Association of 3D reconstruction and conventional radiography for the description of the appendicular skeleton of Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix, 1824).

In this study, we associated imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and standard radiography, with anatomical specimens to describe the anatomy of the appendicular skeleton of red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria), using animals of different sizes, ages, sexes and weights. Manus and pes bones were described from conventional radiography and osteological specimens, because they have small structures that could not be reconstructed. The main anatomical feature that differentiates C. carbonaria from others Testudines is the ischial-pubic tuberculum. The pectoral girdle is formed by the union of two bones, the scapula and the coracoid, showing no bone connection with the shell. Carpal and tarsal bones can be fused or not and include: carporadial and central carpus, carpoulnar and V carpal, central tarsal and fibular tarsal, distal tarsal I and II. The phalangeal formula is 2:2:2:2:2 in the forelimb and 2:2:2:2:1 in the hind limb. Imaging examinations are important tools in anatomical description and can be used in living individuals, replacing or aiding the study with anatomical specimens.

Calves born after open pulled straw vitrification of immature bovine oocytes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental capacity of immature bovine oocytes after vitrification with 20% ethylene glycol (EG)+20% dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO) and 0.5M sucrose (SUC), by open pulled straw (OPS) technology. The effect of treatment with cytochalasin D before vitrification was also examined. No differences were observed in cleavage and blastocyst rates among the group vitrified without cytochalasin D treatment (Vitri) (49.0% and 6.1%) and that with cytochalasin D treatment before vitrification (CDVitri) (46.4% and 3.6%), but both were lower (P<0.05) than the unvitrified control group (85.1 and 45.9%). Calves were obtained after transfer of fresh and vitrified blastocysts from the Vitri group and after transfer of vitrified blastocysts from the CDVitri group. Cytochalasin D treatment does not improve the development of immature bovine vitrified oocytes. The results show that a small proportion of immature oocytes vitrified with this technology are fully competent to produce blastocysts, which may be transferred immediately or vitrified before transfer, and go on to develop healthy offspring.