High-speed centrifugation of extender of freeze-thaw boar semen.

In semen cryopreservation, egg yolk is still widely used as a non-penetrating cryoprotectant. Much has been developed in the search for alternatives for this biological product. This work aimed to evaluate the processed egg yolk through ultracentrifugation and/or sonication in the cryopreservation of swine semen. Twenty-seven semen doses were purchased from a commercial boar stud and processed for cryopreservation using egg yolk lactose 11% (control) extender, processed using two different methods: high-speed centrifugation and sonication. Then, they were submitted to freeze-thawing protocol and were assessed for kinematic and cell structural parameters. Samples in which extenders underwent centrifugation had better results in velocity parameters, meanwhile those that only sonication was performed had poorest results in this parameter. The preservation of the membrane and mitochondria structure had better results when the diluent was only centrifuged in comparison with the other treatments. Therefore, centrifugation of extender containing egg yolk is important for better cryopreservation of swine semen.

Oral Treatment of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats with Captopril-Surface Functionalized Furosemide-Loaded Multi-Wall Lipid-Core Nanocapsules.

Multi-wall lipid-core nanocapsule (MLNC) functionalized with captopril and nanoencapsulating furosemide within the core was developed as a liquid formulation for oral administration. The nanocapsules had mean particle size below 200 nm, showing unimodal and narrow size distributions with moderate dispersity (laser diffraction and dynamic light scattering). Zeta potential was inverted from -14.3 mV [LNC-Fur(0,5)] to +18.3 mV after chitosan coating. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed spherical structures corroborating the nanometric diameter of the nanocapsules. Regarding the systolic pressure, on the first day, the formulations showed antihypertensive effect and a longer effect than the respective drug solutions. When both drugs were associated, the anti-hypertensive effect was prolonged. On the fifth day, a time effect reduction was observed for all treatments, except for the nanocapsule formulation containing both drugs [Capt(0.5)-Zn(25)-MLNC-Fur(0.45)]. For diastolic pressure, only Capt(0.5)-Zn(25)-MLNC-Fur(0.45) presented a significant difference (p < 0.05) on the first day. On the fifth day, both Capt(0.5)-MLNC-Fur(0.45) and Capt(0.5)-Zn(25)-MLNC-Fur(0.45) had an effect lasting up to 24 h. The analysis of early kidney damage marker showed a potential protection in renal function by Capt(0.5)-Zn(25)-MLNC-Fur(0.45). In conclusion, the formulation Capt(0.5)-Zn(25)-MLNC-Fur(0.45) proved to be suitable for hypertension treatment envisaging an important innovation.

Safety assessment of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) as a potential drug carrier in extenders for boar sperm cryopreservation.

Polymers may be used to deliver compounds in freezing extenders to minimize injuries in spermatozoa during cryopreservation, although their activity and toxicity for boar sperm are unknown. This study investigated the effects of the polymer (N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL), when included in extenders for boar sperm cryopreservation. In Experiment 1, sperm was exposed to PNVCL at: 0 (control); 39.1; 78.1; 156.3; and 312.5 µg/mL. Spermatozoa structure, kinetics and biochemical functions were unaltered in contact with PNVCL at 38 °C (P > .05) but declined with prolonged exposure (10, 60 and 120 min) in all treatments (P > .05). In Experiment 2, after inclusion of PNVCL in the freezing extender at the same concentrations, post-thawing sperm quality did not differ compared to the control (P > .05). Lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species were the only parameters of sperm quality that were unaffected in both experiments, even after contact with PNVCL for 120 min (P > .05). As no negative effects were observed in post-thawing boar sperm quality, PNVCL did not incur in cytotoxicity and may be a potential carrier for antioxidants in freezing extenders.

Effects of supplying omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to gilts after weaning on metabolism and ovarian gene expression.

Omega-3 PUFA may benefit sow reproductive performance, but effects on weaned gilts are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing omega-3 PUFA to gilts after weaning on growth, metabolic markers, and gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes and hormone receptors. For 52 d, gilts in the control group were fed 100 g/d of regular diets, whereas gilts in the omega-3 group were fed 75 g/d of such diets plus 25 g/d of the microalgae Schizochytium sp. (3.5 g/d of omega-3 PUFA; n = 8 gilts/group). Blood samples were collected at day 0, day 21, and day 52. Total serum cholesterol levels were lower for the omega-3 group than for the control group (P < 0.05), but high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were reduced at day 52 for both groups (P < 0.05). Gilts in the omega-3 group presented lower feed intake, better feed conversion, and less-intense immunolabeling for leptin and its receptor in the cytoplasm of oocytes included in primordial/primary follicles than gilts in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of genes coding for cholesterol side-chain cleavage and aromatase enzymes and the LH receptor in follicular cells was lower for supplemented gilts (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, supplemented gilts presented decreased serum cholesterol levels and better feed conversion, but leptin presence and gene expression for steroidogenic enzymes and for the LH receptor were lower at ovarian level.