The present study evaluated some cryoprotectants and concentrations for curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) semen preservation from a simple methodology of analysis of sperm morphology. Semen of nine males was diluted (1:4) into eight cryosolutions, all of them containing 5% of BTS™ Minitüb, still comprising methanol or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) at four concentrations: 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%. Morphological sperm analysis was performed on an optical microscope at × 1000 magnification. Damages on the head, midpiece and tail rest (the main and terminal portions) were investigated and classified as primary or secondary, according to the assumed influence on fertilization. There was a linear reduction in the total damages with an increase in the cryoprotectant concentration. Samples with DMSO showed the lowest percentage of fractured tails and tail stumps. The cryopreservation protocol retained the fertilizing potential of the sperm after freezing and both methanol 5% and DMSO 7.5% conferred adequate protection to the curimba sperm cells. Sperm morphology, as pointed out here, must be incorporated into routine fish sperm (cryopreserved or not) analysis once sperm defects influence fertilization directly. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report on curimba sperm damages after cryopreservation by optical microscopy. The classification model presented in this study can be adequate to tackle fish sperm damages.

No abstract

No abstract

The aim of this article was to evaluate the in vivo mechanism of action through which ractopamine reduces the amount of adipose tissue in carcass of animals fed diets supplemented with this drug. Literature search was carried out, using the keywords Ractopamine, lipogenesis, lipolysis, fatty acid and adipose tissue. The scoring system was designed for the adequacy of the methodology. A total of eight papers were found-all published in the English language. The determination of lipolysis and lipogenesis was carried out using different methods-from the quantification of non-esterified fatty acids in the blood to molecular analyses of adipose tissue. The review analysis suggested that, at least in the pigs, the use of this drug reduced lipid deposition in the carcass due to a greater inhibition of lipogenesis than an increase in lipolysis.

SUMMARYCurrently, the storage of fish spermatozoa through cryopreservation is widely used. Although it is of common knowledge that the process of freezing / thawing generates DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa, the consequences of this process on embryonary development are unknown. There is great interest in developing methods for in vitro fertilization for the species Prochilodus lineatus using cryopreserved semen. In this paper we study the embryonic development of this fish, to lay the groundwork for the observation of abnormalities in the development of embryos derived from criopreserved spermatozoa. The eggs produced by this species are translucent and have a large perivitelline space, are of the telolecitic type, and presented meroblastic division during the early stages of development. Although the embrionary development of Prochilodus lineatus (Sábalo) took place in less time compared with Danio rerio (Zebrafish) the embryo goes through very similar stages. During the study it was possible to observe the periods of zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation and hatching of the larvae of Sábalo. The different stages of development were successfully recorded, especially those after the transition of blastula media (TBM), when the embryo begins to transcribe its own genome. Palabras clave: Prochilodus lineatus, peces, embriones.Key words: Prochilodus lineatus, fish, embryos. INTRODUCCIÓN(Ninhaus-Silveira y col 2006). En Brasil existen pocos estudios acerca del desarrollo embrionario del sábalo El sábalo (Prochilodus lineatus) es un pez de la familia (Prochilodus lineatus). La descripción del desarrollo Prochilodontidae, iliófago, distribuido por todo el sudeste embrionario puede tener innumerables ventajas, como favode Brasil, que migra para desovar durante el período de recer el reconocimiento de los embriones en sus ambientes reproducción (Fowler 1950). Esta es una especie encontrada naturales, permitiendo una mejor evaluación del sitio de por toda la cuenca del Río Paraná-Paraguay y Paraíba y desove de los peces y estudios relativos al crecimiento de tiene gran importancia económica y ecológica entre las la especie en su ambiente natural; también es importante especies nativas de tamaño medio y grande. para la detección de las alteraciones relacionadas con los Existen diversas especies de peces en Brasil que han factores ambientales en las incubadoras, que pueden llevar sido poco exploradas y para muchas de éstas se desconoce a una malformación de las larvas y consecuentemente una el potencial zootécnico. Para obtener éxito en la producmenor productividad (Alves y Moura 1992). Las invesción acuícola se vuelve necesario el conocimiento de las tigaciones relativas al desarrollo embrionario y larval en características morfofisiológicas y conductuales de las peces en cautiverio han sido realizadas principalmente en especies en estudio, siendo por este motivo de vital imespecies de interés comercial (Luz y col 2001, Romagosa portancia el estudio de los primeros días de vida (Pezzato y col 2001). 1997). ...

ABSTRACT.-Oberlender G., Pontelo T.P., Miranda J.R., Miranda D.R., Zangeronimo M.G., Silva A.C., Menezes T.A. & Rocha L.G.P. 2014. Morphological and morphometric evaluation of prepubertal gilt ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus at different oestrus cycle stages. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(1):83-90. Setor de Fisiologia e Farmacologia Veterinárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Campus Universitário s/n, Caixa Postal 3037, Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil. E-mail: zangeronimo@dmv.ufa.br Studies are performed in developing techniques/procedures that provide greater reproductive performance in farm animals, including pigs. In this sense, the study of gilts reproductive organs at different oestrus cycle stages for assessing the presence of abnormalities and/or other parameters that may affect the future animal fertility is important. In order to evaluate the morphological, morphometric and histomorphometric features of ovaries, uterus and uterine tubes (UTs) characteristics of prepubertal gilts at different oestrus cycle stages, reproductive tracts from 48 animals immediately after slaughter were obtained. After, the structures were dissected and removed, and the ovaries were used for classification of oestrus cycle stage of each gilt in follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (FL). Then, morphometric evaluations of ovaries, UTs, uterine horns and uterine body were performed. Besides that, medial segments of UTs and uterus were fixed in Bouin solution, processed and included in paraffin, when histological sections of 5.0 micrometers (µm) were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Histomorphometric analyzes using image capture system and specific software were performed. Afterwards, data were submitted to Student's t test for assessment the statistical differences (P<0.05) between the two different oestrus cycle stages (FP × LP) and between the placement of reproductive structures (right × left antimer). Among the gilts evaluated, 35 were in the FP and 13 in LP. There was no difference (P>0.05) between morphometric parameters of ovaries, UTs and uterus of gilts in FP and LP. Likewise, in respect to the placement of reproductive structures, both in the oestrus cycle stages, as in the general average, there was no difference (P>0.05). Regarding the histomorphometric variables, gilts classified in FP presented a higher (P<0.05) height of glandular and UT epithelium compared to animals in LP. On the other hand, the diameter of endometrial glands was higher (P<0.05) in gilts at LP compared to FP. Furthermore, gilts in LP presented a higher (P<0.05) proportion of endometrium occupied by glands, whereas animals in FP had a higher (P<0.05) proportion of connective tissue and blood vessels. In conclusion, in prepubertal gilts, the histomorphometric parameters as endometrial glands diameter, the height of glandular epithelium and of UT epithelium and the proportion of 1 Received on February 7, 2013.Accepted for publication on January 9, 2014.

No abstract

The influence of the proximal tibia conformation in the rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs is still controversial, especially in Labrador Retrievers. The aim of this study was to compare the angles of the proximal tibia between Labrador Retrievers and other large breeds of dogs, both groups with and without CCL rupture. Radiographic images of 64 stifle joints were obtained and divided into four groups of 16 images. Group 1 consisted of Labrador dogs without orthopedic disorders, group 2 consisted of Labrador dogs with CCL rupture, group 3 consisted of dogs of various large breeds without orthopedic disorders, and group 4 consisted of dogs of various large breeds with CCL rupture. The radiographs were performed in mediolateral projection with the stifle joint positioned at an approximate angle of 135°. The tibial plateau angle showed an overall average of 22.17°±4.20°, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The patellar ligament angle in relation to the tibial plateau had a mean of 103°±4.20°, and there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 4. The patellar ligament angle in relation to the common tangent at the tibiofemoral contact point showed an average of 99.06°±6.08°, and there was no difference between the groups. The patellar ligament insertion angle had an overall average of 51.45°±5.06°, and there was a significant difference between the two groups of normal dogs and two groups of ruptured dogs. In conclusion, the tibial plateau angle, the patellar ligament angles and the patellar ligament insertion angle do not seem to be predisposing factors for rupture of the CCL in Labrador Retriever dogs. In general, there seems to be no relationship between the angles of the proximal tibia and the CCL rupture in dogs.Keywords: tibial plateau, patellar ligament, tibiofemoral tangent, stifle joint RESUMO A influência da conformação da porção proximal da tíbia na ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (LCC) em cães ainda é controversa, principalmente na raça Labrador Retriever. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os ângulos da tíbia proximal entre cães da raça Labrador Retriever e cães de outras raças grandes com e sem ruptura do LCC. Foram selecionadas 64 imagens radiográficas da articulação do joelho de cães, que foram divididas em quatro grupos com 16 imagens cada. O grupo 1 foi formado por cães da raça Labrador sem alterações ortopédicas, o grupo 2 por cães da raça Labrador com ruptura do LCC, o grupo 3 por cães de várias raças grandes sem alterações ortopédicas, e o grupo 4 por cães de