Ocular conditions, anti-Leishmania antibodies and total protein of the aqueous humor were studied in dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Fifty dogs were analyzed and assigned into two groups of 25 animals each. All animals were submitted to routine ophthalmic exam. Results showed that 76% of the affected animals presented ocular signs, being uveitis the predominant. The mean of total protein in the aqueous humor of animals with uveitis was higher (P<0.05) when compared to the mean of animals with other ocular signs or no clinical sign. The anti-Leishmania chagasi antibody values in plasma were superior to those found in the aqueous humor (P<0.05).Keywords: dog, Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, aqueous humor, antibodies, protein RESUMO Estudaram-se as condições oculares, os anticorpos anti-Leishmania e os valores de proteína total no humor aquoso de cães infectados naturalmente por

The objective of the present study was to investigate the histopathological alterations and detection of parasites that occur in the eyes of dogs naturally infected with

Histopathological evaluation and parasite quantification (qPCR) in the male dog's genital system after natural infection... Ciência

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The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlations among chronic inflammatory reaction, immunostaining and parasite load in the genital system of female dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum . Animals (n = 10) used in this study were from the Department of Vector Control and Animal Surveillance of the municipality of Caruaru, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Fragments of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterine body, uterine horns and ovaries were submitted to histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and DNA detection of amastigotes by qPCR. Correlations were found between the IHC findings and chronic inflammatory infiltrate related to L. Infantum only in the vulva and vagina; whereas, the same inflammatory reactions without immunostaining were observed in all organs, except the ovaries. L. Infantum DNA was detected in all organs of genital system, with no difference in parasite load observed among the different organs. No correlation was reported between parasite load and inflammatory lesions in the organs evaluated, except for the uterine body, in which an inverse correlation was detected. In conclusion, the vulva and vagina were the major sites of lesions and immunostaining for L. Infantum amastigotes in the genital system of female dogs. Moreover, parasite load exerted no influence on the intensity of the lesions in the organs evaluated.

Due to the widespread use of fluoxetine to treat depression, including pregnant and nursing women, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of in utero and lactational exposure to fluoxetine in rat offspring at post natal day 22. Wistar rat dams were orally treated with fluoxetine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) from day 13 gestation to day 21 lactation. Exposure to 10 and 20 mg/kg fluoxetine reduced the body and testis weights. The volume of the seminiferous tubules and epithelium were also reduced following 20 mg/kg fluoxetine exposure. The length of the seminiferous tubules and the population of Sertoli cells changed in offspring exposed to fluoxetine. The amount of seminiferous tubules lacking tubular lumen was higher in rats exposed to 20 mg/kg fluoxetine. Plasma testosterone showed no significant change. In conclusion, fluoxetine exposure via the placenta and lactation may inhibit and delay testicular development, adversely affecting several testicular parameters important for the establishment of sperm production in adulthood.

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The critical period of development is highly susceptible to disorders. Environmental contaminants, stress, and poor nutrition may permanently affect structurally and functionally an organism during adulthood. Protein restriction in intrauterine and neonatal periods may impair testicular cells and reduce steroidogenic activity. The current study investigated the effect of low protein diet during intrauterine and postnatal life on testicular function in immature and adult rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed either a normal protein diet or a low protein diet during pregnancy until birth and during lactation until weaning. The results showed that undernutrition during intrauterine life reduced epithelium height, tubular volume, Leydig cell volume, and serum testosterone levels, although it increased the support capacity of Sertoli cells. Tubular diameter, tubular volume, epithelium height, and Leydig cell population decreased when protein was restricted during lactation. Pregnant rats submitted to a low protein diet during the two periods generated male rats with a reduction in seminiferous tubule volume and length, Sertoli cell population, Leydig cell population and volume, and sperm production. Undernutrition during both the intrauterine and postnatal periods caused the most drastic testicular effects, as irreversible damage to Sertoli cell population and, consequently, to sperm production in the adult male.