DELETERIOUS EFFECT OF HIGH CARNOSINE CONCENTRATIONS IN EXTENDERS DURING SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION IN DOGS / EFECTO DELETÉREO DE ALTAS CONCENTRACIONES DE CARNOSINA EN DILUYENTES DURANTE LA CRIOPRESERVACIÓN ESPERMÁTICA EN PERROS

Cryopreservation is a key process among the canine reproductive biotechnologies. However, during sperm cryopreservation an excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation occurs, leading to decrease in sperm quality. Therefore, several antioxidants were tested during sperm cryopreservation to prevent such effects, however the carnosine it has not used. Carnosine is a protein present in the seminal plasma, and unlike other antioxidants has the ability to remove products of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), which are as harmful as ROS. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different carnosine concentrations, during sperm cryopreservation in dogs. For this purpose, six dogs in reproductive age were used, and after sperm collection the samples were cryopreserved in Control (tris-citrate egg yolk extender), Carnosine 1mM, 50mM and 100mM groups. After thawing samples were analyzed by computer-assisted analysis of sperm motility, plasma membrane (eosin/nigrosin), acrosome integrity (fast green/rose Bengal), mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and sperm resistance to oxidative stress (by TBARS). Decrease was observed in motility sperm kinetics (total and progressive motility) and reduced lipid peroxidation products in the group treated with 50mM and 100mM. On the other hand, 1mM was similar to control group. In conclusion, higher carnosine concentration (50 and 100mM) apparently promoted impairment in energy production and consequently was harmful to sperm kinetics. Thus, future studies must be performed using different carnosine concentrations and in association with substrates for glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation.RESUMENLa criopreservación es un proceso clave entre las biotecnologías reproductivas en caninos. Sin embargo, durante la criopreservación espermática se da una generación excesiva de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS), lo que lleva a una disminución en la calidad espermática. Por lo tanto, varios medios de congelación utilizando antioxidantes para evitar tales efectos han sido evaluados, aunque la carnosina todavía no se ha utilizada. La carnosina es una proteína presente en el plasma seminal que a diferencia de otros antioxidantes tiene la habilidad de remover productos de la peroxidación lipídica (malondialdehído), que son tan dañinos como los ROS. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos de diferentes concentraciones de carnosina durante la congelación espermática en perros. Para este propósito se utilizaron seis perros en edad reproductiva y después de la colectar los eyaculados, las muestras fueron criopreservadas en un diluyente Control (tris, citrato, yema de huevo), Carnosina 1mM, 50mM y 100 mM. Después del descongelado, las muestras fueron evaluadas mediante el análisis computerizado de la motilidad, integridad de membrana plasmática (eosina / nigrosina), integridad del acrosoma (Fast - green / rosa de Bengala), la actividad mitocondrial (3’3 Diaminobenzidina), la integridad del ADN (SCSA) y la evaluación de la resistencia al estrés oxidativo (TBARS). Se observó una disminución en la cinética de los espermatozoides (motilidad total y progresiva) y una reducción de los productos de la peroxidación lipídica en los grupos tratados con 50 mM y 100mM de carnosina. Por otro lado, el grupo con 1 mM de carnosina fue similar al control. En conclusión, una alta concentración de carnosina (50 y 100mM) parece afectar la producción de energía del espermatozoide y por lo tanto es perjudicial para la cinética del espermatozoide. Por lo tanto, futuros estudios deben realizarse utilizando diferentes concentraciones de carnosina y en asociación con sustratos para la glucólisis y la fosforilación oxidativa

Study of energetic metabolism during sperm maturation in cattle

A espermatogênese é um processo orquestrado e coordenado pelo qual os espermatozoides são produzidos. Ao final deste processo, o excesso de citoplasma presente nas espermátides é fagocitado, permanecendo um resíduo denominado de gota citoplasmática. Os espermatozoides em fase de maturação apresentam gota, que migra da região proximal para regiões mais distais da célula espermática. Estudos relacionam o remanescente citoplasmático à proteção antioxidante e à ativação metabólica de espermatozoides imaturos. Os mecanimos fisiológicos da maturação e os status oxidativo e metabólico em células epididimárias de bovinos são pobremente elucidados. Desta forma, foram realizados dois experimentos com o objetivo de caracterizar o status oxidativo e metabólico de espermatozoides bovinos durante a maturação espermática, e os possíveis papéis da gota citoplasmática envolvidas nesse processo. Para tal, amostras espermáticas foram recuperadas dos três segmentos epididimários (Cabeça, corpo e cauda) e submetidas às avaliações de cinética espermática (CASA) e testes morfofuncionais. Foram avaliadas as atividades das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx e mensurados os níveis de ATP em cada amostra epididimária. Espermatozoides recuperados da cauda do epidídimo apresentaram maior porcentagem de células móveis e progressivas e elevados níveis de ATP em comparação aos demais grupos. As células provenientes do corpo apresentaram maior susceptibilidade à peroxidação lipídica e membranas plasmática e acrossomal lesionadas. Foi nesse segmento que também observamos a migração da gota e o início da aquisição da motilidade, e correlação negativa entre gota distal e susceptibilidade à peroxidação. Em amostras da cabeça, houve correlação positiva entre produção de EROs e níveis de ATP, e alto PMM; e correlação negativa entre atividade da SOD e susceptibilidade à peroxidação lipídica em amostras da cabeça. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas em relação ao potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM) e a atividade da SOD e da GPx entre os diferentes segmentos. Por meio dos principais resultados, pudemos sugerir que as células presentes na cauda do epidídimo apresentam o aparato energético ativo, devido à alta porcentagem de células móveis e níveis de ATP. As amostras provenientes do corpo evidenciam que é neste segmento em que a motilidade se inicia e que ocorre os principais remodelamentos de membrana. As correlações observadas nos permitem inferir que as mitocôndrias de espermatozoides bovinos imaturos já estivessem ativas desde o início da maturação, produzindo energia e EROs. Além disso, a correlação nos mostra o papel protetor da SOD contra à peroxidação lipídica. Paralelamente, sugerimos que a gota participe firmemente da ativação da motilidade e desempenhe papel antioxidante contra as EROs. Assim, concluímos que as modificações celulares inerentes ao processo de maturação e a presença da gota citoplasmática sejam cruciais no status oxidativo e metabólico de espermatozoides bovinos imaturos, afim desenvolver a capacidade fecundante do espermatozoide.Spermatogenesis is an orchestrated and coordinated process by which sperm are produced. In the end of this process, the excess cytoplasm present in the spermatids is phagocytosed, remaining a called cytoplasmic droplet. Spermatozoa in the stage of maturation present cytoplasmic droplet, which migrates from the proximal region to more distal regions in sperm cell. Studies relate the cytoplasmic remnant to the antioxidant protection and to metabolic activation of immature sperma. The physiological mechanisms of maturation and the oxidative and metabolic status of bovine epididymal cells are poorly elucidated. Thus, two experiments aimed to characterize the oxidative and metabolic status of bovine sperm during epididymal maturation, and the possible cytoplasmic droplet roles involved in this process. For this, sperm samples were recovered from the three epididymal segments (Caput, corpus and cauda) and submitted to spermatic kinetics analysis (CASA) and morphofunctional tests. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx were evaluated and the levels of ATP in each epididymal sample. Sperm cells recovered from the cauda of the epididymis showed a higher percentage of motile and progressive cells and high levels of ATP compared to the other groups. Cells from the corpus showed elevated susceptibility to lipid peroxidation and lesioned plasma and acrosomal membranes. It was in this segment that we also observed the migration of cytoplasmic droplet and the beginning of the acquisition of motility, and negative correlation between distal droplet and susceptibility to peroxidation. In samples from the caput, there was a positive correlation between ROS production and ATP levels, and high PMM; and negative correlation between SOD activity and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in caput samples. No significant differences were observed in relation to mitochondrial membrane potential (PMM) and SOD and GPx activity among the different segments.By means of the main results, we could suggest that cells present in the cauda of the epididymis present the active energy apparatus, due to the high percentage of mobile cells. Samples from the corpus show that is in this segment that the motility begins and the main membrane remodeling occurs. The observed correlations allow us to infer that mitochondria of immature bovine sperm are already active since the beginning of maturation, producing energy and ROS. In addition, the correlation shows us the protective role of SOD against lipid peroxidation. In parallel, we suggest that cytoplasmic droplet participates firmly in the activation of motility and plays an antioxidant role against ROS. Thus, we conclude that the cellular modifications inherent in the sperm maturation process and the presence of cytoplasmic droplet are crucial in the oxidative and metabolic status of immature bovine spermatozoa, in order to develop fecundant capacity

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2007

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2008

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora