Alana Azevedo Borges

In vitro culture of somatic cells derived from ear tissue of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) in medium with different requirements

Santos M.L.T., Borges A.A., Queiroz Neta L.B., Santos M.V.O., Oliveira M.F., Silva A.R. & Pereira A.F. 2016. In vitro culture of somatic cells derived from ear tissue of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) in medium with different requirements. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 36(12):1194-1202. Laboratório de Biotecnologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, BR-110 Km 47, Presidente Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 599625-900, Brazil. E-mail: alexsandra.pereira@ufersa.edu.br The maintenance of metabolic activities during the in vitro culture of somatic cells of wild animals, especially collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), is an interesting step in conservation of these cells for the use in nuclear transfer. In this context, it is necessary to optimize the culture conditions of somatic cells by the establishment of appropriate supplementation to the media. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the composition of the culture means of somatic cell derived from ear tissue of collared peccaries, evaluating concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10% vs. 20%) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5ng/mL vs. 10ng/mL). Tissues were submitted to primary culture and subcultures for 40 days and cells were analyzed for morphology, adhesion, subconfluence, and proliferative activity to develop the growth curve and to determine the population doubling time (PDT), viability, and functional/metabolic activity. No difference was observed between the concentrations of FBS for several parameters, except for viability [FBS10: 85.6% vs. FBS20: 98.2%], PDT [FBS10: 155.4h vs. 77.2h], and functional/metabolic assay [FBS10: 0.57–0.55 vs. FBS20: 0.82–0.99 (D5-D7)]. For the EGF in culture, no difference was observed in the evaluated parameters. In all experiments, the growth curves were typical S-shape and the cells passed through a lag, logarithmic, and plateau phase. In conclusion, 20% FBS is suitable for the recovery of somatic cells; nevertheless, EGF does not improve the quality of growing these cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study culturing somatic cells of collared peccaries.

Use of somatic cell banks in the conservation of wild felids

The conservation of biological resources is an interesting strategy for the maintenance of biodiversity, especially for wild felids who are constantly threatened with extinction. For this purpose, cryopreservation techniques have been used for the long-term storage of gametes, embryos, gonadal tissues, and somatic cells and tissues. The establishment of these banks has been suggested as a practical approach to the preservation of species and, when done in tandem with assisted reproductive techniques, could provide the means for reproducing endangered species. Somatic cell banks have been shown remarkable for the conservation of genetic material of felids; by merely obtaining skin samples, it is possible to sample a large group of individuals without being limited by factors such as gender or age. Thus, techniques for somatic tissue recovery, cryopreservation, and in vitro culture of different wild felids have been developed, resulting in a viable method for the conservation of species. One of the most notable conservation programs for wild felines using somatic samples was the one carried out for the Iberian lynx, the most endangered feline in the world. Other wild felids have also been studied in other continents, such as the jaguar in South America. This review aims to present the technical progress achieved in the conservation of somatic cells and tissues in different wild felids, as well address the progress that has been achieved in a few species.

Cultivo in vitro de células somáticas derivadas de tecido auricular de cateto (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) em meio com diferentes requerimentos

The maintenance of metabolic activities during the in vitro culture of somatic cells of wild animals, especially collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), is an interesting step in conservation of these cells for the use in nuclear transfer. In this context, it is necessary to optimize the culture conditions of somatic cells by the establishment of appropriate supplementation to the media. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the composition of the culture means of somatic cell derived from ear tissue of collared peccaries, evaluating concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10% vs. 20%) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5ng/mL vs. 10ng/mL). Tissues were submitted to primary culture and subcultures for 40 days and cells were analyzed for morphology, adhesion, subconfluence, and proliferative activity to develop the growth curve and to determine the population doubling time (PDT), viability, and functional/metabolic activity. No difference was observed between the concentrations of FBS for several parameters, except for viability [FBS10: 85.6% vs. FBS20: 98.2%], PDT [FBS10: 155.4h vs. 77.2h], and functional/metabolic assay [FBS10: 0.57-0.55 vs. FBS20: 0.82-0.99 (D5-D7)]. For the EGF in culture, no difference was observed in the evaluated parameters. In all experiments, the growth curves were typical S-shape and the cells passed through a lag, logarithmic, and plateau phase. In conclusion, 20% FBS is suitable for the recovery of somatic cells; nevertheless, EGF does not improve the quality of growing these cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study culturing somatic cells of collared peccaries.

Combined Cycle Plants as Support for Wind Power

The growing interest in diversifying the energy sources used, the major environmental objectives established, and the need to reduce the current European energy dependence, have been causing a growing and significant increase in betting on renewable energy sources. Thus recent years have witnessed a continuous increase of installed power from sources like solar, biomass, photovoltaic, wind, Biofuels, biogas among other. The integration of renewable energy is mainly in the production of electrical power, in which has already a significant contribution. In the group of renewable energy sources used for the production of electrical power wind is the source that has registered further progress, and is also expected, that represents in the future, large part of the electric energy produced by renewable energy sources. Although the wind helps to meet many of the problems, it’s also presents some disadvantages, or constraints. Among the best-known disadvantages associated with wind, as noise and visual impact, stands out as the major technical problems the flashing of its production. The inability to predict the production of wind, leads to problems in securing demand, as well as in network integrity. In this scenario the Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) stands out as a great complement to wind power. Their ability to quickly put into operation, as well as the advantages that technology and fuel used presents, makes it the optimal solution to integrate with the wind energy.