MANIPULAÇÃO DE OÓCITOS INCLUSOS EM FOLÍCULOS OVARIANOS PRÉ-ANTRAIS E A IMPORTÂNCIA DOS ANTIOXIDANTES – REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

A manipulação de oócitos inclusos em folículos ovarianos pré-antrais (MOIFOPA) vem sendo estudada pensando na perspectiva futura de aplicação direta na reprodução humana, principalmente para mulheres que sofrem de doenças ou que precisam passar por tratamentos que interferem na função ovariana. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é revisar aspectos relacionados com a biotécnica de MOIFOPA e a importância dos antioxidantes no cultivo in vitro de folículos pré-antrais. Foi realizada uma pesquisa na base de dados PubMed, buscando artigos sobre a biotécnica, principalmente relacionados com a necessidade do uso de antioxidantes no cultivo. A grande maioria dos estudos sobre a biotécnica utilizam como modelo experimental os folículos ovarianos de diferentes espécies de animais. A MOIFOPA compreende o isolamento e o resgate de folículos ovarianos pré-antrais provenientes de ovários, seguido da conservação através da técnica de resfriamento ou congelação e o cultivo folicular in vitro, a fim de promover o crescimento, a maturação e a fecundação in vitro (FIV) dos oócitos inclusos nesses folículos, maximizando o potencial reprodutivo feminino e diminuindo a atresia folicular que acontece in vivo. Um aspecto que pode interferir no sucesso do cultivo in vitro de folículos ovarianos pré-antrais é a produção em excesso de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). Os ácidos ascórbico e alfa lipóico vem demonstrando resultados interessantes para reduzir os efeitos que as EROs causam sobre os folículos ovarianos pré-antrais cultivados in vitro

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Placentite em éguas: Uma revisão

Placentitis is one of the main causes of abortion, stillbirth, perinatal loss and difficulty in conceiving in the subsequent reproductive season. The objective of this work is to review aspects related to etiology, clinical signs, diagnostic methods and treatment of placentitis in mares. The equine placenta is attached to the endometrium through micro-cotyledons, with the exception of the cervical star, and the region is most affected by the condition. The main etiological agent of placentitis is bacteria, followed by fungi, viruses and protozoa. The uterine contamination due to failure of the anatomic barriers is the fundamental predisposing factor. The main clinical signs are early lactation, vaginal discharge, fetal death and miscarriage. One of the forms of diagnosis is made through ultrasonography, evaluating the placenta, uterine fluid and the concept. There is no definite treatment, but the goal is to combat infection, reduce inflammation and control myometrial activity. The prognosis for both mare and foal is variable, depending on the time of gestation, degree of infection and efficacy of the treatment. It is important to monitor the final third of gestation of the mares, favoring the early diagnosis to be successful with the treatment and birth of a healthy foal.A placentite é uma das principais causas de abortamentos, natimortos, perda perinatal e dificuldade em conceber na temporada reprodutiva subsequente. O objetivo deste trabalho e revisar os aspectos relacionados com a etiologia, sinais clínicos, métodos diagnósticos e tratamento da placentite em éguas. A placenta equina é fixada ao endométrio através de microcotilédones, com exceção da estrela cervical, sendo a região mais afetada pela afecção. O principal agente etiológico da placentite são as bactérias, seguidas dos fungos, vírus e protozoários. A contaminação uterina decorrente de falha das barreiras anatômicas é o fator predisponente fundamental. Os principais sinais clínicos são lactação precoce, corrimento vaginal, morte fetal e abortamento. Uma das formas de diagnostico e feita através da ultrassonografia, avaliando a placenta, fluido uterino e o concepto. Não há tratamento definido, mas o objetivo é combater a infecção, reduzir a inflamação e controlar a atividade do miométrio. O prognóstico tanto para a égua quanto para o potro é variável, dependendo do tempo de gestação, grau de infeção e eficácia do tratamento. É importante monitorar o terço final de gestação das éguas, favorecendo o diagnóstico precoce para obter sucesso com o tratamento e nascimento de um potro saudável

Recovery of equine oocytes by scraping of the follicular wall with different specifications of needles and morphological analysis of cumulus oophorus

In follicular aspiration, physical aspects are of high significance for the technique to succeed, such as vacuum pressure, caliber of the needle and the way the follicular wall curettage is performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery rate of equine oocytes aspirated by scraping of the follicular wall, testing different calibers of disposable needles, as well as the morphological evaluation of the cumulus oophorus complexes (COCs). Mares ovaries (n=447) obtained at a local slaughterhouse were transported to the laboratory in a thermal container (20 °C) and had the tunica albuginea and connective tissues dissected. The aspirated follicles had 10 to 25 mm in diameter, and 30x8 (21G 1 ¼) or 40x12 (18G 1 ½) needles were used for the aspiration, forming group A (G-A) and group B (G-B), respectively. In G-A and G-B, 480 and 548 follicles were aspirated, respectively. Under the stereomicroscope, the oocytes were evaluated according to the quality of the ooplasm and characteristics of the cumulus cells (grade I, II, III and denuded). The statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s t-test, logistic regression and test of proportions, and differences were considered significant when P&lt;0.05. There was no difference between recovery rates of groups G-A (66.5%; 330/496) and G-B (65.5%; 359/548). In the G-A group, grade II oocytes were related to higher recovery rates (46.9%; 145/330) than grade I (23.6%; 72/330), grade III (20.6%; 59/330) and denuded oocytes (8.5%; 24/330; P&lt;0.05). However, in G-B, there was no statistical difference regarding the quality of the recovered oocytes: grade I (23.4%; 77/359), grade II (43.2%; 145/359), grade III (22.5%; 73/359) and denuded (11.1%; 32/359). The 30x8 (21G 1 ¼) needle provided a higher proportion of grades I and II oocytes than the 40x12 (18G 1 ½) needle, with 72.4% (239/330) and 65% (233/359; P&lt;0.05), respectively. Both calibers of needles tested in this study provide efficient oocyte recovery rates. Aspiration with 30x8 (21G 1 ¼) needles resulted in a higher proportion of morphologically good equine oocytes for use in reproductive biotechnologies. </p

Avaliação da técnica de inseminação artificial entre dois inseminadores no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul

The use of artificial insemination (AI) in cattle provides greater efficiency in breeding and increased gains in animal production programs. In this regard, the inseminator has an important role, where his performance in conducting the IA technique can influence the results. The present study aimed to evaluate the technique of artificial insemination between two herdsman-inseminators. The experiment was conducted on a property located in the municipality of Pedro Gomes, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Technique of herdsman-inseminators (A and B) was evaluated in a herd of 206 female cattle able of reproduction, the Trimberger method being used for AI for a period of 38 days. The semen used was evaluated by the soundness examination before breeding season. All procedures related to animal handling and AI technique prior to insemination were standardized. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by rectal palpation 60 days after the last animal insemination. There was a statistically significant difference between the inseminating, (p = 0.0017), and the most successful herdsman-inseminator A obtained after performing 172 procedures IA with results of 146 (84.9%) pregnant cows, while the herdsmaninseminator B inseminations performed 34 and obtained 21 (61.8%) pregnant cows. The herdsman-inseminator A has 3.47 times more likely to be successful in the insemination technique herdsman-inseminator B. It is concluded that there was a better use of the technique of artificial insemination by the herdsman-inseminator A, obtaining the highest conception rate in relation to the herdsman-inseminator B.O uso da inseminação artificial (IA) em bovinos determina maior eficiência em programas de melhoramento genético e aumento dos ganhos na produção animal. Sob esse aspecto, o inseminador tem um papel relevante, onde sua destreza na condução da técnica de IA poderá influenciar nos resultados. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a técnica de inseminação artificial entre dois inseminadores. O experimento foi conduzido em uma propriedade localizada no município de Pedro Gomes, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. A técnica dos inseminadores (A e B) foi avaliada em um rebanho de 206 fêmeas bovinas aptas a reprodução, sendo utilizado o método Trimberger para a IA, por um período de 38 dias. O sêmen utilizado foi avaliado por exame andrológico antes da estação de monta. Todos os procedimentos referentes ao manejo dos animais e técnica da IA que antecede a inseminação foram padronizados. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por palpação transretal 60 dias após a inseminação do último animal. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os inseminadores, (p= 0,0017), sendo que o inseminador A obteve maior sucesso após a realização de 172 procedimentos de IA com resultados de 146 (84,9%) vacas prenhes, enquanto, o inseminador B realizou 34 inseminações e obteve 21 (61,8%) vacas prenhes. O inseminador A apresenta 3,47 vezes mais chances de obter êxito na técnica de inseminação que o inseminador B. Concluí-se que houve melhor aproveitamento da técnica de inseminação artificial pelo inseminador A, obtendo a maior taxa de concepção em relação ao inseminador B

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved