Expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in the skin, kidney, pancreas and bladder in a German shepherd dog affected by renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis

The present study was performed to assess the expression of isoforms 1, 2 and 3 of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in skin nodular dermatofibrosis lesions, kidney, bladder and pancreas from a 10-year-old female German shepherd dog (GSD) affected by renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis (RCND) compared with normal GSDs (n = 2). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues obtained from the dog affected by RCND, diagnosed by renal ultrasonography and histopathological examination were analysed by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies to TGF-beta1, 2 and 3, and evaluated semiquantitatively using an immunoreactivity score. Similar expression of TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 was observed in all tissue specimens in both the RCND-affected animal and normal dogs. In contrast, TGF-beta1 immunoreactivity was increased in the derma of the RCND canine. Comparable TGF-beta1 serum levels were found between the diseased and normal animals. The increased local cutaneous production of TGF-beta1 in the RCND dog, compared with the normal animals, suggests that this cytokine may play an important role in the induction of nodular dermatofibrosis associated with renal cystadenocarcinoma.     

Effects of dietary microencapsulated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymbopogon flexuosus</Emphasis> essential oil on reproductive-related parameters in male <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhamdia quelen</Emphasis>

In aquaculture, nutrition and supplemented diets have been shown to affect broodstock reproductive performance. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (CFEO) microcapsules on reproductive-related parameters in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) male broodfish. Adult male broodstocks were separated into three groups according to the concentrations of supplemented CFEO (0.0?=?control; 1.0 or 3.0 mL per kg of diet). After 20 days under experimental conditions, the animals were euthanized and the gonads were harvested for gonadosomatic index, sperm analysis, oxidative stress, and histopathology; testosterone levels were measured in the plasma; gene expression of prl, smtl, pomca, and pomcb was assessed in the pituitary gland by real-time PCR. The results showed no alterations on reproductive parameters in R. quelen males treated with Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil compared to the control-diet animals. In conclusion, CFEO microcapsules supplied for 20 days in the concentrations of 1.00 or 3.00 mL per kilogram of diet did not affect the reproduction criteria evaluated in this study in male silver catfish.     

Effect of different dietary lipid levels on the reproduction of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)

Lipids include some of the most important nutrients that affect the survival and growth of fishes in their early life stages. Lipid deficiency prior to spawning may significantly reduce egg production, hatchability and the number of surviving larvae. In this study, we investigated the effects of isocaloric diets containing 80, 140 and 200 g kg⁻¹ of lipids (lipid source, soy oil) for 90 days. The following data were collected at 0, 45 and 90 days: final weight; length; conditioning factor; hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic and visceral fat indices; total plasma protein; testosterone; 17ß‐estradiol; free amino acids; and ovary and muscle fatty acid profiles. Additionally, fecundity, oocyte production, egg morphometric parameters, and larval and postlarval growth were evaluated. Results were not statistically different for husbandry and biochemical parameters, but visceral fat content increased with increase in dietary lipid levels. The fatty acid profiles and composition differed among dietary treatments. The egg diameter and area were significantly low in fish fed the 200 g kg⁻¹ lipid diet, thereby hindering growth, survival and weight compared to those in postlarval fish (P < 0.05). The best reproductive rates were obtained when using diets containing 80–140 g kg⁻¹ total lipids.