Local Effect of the Corpus Luteum on Ovarian Follicular Functional and Morphological Features in the Goat

Ovaries of unilaterally ovulated goats (n=21) were used to study follicular morphological features (proportion and degree of atresia, oestradiol production in vitro and progesterone production of granulosa cells in culture). Follicles were dissected out and classified as small (1–2 mm), medium (2–4 mm) and large (>4 mm). Morphological and physiological features were compared in each size class between ovaries bearing and not bearing corpora lutea (CLO and NCLO, respectively). Within the same size class, there was no difference in proportion or in degree of atresia, between CLO and NCLO. A significant effect of follicular size on oestradiol production in vitro was detected, but no effect of the corpus luteum was found. Finally, progesterone production of granulosa cells in culture was significantly higher in CLO than in NCLO after 24 h (p < 0.05) and also after 90 h (p < 0.01) of culture. This higher progesterone production by CLO granulosa cells in culture could be explained by local influence of the corpus luteum stimulating the steroidogenic activity but not aromatase activity. Further studies are needed to clarify possible factors and pathways for this local effect of the corpus luteum upon follicular physiology.     

Evaluation of residual levels of benomyl, methyl parathion, diuron, and vamidothion in pineapple pulp and bagasse (Smooth cayenne)

The objective of this research was to study the residual levels of benomyl, methyl parathion, diuron, and vamidothion in pineapple bagasse and pulp. Benomyl (benlate), methyl parathion (Folidol 600), diuron (Krovar), and Vamidothion (Kilval 300) were applied pre-harvest to pineapples (smooth cayenne). After harvesting, the fruits were washed (100 ppm sodium hypochlorite) and the pulp was separated from the sub-products (peel, core, tops, and tails). The pulp was not submitted to any heat treatment. The sub-products and the juice expressed from them, were submitted to a blanching process (95 degrees C for 1 min). After separating the juice, the bagasse and pulp were analyzed for residues of diuron and benomyl by high performance liquid chromatography, and for residues of vamidothion and methyl parathion by gas chromatography using a TSD detector. No residues of benomyl, diuron, vamidothion, or methyl parathion were detected in the pulp within the quantification limits of the methods (0.1 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 0.005 mg/kg, and 0.005 mg/kg, respectively). Only methyl parathion (0.052 mg/kg) and vamidothion (0.021 mg/kg) were detected in the bagasse. The presence of these residues in the bagasse was probably due to the action of the wax found in the peel, which prevented the methyl parathion and vamidothion from dissolving in the juice. According to these results, the pulp was fit for human consumption, as far as pesticide residues were concerned, and the bagasse was fit for animal feed and similar applications, because the residual levels found were below the limits established for these compounds.     

Fatty acid,chemical, and tissue composition of meat comparing Santa Inês breed sheep and Boer crossbreed goats submitted to different supplementation strategies

Tropical Animal Health and Production - To compare the fatty acid (FA) composition, and chemical and tissue composition of meat, 24 uncastrated males, 12 sheep of the Santa Inês breed, and 12...     

Genome-wide diversity in native populations of Croton grewioides Baill., a future crop with fungicidal and antioxidant activity,using SNP markers

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Croton grewioides Baill. is a medicinal and aromatic species with proven biological activity. Considering the economic potential of the species, the use of...     

From pattern to process: estimating expansion rates of a forest tree species in a protected palm savanna

We assessed the possible influences of dominant tree density (Butia yatay palm trees) and fire on the expansion of a riparian tree population (Myrcianthes cisplatensis) over El Palmar National Park, a protected savanna in Argentina. Our approach is based on Skellam’s model of population expansion, which predicts that populations with density-independent reproduction and random dispersal will exhibit Gaussian-shaped expansion fronts. Using Poisson regression, we fitted Gaussian curves to Myrcianthes density data collected at varying distances from a riparian forest, within four environmental conditions resulting from combinations of palm density (dense and sparse) and fire history (burned and unburned). Based on the estimated parameters, we derived statistics appropriate to compare attained expansion velocity, mean squared effective dispersal distance, and density-independent population growth among environmental conditions. We also analyzed the effects of palm density, fire history, and distance from the riparian forest on local maximum size of Myrcianthes individuals. Gaussian curves fitted the data reasonably well and slightly better than two alternative front models. Palm density and fire history interacted to control Myrcianthes spread, making unburned dense palm savannas the preferential avenue for Myrcianthes population expansion across the landscape. Limitation of Myrcianthes expansion by fire appeared to result from low survival of small individuals to fire, whereas facilitation of Myrcianthes expansion by palm trees may have resulted from increased population growth. Our results stress the interactive role of fire regime and local biotic influences in determining propagule pressure and tree establishment at the forefront, and the overall vulnerability of savannas to colonization by forest species.     

Medical and Surgical Management of a Dystocia Because of Foetopelvic Disproportion in an African Lioness (Panthera Leo)

Medical and surgical management of a foetopelvic dystocia in an African lioness (Panthera leo) and the post‐operative complications are reported. A caesarean section was performed to extract an oversize foetus blocked at the cervical canal; the lioness died 36 h after surgery. At necropsy, an abdominal effusion with sero‐haemorrhagic fluid was observed, along with a fibrinopurulent exudate adhered to the serosal surfaces of the pelvic and abdominal cavities. In addition, the pelvic symphysis was not cartilaginous, but formed a firm and rigid joint between the pubis and ischium of each hip. The macroscopic and microscopic findings confirmed the presence of metritis, vaginitis and peritonitis. Dystocia may be caused by the premature ossification of the pelvic symphysis, reducing the dimensions of the pelvic cavity.     

Low diversity in the native populations of Croton tetradenius Baill. when using SNP markers: a future crop with an insecticidal activity

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Croton tetradenius Baill. is an aromatic plant species whose essential oils have high economic importance. Its incorporation into Active Germplasm Banks is...     

Micronutrient Contents of a Revegetated Saprolite Exposed by Excavation of an Oxisol

Soils of the Brazilian Cerrado biome have been found to be deficient in copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). In this area, an Oxisol was deeply excavated in 1962 during the construction of a hydroelectrical plant, and the exposed saprolite material was abandoned, without any reclamation measures. The abandoned land was a harsh environment for plant growth, and the secondary vegetation has not recovered. A field trial was established in 1992 to assess the effects of different grass species and lime amendments on soil reclamation at the degraded site. In 2011 soil samples were collected at three depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm) from vegetated and bare plots over tilled saprolite, from an untreated area of the saprolite, and from an Oxisol under native forest, used as external reference. Nineteen years after the reclamation effort was begun, the organic carbon (OC) content of the restored saprolite still was much lower than that of the Oxisol under natural vegetation. The undisturbed Oxisol was deficient in extractable Cu (0.16–0.10 mg kg^?1) and Zn (0.10–0.02 mg kg^?1) and exhibited rather low concentrations of extractable iron (Fe; 5.24–1.47 mg kg^?1) and manganese (Mn; 3.21–0.77 mg kg^?1). However, the saprolite under reclamation showed even lower levels of these elements compared to the native forest soil. In the natural soil, OC, N, extractable Fe, Mn, and Cu showed stratification, but this was not the case for extractable Zn. Although the reclaimed saprolite still was far from predisturbance conditions, the revegetation treatments promoted recovery of OC, N, Fe, Mn, and Cu at the surface layers, which resulted in incipient stratification. Extractable Fe, Mn, and Cu were correlated to OC, whereas no association between Zn and OC was detected. Our results also suggest that reclamation of the excavated saprolite may be constrained by micronutrient deficiencies and mostly by the extremely low levels of Zn and Cu.