Reduced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptotic status are not correlated with increases in cryotolerance of bovine embryos produced in vitro in the presence of antioxidants

The effects of intracellular (cysteine and beta-mercaptoethanol) and extracellular (catalase) antioxidant supplementation at different times during in vitro production (IVM and/or in vitro culture (IVC)) on bovine embryo development, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis and re-expansion rates after a vitrification-thawing process were examined. Blastocyst frequencies were not affected by either antioxidant supplementation (40.5%56.4%) or the timing of supplementation (41.7%-55.4%) compared with control (48.7%; P>0.05). Similarly, antioxidants and the moment of supplementation did not affect (P> 0.05) the total number of blastomeres (86.2-90.5 and 84.4-90.5, respectively) compared with control (85.7). However, the percentage of apoptotic cells was reduced (P 0.05) from that in the control group (1.00). Re-expansion rates were not affected (P> 0.05) by the treatments (50.0%-93.0%). In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation during IVM and/or IVC reduces intracellular ROS and the rate of apoptosis; however, supplementation does not increase embryonic development and survival after vitrification.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Effects of gaseous atmosphere and antioxidants on the development and cryotolerance of bovine embryos at different periods of in vitro culture

This study examined the effects of antioxidant supplementation and O-2 tension on embryo development, cryotolerance and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The antioxidant supplementation consisted of 0.6 mM cysteine (CYST); 0.6 mM cysteine + 100 mu M cysteamine (C+C); 100 IU catalase (CAT) or 100 mu M beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) for 3 or 7 days of in vitro culture (IVC). Two O-2 tensions (20% O-2 [5% CO2 in air] or 7% O-2, 5% CO2 and 88% N-2 [gaseous mixture]) were examined. After 7 days of antioxidant supplementation, the blastocyst frequencies were adversely affected (P<0.05) by CYST (11.2%) and C+C (1.44%), as well as by low O-2 tension (17.2% and 11.11% for 20% and 7% O-2, respectively) compared with the control (26.6%). The blastocyst re-expansion rates were not affected (P > 0.05) by the treatments (range, 66-100%). After 3 days of antioxidant supplementation, the blastocyst frequencies were not affected (P > 0.05) by any of the antioxidants (range, 43.6-48.5%), but they were reduced by low O-2 tension (P<0.05) (52.1% and 38.4% for 20% and 7% O-2, respectively). The intracellular ROS levels, demonstrated as arbitrary fluorescence units, were not affected (P > 0.05) by antioxidant treatment (range, 0.78 to 0.95) or by O-2 tension (0.86 and 0.88 for 20% and 7% O-2, respectively). The re-expansion rates were not affected (P > 0.05) by any of the treatments (range, 63.6-93.3%). In conclusion, intracellular antioxidant supplementation and low O-2 tension throughout the entire IVC period were deleterious to embryo development. However, antioxidant supplementation up to day 3 of IVC did not affect the blastocyst frequencies or intracellular ROS levels.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Parte aérea da mandioca em substituição parcial a alimentos concentrados na dieta de cordeiros

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and economic viability of including the aerial parts of cassava (PAM) in the feed of semi-confined lambs for partial reduction of food concentrates. Fifty-six sheep, including males and females of the Pantaneira genetic group weighing 18.84 ± 2.02 kg on an average were used. The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design with four treatments, each with seven females and seven males. Each group of 14 animals received one of four treatments: control, 10% of food concentrate in diet replaced with PAM, 20% replaced with PAM, and 30% replaced with PAM. The average total gain in weight (GWT) of the male lambs was 26.89% higher than the gains observed in females. Based on the cost analysis, we observed a linear effect (P < 0.01), i.e., a decrease in the feed cost for male and female groups with increase in PAM content. For the study period, the expenditure for the control male group was the highest at $17.60 per animal. Expenditure for the PAM 30 male group was the lowest at$ 12.74 per animal. These figures reflect the actual operating costs (COE), i.e., the power is 75.78% and 74.77%, for male and female groups respectively. The total cost, decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with PAM 30 treatment costing the least at $47.90, which was$ 7.02 lower than the control. When assessing the net margin per kilogram among the female groups, we observed a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) with a maximum gain of 23.98% when adding PAM and $0.50 kg-1. Our results show that the raising of lambs in semi-confinement was economically viable, and the addition of the aerial part of processed cassava in the feed presented a higher economic return. Further, the addition of aerial parts of cassava did not affect the performance of the lambs.Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo e viabilidade econômica da inclusão da parte aérea de mandioca in natura na ração de cordeiros semi-confinados, em busca da redução parcial de alimentos concentrados. Foram utilizados 56 ovinos da raça Pantaneira, sendo 28 machos e 28 fêmeas, com idade média de 75 dias, pesos médios de 18,84kg ± 2,02, avaliados durante os meses de janeiro a março de 2015, totalizando 65 dias. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos inteiramente casualizados com quatro tratamentos, cada um com 7 fêmeas e 7 machos, sendo que foram divididos de forma que os pesos e os animais fossem o mais homogêneos. Cada grupo de 14 animais recebeu um dos quatro tratamentos: Controle; tratamento com adição de 10$ 56,86 animal-1 e o tratamento PAM 30 o menor valor com R$41,17 animal-1 no grupamento de machos. Estes valores refletiram no custo operacional efetivo (COE), ou seja, a alimentação representa 75,78$ 154,72. Resultando em redução no custo total em R$22,69 em relação ao tratamento controle (R$ 177,41). Ao se avaliar a margem liquida por quilo dentre o grupamento de fêmeas observou efeito quadrático (P < 0,01) com ponto de máxima em 23,98% de adição de PAM e valor em R$ 1,61 Kg ganho-1. Conclui-se a terminação de cordeiros em semi-confinamento, foi economicamente viável, tendo apresentado maior retorno econômico com a adição da parte aérea de mandioca in natura na ração, não afetando o desempenho dos cordeiros

Membrane lipid profile of in vitro-produced embryos is affected by vitrification but not by long-term dietary supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids for oocyte donor beef heifers

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICODietary rumen-protected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) rich in linoleic acid (LA) may affect embryo yield, and LA can modulate the molecular mechanisms of lipid uptake in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. In embryos, membrane lipids, such as phos29612171230CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO554730/2010-3306746/2012-3BCSL and GZM were awarded scholarships from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil (#554730/2010-3 and #306746/2012-3). The authors thank Elanco, Grupo Guabi, Ingámed, Alta Genetics Brazil, Ouro Fino Saúde Animal, Wa

População de folículos antrais em vacas e novilhas da raça Nelore e Girolando

The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian antral follicle populations (OAFP) of Nelore and Girolando breed heifers (12–18 months old) and cows (24–60 months old). Animals were assigned to four groups: (1) Nelore cows (n = 18), (2) Girolando cows (n = 20), (3) Nelore heifers (n = 7), and (4) Girolando heifers (n = 7). Cows were treated to synchronize follicular wave emergence by implantation of an intravaginal device containing 1.9 g of progesterone, as well as intramuscular administration of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate and 25 mg of dinoprost. This synchronization treatment was administered at a random day of the estrous cycle of each cow, designated D0. Intravaginal devices were removed on D7, and on D11, OAFP counts were performed by transvaginal ovarian ultrasound. For each cow, all follicles ?3 mm in diameter were counted in both ovaries and counts were performed three times at 35-day intervals. Counts were also obtained from heifers, but these animals were not treated for synchronization of follicular wave emergence. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s test and Pearson’s correlation test were used to compare mean OAFPs between counts as well as mean OAFPs between breed and age groups. No differences were observed in mean OAFPs between Nelore and Girolando cows (30.9 vs. 26.7, respectively; P > 0.05) or heifers (16.2 vs. 18.1, respectively; P > 0.05). However, within each breed, there were differences in mean OAFPs between heifers and cows (for Nelore cattle: 16.2 and 30.9, respectively; for Girolando cattle: 18.1 and 26.7, respectively; both P 0.05) entre as médias das contagens da PFAO de vacas Nelore e Girolando (30.9 e 26.7, respectivamente) e das novilhas Nelore e Girolando (16.2 e 18.1, respectivamente). Porém, diferença significativa (p<0.05) da PFAO entre as categorias de novilhas e vacas da raça Nelore (16.2 e 30.9, respectivamente) e Girolando (18.1 e 26.7, respectivamente) foi observada. Com base nestes dados, conclui-se que a PFAO em fêmeas bovinas das raças Nelore e Girolando é semelhante e influenciada pela idade. Além disso, considerando a alta correlação observada entre a média de folículos dos dois ovários e a média de folículos dos ovários esquerdo e direito separadamente, sugere-se que a avaliação de um único ovário é suficiente para estimar a PFAO do indivíduo