Ovum pick-up and in vitro maturation in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca—Linnaeus, 1766)

We tested FSHp, eCG and FSHp + eCG to establish ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro maturation method in spotted paca. Eight healthy adult females were subjected to each of four treatments to stimulate ovarian follicular growth. All females were subjected to a hormonal protocol using a single dose of 45 mg of injectable progesterone and single intramuscular injection of 0.075 mg d-cloprostenol on day 6. Ovarian stimulation was carried out as follows: in Group TFE (FSHp and eCG), animals were treated with a single dose of 80 mg of FSHp and 200 IU of eCG intramuscularly on day 6 after the application of progesterone; in Group TF (FSHp), they were treated with a single dose of 80 mg of FSHp intramuscularly on day 6 after application of progesterone; in Group treatment eCG, they were treated with 200 IU of eCG intramuscularly on day 6 after application of progesterone; and in Group TC (saline solution), 1 ml of saline solution was administered to control does. The OPU was performed between 22 and 26 hr after gonadotropin treatments. All recovered oocytes were placed into maturation media and incubated for 24 hr. There were no differences among the mean number of observed follicles, aspirated follicles and oocytes recovered per treatment. Oocyte maturation rates did not differ among groups, except, TF and treatment eCG oocytes had greater maturation rates than TC oocytes. In this study, gonadotropin administration failed to superovulate treated does and increase oocyte retrieval efficiency. Despite the feasibility of the procedure, further studies are needed to develop and refine hormonal protocols for oocyte recovery and in vitro maturation in this species.     

Novel approach to study oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oils: importance of alpha-tocopherol concentration

The stability of extra virgin olive oils is mainly due to their relatively low fatty acids unsaturation and to the antioxidant activity of some of the unsaponifiable components. We studied the activity of alpha-tocopherol in extra virgin olive oil in its natural state, using new and simple oxidizing conditions in "thin layer" and "bulk phase". Oxidation time course was monitored at 37 degrees C or 75 degrees C. A storage test was also performed. Two parameters were evaluated: depletion of alpha-tocopherol and formation of PUFA hydroperoxides, measured as conjugated dienes (CD) and peroxide value. The value of complex polyphenols was also measured. alpha-Tocopherol concentration decreased in function of time and temperature and showed a strong inverse correlation with the increase of CD. When alpha-tocopherol reached a "threshold value" of 60-70 mg/kg, a significant increase of CD formation was observed, together with a good correlation between CD and peroxide value. The initial amount of alpha-tocopherol is one of the components that influences oil oxidative susceptibility.     

Differential immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in cow uteri with adenomyosis during follicular phase

The present investigation was intended to show a different immunohistochemical profile of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 in bovine uteri with adenomyosis during follicular phase. Uterine samples of 32 cows in reproductive age were taken from the medial third of one of the uterine horns and grouped according to the adenomyosis degree (superficial and deep). Tissue sections (4 μm) were incubated overnight at 4°C with monoclonal antibody for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2. Staining intensities were evaluated in the luminal epithelium, ectopic and dystopic endometrial tissue (stroma, capillaries and glands), endometrial-myometrial border, myometrium, myometrial vessels (middle tunic and endothelium). The matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher for deep adenomyosis samples, showing a differential mean reactivity in superficial endometrium, myometrial vessels, myometrium adjacent to adenomyotic focus and endometrial-myometrial border (P < 0.05). Moreover, matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher in deep adenomyosis samples than that of Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 in almost all uterine structures analyzed (except for the endometrial and myometrial vessels and endometrial-myometrial border). The opposite was observed in the follicular phase, for both normal specimens and with superficial adenomyosis, where Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher than that of matrix metalloproteinase-2. In conclusion, a differential pattern of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 was observed in cow uteri with adenomyosis.     

Duration of Effects of Phenylbutazone on Serum Total Thyroxine and Free Thyroxine Concentrations in Horses

The objectives of this study were to determine if phenylbutazone decreased serum thyroxine (TT₄) and free thyroxine (FT₄) concentrations using radioimmunoassay and equilibrium dialysis techniques in horses, and, if so, an additional objective was to determine the duration of this decreased concentration once phenylbutazone administration was discontinued. Serum TT₄ and FT₄ concentrations were determined before and after administration of 4.4 mg/kg of phenylbutazone IV bid for 5 days. Treatment with phenylbutazone caused a significant decrease in TT₄ and FT₄ concentrations ( P < .05). Serum TT₄ concentration significantly decreased after day 4 of treatment and remained significantly below baseline value for 10 days after discontinuing phenylbutazone administration; it returned to a value not different from the baseline value by the 11th day. Serum FT₄ concentration significantly decreased after day 4 of treatment and remained significantly below the baseline value for only 1 day after phenylbutazone administration was discontinued; it returned to a value not different from the baseline value by the 3rd day after discontinuation of phenylbutazone. These results indicate that serum TT₄ and FT₄ should not be used to evaluate thyroid function in horses receiving phenylbutazone. In addition, results should be interpreted cautiously when phenylbutazone has been administered within 2 days (for FT₄) or within 10 days (for TT₄) of sample collection.     

Maturation and Spawning of the White Shrimp Penaeus schmitti Burkenroad, 1936, Under Large Scale Rearing Conditions

This paper describes the reproductive performance of Penueus schmitti kept under controlled conditions in a maturation facility of a commercial shrimp farm. A total of 369 females and 368 males of wild P. schmitti were used to form 9 broodstock groups. Unilateral ablation was performed on females only. Although females were not tagged, the total number of mated females ( N = 533) indicates that rematuration of the ovaries did occur. Only 9 mated females (1.69%) did not spawn and only 22 mated females (4.20%) of the remaining 524 cases did not produce viable spawns. These results indicate that a large number of viable spawns (94.18%) can be expected from P. schmitti . A minimum latency period of 6 days for the ovaries to attain full development was observed twice. The highest mating frequency occurred between the 46th and 60th days after unilateral ablation, but mating frequency remained above 2% until the 90th day. The average number of nauplii/female/spawn was 78,961 ( N = 524) and the average fertilization rate of the eggs was 73.12% ( N = 297). Usually when the pair of the spermatophores is dislodged from the thelycum of the mated female, a small sperm mass still remains between the third pair of walking legs. This condition did not show any negative effect on the fertilization rate of the eggs and nauplii production. Mating behavior displayed by P. schmitti is also described and includes three distinctive phases: a) chasing, b) mating and c) post-mating chase.     

New Insights of Turmeric Extract-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Development,Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity

Here, we presented new insights of the development of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing turmeric compounds (turmeric-PLGA-NPs) using emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticulate system was characterized by size, zeta potential, morphology, release profile, partition parameter, stability and encapsulation efficiency (%EE). Antioxidant activity studies were also evaluated. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model (M_t/M_∞ vs. t) was used to determine the release mechanisms of the studied system. Our results demonstrated the emulsion-solvent evaporation method was shown advantageous for producing turmeric-PLGA-NPs in the range of 145 nm with high homogeneity in size distribution, zeta potential of ?21.8 mV and %EE about 72%. Nanoparticles were stable over a period of one month. In vitro study showed a release of curcumin governed by diffusion and relaxation of the polymeric matrix. The partition parameter of the extract in relation to blank-PLGA-NPs was 0.111?±?0.008 M^?1, indicating a low affinity of curcumin for the polymer matrix. Antioxidant ability of the turmeric-PLGA-NPs in scavenging the radical 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) was inferior to free turmeric extract and showed a concentration and time-dependent profile. The study concluded that PLGA nanoparticles are potential carriers for turmeric extract delivery.

     

Soil evaporation under different types of land use in southern African savanna ecosystems

For dryland ecosystems, soil evaporation is a major factor of the soil water balance. Often handled in one term with transpiration, little is known quantitatively about evaporation and impacts of soil and vegetation on it. On 12 plots at three sites in Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, potential and actual evaporation was measured using microlysimeters and parameterized. Dependencies on micrometeorological, soil, and site properties were statistically examined. In simulation runs with SWAP, the microlysimeter measurements were tried to be reproduced. Measured potential evaporation rates varied from 3.0 mm d^–1 to 8.6 mm d^–1. The evaporational parameter β ranged between 0.9 mm^1/2 and 4.3 mm^1/2. Evaporation was found to be strongly impacted by vegetation and land use, increasing from homogeneous bush areas over heterogeneous, more open woodlands to sparsely covered dryland agricultures. Correlations of evaporation variables with temperature, humidity, shading, topsoil water content, pF, bulk density, texture, and C content were found. Relationships were non‐explicit, which could be achieved by combining different factors. The simulation showed satisfying results with small deviations, confirming the model's general ability to depict the process. The application of the Boesten‐Stroosnijder‐model in combination with the used methods showed to be very useful to express evaporational properties, yet further research is necessary to improve consistency. A basis for evaporation prediction from known plot and soil characteristics and temporal and spatial up‐scaling could be given.