Meiosis aspects and nucleolar activity in Triatoma vitticeps (Triatominae, Heteroptera)

Some aspects of both the nucleolar organizer activity and meiosis were studied in the testes of Triatoma vitticeps (Heteroptera, Triatominae). The techniques used included squashing followed by lacto-acetic orcein staining, silver-ion impregnation, fluorescent banding (CMA(3), Quinacrine mustard and DAPI) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A close relationship between heterochromatin and nucleolus in testicular cells was observed. During meiosis, the silver-ion impregnation pattern varied. At metaphase plate, a small body appeared apart from the chromosomes. In the spermatids this small body was seen in preparations stained with orcein and silver- ion impregnation but not with fluorochromes or FISH. These characteristics combined suggest that these corpuscles represent a source of ribonucleoproteins (RNP) - RNA and specific nucleolar proteins. Silver-ion impregnation and (FISH) revealed nucleolar organizer activity in two metaphase sex chromosomes (X). These results indicate that, in these species, nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located in the sex chromosomes, X chromosomes were were CMA(3)(+) and Y chromosome was DAPI(+).1264167114115

Meiosis aspects and nucleolar activity in Triatoma vitticeps (Triatominae, Heteroptera)

Some aspects of both the nucleolar organizer activity and meiosis were studied in the testes of Triatoma vitticeps (Heteroptera, Triatominae). The techniques used included squashing followed by lacto-acetic orcein staining, silver-ion impregnation, fluorescent banding (CMA(3), Quinacrine mustard and DAPI) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A close relationship between heterochromatin and nucleolus in testicular cells was observed. During meiosis, the silver-ion impregnation pattern varied. At metaphase plate, a small body appeared apart from the chromosomes. In the spermatids this small body was seen in preparations stained with orcein and silver- ion impregnation but not with fluorochromes or FISH. These characteristics combined suggest that these corpuscles represent a source of ribonucleoproteins (RNP) - RNA and specific nucleolar proteins. Silver-ion impregnation and (FISH) revealed nucleolar organizer activity in two metaphase sex chromosomes (X). These results indicate that, in these species, nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located in the sex chromosomes, X chromosomes were were CMA(3)(+) and Y chromosome was DAPI(+)

Green Brazilian propolis effects on sperm count and epididymis morphology and oxidative stress

Basal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is essential for male reproductive function, whereas high ROS levels may be linked to low quality of sperm and male infertility. The number of antioxidants known to inflict damage is growing, and it will be of interest to study natural products, which may have this activity. Since the epididymis is known to play an important role in providing the microenvironment for sperm maturation and storage of sperm, this study was undertaken to evaluate the morphometric-stereological and functional alterations in the epididymis after chronic treatment with low doses of Brazilian green propolis, which is known for its antioxidant properties. For this purpose, forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were treated with 3, 6 and 10 mg/kg/day of aqueous extract of Brazilian green propolis during 56 days and morphological parameters, sperm production and number of sperm in rat epididymis and oxidative stress levels were analyzed. The results showed higher sperm production and greater epithelium height of the epididymis initial segment and no induction of oxidative stress in treated animals. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of propolis on the reproductive system but our results showed that it could alter male reproductive function. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.501139563962Fundacao Herminio Omett