The conservation of biological resources is an interesting strategy for the maintenance of biodiversity, especially for wild felids who are constantly threatened with extinction. For this purpose, cryopreservation techniques have been used for the long-term storage of gametes, embryos, gonadal tissues, and somatic cells and tissues. The establishment of these banks has been suggested as a practical approach to the preservation of species and, when done in tandem with assisted reproductive techniques, could provide the means for reproducing endangered species. Somatic cell banks have been shown remarkable for the conservation of genetic material of felids; by merely obtaining skin samples, it is possible to sample a large group of individuals without being limited by factors such as gender or age. Thus, techniques for somatic tissue recovery, cryopreservation, and in vitro culture of different wild felids have been developed, resulting in a viable method for the conservation of species. One of the most notable conservation programs for wild felines using somatic samples was the one carried out for the Iberian lynx, the most endangered feline in the world. Other wild felids have also been studied in other continents, such as the jaguar in South America. This review aims to present the technical progress achieved in the conservation of somatic cells and tissues in different wild felids, as well address the progress that has been achieved in a few species.

The maintenance of metabolic activities during the in vitro culture of somatic cells of wild animals, especially collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), is an interesting step in conservation of these cells for the use in nuclear transfer. In this context, it is necessary to optimize the culture conditions of somatic cells by the establishment of appropriate supplementation to the media. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the composition of the culture means of somatic cell derived from ear tissue of collared peccaries, evaluating concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10% vs. 20%) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5ng/mL vs. 10ng/mL). Tissues were submitted to primary culture and subcultures for 40 days and cells were analyzed for morphology, adhesion, subconfluence, and proliferative activity to develop the growth curve and to determine the population doubling time (PDT), viability, and functional/metabolic activity. No difference was observed between the concentrations of FBS for several parameters, except for viability [FBS10: 85.6% vs. FBS20: 98.2%], PDT [FBS10: 155.4h vs. 77.2h], and functional/metabolic assay [FBS10: 0.57-0.55 vs. FBS20: 0.82-0.99 (D5-D7)]. For the EGF in culture, no difference was observed in the evaluated parameters. In all experiments, the growth curves were typical S-shape and the cells passed through a lag, logarithmic, and plateau phase. In conclusion, 20% FBS is suitable for the recovery of somatic cells; nevertheless, EGF does not improve the quality of growing these cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study culturing somatic cells of collared peccaries.

The cryopreservation of somatic tissue in collared peccaries promotes an alternative source of genetic material of this specie. The solid-surface vitrification (SSV) is a great option for tissue conservation; nevertheless, the optimization of SSV requirements is necessary, especially when referred to cryoprotectants that will compose the vitrification solution. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effect of the presence of 0.25 M sucrose in addition to different combinations (only or association) and concentrations (1.5 M or 3.0 M) of ethylene glycol (EG) and/or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the somatic tissue vitrification of collared peccaries. Subsequently, we tested six combinations of cryoprotectants with or without sucrose in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM) plus 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Thus, 3.0 M EG with sucrose was able to maintain normal tissue characteristics compared with non-vitrified (control), especially for the volumetric ratio of epidermis (61.2 vs. 58.7%) and dermis (34.5 vs. 36.6%), number of fibroblast (90.3 vs. 127.0), argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) ratio (0.09 vs. 0.17%) and nucleus area (15.4 vs. 14.5 μm2) respectively. In conclusion, 3.0 M EG with 0.25 M sucrose and 10% FBS resulted in a better cryoprotectant composition in the SSV for somatic tissue of collared peccaries.

Skin of mammals vulnerable to extinction, such as the jaguar, is used as a source of material in conservation strategies. The composition of skin is not uniform among species, and the ability to distinguish similarities in skin morphology in animal groups is fundamental in the application of skin tissue for use in biobanks. The aim of our study was to evaluate the structure, composition and capacity for culture of ear skin from the yellow and black jaguars. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used, focusing on skin thickness, cell quantification and distribution, collagen density, proliferative activity and viability. Histomorphometrical study of the skin showed a total thickness of 273.2 and 274.6 µm for the yellow and black jaguars, respectively. Melanocytes and fibroblasts were, respectively, 9.7 and 23.0 for the yellow jaguar and 11.3 and 26.8 for the black jaguar. A collagen density of 67.0% and 49.0% was observed for yellow and black jaguars, respectively. Both animals presented a proliferative activity varying between 1.20 and 1.30. All tissues could promote cellular detachment, reaching subconfluence in 10–15 days. This kind of information from histomorphometrical features and cell cultures can be essential for a more targeted application of ear skin cryopreservation in this species, as such information will enable understanding the action of substances on tissues during the conservation process.

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is the first step of the in vitro reproductive technologies that enables mature oocytes to be generated ex vivo and after used for embryo production. In this sense, the establishment of culture environment, as oocyte incubation time, is essential for the success of the IVM. Therefore, the study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the meiotic potential and the IVM times of collared peccary oocytes, wild mammals of great commercial and ecological interest. Thus, ovaries were collected of females derived from captivity and transported to the laboratory within 1 hour of slaughtering. The oocytes derived from follicles (3-6mm in diameter) were recovered by aspirated and sliced. Good quality oocytes (evenly granulated cytoplasm with a least one layer of surrounding cumulus cells) were selected and subjected to culture in TCM 199 supplemented with 10µg/mL FSH, 10% FBS and 100µM cysteamine at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and maximum humidity for 24 or 48 hours. After the incubation period, the nuclear status, the presence of first polar body and the expansion of cumulus cells of oocytes were assessed. The data obtained were analyzed by Fisher exact test (P<0.05). A total of four sessions (2-3 females per session) were performed, resulting in eighteen aspirated and sliced ovaries with normal morphological characteristics. An oocyte recovery rate of about 83.1% (59/71) was obtained with 3.3 oocytes/ovary and 2.3 viable oocytes/ovary. After different incubation times, differences (P<0.05) were observed in 24 and 48 hours for expansion of the cumulus cells (38.1% vs. 100%), presence of first polar body (52.4% vs. 90.5%) and nuclear status in second metaphase (19.0% vs. 76.2%), respectively. In conclusion, 48 hours is suitable time for the in vitro maturation of oocytes derived from collared peccaries when compared to the time of 24 hours, according to the meiotic potential observed. Additional studies should be conducted to improve the quality of the oocyte culture environment, as medium composition, aiming to obtain viable mature oocytes for other in vitro biotechnologies.

RESUMOOs objetivos foram avaliar os parâmetros quanti-qualitativos de oócitos bovinos após recuperação usando diferentes métodos de colheita e tipos de êmbolo da seringa de aspiração. Assim, dois experimentos foram realizados usando ovários de fêmeas post-mortem. No primeiro experimento, duas técnicas de colheita oocitária foram empregadas: aspiração de folículos (2-8 mm) com agulha 21G e seringa de 5 mL e, fatiamento da superfície ovariana (slicing). No segundo experimento, folículos (2-8 mm) foram aspirados usando seringa com distintos êmbolos (borracha vs. plástico). Os complexos cumulus-oócito (CCOs) foram classificados por critérios morfológicos em viáveis e não viáveis. Em seguida, CCOs foram corados com o azul de cresil brilhante (ACB) (60 min; 26 μM) e classificados como ACB + (viáveis) e ACB -(não viáveis). Um total de cinco repetições por experimento foi realizado e os dados analisados pelo teste exato de Fisher (P<0,05). No primeiro experimento, o número de oócitos por ovário obtido por slicing foi maior quando comparado à aspiração folicular (14,8 vs. 7,5; P<0,05). Contudo, um maior percentual de CCOs viáveis observado pelo ensaio de ACB foi obtido a partir da aspiração folicular (65,7% vs. 31,0%; P<0,05). No segundo experimento, nenhuma diferença (P>0,05) foi observada entre os tipos de êmbolos quanto aos parâmetros quantitativos. Quanto à qualidade oocitária avaliada por critérios morfológicos, um percentual maior de oócitos viáveis foi recuperado usando êmbolo de borracha (75,4% vs. 58,2%; P<0,05). Em conclusão, oócitos de melhor qualidade podem ser obtidos a partir da aspiração folicular, especialmente usando seringa com êmbolo de borracha. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Aspiração folicular. Azul de cresil brilhante. Colheita oocitária. Qualidade oocitária. Slicing. SUMMARYThe aims were to evaluate qualitative-quantitative parameters of bovine oocytes after recovery using different collection methods and piston type from the aspiration syringe. Thus, two experiments were performed using ovaries from postmortem females. In the first experiment, two techniques of oocyte recovery were used: aspiration of follicles (2-8 mm) with 21G needle and 5 mL syringe, and slicing of the ovarian surface. In the second experiment, follicles (2-8 mm) were aspirated using syringes with different pistons (rubber vs. plastic). The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified by morphological criteria as viable and non-viable. Then, COCs were stained with brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) (60 min, 26 µM) and categorized as BCB + (viable) and BCB -(non-viable). A total of five repetitions per experiment was performed and the data analyzed by Fisher's exact test (P<0.05). In the first experiment, the number of oocytes per ovary obtained by slicing was higher when compared to the follicular aspiration (14.8 vs. 7.5; P<0.05). Nevertheless, a greater percentage of viable COCs observed by BCB assay was obtained from the follicular aspiration (65.7% vs. 31.0%; P<0.05). In the second experiment, no difference (P>0.05) was observed the piston ty...

RESUMO A criopreservação de tecido somático derivado da pele de catetos consiste numa alternativa para a conservação da biodiversidade por meio da associação com a transferência nuclear. Nesse contexto, a manipulação de tecidos da pele é uma etapa crucial para o sucesso dessa biotécnica. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo, foi caracterizar o sistema tegumentar auricular periférico de catetos, visando aprimorar a conservação tecidual. Para tanto, fragmentos auriculares de oito animais foram avaliados quanto às camadas teciduais, aos componentes, à atividade proliferativa e à viabilidade metabólica, usando-se as colorações hematoxilina-eosina e tricrômico de Gomori, quantificação de AgNORs e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Assim, tamanhos de 104,2µm e 222,6µm foram observados para epiderme e derme, com uma proporção volumétrica de 36,6% e 58,7%, respectivamente. Além disso, na epiderme, foram evidenciadas as camadas basal (22,5µm), intermediárias (53,5µm) e córnea (28,2µm), com valores médios de 65,3 células epidermais, 43,4 melanócitos e 14,8 halos perinucleares. Já a derme apresentou 127 fibroblastos, com 2,5 AgNORs/nucléolo. Adicionalmente, a atividade metabólica foi de 0,243. Em conclusão, o sistema tegumentar auricular periférico de catetos possui algumas marcantes variações em relação a outros mamíferos, quanto ao número de camadas e espessura da epiderme, quantidade de células epidermais, melanócitos e parâmetros proliferativos.

O objetivo foi avaliar diferentes meios na presença e ausência de soro fetal bovino (SFB; 10%) durante o transporte por 24 h de ovários a 4°C sobre a recuperação e a qualidade oocitária bovina. Cinco experimentos foram realizados comparando: (E1) NaCl vs. NaCl+SFB vs. controle (não resfriado), (E2) PBS vs. PBS+SFB vs. controle, (E3) DMEM vs. DMEM+SFB vs. controle, (E4) DPBS vs. DPBS+SFB vs. controle e (E5) melhores resultados dos experimentos anteriores. Após a aspiração folicular, oócitos foram avaliados quanto à qualidade por critérios morfológicos e ensaio de azul cresil brilhante. Ainda, células dos cumulus de oócitos viáveis foram avaliadas quanto à viabilidade pelo azul de tripan. No E1, NaCl permitiu uma maior taxa de recuperação em relação ao NaCl+SFB (46,0% vs. 39,6%), enquanto que os demais parâmetros não foram alterados. Já no E2, o SFB em PBS influenciou positivamente a taxa de recuperação (41,2% vs. 32,8%) e a viabilidade celular (46,3% vs. 41,7%), quando comparado ao PBS. No E3, o SFB em DMEM teve uma influência negativa sobre a taxa de recuperação (39,9% vs. 40,7%) e avaliação morfológica (59,0% vs. 73,1%). Contudo, a adição de SFB ao DMEM se mostrou benéfica à viabilidade celular (42,0% vs. 34,5%). Em relação ao E4, a presença de SFB em DPBS influenciou positivamente a viabilidade celular (50,7% vs. 47,0%). Já no E5, comparando os melhores grupos [NaCl, PBS+SFB, DMEM, DPBS+SFB], a viabilidade celular mostrou uma maior porcentagem em DMEM (54,0%) e DPBS (54,5%), quando comparada a NaCl (48,3%) e PBS (50,1%). Em conclusão, a presença do SFB em meios com alta capacidade de tamponamento (PBS e DPBS) pode se mostrar benéfica. Contudo, DMEM e DPBS resultam num ambiente mais propício para o resfriamento de ovários bovinos.