Matheus Pedrotti de Cesaro

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 14: a potential new gene associated with oocyte competence

The Grb14 protein is a member of the Grb7 protein family. This protein family acts by binding to tyrosine kinase receptors, promoting cell proliferation and differentiation. There is evidence of the involvement of tyrosine kinase factors in the bovine oocyte maturation process. However, Grb14 has not been studied for bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). The aim of the present study was to characterize Grb14 mRNA expression in bovine COCs during follicular development. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the expression of Grb14 mRNA is not regulated by estradiol. mRNA expression of Grb14 was assessed in 480 COCs from follicles of different sizes (1-3, 4-6, 6-8 or >8 mm) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Grb14 mRNA expression decreased in COCs throughout follicular growth (P < 0.05). The role of estradiol in the expression of Grb14 mRNA in COCs was studied. Grb14 mRNA abundance did not differ in COCs cultured in the presence or absence of 17β-estradiol or fulvestrant. In conclusion, we showed that Grb14 mRNA is downregulated in COCs during antral follicle development, a finding that suggests a role for Grb14 in oocyte competence.

Cholinesterase Activities and Oxidative Stress in Cattle Experimentally Exposed to Nitrate/Nitrite in Cultivated Pasture with Different Fertilization Schemes

Background: Nitrate and nitrite poisoning is associated with pasture intake that has high nitrate levels and leads to acute methemoglobinemia. Pasture may accumulate nitrate under certain conditions, such as excessively fertilized soil or environmental conditions that enhance the N absorption (rain preceded by a period of drought). After ingestion of plants, this substrate reaches the rumen and, in physiological conditions, is reduced to nitrite and afterward to ammonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in cholinesterase activities and oxidative stress caused by subclinical poisoning for nitrate and nitrite in cattle fed with Pennisetum glaucum in three different fertilization schemes. Materials, Methods & Results: In order to perform the experimental poisoning, the pasture was cultivated in three different paddocks: with nitrogen topdressing (urea; group 1), organic fertilizer (group 2) or without fertilizer (group 3; control). Nitrate accumulation in forage was evaluated by the diphenylamine test. After food fasting of 12 h, nine bovine were randomly allocated to one of the experimental groups and fed with fresh forage (ad libitum) from respective paddock. In different time points from beginning of pasture intake (0, 2, 4, 6 and 9 h) heart rate and respiratory frequency were assessed, as well as mucous membrane color and behavioral changes. Blood samples from jugular vein into vials with and without anticoagulant were collected. From blood samples, serum nitrite levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme activity were evaluated, as well as oxidative stress through the following parameters: levels of nitrate/nitrite (NO x ), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), beyond the antioxidant system by enzyme activity measurement of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The diphenylamine test was positive to group 1 and 2, so that the pasture presented 3.16 mg/kg, 2.98 mg/kg and 1.67 mg/kg of nitrate for group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In addition, cows from group 1 demonstrated increased (P < 0.05) nitrite levels in serum, compared to other groups, and greater heart rate after 9 h (P < 0.05). The AChE and BChE activity in group 1 showed significant increase (P < 0.05) at 4 and 6 h (AChE), and 4 and 9 h (BChE) compared to group 3. Also, NOx levels were lower at 6 and 9 h (P < 0.05) and at 9 h (P < 0.05) for animals of group 1 and 2, respectively, when compared to group 3. Furthermore, in the group 1 levels of ROS and TBARS were significantly higher (P < 0.05) after 2 and 4 h, and 6 and 9 h compared to other groups, respectively. The CAT activity increased significantly (P < 0.05) with 2 and 4 h of the experiment, but on the other hand, decreased at 6 and 9 h in group 1. Nevertheless, the animals from group 2 presented only a significant reduction in this enzyme activity at 9 h. Furthermore, SOD activity was reduced in animals of groups 1 (P < 0.05) at 4, 6 and 9 h, compared to other groups. Discussion: It was concluded that the nitrate and nitrite poisoning by pasture intake cultivated and fertilized with urea leads to increased levels of serum nitrite, as well as the cholinesterase activity and causes oxidative stress in cattle. It is conjectured that the cholinesterase activity and oxidative stress may assist in understanding the pathophysiology of changes caused by poisoning.

Importância dos cursos extracurriculares na formação profissional dos acadêmicos do Curso Técnico em Agropecuária

Extracurricular courses are an opportunity to practice and learn subjects not often addressed in the curriculum. This study aimed to determine the perceptions of students from the beginning and end of the Agriculture Technical Course of Colegio Politecnico of UFSM regarding extracurricular courses. Through questionnaire was observed that students from both semesters consider extracurricular courses an important methodology for the training. In addition was observed that most students have already participated in similar activities. These results indicated interest and the preoccupation of the students with the professional future and the fundamental role of financial agencies in the training of qualified students. Key-words: learning, practices, curriculum, Pronatec.

Angiotensina-(1-7) durante o processo inicial na cascata da ovulação em bovinos

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ang-(1-7) and its receptor (MAS) in the regulation of the ovulatory cascade. In the experiment I, the effect of Ang-(1-7) or d-Ala7-Ang-(1-7) (A-779; Ang-(1-7) antagonist) on the epirregulin (Ereg; initial marker of ovulation process) mRNA expression in granulosa cells was assessed using an in vitro model of follicular cell culture. In experiment II, it was used an in vivo intrafollicular injection model, in which twenty cows had their follicular waves synchronized and the ovarian follicular size was daily monitored by ultrasound. Follicles that reached a minimum diameter of 12mm were injected with A-779 or saline 0.9%. At the time of the intrafollicular injection, cows were challenged with an intramuscular application of GnRH analogue. Ang-(1-7) or the blockade of its receptor MAS had no effect in Ereg mRNA expression in granulosa cells cultured in vitro. Likewise, the intrafollicular injection of MAS receptor inhibitor (10-5M of A-779) did not block ovulation before the expected time of LH peak (100% of the cows ovulated after GnRH challenge in the treatment and control groups), suggesting that Ang-(1-7) has no role in the early ovulatory cascade in cattle.