Aurea Wischral

Pre-parturition profile of steroids and prostaglandin in cows with or without foetal membrane retention

Retained foetal membranes in cattle is one of the most common complications associated to the reduction in milk yield and impaired fertility in dairy cattle. In order to determine some endocrine mechanisms controlling parturition and delivery of foetal membranes, plasma concentrations of steroids and prostanoids were determined in 20 healthy Holstein cows. Samples were taken within the interval of 5 days pre-parturition to 12h after calving. Progesterone (P4) levels were similar in cows with (PR) and without (NPR) placental retention. While the estradiol-17beta (E2) peak at parturition was lower in PR than in NPR cows, cortisol levels were greater in PR cows 12 and 24h pre-parturition. The Prostaglandin F2alpha metabolite (PGFM) levels were higher at parturition in NPR compared with the PR group, but 12h later, these levels in the PR group increased so that concentrations were greater as compared with NPR cows. The Prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGEM), 24, 48 and 72 h pre-parturition, were higher in PR cows. However, the PGFM:PGEM ratio was greater in cows up NPR at all time when included, indicating the importance of higher levels of Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) than Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for normal placental delivery. In conclusion, placental retention was related to both estrogen and PGF2alpha deficiency, which may be a consequence of metabolic stress leading to PGE2 and maternal cortisol synthesis before parturition.

The expression and localization of leptin and its receptor in goat ovarian follicles.

Leptin, a hormone that was originally identified in adipocytes, has been implicated in the regulation of ovarian folliculogenesis through endocrine, autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of leptin (LEP) and its receptor (LEPRb) in different types of ovarian follicular cells from goats. In small follicles, the expression levels of LEP were higher (P<0.001) in granulosa cells than in theca cells, cumulus cells and oocytes. The expression of LEP in granulosa cells was higher (P<0.001) in small follicles than in large follicles. In large follicles, the expression of LEPRb was higher (P<0.05) in granulosa cells than in theca cells, cumulus cells and oocytes. Higher expression (P<0.05) of LEPRb was detected in granulosa cells isolated from large follicles than in granulosa cells isolated from small follicles. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the presence of the LEP and LEPR proteins in follicles at all stages of development. The most intense staining for LEP and LEPR was observed in the cytoplasm of oocytes and the surrounding granulosa cells. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that leptin and its receptor are expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in goat ovarian follicles. Furthermore, the presence of a leptin signaling system in the caprine ovary suggests a potential regulatory role for leptin in follicular development and the maturation of goat oocytes.

Expression of angiogenic factors and luteinizing hormone receptors in the corpus luteum of mares induced to ovulate with deslorelin acetate

The effects of deslorelin acetate use in inducing ovulation need to be clarified to improve the results of equine embryo transfer. The mRNA abundance for angiogenic factors and LH receptor (LHR) in corpus luteum (CL) was studied in mares with natural (control group [CG]) and induced ovulation with deslorelin acetate (treatment group [TG]; follicles: ≥ 35 mm). Transrectal ultrasonography was used to verify the ovulation day, and on Days 4, 8, and 12 after ovulation (Day 0), CL samples were obtained through ultrasound-guided biopsy. The messenger RNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and LHR genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A positive correlation was observed between VEGF and LHR (P < 0.00001, r = 0.78), and it was possible to detect higher LHR expression in the TG than in the CG on Day 4 (P < 0.05). Moreover, this expression was higher on Days 4 and 8 than on Day 12 in the TG. Basic fibroblast growth factor was also expressed in luteal tissue on all days for both groups; however, these differences were not significant. In conclusion, deslorelin acetate was effective for the induction of ovulation in mares, resulting in higher expression of LHR, especially on the fourth day after ovulation. In addition, VEGF expression was influenced by induced ovulation, with a lower level on Day 12, which is expected in nonpregnant mares.

Avaliação da superexpressão da proteína p53 e das mutações no éxon 8 do gene TP53 em carcinomas mamários caninos e glândulas normais

This study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the p53 expression, applying the immunohistochemical technique to malignant primary mammary neoplasms histopathologically diagnosed in female dogs, and to investigate exon 8 of the Tp53 suppressor gene for mutation types by means of PCR-RFLP pattern of bands. Nineteen healthy mammary glands were used as a control group (group 1). Samples from 18 cases diagnosed with malignant mammary tumors (group 2), and the contralateral mammary glands (group 3) were collected during the UFRPE Veterinary Hospital routine. The tumors were diagnosed by histopathology and subdivided into grades of malignity. The streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method was used to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of p53, evaluated according to the location and intensity of stain. Expression of p53 protein was not observed in the samples of group 1. On the contrary, it was observed in all malignant tumors; the protein p53 was localized either only in the nucleus or in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, in samples of group 2. In group 3, expression of p53 protein was observed in the tumors (2 samples) and in normal mammary tissues (4 samples). For the molecular analyses, genomic DNA was extracted and submitted to PCR-RFLP with the following endonuclease enzymes: AluI, BsoBI, DdeI and SmaI. The band pattern showed polymorphism between groups, but not between histological variants of tumors. This polymorphism detected mutations in the fragment studied - exon 8 of Tp53 - which could account for changes in nucleotides, located in the restriction sites of the endonuclease enzymes. In conclusion, the immunoexpression of p53 had no relationship with histological subtype or malignity grade, but it can be related to the presence of mammary tumors in female dogs. The PCR-RFLP technique can be an important tool for the study of mammary carcinogenesis in bitches because the polymorphism obtained may allow early diagnosis in tissues of mammary glands.

Northeast network in biotechnology (RENORBIO)

The Northeast Network in Biotechnology (RENORBIO) was established in 2004 by the Federal Government that identified the demand for this type of professional and signalizes a great opportunities them to act on the growing industry of biotechnology in Brazil. It is a network of research, development and innovation, which base is the Post-Graduation Program (PGP-RENORBIO) that have 36 institutions of education and research in the nine states of the Northeast, besides Espirito Santo, which also integrates this initiative. Started in September 2006, it represents a new model of Post-graduate program - a network program - fully supported by CAPES direction. The PGP-RENORBIO specifically aims to qualifying researchers, in a doctorate level, with a solid technical-scientific basis, able to act on several markets, such as teaching, research, services and industry. This way their specific objectives are: 1) Training qualified people for the activity of research and of higher teaching in the field of Biotechnology; 2) Encourage research in the area of Biotechnology, under the multi e interdisciplinary perspective; 3) Producing, expanding and applying knowledge to Biotechnology to the economical and cultural reality of the Northeast region. In the long run, it is hoped that the PGP-RENORBIO, as it make possible the interaction of institutions of research and teaching, national and international, and the best use of the critical mass existing in the Northeast region, contribute to the process of consolidation of the Northeast Biotechnology Network and to the effective to and systematic development of Biotechnology in the Country. The RENORBIOs PGP assumes that it is possible to obtain growth with quality through means of integration strategies which promote development with Competitiveness, according to a world tendency. Hence, the integration of consolidated and emergent groups constitutes the basis of the strategy of the RENORBIO Program. Take part in this effort about two hundred Doctors connected to the thirty-six existing institutions in the nine states of the Northeast, besides Espirito Santo. This is being made possible because of an explicit institutional support, in a form of an Institutions Consortium. Besides supporting the strengthening of the existing programs in the institutions that integrate this initiative, by the input of additional resources to them, this strategy discourages the disordered creation of new programs in Biotechnology in Region, avoiding the lavishness of resources and competencies. On the other hand, taking in account that the program works by adhesion, according to rules of defined institutional association in its regiment, allows the participation of a great number of national and international institutions, such as EMBRAPA and FIOCRUZ, which generally stay aside from the human resources formation efforts in the Country, considering they do not constitute themselves as Institutions of Higher Learning. By means of that integration strategy, all participating institutions, even those of less developed states, may offer a broad resume academic curriculum related to four areas of concentration where Biotechnology offers its most important applications: Health, Agriculture and Animal Raising, Natural Resources and Industrial Biotechnology. Science, technology and innovation are essential factors for the development and competitiveness of nations. Countries without scientific competency cannot promote their development based on their own technologies and innovations have to pay to use the innovations developed in other countries. For the last twenty years, Brazil has quadrupled its scientific contribution in the global context. It is notorious this fact that results in the consolidation on the Post-Graduation in the Country, under the leadership of CAPES, since the scientific production and the post-graduation have a direct relation. However, enhance the Brazilian scientific contribution on the international context it is still necessary and, in this sense, it is opportune to stimulate the participation of young scientists in the Brazilian post-graduation system. Also, to stimulate the participation and insertion of Brazil in the use of the advances of bioscience in order to reduce hunger and minimize the serious problems in public health, especially those related to childhood mortality, it is more than just an opportunity, it is a mission of science. Such advances cannot prescind Biotechnology, a relatively young branch of bioscience, whose full development depends on the elucidation of the main dogmas of biology, which demand high competence and excellence. Brazil is one of the largest detainers of biodiversity. Northeast Region alone, holds 42% of its area constituted by semi-arid; a region with unique climate and biodiversity in the whole world. That and other characteristics make the scenario for Biotechnology very promising. The progress in this area may be accelerated if there are joined efforts conjugated among government, scientific and corporative community and in the development of joint projects, in the formation of productive partnerships, in the training of human resources, in the creation of a favorable environment to new investments and in the development and/or adaptation of technologies with the objective of broadening Competitiveness and making the market of biotechnological products more dynamic. The opportunities for alliances and new partnerships between the knowledge generating sector and the goods and services one, represented predominantly by small and medium size companies, constitute focal point of the Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Program, from the Ministry of Science and Technology, which adopts among its strategies of action and organization of network projects to enhance the flow of innovation and channel the production and the commercialization of its results for the benefit of society. In the long run, it is hoped that RENORBIO constitutes itself into a Center of Excellence in Biotechnology, which will internalize and develop as more advanced technologies for a wide application in all areas of Biotechnology, with adequate levels of excellence and relevance. Considered a successful program, the PGP-RENORBIO had its General Coordination in the State University of Ceara (UECE) during the period from 2006 to 2012 and now its Coordination is in the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). Currently PGP-RENORBIO has 246 professors and 520 students; oversees 15 post-doctorates, and has trained 281 doctors and completed the supervision of eleven postdocs. The results obtained with the development of the student research made possible to, in five years, increase the number of patent applications from 8 to 216, the number of professors involved in patent rose from 6 to 70; addition to the considerable increase on the production of papers from its researchers and students, having also been a significant increase in publications in journals with high impact factor. For a biotechnology program so young, these data are of great relevance, showing that there is a substantial change in the culture of generation of products / processes in the region. So, the concern of PGP-RENORBIO is the transfer, effectively, of the processes and innovative products generated in their laboratories in order to produce wealth, life quality and social inclusion in the Northeast Region. This challenge gets to be conquered by the creation of the first 11 companies from students, graduates and professors, as well as the licensing of 17 inventions and 17 other negotiations. Thus, PGP-RENORBIO has established close collaboration with industry and confirming your main goal to train qualified personnel in close relation to the needs of the productive sector.