate adaptable in captivity. Colonies can be easily established in a short time and at low cost compared to other species of larger primates, which are normally used in laboratory. Because they are phylogenetically similar to humans in situations that induce anxiety, these small primates are increasingly being used in research involving the stress response. Wild animals in captivity are subjected to a series of stressful events that depending on the duration and intensity can modify the organic homeostasis. Observed in this study, serious problems occurred with the formation in fetal offspring of Callithrix jacchus kept in an environment with a high degree of stress. O Callithrix jacchus é um primata neotropical de fácil adaptação em cativeiro. As colônias podem ser facilmente estabelecidas em um curto espaço de tempo e a um custo baixo comparado a outras espécies de primatas maiores, que são normalmente utilizados em laboratório. Por serem filogeneticamente semelhantes aos seres humanos em situações que induzem à ansiedade, esses pequenos primatas estão sendo cada vez mais utilizados em pesquisas que envolvam a resposta ao estresse. Animais silvestres em cativeiro estão submetidos a uma série de eventos estressores, os quais, dependendo da sua duração e intensidade, podem modificar a homeostase orgânica. Observaram-se, neste estudo, graves problemas ocorridos com a formação fetal nas proles de Callithrix jacchusmantidos em ambiente com alto grau de estresse.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two doses of PGF associated or not to hCG on the associated reproductive parameters in dairy goats. A total of 29 goats received two doses of 30 ug d-cloprostenol latero-vulvar at a 10 day intervals (Day 1 and Day 10). The does were allocated according to body weight and body condition score into two treatments, to receive hCG (250IU) or saline at estrus onset. After the second dose of PGF, estrus was monitored and ultrasound exams were performed twice daily. All does were inseminated 16h after estrus onset. Blood collection was performed every day for progesterone assay. The use of hCG at estrus onset did not affect any studied parameter and therefore the data were pooled. Estrous response rate was similar (P>0.05) after the first (75.9%, 22/29) and the second dose of PGF (79.3%, 23/29). The interval between the administration of PGF and estrus onset was greater (P0.05) between both experimental groups were detected in the following parameters, averaging: the interval from the second dose administration to the ovulation (86.6±11.4h), interval from estrus to ovulation (39.9±12.3 h), diameter of largest follicle (7.2±1.4) and number of ovulations (1.8±0.6). At Day 1, 52.4% (11/21) of does presented progesterone concentrations 1ng/mL. The results of the present study indicate that estrus can be efficiently synchronized in dairy goats with the use of two doses of PGF at a 10 day interval. Further research should be done evaluating hCG use in different doses or moments of administration. [Parâmetros ovarianos de cabras leiteira submetidas a sincronização do estro com protaglandina F2 alfa associada ou não ao hCG no início do estro]. Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência do uso de duas doses de PGF associadas ou não à administração de hCG no início do estro sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos de cabras leiteiras. Um total de 29 cabras receberam duas doses de 30 ?g d-cloprostenol pela via latero-vulvar com 10 dias de intervalo (Dia 1 e Dia 10). As cabras foram alocadas para receberem o hCG (250 IU) ou salina i.m. no momento em que o estro foi detectado. Depois da realização da segunda dose de PGF, o estro foi monitorado e exames ultrassonográficos foram realizados duas vezes ao dia. Todas as fêmeas foram inseminadas 16 h após o inicio do estro. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas diariamente para determinação das concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona. O uso do hCG no momento do início do estro não afetou os parâmetros estudados e, portanto, os dados serão apresentados agrupados. A taxa de manifestação de estro foi similar (P > 0,05) na primeira (75,9% - 22/29) ou na segunda dose de PGF (79,3% - 23/29). O intervalo entre a administração de PGF e o início do estro foi maior (P < 0,05) no Dia 1 (75,8±53,9 h) que no Dia 10 (47,7±10,1 h). Duração do estro também diferiu (P < 0,05) 35,4±15,9 (Dia 1) vs 26,8±15, 0 h (Dia 10). A taxa de ovulação foi 79,3% (23/29) após a segunda dose PGF. Não foi encontrada diferença (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais quanto aos parâmetros reprodutivos: intervalo entre a aplicação da segunda dose e a ovulação (86,6±11,4h), intervalo do estro a ocorrência da ovulação (39,9±12,3h), diâmetro do maior folículo (7,2±1,4) e número de ovulações (1,8±0,6). No Dia 1, 52,4% (11/21) apresentavam concentrações de progesterona < 1 ng/mL. No Dia 10, 100% dos animais apresentavam concentrações >1ng/mL. O presente estudo permite concluir que o estro pode ser eficientemente sincronizado em cabras leiteiras com duas doses de PGF intervaladas em 10 dias. Novas pesquisas devem se realizadas para avaliar diferentes doses e momentos de utilização do hCG.

The bioaccumulation of saxitoxins (STX) in the trophic chain, mainly in freshwater, are not completely known. This work aimed to elucidate the effects of STX on Hoplias malabaricus through trophic bioassay. The fish were fed once every five days with Astyanax sp. before being subjected to an intraperitoneal inoculation with the lysate of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii culture containing 97% STX and 3% by neosaxitoxin and gonyautoxin during 20 days. The animal?s liver was assessed using biomarkers as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipoperoxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCO). In the blood was analyzed the genotoxic and hematological parameters. The hepatosomatic index and the relative condition factor did not show a significant difference between the exposed and control groups. The values of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased in the STX group. The hepatic tissue from both groups exhibited a typical pattern that have been already described for most teleost fish. The results suggested the generation of reactive oxygen species, with increased activity of GPx and concentrations of LPO and GSH; whereas the specific activity of SOD decreased. However, no changes were observed in the CAT, PCO, and DNA damage. Although the STX effects are known as neurotoxic, this cyanotoxin caused liver biochemical alterations that can be considered ecologically relevant.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-12T17:52:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:12:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:30:46Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:30:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 The present work aimed to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of reproductive features of Nellore bulls, offspring of mothers classified as superprecocious (M1), precocious (M2) and normal (M3). Twenty one thousand hundred and eighty-six animals with average age of 21.29 months were used, evaluated through the breeding soundness evaluation from 1999 to 2008. The breeding soundness features included physical semen evaluation (progressive sperm motility and sperm vigour), semen morphology (major, minor and total sperm defects), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV) and SC at 18 months of age (SC18). The components of variance, heritability and genetic correlations for and between the features were estimated simultaneously by restricted maximum likelihood, with the use of the vce software system vs 6. The heritability estimates were high for SC18, SC and TV (0.43, 0.63 and 0.54; 0.45, 0.45 and 0.44; 0.42, 0.45 and 0.41, respectively for the categories of mothers M1, M2 and M3) and low for physical and morphological semen aspects. The genetic correlations between SC18 and SC were high, as well as between these variables with TV. High and positive genetic correlations were recorded among SC18, SC and TV with the physical aspects of the semen, although no favourable association was verified with the morphological aspects, for the three categories of mothers. It can be concluded that the mothers sexual precocity did not affect the heritability of their offspring reproduction features. Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), BR-36570000 Vicosa, MG, Brazil Fed Univ Espirito Santo UFES, Alegre, Spain UNESP, Fac Vet Med & Anim Sci FMVZ, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Municipal Fdn Higher Educ Braganca Paulista FESB, Braganca, SP, Brazil Univ São Paulo, Coll Anim Sci & Foods Engn, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil AgroPecuaria CFM Ltda, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil UNESP, Fac Vet Med & Anim Sci FMVZ, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

This study evaluated the relationship between Se supplementation and serum cortisol in repeatedly handled cattle. Sixty Nellore calves were randomly distributed into four experimental groups, which were fed a mineral-protein mixture added with Se to achieve individual daily supplementation of 0 (Gc), 3.6 (G3.6), 5.4 (G5.4) and 6.4 (G6.4) mg Se. Stressful handling procedures and blood sampling were performed on days 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120. Serum cortisol increased until day 90 and decreased on day 120, irrespective of Se supplementation. This finding shows that cattle reached a stress state but adapted. Cortisol and Se levels were not markedly correlated. Serum Se increased over the course of the experiment in the supplemented groups. However, because serum Se decreased in Gc, it may have mobilized to form the selenoproteins needed to remove metabolic wastes from handling-related oxidative stress. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre suplementação com Se e cortisol sérico em gado manejado repetidamente. Sessenta bezerros Nelore foram distribuídos em quatro grupos, os quais se alimentaram de uma mistura mineral protéica acrescida de Se de modo a alcançar suplementação individual diária de 0 (Gc), 3.6 (G3.6), 5.4 (G5.4) or 6.4 (G6.4) mg Se. O estresse de manejo e as colheitas das amostras de sangue foram nos dias 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120. O cortisol sérico aumentou até o dia 90 e reduziu no dia 120, independente da suplementação com Se. Isso indica que os bovinos ficaram estressados, mas se adaptaram ao longo do tempo. O cortisol e Se sérico não foram marcantemente correlacionados. A concentração de Se sérico aumentou ao longo do experimento nos grupos suplementados. Entretanto, como o Se sérico foi reduzido em Gc, deve-se considerar que ele pode ter sido mobilizado para formação de selenoproteínas necessárias à remoção dos restos metabólicos resultantes do estresse oxidativo desencadeado pelo estresse de manejo.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T18:04:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) The aim of the current study was to monitor the early pregnancy development in buffalo and establish biometric threshold of different gestational vesicle and embryo/fetal parts from the day of diagnostic to the 70th day of pregnancy. Serial daily sonographic examinations were carried out on eleven pregnant buffalo-heifers, during which the gestational vesicle diameter, amniotic vesicle diameter, crown-rump length, trunk diameter and biparietal diameter were measured. Embryo/fetal sex characteristics were also determined during sonographic examination. The gestational vesicle, embryo and its heartbeats were assessed, respectively, by gestational days (gd) 20.55 +/- 2.34; 25.18 +/- 1.91 and 25.27 +/- 3.58 of pregnancy. The liquid column in non pregnant horn and amniotic vesicle were detected, respectively, by days 31.0 +/- 3.83 and 31.64 +/- 2.34 of pregnancy. Subsequently were sequentially detected the neural tube (gd 33.0 +/- 3.51), umbilical chord (gd 40.25 +/- 2.76), early limbs, (gd 41.67 +/- 4.85), embryos proper movement (gd 46.25 +/- 2.36), vertebral column (gd 47.33 +/- 4.9), body organization (gd 47.48 +/- 5.61), genital tubercle (gd 44.5 +/- 2.39), fetal bones (gd 56.56 +/- 1.16), brain (gd 57.5 +/- 1.2), urinary bladder (gd 57.88 +/- 3.08), stomach cavities (gd 59.17 +/- 4.36), brain ventricles (gd 61.09 +/- 2.34), end of migration of genital tubercle in males (gd 58.4 +/- 2.2) and in females (gd 60.4 +/- 4.2), skull acoustic shadow (gd 59.66 +/- 3.13), vertebra acoustic shadow (gd 62.14 +/- 3.13), ribs acoustic shadow (gd 64 +/- 2.65) and limb bones acoustic shadow (gd 65 +/- 1.58) and liver (gd 66.63 +/- 3.54). High regression and correlation coefficients were found between different studied parameters and gestational age, where the highest correlation was found with the biparietal diameter and crown-rump length. In conclusion, the overall data indicated the feasibility and value of ultrasonographic embryo, fetal and vesicle characteristics and embryo/fetometry in buffaloes for the evaluation of fetal development and estimation of gestational age during the first 70th pregnancy days. Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Anim Reprod & Vet Radiol, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Anim Prod, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Anim Reprod & Vet Radiol, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Anim Prod, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Cyanobacterial waterblooms, such as the saxitoxin (STX) producer Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, have been a worldwide concern in environmental health. However, the bioaccumulation of this neurotoxin in the trophic chain is not completely known. The aim of the present work was to evaluate STX bioaccumulation through chemical analyses and the toxic and trophic effects using biomarkers in the tropical freshwater fish Hoplias malabaricus. They were fed once every five days with Astyanax sp. before being subjected to intraperitoneal inoculation with STX extract (0.08 mg/100 g) obtained by lysis of toxic C. raciborskii strain (T3). After 20 days the brain was collected for acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), lipoperoxidation (LPO), protein carbonylation (PCO), and comet assay analysis. The muscle was collected for STX chemical analysis. The activities of SOD and concentrations of PCO and LPO increased. The CAT, GST, and GPx activities decreased. Genotoxicity was observed in the experimental group. STX was not detected in muscle samples. Thus, an oxidative stress was observed in the brain, leading to the damage of lipids, proteins, and DNA. The mechanism of action of the neurotoxin in this subchronic exposure suggests an apoptotic cellular process.