Carlos Iberê Alves Freitas

Use of two anesthetic combinations for semen collection by electroejaculation from captive coatis (Nasua nasua)

The objective was to compare the effects of ketamine-xylazine or tiletamine-zolazepam combinations as anesthetic protocols for captive coatis (Nasua nasua) for semen collection by electroejaculation. Five mature male coatis were physically restrained and then anesthetized by im injections of ketamine (10mg/kg) plus xylazine (1mg/kg) or a tiletamine-zolazepam combination (8 mg/kg). For the two combinations, additional quarter-doses of ketamine or the tiletamine-zolazepam combination were administered when necessary. Semen was collected by electroejaculation and immediately evaluated for color, volume, pH, sperm motility, vigor, morphology, acrosomal integrity, and percentage of live cells. Overall, collection of nine ejaculates was attempted from five animals for each treatment. Regardless of the anesthetic combination, all animals developed an erection during each attempt to collect semen. Ejaculates were obtained in all (9 of 9) attempts that used ketamine-xylazine for anesthesia, but in only 3 of 9 attempts (P<0.05) when tiletamine-zolazepam was used. All ejaculates contained sperm, with no significant differences in semen characteristics between the two anesthetic combinations. Recovery was smooth in all animals. In conclusion, semen collection by electroejaculation in coatis was significantly more successful with the use of a ketamine-xylazine combination than with tiletamine-zolazepam.

Atividade antibacteriana e cicatrizante do óleo de buriti Mauritia flexuosa L.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and wound healing effect of buriti oil (M. flexuosa) in rats. To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, five species of bacteria, including both gram-negative and gram-positive, were tested by the agar diffusion method. To assess the wound healing effect, 40 rats of Wistar lineage were clustered into two groups: G1, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream containing 10% of buriti oil; and G2 or control group, composed by 20 rats with cutaneous wounds and treated using topic administration of basic cream without any buriti oil. The cream administration was performed on circular wounds of 1 cm area in the lumbodorsal region. Clinical, histopathologic and morphometric evaluations of the wounds were done in 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21th days. Four from five bacteria species tested had growing inhibition, which demonstrates the antimicrobial potential of buriti oil. A significant reduction on the wound area with contraction of the edges was found for G1 in the 14th day. On this same day, the wounds treated using buriti oil showed an increase in the fibroblasts and collagen fibers countings and complete reephitelialization, characteristics not demonstrated by G2.

Avaliação da atividade cicatrizante do jucá (Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. var. ferrea) em lesões cutâneas de caprinos

O objetivo deste estudo foi demonstrar os efeitos do tratamento topico do juca (Caesalpinia ferrea) em feridas cutâneas. Quinze caprinos machos sem raca definida foram divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o pos-cirurgico (7o, 14o e 21o dias). As feridas experimentais foram tratadas com a pomada composta pela casca da Caesalpinia ferrea em po misturada com a vaselina esteril e as do grupo controle apenas com a vaselina esterilizada. A aplicacao diaria da pomada e da vaselina esteril foi realizada sobre ferida circular padronizada de 16 cm2 de area na regiao toracica de cada animal. As avaliacoes das feridas foram feitas do ponto de vista clinico, bacteriologico, morfometrico e histopatologico nos periodos pre-determinados (7o, 14o e 21o dias). Morfometricamente, as feridas do controle apresentaram areas cirurgicas menores e grau de contracao maior que as do grupo tratado, entretanto, histologicamente, houve completa epitelizacao das feridas tratadas no 21o dia, enquanto que as feridas do grupo controle necessitavam de mais tempo para resolucao do processo cicatricial. No exame microbiologico realizado no momento da producao da ferida, nao se observou crescimento bacteriano e no momento das biopsias, identificou-se a presenca de bacterias da familia Enterobacteriaceae e Staphylococcus aureus, sendo que a partir do 14o dia observou-se Staphylococcus aureus apenas no grupo controle. A utilizacao topica da pomada de Caesalpinia ferrea apresentou eficiencia significativa no auxilio da reparacao cicatricial de feridas cutâneas de caprinos.

Assessment of sperm survival and functional membrane integrity of the six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

The objective was to evaluate sperm survival in the six-banded armadillo, using a thermoresistance test, and to compare sugar solutions with varying osmolarities to analyze the integrity of the functional sperm plasma membrane in this species. Twelve ejaculates were obtained from four mature males by electroejaculation and evaluated for sperm motility, vigor, live sperm, and morphology. Sperm survival was evaluated during a thermoresistance test at 34 °C (the body temperature of this species). The functional integrity of the plasma membrane was evaluated by means of the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), using solutions of varying osmolarities (0, 50, 100, and 150 mOsm/L). During the thermoresistance test, at each evaluation, there was a reduction (P < 0.05) in mean values for sperm motility, sperm vigor, and percentage of live sperm (no movement was observed at 360 min). Sperm survival varied among individual armadillos (P < 0.05). In two individuals, sperm vigor was significantly enhanced when semen was diluted in Tris extender. The response of armadillo sperm to the HOST varied among individuals (P < 0.05). On average, maximal values (P < 0.05) of reactive sperm (59%) were detected with 50 mOsm/L solution; furthermore, this concentration had the largest significant positive correlation (r = 0.84) to live sperm percentage. In conclusion, six-banded armadillos had significant individual variation with regard to sperm survival in a thermoresistance test at 34 °C; in some individuals, sperm survived until 360 min. The use of a 50 mOsm/L fructose solution was recommended for conducting a HOST in this species.

Identification and mapping of real acupoints in the anatomical topography of Boa constrictor

Acupuncture is a therapy of the traditional Chinese medicine technique, which over the years has been widespread in the West. Defined as a needle-point treatment technique (acupoints), exactly preconfigured in the body to produce a specific physiological reaction to restore the balance between the function of conflicting states and homeostasis, alternating states of energy and thus maintain the ideal organ and body organization. Thus, the objective of this study was to map and describe the main points of acupuncture in the species Boa constrictor , and their indications to promote the balance of this species. The unprecedented result of the mapping was the discovery of specific acupoints with individual location indications without distribution in specific meridians and dispersedly distributed in the body.

Risk factors for trypanosomiasis by Trypanosoma vivax in cattle raised in Rio Grande do Norte state

Arq. Inst. Biol., v.85, 1-6, e0232016, 2018 RESUMO: Objetivando determinar a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Trypanosoma vivax e os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção em bovinos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, nordeste do Brasil, o trabalho consistiu em um estudo epidemiológico transversal, com amostragem não probabilística por conveniência, no qual foram analisadas, por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, 467 amostras de soro sanguíneo de bovinos. Das amostras testadas, 42 foram reagentes para anticorpos IgG anti-Trypanosoma vivax, o que correspondeu à prevalência de 9,0%. Os fatores de risco que influenciaram a ocorrência da tripanossomose foram: exploração com finalidade do tipo leite, criação de bovinos de raça europeia, categoria animal vaca em lactação, aquisição de animais, forrageamento das margens de açudes e rios, além da presença de vetores mecânicos. A alta prevalência encontrada em animais de corte (59,5%), fêmeas (95,2%), raça europeia (88,1%), vacas em lactação (85,7%), pastagem a margens de açudes e rios (95,2%), além da presença de vetores mecânicos (81%) e aquisição de animais (88,1%), indica a expansão da tripanossomose no semiárido do Nordeste, e as informações obtidas poderão esclarecer os fatores epidemiológicos que determinam a ocorrência da tripanossomose por T. vivax na região.

Alterações patológicas do sistema genital de cutias (Dasyprocta aguti Linnaeus, 1758) fêmeas criadas em cativeiro

This paper presents seven distinct reports diseases with reproductive origins that are not yet described in females agoutis (Dasyprocta aguti Linnaeus, 1758), affecting fertility or resulted in the animals death. The nature, location and frequency of macroscopic and histological pathological changes of the organs that compose the reproductive system of female agoutis, created under conditions of captivity in the semiarid region of Brazil, are described in this article. Were evaluated by pathological examination of the reproductive tract of thirty-nine naturally dead agoutis and sent to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory in February 2010 to May 2015. From these, it was found pathological alterations in the reproductive system of 10 (25.6%). A total of 13 abnormalities were observed, and in some animals had the coexistence of more than one alteration. Thus, the pathological changes were: endometritis (n=4, 30.8%), pyometra (n=3; 23%), retained placenta (n=2; 15.4%), fetal maceration (n=1, 7.7%), fetal mummification (n=1, 7.7%), dystocia (n=1, 7.7%) and afuncionais ovary (n=1, 7.7%).

Lipoma infiltrativo espontâneo em porquinho da Índia (Cavia porcellus)

Os lipomas infiltrativos diferenciam-se dos nao infiltrativos por invadirem tecidos adjacentes como tendoes, musculos, capsulas articulares e ossos. Objetivou-se neste estudo relatar o primeiro caso de lipoma em carater infiltrativo espontâneo em um Cavia porcellus femea, com idade aproximada de 8 anos e peso de 950g. Ao exame clinico observou-se uma massa subcutânea que se estendia por sobre as costelas na regiao toracoabdominal esquerda pesando 185g (correspondente a 19,47% do seu peso corporeo), coloracao branca/amarelada, aspecto gorduroso, macio a palpacao e com sinais de aderencia. A puncao aspirativa por agulha fina evidenciou esfregacos nao corados de aspecto umido com goticulas brilhantes que nao se secavam completamente ao ar, compativel com tecido gorduroso. O diagnostico definitivo para lipoma foi confirmado pelo histopatologico, que revelou adipocitos bem diferenciados de diâmetros irregulares, alguns mal circunscritos e uma area com infiltracao de adipocitos entre as fibras muculares. Mostrando tratar-se de uma variante infiltrativa que e bastante raro em algumas especies. Conclui-se que o Cavia porcellus e uma especie que pode desenvolver lipomas de carater infiltrativo, devendo-se suspeitar de sua presenca sempre que existir massas subcutâneas bem circunscritas e aderidas.