Eugênio Gonçalves de Araújo

Leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in oocytes of sows and gilts

Leptin is a modulator of oocyte maturation and follicular development in swine. The MAPK are serine/threonine kinases that act as signal transduction pathways in swine ovaries. This study evaluated the presence of leptin, activated MAPK ERK 1/2 and p38 in oocytes of primordial/primary, secondary and tertiary follicles of gilts and sows. Ovaries from ten gilts and ten sows were collected in an abattoir, fixed in 10% formalin and prepared with classical histology methods. For immunohistochemistry, slides were incubated with polyclonal antibodies anti-leptin, anti-phospho ERK1/2 MAPK and anti-phospho p38 MAPK. Leptin immuno-labeling and the presence of activated ERK 1/2 MAPK were more intense for oocytes of sows (P<0.05), whereas p38 MAPK was more active for oocytes of gilts (P<0.05). Although no differences in immunolabeling for leptin and p38 MAPK were observed for oocytes of gilts at distinct follicle developmental stages (P>0.05), immunolabeling was intense for oocytes of sows included in primordial/primary follicles (P<0.05). Thus, leptin and p38 MAPK may be important to start oocyte development.

Origem e distribuição anatômica do nervo isquiático de mão-pelada (Procyon cancrivorus)

The ischiatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, belongs both to the sacral and lumbosacral plexus in carnivores, continuing until the distal hind limb, and receives fibers from the ventral branch of the sixth and seventh lumbar nerves and the first sacral nerve. We aim to describe the distribution of the sciatic nerve in raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and compare with data of literary domestic and wild animals. The animals are coming to collect on highways (killed by accident) and subjected to fixation in aqueous solution, 10% formaldehyde. The dissection and photographic documentation (Sony α200 camera, 10.2mpx) shows the distribution of the sciatic nerve. The ischiatic nerve of raccoon innervates the hind limb passing between the middle and deep gluteal muscles, giving off branches to the muscles of the buttock and thigh, respectively, for the gluteus medius, gluteus biceps, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, twins, quadratus femoris and adductor magnus, sending the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thickness and flow to supply the skin on the lateral surface of the leg and tail, respectively. Near the middle of the thigh nerve bifurcates into the tibial and peroneal nerve. The anatomical knowledge of the pattern of nervous raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is of fundamental importance in research to refer to the distribution of the ischiatic nerve, and show no disagreement with the corresponding data in the literature of domestic carnivores.

Physiology, cell dynamics of small intestinal mucosa, and performance of broiler chickens under heat stress: a review

Summary High room temperature reduces production efficiency of broiler chickens. Different factors contribute to this situation: fast growth, physiological variations, and changes in the small intestine mucosa. This review aims to define the concept of heat stress and its effects on several physiological aspects related to the development of the small intestine mucosa and the performance of broiler chickens. Heat stress triggers a corticosteroid increase and a circulating triiodothyronine hormone (T3) reduction, increases respiratory frequency, which triggers respiratory alkalosis, diminishes food intake, and leads to changes in the cellular dynamics of the small intestine mucosa. These changes depend on animal genotype, intensity, and duration of the stressor. Acute heat stress leads to a reduction in enterocyte proliferation and also to a decrease in crypt depth, without affecting villus height or villus/crypt ratio. On the other hand, chronic stress diminishes villus height and jejunum weight. These changes affect the capacity of broilers to digest and absorb the nutrients required for maintenance and production. Keywords: corticosteroids, enterocyte proliferation, gastrointestinal tract, microscopic findings, morphological findings. Resumen Una alta temperatura ambiente disminuye la eficiencia de la produccion de pollos de engorde. Diversos factores contribuyen a esta situacion: crecimiento rapido, cambios fisiologicos, y anomalias de la mucosa del intestino delgado. El objetivo de la presente revision fue definir el concepto de estres calorico y sus efectos sobre algunos aspectos de la fisiologia, en el desarrollo de la mucosa del intestino delgado, y en el rendimiento de pollos de engorde. El estres calorico desencadena un aumento de los niveles de corticosteroides, reduccion de la hormona triyodotironina (T3) circulante, aumento en la frecuencia respiratoria que resulta en alcalosis respiratoria, disminuye la ingesta de alimentos y provoca cambios en la dinamica celular de la mucosa del intestino delgado. Estos cambios dependen del genotipo del animal y de la intensidad y duracion de la accion del factor estresante. El estres calorico agudo causa una disminucion en la proliferacion de enterocitos, reduccion de la profundidad de las criptas sin cambio en la altura de las vellosidades y en la relacion vellosidades/cripta. Ya el estres cronico disminuye la altura de las vellosidades y el peso del yeyuno. Estos cambios afectan la capacidad del pollo de engorde para digerir y absorber los nutrientes para su mantenimiento y produccion. Palabras clave: corticoesteroides, hallazgos microscopicos, hallazgos morfologicos, proliferacion de enterocitos, tracto gastrointestinal. Resumo A temperatura ambiente elevada diminui a eficiencia produtiva de frangos de corte. Diferentes fatores contribuem para esta situacao: crescimento rapido, mudancas fisiologicas e alteracoes na mucosa do intestino delgado. Nesta revisao, o objetivo foi definir o conceito de estresse pelo calor e seus efeitos sobre algunos aspectos da fisiologia, no desenvolvimento da mucosa do intestino delgado e o desempenho de frangos de corte. O estresse pelo calor desencadeia aumento nos niveis de corticosteroides e reducao do hormonio triiodotironina (T3) circulante, aumenta a frequencia respiratoria, resultando em alcalose respiratoria, diminui a ingestao de alimentos e desencadeia alteracoes na dinâmica celular da mucosa do intestino delgado. Essas alteracoes dependem do genotipo do animal e da intensidade e duracao da acao do agente estressor. O estresse pelo calor agudo promove diminuicao na proliferacao dos enterocitos, reducao na profundidade das criptas sem alteracao na altura das vilosidades e na relacao vilo/cripta. Ja o estresse cronico diminui a altura das vilosidades e peso do jejuno. Estas alteracoes afetam a capacidade do frango de corte de digerir e absorver nutrientes para sua manutencao e producao. Palavras chave: achados microscopicos, achados morfologicos, corticosteroide, proliferacao de enterocitos, trato gastrointestinal.

Avaliação do efeito da clorpromazina sobre a função renal de cães submetidos à isquemia e reperfusão

Renal ischemia may occur in different situations such as vascular or renal surgery and also in renal transplantation. This study evaluates renal function in dogs submitted to ischemia and reperfusion after chlorpromazine application. Twelve adult mongrel dogs were distributed into two groups with six animals each. Group A was composed of dogs submitted to renal ischemia and reperfusion without previous administration of chlorpromazine. Group B was composed of dogs with renal ischemia and reperfusion previously treated with chlorpromazine. In order to evaluate the possible ischemia/reperfusion late effects, blood and urine samples were sampled in four different times: Before ischemia, early stages of reperfusion, 120 minutes after reperfusion, and every week until 28th day postsurgery. Renal function was evaluated by clinical examination, serum urea and creatinine levels and urinary GGT activity. PU/CU and GGT urinary activity were more sensitive in detecting acute tubular injury than routine urine examination because these variables showed earlier changes. Based on urinalysis, urea and creatinine serum levels plus urinary excretion of GGT and PU/CU, no evidences of protective action of chlorpromazine were observed.

Bases ósseas e musculares dos cortes comerciais do tronco de jacaré-do-Pantanal (Caimanyacare Daudin, 1802)

Yacare Caiman meat consumption has become a marketing trend and a commodity on the rise in Mato Grosso state in Brazil. In the last four years, cuts from the trunk represented 28.40% of total meat sales. Although evolutionary studies, morphophysiological ontogenetic and technology research have been carried out, characterization of muscle and bone bases of cuts from the torso has not been previously reported. The aim of this research is to describe the muscles and corresponding bones related to sirloin, filet mignon and meat trims cuts. To describe the bones, we used six boned carcasses from juvenile Yacare Caiman, as well as an adult specimen, obtained by donation after death from the Federal University of Mato Grosso Zoo. The bones were macerated, bleached and their anatomical details recorded. In order to study the muscle, 24 juvenile specimens were obtained after slaughter and skinning and dissected on both sides. The sirloin cut consists of the semispinal, longissimus and iliocostalis muscles, which are inserted on thoracic vertebrae and ribs, as well as lumbar and sacral ribs. The meat trims cut is formed by latissimus dorsi, serratus, pectoral and abdominal (external oblique, internal oblique, transversus and rectus) muscles, based in various bones: bone ribs are the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral ribs, the gastralia, the sternum and epipubis. The filet mignon cut is formed by the internal puboischiofemoralis cranial (sublumbar) muscle and by the troncocaudal (ventral surface of the pelvis) muscle.

Característica leucocitária, relação albumina/globulina, proteína plasmática e fibrinogênio de bovinos da raça Nelore, confinados e terminados a pasto

This research aimed to evaluate the changes in the white blood cell count and some serum proteins of confined cattle (CC) and grass cattle (GC). From the 120 blood samples collected, 60 were obtained from confined Nelore male bovines and 60 from animals with the same characteristics but managed extensively. Samples were obtained at the moment of slaughter. Parameters studied were the white blood cell count, serum albumin/globulin ratio and concentration of plasma fibrinogen. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis of the data, and the averages, standard deviation and coefficient of variation calculated for all parameters evaluated. The comparisons between averages were made by non-parametric test. The grazing cattle showed higher levels of globulin and fibrinogen when compared to the confined ones (globulin: GC=3.29g dL-1±0.76; CC=2.99g dL-1±0.60 and Fibrinogen: GC=872mg dL

Morfo-histologia dos pulmões e árvore bronquial de Procyon cancrivorus (Carnivora: Procyonidae)

Nenhuma caracteristica dos seres vivos e tao primordial quanto a respiracao, e os pulmoes sao os principais orgaos do sistema respiratorio. Este estudo tem por objetivo descrever os aspectos macroscopicos da traqueia, dos bronquios e dos lobos pulmonares bem como os aspectos microscopicos dos bronquios pulmonares do mao-pelada e compara-los com dados da literatura de estudos realizados com mamiferos silvestres e domesticos. Utilizaram-se tres exemplares de Procyon cancrivorus, que foram fixados em solucao aquosa de formaldeido a 10%. Os pulmoes e a traqueia foram dissecados e fotografados com câmera fotografica digital (Câmera Sony a200, 10.2mpx). Para a identificacao das caracteristicas microscopicas, foram coletados fragmentos de cada bronquio seguindo as tecnicas de rotina histologica. O pulmao do Procyon cancrivorus se divide em quatro lobos direito e dois lobos esquerdo e a traqueia apresenta cerca de 31 a 34 aneis. Os bronquios extrapulmonares se dividem em direito e esquerdo; o direito se subdivide em bronquios lobares cranial, medio, acessorio e caudal, e o esquerdo em lobares cranial e caudal, com seus respectivos bronquios segmentares. Microscopicamente, os bronquios apresentam um epitelio prismatico pseudoestratificado ciliado com celulas caliciformes e feixes de fibras de musculatura lisa, placas de cartilagem hialina e fibras elasticas. O conhecimento da morfologia desses orgaos nas especies silvestres auxilia em estudos descritivos e/ou comparativos entre especies.

Bases ósseas e musculares dos cortes comerciais da cauda de jacaré-do-Pantanal (Caiman yacare Daudin 1802)

The commercial exploitation of the Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) has become a relevant commodity in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Crocodilians tail muscles nutritional characteristics and representativeness in body mass became the object of morphophysiological technological and evolutionary studies. The aim of this research was to report, for the first time, the anatomical characterization of muscle and bone bases of Pantanal Caiman meat cuts obtained from the tail. To describe the bones, we used one adult and six juvenile specimens of Pantanal Caiman. In order to study the muscle, 24 juvenile individuals were slaughtered and skinned, preserved in a -20oC freezer and thawed at the time of use, without any fixation. After evisceration, the specimens were dissected on both sides to verify structural symmetry, muscle attachments, sintopy relations, shape and muscular architecture. Caudal vertebrae are procoelous, except for the first of the series, and have sites on the ventral surface of their body where the hemal processes articulate, with the exception of the first and the last four or five vertebrae. The commercial meat cuts of the tail are the tail sirloin, composed of semispinal caudal, longissimus caudal, ilioischiocaudal, long caudofemoral, transverse and deep of the tail muscles, and also the tail tip, consisting of the longissimus caudal and ilioischiocaudal muscles, based on the last five or six caudal vertebrae.

Anatomia comparativa da dura-máter de Sapajus libidinosus

Sapajus libidinosus is a new World primate commonly known as capuchin monkey, geographically distributed throughout South America, has characteristics of restlessness and ability to manipulate tools to obtain food. This study aimed to describe the morphology of the dural sinuses of S. libidinosus through a comparative perspective. We used 3 adult male from the Federal University of Goias, Brazil, fixed in aqueous 10% formaldehyde. The longitudinal fissure in the brain extends deeply and divides the organ into two left right hemispheres, The frontal and parietal lobe presents relatively smooth surface, but with well-defined gyri and sulci. In the occipital lobe, however, smooth surface aspect prevails. We observed eight sinuses of the dura mater, sagittal dorsal, ventral sagittal, transverse, straight, sigmoid, basilar and temporal which corresponds generally to the descriptions of other primates as Pan, Papio and man. Furthermore, parietal sinus similar to Saimiri sciureus and absence of sinus occipital, as in Macaca mullata, were also recorded. In the capuchin monkey, intracavernous, sphenoparietal, superior petrosal and inferior petrosal sinuses, which are described in Pan, Papio and Man, were absent. Taken together, these data point to a possible grater evolutionary proximity to man of Papio and Pan as compared to Cebus.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase activity as an indicator of chronic liver injury in cattle with no clinical signs

This study aimed to determine the power of the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferasase (GGT) activities and of the albumin and cholesterol dosages for detecting hepatic histopathological injuries. A total of 220 healthy male Nelore cattle that had been extensively bred were evaluated. Blood and liver samples were collected on the day of slaughter for biochemical and histopathological tests. The results showed that the sensitivity to AST, GGT, albumin, and cholesterol tests were respectively 22.4%, 22.4%, 36%, and 37.2%. The specificity of AST, GGT, albumin, and cholesterol tests was respectively 78.8%, 90.4%, 75.6%, and 68.3%. In short, the detection of minor liver injuries through biochemical tests is limited; however, the high specificity of the GGT allows its use as an indicator of hepatic chronic injuries in cattle herds.