RCAAP Repository

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do folículo dominante nas fases de crescimento, estática e de regressão sobre a resposta superovulatória em 18 ciclos estrais de 9 novilhas da raça Nelore. Avaliaram-se os ovários entre o dia 6 e o dia 10 do ciclo estral pela técnica de ultra-sonografia, medindo-se o diâmetro do maior folículo e contando-se o número de folículos subordinados. Os animais foram superovulados com 400 ou 500 UI de FSH/LH, iniciando-se no dia 10 do ciclo estral, em subdoses decrescentes, por 4 dias consecutivos. Aplicou-se PGF2alfa concomitante com a quinta subdose de FSH/LH e realizaram-se inseminações artificiais às l2 horas e às 24 horas após o início dos sintomas de estro. Os embriões foram colhidos no dia 6,5 após a primeira inseminação artificial, obtendo-se 3,00; 3,83 e 10,17 embriões, respectivamente, nas fases de crescimento, estática e regressão. Observaram-se melhores resultados quanto ao número de embriões quando o folículo dominante se encontrava em fase de regressão.

Com o objetivo de se estudar o comportamento, do ponto de vista clínico e histológico, do pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina, nas reparações lamelares experimentais da córnea, foram constituídos 4 grupos com 5 cães cada. Após ceratectomia superficial de 5 mm x 5 mm um fragmento de igual tamanho de pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina foi suturado usando-se fio monofilamentar de náilon nº 7-0 em pontos simples separados. Os animais foram sacrificados aos 7, 15, 30 e 100 dias de pós-operatório. Os resultados, tanto clínico quanto histopatológico obtidos, nos permitiram afirmar que o pericárdio de eqüino conservado em glicerina constituiu-se em boa alternativa de enxertia nos reparos lamelares da córnea de cães.

Mouse embryos were cultured and co-cultured in mouse (MOEC) and bovine (BOEC) oviduct epithelial cells suspension. Embryos were co-cultured from one cell and two-cell stage to blastocyst stage. Cell culture (MOEC and BOEC) was made at a 100 µl drop under oil. Embryos were recovered 24-26 hours in the case of zygotes and 46-48 hours in the case of 2 cell embryos after hCG injection. Total embryos were randomly split into 3 groups: control (cultured), MOEC and BOEC (co-cultured) with CZB, TCM199 and B2 mediums. In CZB group, 44 zygotes (38.26%) from the control achieved blastocyst stage (expanded or hatched), being statistically different (p<=0.05) from MOEC (1.89%) and BOEC (6.72%). Co-culture with zygotes in TCM199 and B2 didn’t pass 2 cell block. Two cell embryos cultured in CZB achieved blastocyst stage at a rate of 43.80% for the control, 38.79% for MOEC and 29.60% for BOEC group. Statistical difference (p<=0.05) appears from the control with BOEC groups. In TCM 199 medium, total of blastocyst were 48.15% for the control, 39.08% for MOEC and 48.49% for the BOEC groups, having no statistical difference among groups. This study allowed concluding that zygote block in TCM199 and B2 medium may be related to the presence of glucose. And that mouse embryos development is not species-specific.

Effects of homologous prostatic secretion on post-thaw motility, membrane integrity and agglutination of cryopreserved canine spermatozoa diluted in TRIS-egg-yolk and in TRIS-BSA semen extenders were investigated. The study demonstrates that the addition of prostatic secretion resulted in beneficial effect on the acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa. There weren’t changes regarding sperm motility rate, and exposure of spermatozoa to prostatic secretion didn’t lead to a significant reduction on sperm agglutination. However, after incubation for 60 minutes at 37ºC, the addition seemed showing better sperm dissociation in TRIS-BSA 0.25% (60% of the samples). At this time, sperm survival in extenders was observed at different rates: in TRIS-egg-yolk diluent (40% of the samples), in TRIS-BSA 0.25% diluent (80% of the samples), in TRIS-BSA 0.50% diluent (40% of the samples), and in TRIS-BSA 1.00% diluent (50% of the samples).

This research was carried out to detect salmonela in feedstuffs (136 samples), feeds (43) and dust swabs (110) from a feed mill. Salmonela was not detected in dust swabs samples. For feedstuffs, 19.85% were positive, with highest values observed from animal by-products (50%), dairy by-products (7.5%), 12.5% for other feedstuffs and 4.65% for complete feeds.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of high supplemental dietary copper on laying performance, egg yolk cholesterol and blood plasma lipids. One hundred and sixty laying hens were placed in cages, and 8 birds were grouped per replicate, in a total of 5 treatments. Hens were fed a commercial diet supplemented as copper sulfate with 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg of copper/kg for a period of 6 weeks. Egg weight, egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly affected by the supplemental copper up to 400 ppm. At 600 and 800 mg/kg copper significantly reduced egg weight, egg production and feed intake. Egg shell quality, estimated as egg shell weight (g and % of egg weight) and egg shell thickness, was significantly decreased only at the higher supplemental copper level (800 ppm). Plasma concentrations of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol showed an inversion relationship when excess of supplemental dietary copper was fed. At the level of 800 ppm copper determined a significant reduction in plasma triglycerides (705 mg/dL) and a significant increase in plasma HDL cholesterol (9.7 mg/dL) as compared to the control group (1,643 and 4.5 mg/dL, respectively). Egg yolk cholesterol calculated on original or dry matter basis was significantly increased by feeding the higher level of supplemental copper (800 ppm) showing values of 14.83 and 27.70 mg/dL, respectively, as compared to the control group (12.35 and 23.08 mg/dL, respectively). The effect of high dietary level of copper on reduction of egg yolk cholesterol was not confirmed in this study. Further researches are recommended.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with two protein levels (16.5% and 14.5%) and 5 supplemental methionine levels (0%, 0.025%, 0.050%, 0.075% and 0.100%) on postmolt layer performance. Two hundred forty commercial laying hens at 67 wk of age were induced to molt by zinc oxide and fed ten molt experimental diets for 6 wk. At the end of the experiment body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion were significantly higher for the birds fed the 16.5% crude protein diet. Hens fed higher protein level diet returned to egg production faster than those birds fed lower protein diet. Rations with 16.5% of protein determined a significant better egg production until the fifth experimental week, without affecting the egg weight. The methionine supplementation significantly increased egg weight, however did not statistically influence the egg production. Birds fed approximately 300 mg methionine daily (0.050% and 0.075% supplemental methionine levels) produced eggs significantly heavier, however resulting in a low egg shell quality measured by egg specific gravity, shell thickness and shell weight.

A visibilização e a identificação dos vasos que irrigam os tecidos é facilitada quando são utilizadas substâncias com poder corante e de distensão vascular ou meios radiopacos. Nesta pesquisa, em 22 cães foi realizada toracotomia lateral intercostal esquerda no 8º espaço intercostal e clampeamento da aorta torácica a ± 1 cm cranial ao diafragma. Em 10 animais, foi perfundida solução de gelatina/anilina e, no restante, injetado contraste vascular positivo e acompanhamento radiográfico. Foram identificadas artérias que vascularizavam o diafragma, mas não o fígado quando é efetuado o clampeamento aórtico no tórax.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine estrus presentation and distribution following a conventional method of estrus synchronization (progestagen-PMSG treatment) in an ewe herd and 2) to analyze estrus presentation and distribution in adult ewes and ewe lambs. During spring a total of 300 cyclic Merino ewes, including 231 adult ewes and 69 ewe lambs were treated with intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP). After 14 days sponges were removed and 375 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were administered i.m. Estrus detection was performed with vasectomized rams. Ewes were inspected for the presence of marks at 4-hours intervals. Sponge losses, estrus synchronization and distribution were analyzed for adult ewes and ewe lambs. It was detected 1% (3/300) of sponge losses. Estrus synchronization rate was 92.93% (276/297) for the ewe herd, being 93.48% (215/230) for adults and 91.04% (61/67) for lambs (p>;0.10). Estrus onset was detected from 28 to 68 hours following treatment in both classes of females. The interval between sponge removal and estrus onset was 46.88 ± 11.78 hours for the ewe herd, being 46.99 ± 12.22 hours for adult ewes and 47.31 ± 10.94 hours for ewe lambs (p>;0.10). Statistical differences were found only for the intervals 34-38 (p<0.10) and 50-54 hours (p<0.05) between adult ewes and ewe lambs. It was concluded that the treatment used was effective for estrus synchronization in ewes.

A pool of polyurethane sponges impregnated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) was prepared. Real level of progestagen on sponges was checked prior to sponge treatment insertion. During spring a total of 126 cyclic Merino ewes were intravaginally treated with MAP-impregnated pessaries for the synchronization of estrus. After 14 days treatment, sponges were removed. Estrus detection was performed with vasectomized rams. Ewes were inspected for the presence of marks twice a day. Ewes in estrus were artificially inseminated with fresh diluted semen containing a dose of 300x10(6) total sperm. Artificial insemination was performed 12 hours after estrus presentation. Residual levels of MAP (RMAP) on removed sponges were measured by spectrophotometry at 241 nM and examined in relation to their estrus response and fertility. Real dose of MAP was in average 54 mg. RMAP found on sponges following treatment were in average 25.00 ± 0.84 mg. Percentage of estrus synchronization was 92.86% and pregnancy rate was 50.43%. There were no significant differences for RMAP between ewes with (24.70 ± 0.86 mg) and without (28.89 ± 3.65 mg) estrus response (p>;0.10). There were also no significant differences for RMAP between pregnant (25.56 ± 1.25 mg) and non-pregnant (23.83 ± 1.18 mg) ewes (p>;0.10). It was concluded that the 60 mg MAP dose conventionally used for estrus synchronization in ewes is higher than the amount uptaken by the females.

Semen was collected from six stud dogs to compare five extenders in the semen freezing process. Each ejaculate was divided in five parts and added to tris-fructose-citric acid, glicine, lactose, skim milk and tris-fructose-citrate extenders. The semen was diluted at 37°C in extenders without glycerol, in the ratio 1:1 and cooled for 60 minutes to reach a 5°C temperature. Then, extenders with glycerol in the ratio of 2:1 were added to give the final prefreezing concentration of 4% of glycerol. The diluted semen with the cryoprotectant was maintained for a further 60 minutes in refrigeration to equilibrate the spermatozoa in the glycerol and packaged in 0.5 ml plastic straws. The straws were maintained for 30 minutes in vapor, plunged and stored in liquid nitrogen. Sperm morphology was evaluated before and after freezing, whereas progressive motility (%) and velocity of forward progression (0-5) were appraised in different periods of the freezing process. The extender tris-fructose-citric acid showed the best post thaw progressive motility and velocity of forward progression compared to the others extenders. Semen freezing increased major sperm morphological abnormalities, regardless of the extender.

The clinical, gross and microscopical features of a granulosa cell tumour in the ovary of a 2-year-old cat are described. This is a rare tumour in cats, moreover because of the animal’s age. It was diagnosed clinically by ultrasound examination. The tumour, a cystic mass in the region of the left ovary, metastasized to the epiplon and lungs. Tumour cells expressed vimentin and were arranged in a diffuse sarcomatous pattern, supported by a fine fibrovascular stroma. The presence of hair loss and repeated oestrus as clinical signs are indicative of orthoendocrine paraneoplastic syndrome, due to excessive oestrogen stimulation. This tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis of behavioural disturbances in female cats.

Com a finalidade de se investigar o efeito no Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC) do opióide antagonista naloxone hidrocloride sobre a liberação do hormônio luteinizante (LH) em ovelhas ovariectomizadas e hipoglicêmicas, utilizaram-se oito fêmeas mestiças oriundas das raças Mule e Suffolk, pesando 65,7 ± 3,6 kg. Duas semanas antes do início dos trabalhos, os animais foram canulados bilateralmente nos ventrículos. Foram feitos dois tratamentos (TI- animais não-estressados; TII- animais estressados), que foram subdivididos em três grupos (solução salina, 1 mg e 2 mg de naloxone). Os animais foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, dentro das parcelas e foram feitas repetições com intervalo de uma semana, até que se alcançassem quatro observações por tratamento. No TI não se observou alteração nas concentrações de ß-endorfinas e LH, enquanto no TII, apesar de os animais não apresentarem alterações nos níveis de ß-endorfinas após injeção intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) de 1 mg de naloxone, observou-se diminuição significativa (p<0,05) após injeção (i.c.v.) de 2 mg. No TII, as concentrações de LH aumentaram significativamente (p<0,05) após injeção (i.c.v.) de 1 e 2 mg de naloxone. Conclui-se, portanto, que mesmo na ausência dos esteróides gonadais, os opióides endógenos estão envolvidos no controle do LH em animais hipoglicêmicos.

A fim de determinar a ocorrência de Dirofilaria immitis em cães da cidade de Cuiabá e adjacências, foram utilizadas 500 amostras de sangue de cães de qualquer raça e ambos os sexo e com idade superior a seis meses, as quais foram coletadas em domicílio ou durante campanhas de vacinação anti-rábica, realizadas pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Cuiabá, por equipe de professores e alunos da Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária da UFMT, no período de setembro de 1995 a janeiro de 1997. A técnica utilizada para a pesquisa das microfilárias circulantes foi a de KNOTT modificada (Newton; Wright, 1956). Dentre as 500 amostras examinadas, foram encontradas microfilárias de D. immitis em 29 (5,8%) e de Dipetalonema reconditum em três (0,6%). Estes relatos de dirofilariose canina na região da Grande Cuiabá constituíram-se em estudo preliminar para que, numa segunda fase, possa ser determinada a prevalência da doença, mediante imunodiagnóstico.

Ejaculate traits, testicular volume and plasma testosterone levels were determined once every two months for one year in 4 adult male jaguars (Panthera onca) housed at the São Paulo Zoo, SP, Brazil. Semen samples was collected by electroejaculation and analyzed for pH, total volume, motility (0-100%), status (0-5), total spermatozoa count and morphology. Blood samples was obtained by cephalic venipuncture immediately before the onset of electroejaculation and stored at -20ºC until assay of testosterone by RIA. Using a calliper, the length and width of each testis was measured and the values were combined to determine the testicular volume. Semen analyses demonstrated a high percentage of structurally abnormal sperm (mean = 51%) and low rates of motility (50.6%) and status (2.2). No correlation was found between semen traits, plasma testosterone and testicular volume (Spearman’s test). No season variation was detected throughout the year for semen traits, plasma testosterone and testicular volume (p>;0.05, Friedman’s test). The results of this study suggest that the captive jaguars in Brazil are not seasonal, and that semen collections can be performed throughout the year without a perturbation in overall ejaculate quality. However, underlying causes of high percentages of structurally abnormal sperm, found in captive jaguars, need to be investigated mainly to improve semen quality.

The objetive of this study was to identify the better dose between 300 (n = 20), 400 (n = 21) and 500 IU (n = 21) of FSH/LH to stimulate Nelore heifers. The superovulation treatment started on day 10 (D0 = estrous) of the estrous cycle in 8 decreasing aplications for 4 days. The embryo recovery was achieved on day 6.5 after the first artificial insemination. The superovulatory response for 300, 400 and 500 IU FSH/LH was follicles (15.12, 15.76 and 14.94); corpus luteum (10.68, 11.55 and 10.81) and transferable embryos (5.20, 1.81 and 2.76). The 300 IU of FSH/LH group presented the best results in regard to transferable embryos. The transferable embryos were cryopreserved by one-step method with 1.5 M of ethylene-glycol, resulting in 8 pregnancies (7.5%) of 106 embryos transferred by non-curgical method. The 300 IU of FSH/LH presented better superovulatory response in comparison with 400 and 500 IU in Nelore heifers. The transfer of Bos taurus indicus embryos cryopreserved by one-step method in 1.5 M of ethilene glycol was not efficient.

Este trabalho foi realizado para determinar a eficácia do acetato de melengestrol (MGA) associado ou não à prostaglandina F2alfa (PG), na sincronização do estro em fêmeas zebuínas da raça Nelore (Bos taurus indicus). Foram utilizadas 548 vacas e novilhas distribuídas, segundo idade, condição corporal, sexo do bezerro e dias pós-parto, em três grupos. Grupo controle (n = 119): os animais deste grupo receberam suplemento mineral protéico sem o MGA. Grupo MGA (n = 219): receberam 0,5 mg MGA/cabeça/dia durante 14 dias. Grupo MGA/PG (n = 210): receberam 0,5 mg MGA/cabeça/dia durante 14 dias e uma dose de 25 mg de PG (IM), no 17º dia após o último dia de ingestão do MGA. A inseminação artificial (IA) ocorreu 12 h após a detecção do estro. Ambos os tratamentos para sincronização do estro realizados, neste experimento, foram eficazes para se aumentarem as taxas de prenhez, nos dois primeiros períodos de avaliação da estação de monta, dos animais tratados em relação aos não-tratados (grupo MGA = 27,40%; MGA/PG = 31,90% vs controle = 17,65%). Quanto a este aspecto, a aplicação de PG proporcionou maior número de animais em estro, nos primeiros 5 dias de estação de monta, o que facilitou sobremaneira a utilização da IA.

Estudou-se o comportamento do sistema portal hepático em 30 patos domésticos, adultos, machos e fêmeas. O sistema apresenta-se constituído por duas veias portais hepáticas: direita e esquerda. A veia portal hepática esquerda é formada por veias gástricas esquerdas (em número de 1 a 2), veias da margem ventral do ventrículo, veia pilórica e veia proventricular caudal. A veia portal hepática direita é formada pela veia mesentérica caudal, veia mesentérica cranial, veia proventrículo-esplênica e veia gastropancreaticoduodenal. A veia mesentérica caudal recebe tributárias do mesorreto, cloaca e junção ileocecocólica. A veia mesentérica cranial recebe tributárias jejunais (em número de 12 a 21) e se anastomosa com a veia mesentérica caudal, formando a veia mesentérica comum. A veia pancreaticoduodenal recebe duas veias gástricas direitas, constituindo assim a veia gastropancreaticoduodenal. A veia proventrículo-esplênica é formada pelas veias proventriculares dorsal e direita e pelas veias esplênicas.

The behaviour of the azygos vein, its formation and topography were studied in 10 cutias (Dasyprocta aguti, rodentia) adults (6 males and 4 females) captured in the State of Piauí, Brazil. This research intends to be a base for other investigations, particularly those with reference to zootechnical exploration of this species. The azygos venous system was injected with latex (Neoprene 671), then the animals were put in watery solution of formol 10%, and dissected. In all specimens it was observed that the azygos vein always arrives in the cranial vena cava on a level with fourth intercostal space. The azygos vein receives more frequently (50%), the intercostal veins on the right side and 5 (50%) on the left one. The tributaries of the azygos vein are the phrenic veins (l00%), and the broncoesophagea vein (30%). The hemiazygos vein is in all cases on the left side and in 60% of the cases on the right side. The azygos vein communicates with the left hemiazygos vein (90%), with the right one (100%), and with the vena cava caudal and intervertebral veins, with equal frequency (30%).

Estudando 15 pares de funículos espermáticos de burros (Equus asinus x Equus caballus), observamos em 5 pares que seus componentes acham-se envolvidos por delgada cápsula de tecido conjuntivo denso, revestido por mesotélio. Sob esta cápsula e em estreita relação com ela encontra-se espessa camada de musculatura lisa (músculo cremáster interno) que acompanha também o mesoducto deferente. A cápsula funicular e o músculo cremáster interno aparecem em alguns pontos levemente pregueados. Os componentes vásculo-nervosos estão envolvidos por tecido conjuntivo frouxo integrado predominantemente por fibras colágenas. A artéria testicular no funículo mostra trajeto sinuoso, túnica interna constituída por endotélio acompanhado de delicada camada de tecido conjuntivo e lâmina elástica limitante interna. Sua espessa túnica média é composta por fibras musculares lisas sustentadas por rede de fibras reticulares, e a túnica externa, por tecido conjuntivo que se confunde com o tecido conjuntivo intervascular. As veias testiculares aparecem em grande número, possuem túnica média formada por fibras elásticas e reticulares, com poucas fibras musculares e são desprovidas de válvulas, envolvem as artérias testiculares formando os plexos pampiniformes. O modelo do segmento da artéria testicular obtido com Neoprene látex 450 em 20 preparações, correspondentes a 10 pares de funículos espermáticos, apresentaram, respectivamente como comprimentos médio, máximo e mínimo, 58,2 cm, 81,0 cm e 44,0 cm à direita e 66,3 cm, 96,0 cm e 51,0 cm à esquerda.