Cellular and microbiological profile of Santa Ines ewes in the lactation and the post-weaning period

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil microbiológico e celular do leite no período lactante e de involução ativa de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês. Foram avaliadas amostras lácteas de 12 ovelhas durante estes distintos períodos. Realizou-se o exame físico da mama, sendo as amostras lácteas submetidas à contagem de células somáticas (CCS), ao California Mastitis Test (CMT), ao exame microbiológico e aos testes de sensibilidade in vitro dos patógenos encontrados. Foram observados maiores escores do exame físico, CCS, CMT durante o período de involução ativa, além de uma alta persistência da infecção durante estes períodos. O período de involução ativa não se mostrou como um momento de alta susceptilidade. Os estafilococos coagulase negativa representaram o único gênero isolado das glândulas infectadas. Uma alta sensibilidade dos agentes etiológicos envolvidos frente aos diferentes antimicrobianos in vitro foi também observadaThe aim was to evaluate and compare the microbiological and cellular profile of the milk of Santa Ines ewes during the lactation period and the active involution. Milk samples were analyzed from 12 ewes during these distinct periods. Clinical examination of the mammary gland, somatic cell count (SCC), California Mastitis Test (CMT), bacteriologic screening and sensibility of the pathogens in vitro were performed. Most alterations were observed in the active involution period. SCC and CMT were higher in this same period. Besides this, a high persistency of infection occurred. The active involution period did not show high susceptibility. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the only isolated bacteria. A high antimicrobial sensibility of these pathogens was also encountere

Sex differences in steroid levels and steroidogenesis in the nervous system: Physiopathological role

The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions

Neuroprotective Effects of Progesterone in Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Observations so far obtained in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) have revealed the promising neuroprotective effects exerted by progesterone (PROG). The findings suggest that this neuroactive steroid may potentially represent a therapeutic tool for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, up to now, the efficacy of PROG has been only tested in the acute phase of the disease, whereas it is well known that MS expresses different features depending on the phase of the disease. Accordingly, we have evaluated the effect of PROG treatment in EAE induced in Dark Agouti rats (i.e. an experimental model showing a protracted relapsing EAE). Data obtained 45days after EAE induction show that PROG treatment exerts a beneficial effect on clinical score, confirming surrogate parameters of spinal cord damage in chronic EAE (i.e. reactive microglia, cytokine levels, activity of the Na +,K +-ATPase pump and myelin basic protein expression). An increase of the levels of dihydroprogesterone and isopregnanolone (i.e. two PROG metabolites) was also observed in the spinal cord after PROG treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that PROG is effective in reducing the severity of chronic EAE and, consequently, may have potential with respect to MS treatment. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Neuroendocrinology © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Peer Reviewe