The present study aimed to determine if gossypol interferes with ovarian follicles in rats. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were assigned to two equal groups: one control group and the other dosed with gossypol (25 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) for 15 days. Ovarian follicles were histologically classified according to the stage of development and as normal or atretic. Gossypol treatment reduced the length of estrous with an increase in the duration of the diestrus phase. This compound was responsible for reduced serum levels of T4 and progesterone. Treatment with gossypol was responsible for a significant reduction in the number of normal ovarian follicles and a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles, both in all stages of development. Thus, treatment of rats with gossypol was responsible for reduction in the number of viable follicles and changes in hormone levels that resulted in interference of the estrous cycle.

Hematological and biochemical profile studies help to evaluate functional changes of animals used in experiments. The aim of this study was to determine the hematological and biochemical profile of immunosuppressed BALB/c nude and C57BL/6 SCID mice after bovine ovarian xenotransplantation. Therefore, a total of 74 female mice were divided into four groups: non-xenotransplanted animals, xenotransplanted animals, xenotransplanted animals treated with eCG and xenotransplanted animals treated with FSH + LH. After anesthesia, blood samples were collected and hematologic and biochemical values were evaluated. The results showed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for hematological parameters between the control group and the treatment groups of both strains. However, considering the biochemical profile, it was observed an increase of AST concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) in both strains and a decrease of ALT concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) only in C57BL/6 SCID strain of the groups subjected to hormonal treatment compared with those non subjected. Additionally, the values of the renal enzymes, urea and creatinine, did not differ (p ≤ 0.05) between the groups. Our findings suggest that the xenotransplantation procedure as well as the hormonal dosages had no significant effect on the well-being of the animals considering the evaluated hematological and biochemical profile.

Pythiosis is a granulomatous infectious disease caused by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum. In Brazil, there are a considerable number of studies on that disease in dogs mainly from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Given the unfamiliarity of the affectation in dogs from other locations, such as the Northeast, its description in native animals from federal units of this latter region becomes essential. In this sense, this study aimed to register the first case of canine pythiosis found in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. A two-year-old mixed breed female dog was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Rural Federal University of the Semi-Arid (Mossoró, RN, Brazil). Physical examination showed swelling in the anal mucocutaneous junction. During rectal palpation, lumen stenosis was detected.Laboratory screening tests were requested, but due to nonspecific results, performing incisional biopsy of the anal lesion was decided. Fragments were sent for histopathological analysis, being used special histochemical staining. Accordingly, a case of pythiosis was found. Pharmacotherapy was applied with itraconazole and terbinafine hydrochloride prescription. After three months and twelve days of treatment, complete remission of the lesions occurred. One should consider pythiosis in native dogs from the city of Mossoró, RN. Adoption of diagnosis appropriate methods is essential for early disease identification, with a positive impact on therapeutic decisions. ________________________ Macêdo et al., Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal (v.8, n.4) p. 88 -109 out -dez (2014) Macêdo et al., Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal (v.8, n.4) p. 88 -109 out -dez (2014

Background: Animal models are widely used in scientific research because of the ability to generate information from an organism like everything under a given experimental condition. Hematological and biochemical tests in laboratory animals are essential for the validation of several scientific studies. In addition, it standardizes physiological values   for these animals according to their sex, age, lineage, environment, and nutritional status. The present work aims to establish reference values   for biochemical and hematological standards in Balb/c mice, for males and females.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 50 male and female mice were used at reproductive age. The procedures for collecting, processing, and analyzing the samples were standardized.  The collected blood samples were immediately transferred to eppendorf tubes containing heparin, and intended for hematological and biochemical evaluation. The hematological evaluation consisted of Red blood cell count (RBC), Leukocyte counts (WBC), Platelet counts (PLT), Hematocrit (HCT), Hemoglobin concentration (HGB), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Already the quantified biochemical parameters were: urea, creatinine, alanina aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartato aminotransaminase (AST) and fosfatase alcalina (FAL). The differential leukocyte count was also performed. Hematological results obtained for males and females were: 9.19 ± 3.35 (106/mm³) and 7.3 ± 2.01(106/mm³) of RBC; 35.8 ± 6.7% and 38.44 ± 3.93% of HCT; 11.51 ± 2.17 g/dL and 11.85 ± 1.56 g/dL of HGB; 45.83 ± 15.03 fL and 60.26 ± 18.25 fL of VCM; 31.80 ± 1.15% and 31.88 ± 0.99% of MCHC; and, 5380 ± 1994.21(10³/mm³) and 3564 ± 1071(10³/mm³) of WBC.  The platelet counts were 878.92 ± 84.19 and 678.28 ± 227.21, for males and females respectively. And for differential leukocyte counts, for males and females: eosinophils 2.12 ± 1.09% and 2.16 ± 1.71%; monocytes 2.84 ± 1.03% and 2.68 ± 1%; lymphocytes 68 ± 8.36% and 71.76 ± 5.9%; neutrophils 27.04 ± 8.55% and 22.96 ± 5.54%. Basophils were not quantified in the samples. As for the biochemical parameters, values of 54.16 ± 27.8 UI/L and 29.72 ± 4.4 UI/L of  ALT; 89.56 ± 47.73 UI/L and 71.32 ± 8.12 UI/L of AST; 3.76 ± 2.08 UI/L and 2.32 ± 0.85 UI/L of  FAL; 31.76 ± 21.08 mg/dL and 41.48 ± 13.61 mg/dL of urea; and 0.76 ± 0.18 mg/dL and 0.44 ± 0.11 mg/dL of creatinine.Discussion: The mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte, and platelet counts diverged from those   found in literature. For the biochemical values, it was observed that creatinine values were different from those exhibited by other authors. Such divergences might be explained by the activity of endocrine organs, such as the production and/or release of activation/differentiation factors, and stress, applied methodology, lineage, or individual variability.  In addition, differences in the methodologies applied may be responsible for variations in hematological and biochemical values, requiring the standardization of the equipment and reagents used, as well as the adoption of a range that represents the minimum and maximum values within the normal physiological standard for given mouse lineage. In conclusion, the values presented in the present work are within the variation curve for rodents, and can be used as reference for other studies that use these animals.

RESUMO.-[Respostas bioquímicas, termográficas e foliculares de modelos murinos tratados hormonalmente após xenotransplante de ovário bovino sob a cápsula renal.] Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características dos dois diferentes modelos de murinas tratadas hormonalmente após xenotransplante de tecido ovariano bovino sob a cápsula renal. Dois modelos de camundongos imunodeficientes (BALB/c NUDE e C57BL6 SCID) receberam fragmentos de ovário de novilhas e cada grupo foi submetido a dois tratamentos hormonais de eCG ou uma combinação de FSH+LH. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of two different murine models of hormone-treated renal-encapsulated bovine ovarian tissue xenotransplantation. Two immunodeficient mouse models (BALB/c Nude and C57BL6 SCID) were xenografted with ovarian pieces from heifers and each group was subjected to two hormonal treatments of eCG or a combination of FSH+LH. Donor ovaries and recipients were evaluated by histology and infrared thermography at different times. At the time of xenograft collection, animals were evaluated for alterations in hepatorenal biochemistry. The statistical test used in the study was ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test. Among the strains, 80% of C57BL6 SCID and 77% of BALB/c Nude mice showed development and vascularization of the transplanted tissue, which acquired cyclicity at 19 and 9 days post-transplant, respectively. Hemorrhagic follicles in xenografts induced with FSH+LH were found in the C57BL6 SCID strain. Infrared thermography was insufficient to distinguish the tissue donor recipient. In conclusion, the C57BL6 SCID strain appears to be the best host for ovarian xenografts, since the transplants in these mice were viable and showed robust follicular development. This work will aid future choices of immunodeficient strains for xenografting procedures.