Maria Vivina Barros Monteiro

Effect of six tropical tanniferous plant extracts on larval exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus

Tanniferous plants represent a promising alternative for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants. This experiment evaluated the effects of extracts from the leaf and stem of Anadenanthera colubrina, Leucaena leucocephala and Mimosa tenuiflora on larval exsheathment of Haemonchus contortus in vitro and verified the role of tannins in this process. Third-stage larvae of H. contortus were incubated with extracts for 3 hours and were exposed to sodium hypochlorite solution. The extracts were tested at 300 μg.mL(-1) and accompanied by controls: phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP). The larval exsheathment was evaluated for 60 minutes, and the results were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). The six extracts blocked larval exsheathment. After PVPP addition, a tannin inhibitor, the exsheathment percentage was similar to the PBS (p > 0.05), except for L. leucocephala and M. tenuiflora leaf extracts. However, pre-incubation with PVPP of these two extracts significantly changed larval exsheathment when compared to the non-treated extracts (p < 0.05). These results suggest that A. colubrina, L. leucocephala and M. tenuiflora could be useful in gastrointestinal nematode control and that tannins are probably the main compounds involved in the observed effects. However, in vivo and toxicological studies should be conducted.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Marajó Island, Eastern Amazonia, Brazil

Em varias partes do mundo existem relatos etnoveterinarios sobre a utilizacao de plantas em protocolos terapeuticos, entretanto nao existem informacoes disponiveis sobre a etnoveterinaria praticada na Amazonia brasileira. Desta forma, objetivou-se documentar o conhecimento etnoveterinario de habitantes da Ilha do Marajo, Amazonia Oriental. Foram realizadas 50 entrevistas individuais com aplicacao de questionarios semi-estruturados que foram analisados quantitativamente atraves de estatistica descritiva utilizando frequencia de distribuicao. O valor de uso foi calculado para determinar as especies mais importantes. Amostras de plantas com relatos de uso medicinal foram coletadas e identificadas botanicamente. Cinquenta plantas, distribuidas em 48 generos e 34 familias, foram indicadas para 21 diferentes usos medicinais. A familia Asteraceae foi a que teve maior numero de especies citadas e Carapa guianensis Aubl, Crescentia cujete L., Copaifera martii Hayne, Caesalpinia ferrea Mart., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Jatropha curcas L. e Momordica charantia L. foram as especies com maiores valor de uso. As partes das plantas mais utilizadas para preparo dos medicamentos etnoveterinarios foram folhas (56%), cascas (18%), raizes (14%), sementes (14%) e frutos (8%). Quanto a forma de uso o cha foi citado por 56% dos entrevistados e a maioria das preparacoes (90,9%) utiliza uma so planta. Alem das plantas medicinais, os entrevistados relataram o uso de produtos de origem animal e mineral. Esse trabalho contribui para realizacao de um inventario das plantas utilizadas na etnoveterinaria marajoara que pode servir de base de dados para futuros estudos de validacao cientifica.

Ethnoveterinary knowledge and practices at Colares island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The lack of ethnoveterinary surveys in Brazil, especially in the Amazon region, results in losses in the veterinary phytopharmacology field and in scientific documentation of the cultural traditions of plant use in the treatment of animal diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY To catalog, analyze and disseminate the ethnoveterinary knowledge of the inhabitants of Colares Island, Pará state, eastern Amazon, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 72 interviews were conducted, and semi-structured questionnaires were answered by 18 men and 54 women. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). The plants with a reported medicinal use for domestic animals were harvested, herbalized and botanically identified. RESULTS Fifty-six plants, distributed in 49 genera and 35 families, were indicated to have 23 different medicinal uses, divided into six categories of use. The highest ICF (0.80) was obtained for the antiparasitic class. The Euphorbiaceae family exhibited the highest number of citations, and the species with the highest UVs were Caladium cf. bicolor, Bixa orellana, Carapa guianensis, Jatropha curcas and Cymbopogon citratus. The parts of the 56 plants that were most frequently used to prepare ethnoveterinary medications were the leaves (46%), bark (15%), roots and fruit (10%). The use of the macerated leaves was the most common method of application, used by 43% of the interviewees, and the majority of the preparations (87.3%) used a single plant. In addition to medicinal plants, the interviewees reported the use of products of animal and mineral origin. CONCLUSION The present study contributed to the establishment of an inventory of plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in this region of the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the identified plants, enabling communities to use them in a more economic, effective and safe manner.

Anthelmintic activity of Jatropha curcas L. seeds on Haemonchus contortus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of hexane (HE), ethyl acetate (EA) and ethanol (EE) extracts obtained from the seeds of Jatropha curcas using the egg hatch inhibition assay (EHA) and the artificial larval exsheathment inhibition assay (LEIA). For the egg hatch assay, HE, EA and EE were used in concentrations of 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg ml(-1), accompanied by a negative control (5% Tween 80) and a positive control (0.025 g ml(-1) thiabendazole). In LEIA, the extracts were tested at a concentration of 1000 μg ml(-1), accompanied by a negative control (PBS). To evaluate the effect of tannins, the extract with the greatest effect was incubated with polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP). The EE (50 mg ml(-1)) inhibited 99.8% of egg hatching. After the addition of PVPP, the ovicidal effectiveness of EE was reduced to 91.9%. Using the HE and EA, inhibition of egg hatching was 15.3% and 32.2%, respectively. In the LEIA, 18.9% of L3 incubated with EE were exsheathed (p<0.01). The addition of PVPP to EE reversed the inhibitory effect on larval exsheathment. The percentage of exsheathment of L3 incubated with HE (99.6%) and EA (97.8%) did not differ from the control group (p>0.05). The results show that the effects of EE on eggs are not solely due to the tannins. However, these secondary metabolites are implicated in blocking the larval exsheathment.

Hematological, hepatic, and renal evaluation in Aotus azarai infulatus

Background  Knowing the physiological ranges of certain hematological and biochemical parameters is necessary for understanding the alterations caused by pathogenic agents and establishing differences between states of health and disease. Hematological evaluations and clinical chemistry were performed on livers and kidneys from owl monkeys with different sexes and age ranges.

Renal Evaluation of Aotus azarai infulatus by Ultrasonography and Serum Chemistry Profile

This study aimed to characterize anatomical and biochemical properties of owl monkey kidneys in order to provide normal reference values. Sixty‐nine Aotus azarai infulatus (45 males and 24 females) were divided into four different age groups (AG1: 3 months–1 year; AG2: 2–3 years; AG3: 4–6 years; and AG4: over 7 years old). The monkeys were evaluated with a serum chemistry profile, focusing on serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and with ultrasound. Mean body mass differed among the age groups. This significance was attributed to AG1 body mass being significantly lower than in AG2 and that in both AG2 and AG3 being significantly lower than in the two older age groups (AG3 and AG4). SCr and BUNconcentrations differed significantly between the sexes and SCr level correlated positively with age. In contrast, renal measurements did not differ between males and females. Left and right renal volumes did not differ significantly within age groups, or among AG2, AG3, and AG4. Renal volumes in AG1, however, while not differing from those in AG2, did differ significantly from those in AG3 and AG4. In conclusion, this study provides ultrasonographic reference values for the morphology the kidneys in A. a. infulatus. Evidence is also provided that SCr and BUNlevels in owl monkeys are influenced by the sex and age of the individual, factors that should be considered when interpreting test results. Am. J. Primatol. 74:482‐490, 2012.

EFFECT OF BIOMETRIC VARIABLES ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS IN THE RED-TAILED BOA (BOA CONSTRICTOR CONSTRICTOR)

Abstract:  The effects of body biometrics on cardiac measurements and description of cardiac anatomy were performed in red-tailed boas (Boa constrictor constrictor) (n = 29) using real-time B-mode ultrasonography. Statistical comparison of measured cardiac metrics according to sex and body measurements demonstrated no significant difference between sexes but a highly significant linear increase between body length and mass and all cardiac metrics.

Perfil hematológico e bioquímico de búfalos ( Bubalus bubalis ) na Amazônia Oriental

O hemograma e as dosagens bioquimicas sao exames rotineiramente utilizados na avaliacao da saude dos animais domesticos, incluindo os bufalos. Na regiao Amazonica pesquisas nessa tematica ainda sao escassas. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer intervalos de referencia para hematologia e bioquimica sanguinea de Bubalus bubalis criados na Amazonia Oriental e avaliar os efeitos da idade e do sexo sobre os valores bioquimicos e hematologicos obtidos. Foram utilizados 73 animais da raca Murrah, divididos em tres grupos, o grupo 1 (G1, n=22) com animais de dois a oito meses, grupo 2 (G2, n=23) com animais de nove a dois anos e o grupo 3 (G3, n=28) com animais com mais de dois anos. Os hemogramas e as analises bioquimicas foram realizados em equipamentos automatizados. Os intervalos de referencia foram estabelecidos conforme as recomendacoes do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Para avaliar o efeito do sexo e da idade foram utilizados os testes de Tukey, e Kruskal-Wallis, sendo as diferencas consideradas significativas quando P<0,05. Houve influencia da idade sobre os valores de hemacias (He), hematocrito (Ht), hemoglobina (Hb), leucocitos, linfocitos, eosinofilos, neutrofilos, plaquetas, volume plaquetario medio (VPM), indices hematimetricos (Volume Globular Media - VGM, Hemoglobina Corpuscular Media - HCM, e Coeficiente de variacao eritrocitario - RDW) e relacao neutrofilo:linfocito (N:L). O sexo influenciou o valor do VGM e do indice de amplitude de distribuicao do tamanho da plaqueta (PDW) que foram maiores (P<0,05) nas femeas, enquanto o RDW foi maior nos machos. Na comparacao dos parâmetros bioquimicos entre as faixas etarias, verificou-se que a idade influenciou a atividade das enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e fosfatase alcalina (FA) e as concentracoes de creatinina, proteinas totais e bilirrubina direta. As concentracoes de creatinina e bilirrubina direta foram significativamente maiores nos animais da maior faixa etaria. O sexo influenciou a atividade da AST e a concentracao de bilirrubina direta, que foram maiores (P<0.05) nos machos. Os valores hematologicos e bioquimicos estabelecidos podem ser utilizados como referencia para bufalos criados na Amazonia Oriental.

Renal biochemistry variables and ultrasonographic imaging in healthy Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi )

BACKGROUND The combined use of renal biochemistry and ultrasonographic imaging may improve the correct management of renal disease. Although renal disease is frequently observed in nonhuman primates, renal function markers have not yet been studied in Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi). OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to establish normal renal biochemistry variables and ultrasonographic features in Squirrel monkeys. MATERIAL AND METHODS Renal biochemistry variables and ultrasonographic images were documented in 29 healthy Squirrel monkeys (15 males and 14 females). Urea, serum creatinine (SCr), and uric acid (UA) concentrations were measured by kinetic assay. Cystatin C (CysC) was analyzed by immunonephelometry. A multiple frequency linear array probe (5-12 MHz) was used for ultrasonographic imaging. The studied indicators of renal function were related to sex, age, and body mass. RESULTS Serum creatinine was influenced by sex and body mass. Serum concentration of urea, UA, and CysC were not influenced by sex, age, and body mass. Ultrasonographic images provided accurate and comprehensive data for making clinical decisions for Squirrel monkeys. The total renal volume was only influenced by the body mass nested in sex and was positively correlated to body mass. Right renal volume was bigger than the left one. CONCLUSION Normative standards for the renal evaluation, including biochemistry and ultrasonography, in the Squirrel monkey have been established correlated to age, sex, and body mass.

CONCENTRAÇÕES SÉRICAS DE CISTATINA C EM MACACOS-DANOITE (Aotus azarai infulatus)

Em medicina veterinaria, a funcao renal geralmente e avaliada por determinacoes sericas de ureia e creatinina. No entanto, estes marcadores mostram baixa sensibilidade para deteccao precoce de insuficiencia renal, sendo alterados quando grande parte da funcao renal esta comprometida. Biomarcadores mais sensiveis tem sido utilizados, entre os quais se destaca a Cistatina C (CisC). No entanto, os valores de referencia para CisC ainda precisam ser estabelecidos para varias especies de primatas nao-humanos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a concentracao de CisC em Aotus azarai infulatus e avaliar os efeitos da idade, sexo e massa corporal sobre esses valores. Vinte e nove macacos (15 machos e 14 femeas) foram divididos em tres faixas etarias: FE1 (1 a 3 anos, n = 9); FE2 (4 a 6 anos, n = 6), e FE3 (mais de 10 anos, n = 14). As concentracoes CisC variaram de 0,63 a 1,60 mg/l. O sexo e a idade dos animais nao influenciaram nos resultados para CisC, ureia e creatinina. A massa foi mais elevada (p < 0,05) em FE3 (1,17 ± 0,22 kg) quando comparada a FE1 (0,99 ± 0,07 kg) e nao diferiu significativamente de FE2 (0,98 ± 0,10 kg). Contudo, vale ressaltar que CisC nao sofre influencia com a massa corporal, por isso ela e um bom biomarcador para funcao renal. Este e o primeiro estudo sobre a determinacao de CisC no genero Aotus e os valores obtidos podem ser utilizados como referencia para esta especie.