Social buffering of cortisol release and tympanic temperature asymmetries during novelty and isolation stress in marmoset monkeys.

Novel environments induce a conflicting emotional approach-withdrawal state that triggers stress-related reactions. Social support through the presence of a highly familiar conspecific buffers the individual against such challenges. Although aversive events seem to be predominantly processed by the right hemisphere, this is still under debate and little is known about functional cerebral asymmetries in nonhuman primates during novelty stress, isolation and social buffering. Here we isolated adult marmoset monkeys in a new open-field arena or in their familiar home-cages to establish hemisphere activity and whether the pairmate's presence buffers the response. Monkeys socially isolated in either location had higher circulating cortisol levels than non-isolated marmosets, but different hemisphere activity patterns indicated by changes in baseline tympanic membrane temperatures (TMT). The bilateral increase in the monkeys that were isolated in the unfamiliar location may reflect an approach-withdrawal conflict. The left-sided increase in the home-cage isolation group was negatively related to cortisol release, this being potentially associated with a more proactive/approach-prone temperament. Interestingly, TMT and cortisol were unaltered when the pairmate was present. Thus, positive social interaction reduces the perceived intensity of the threat, alters hemisphere asymmetries and blocks the hormonal response to novelty stress, consistent with a buffering effect.

Time-Dependent Changes in Cortisol and Tympanic Temperature Lateralization During Food Deprivation Stress in Marmoset Monkeys.

Temporal information about food availability can be easily entrained, as in the case of fixed feeding routines of captive animals. A sudden unintentional or deliberate delay (e.g., food deprivation-FD) leads to frustration and psychological stress due to the loss of temporal predictability. How marmosets-an increasingly used small primate-process and respond to FD stress has not been previously assessed. Here we delayed the routine feeding of adult captive marmosets for 3 or 6 h. Blood cortisol concentration was used as a hormonal measure of the stress response. Changes in the left/right baseline tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) were used as an indirect ipsilateral indicator of hemisphere activity. Marmosets that were deprived for 3 h had higher cortisol levels than non-deprived controls. Cortisol concentration in the marmosets deprived for 6 h did not differ from controls possibly due to adaptative mechanisms against the detrimental effects of prolonged high cortisol levels. Interestingly, FD stress may have been processed more symmetrically at first, as indicated by the bilateral increase in TMT at the 3 h interval. As the event progressed (i.e., 6 h), a clear rightward TMT bias suggests that hemisphere activity had become asymmetrical. Therefore, the sudden loss of temporal predictability of an entrained routine feeding schedule induces time-dependent changes in the cortisol stress response and shifts in the TMT (and potentially hemisphere activity) lateralization bias of adult captive marmosets.

Efeitos dos jogos reduzidos sobre os marcadores psicofisiológicos de atletas de futsal feminino / Effects of small-sided games on psychophysiological markers of female futsal athletes

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o efeito da quantidade de balizas em jogos reduzidos no futsal (JRF's) sobre a carga interna e resposta afetiva. Participaram do estudo oito atletas adultas de futsal feminino, que treinavam regularmente cinco vezes por semana. Foram analisadas duas sessões de treinamento: 1) JRF1baliza 4 x 4 com uma baliza para cada equipe; 2) JRF3balizas4 x 4 com três balizas para cada equipe. A ordem dos JRF's foi escolhida de forma randomizada. Para análise da carga interna utilizou-se a escala CR 0-10 de percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e para a resposta afetiva, utilizou-se a escala de sentimento (feeling scale). Utilizou-se o teste t pareado para análise da resposta psicofisiológica, considerando significativo um valor p < 0,05. Em nossos resultados os valores de P SE foram semelhantes entre os JRF's (JRF1baliza: 4,5 ± 1,7 vs. JRF3balizas: 4,4 ± 0,7, p > 0,05) da mesma fo rm a para a resposta afetiva (JRF1baliza: 0,2 ± 0,8 vs. JRF3balizas: 0,1 ± 1,0, p > 0,05), adicionalmente observou-se que os valores de PSE fixaram-se em "um pouco difícil" e a resposta afetiva permaneceu positiva durante ambos os JRF's. Em suma, conclui-se que os JRF1baliza e JRF3balizas obtiveram respostas semelhante nos marcadores psicofisiológicos (PSE e Afeto) em atletas adultas de futsal feminino...(AU)

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the number of goals in futsal small-sided games (SSG) on the internal load and affective response. Eight adult female futsal players regularly training five times a week participated in the study. Two training sessions were analyzed: 1) SSG1goal 4 x 4 with one goal for each team; 2) SSG3goal 4 x 4 with three goals for each team. The order of SSG was chosen in a randomized fashion. The CR 0-10 scale of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was ch o sen to analyze internal load and for the affective response, the feeling scale was used. Paired t test was used t o analyze the psychophysiological response, considering a value p < 0.05. It was observ ed t hat t he RPE values were similar between the SSG (SSG1goal: 4.5 ± 1.7 vs. SSG3goal: 4.4 ± 0.7, p > 0.05) in the same way for affective response (SSG1goal: 0.2 ± 0.8 vs. SSG3goal: 0.1 ± 1.0, p > 0.05), it was further observed that the RPE values were set as "a little difficult" and the values of the Feeling Scale was p o sit iv e durin g bo th SSG. In summary, the SSG1goal and SSG3goal being performed in random order with seven days rest between them, obtained similar responses in the psychophysiological markers in adult female futsal players...(AU)

Ethanol Withdrawal Alters the Oxidative State of the Heart Through AT1-Dependent Mechanisms.

AIMS: We investigated the cardiac effects of ethanol withdrawal and the possible role of AT1 receptors in such response. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with increasing doses of ethanol (3 to 9%, vol./vol.) for 21 days. The cardiac effects of ethanol withdrawal were investigated 48 h after abrupt discontinuation of ethanol. Some animals were orally treated with losartan (10 mg/kg/day), a selective AT1 receptor antagonist. RESULTS: Ethanol withdrawal did not affect serum levels of creatine kinase (CK)-MB. Losartan prevented ethanol withdrawal-induced increase in superoxide anion (O2•-) production in the left ventricle (LV). However, ethanol withdrawal did no alter the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) or the expression of Nox1, Nox2 or Nox4 were found in the LV. Ethanol withdrawal reduced the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the LV and this response was prevented by losartan. Ethanol withdrawal increased catalase activity in the LV and losartan attenuated this response. No changes on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity or expression were detected in the LV during ethanol withdrawal. The expression of AT1, AT2 or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was not affected by ethanol withdrawal. Similarly, no changes on the expression of ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, COX-1 or COX-2 were found in the LV during ethanol withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol withdrawal altered the cardiac oxidative state through AT1-dependent mechanisms. Our findings showed a role for angiotensin II/AT1 receptors in the initial steps of the cardiac effects induced by ethanol withdrawal.

Rightward Tympanic Membrane Temperature Bias During Acute Restraint-Isolation Stress in Marmoset Monkeys.

Restraint is widely used to experimentally assess stress-induced effects. Surprisingly, little is known on how marmosets - an increasingly used small primate - process and respond to restraint stress. Here, we assessed blood cortisol concentration and tympanic membrane temperatures (TMT) in adult marmoset monkeys (Callithrix penicillata) during 0, 15, or 30 min of restraint and social isolation in a small cage. TMT reflects blood flow to the cerebral hemispheres, which in turn reflects neural activity. Baseline TMT were subtracted from post-test measures to establish shifts in blood flow possibly induced by ipsilateral brain activity. Cortisol was assayed immediately after the post-test assessment of the TMT. Marmosets restrained-isolated for 15 or 30 min had higher cortisol levels than the non-restrained-isolated group. Furthermore, significant changes in TMT were detected only in the right ear of the restrained-isolated groups, this effect being unrelated to overall body temperature or the time needed to capture/measure the TMT. Adult marmosets thus readily perceive a significant reduction in their range of movement as an event of sufficient negative intensity and/or duration to activate a pertinent neuroendocrine response. Also, an asymmetrical shift in their TMT reflects that such an aversive event may be rightwardly biased in this primate.

Pregnancy and delivery rates after vitrification of in vitro -produced Nelore ( Bos indicus ) embryos under field conditions / Tasas de preñez y nacimientos después de la vitrificación de embriones Nelore (Bos indicus) producidos in vitro bajo condiciones de campo / Taxas de prenhez e nascimentos após vitrificação de embriões Nelore (Bos indicus) produzidos in vitro sob condições de campo

Abstract Background: Cryopreservation preserves cellular viability under low temperatures, resulting in diminished intracellular enzymatic activity and reduced cellular metabolism that ultimately allows preserving genetic material for indefinite periods of time. Embryos submitted to cryopreservation suffer from considerable morphological and functional damage, resulting in reduced survival and development rates. Objective: To evaluate pregnancy and delivery rates of in vitro-produced (IVP) Nellore (Bos indicus) embryos after vitrification under field conditions. Methods: The IVP embryos at blastocyst (Bl) and expanded blastocyst (Bx) were transferred fresh (n= 137) or after vitrification (n= 127). Results: Pregnancy rates at 35 d for fresh embryos were lower in Bl (41.6) than in Bx (60.9) (p<0.05). After vitrification, pregnancy rates were similar at 35 d between Bl (38.0) and Bx (47.6) (p>0.05). Pregnancy loss at 60 d were similar (p>0.05) for both fresh (Bl: 3.1 and Bx: 4.8) and vitrified embryos (Bl: 1.9 and Bx: 4.7). Delivery rates were similar between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both pregnancy and delivery rates of Bos indicus IVP embryos vitrified under field conditions are indistinguishable from fresh embryos.

Resumen Antecedentes: La criopreservación se caracteriza por el mantenimiento de la viabilidad celular a bajas temperaturas, resultando en reducido metabolismo y actividad enzimática intracelular, lo que permite la preservación del material genético por períodos de tiempo indefinidos. Los embriones sometidos a ésta técnica sufren daños morfológicos y funcionales considerables, dando como resultado una sobrevivencia y tasas de desarrollo reducidas. Objetivo: Evaluar la tasa de preñez a partir de embriones Nelore (Bos indicus) producidos in vitro (IVP) después de la vitrificación bajo condiciones de campo. Métodos: Embriones IVP en los estadios de blastocisto (Bl) y blastocisto expandido (Bx) se transfirieron en fresco (n= 137) o después de la vitrificación (n= 127). Resultados: La tasa de preñez a los 35 d fue menor para los embriones transferidos en fresco en fase Bl (41,6) en relación con los Bx (60,9) (p<0,05). Después de la vitrificación, las tasas de preñez a los 35 d fueron similares entre Bl (38,0) y Bx (47,6) (p>0,05). Las pérdidas de preñez a los 60 d fueron similares (p>0,05) tanto para embriones en fresco en Bl (3,1) y Bx (4,8) como para los vitrificados (Bl: 1,9 y Bx: 4,7). Las tasas de nacimiento fueron similares entre los grupos (p>0,05). Conclusión: Las tasas de preñez y nacimiento de embriones IVP vitrificados de Nelore (Bos indicus) bajo condiciones de campo son semejantes a las de embriones en fresco.

Resumo Antecedentes: A criopreservação é caracterizada pela manutenção da viabilidade celular em baixas temperaturas, resultando em atividade enzimática intracelular e metabolismo celular reduzido, que permite a preservação do material genético por períodos indefinidos de tempo. Embriões submetidos à criopreservação sofrem danos morfológicos e funcionais consideráveis, resultando em sobrevivência reduzida e menores taxas de desenvolvimento. Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa de prenhez a partir de embriões Nelore (Bos indicus) produzidos in vitro (IVP) após a vitrificação sob condições de campo. Métodos: Embriões IVP nos estádios de blastocisto (Bl) e blastocisto expandido (Bx) foram transferidos a fresco (n= 137) ou depois da vitrificação (n= 127). Resultados: A taxa de prenhez aos 35 d foi menor para os embriões transferidos a fresco na fase de Bl (41,6), em relação aos Bx (60,9) (p<0,05). Apos a vitrificação, as taxas de prenhez foram semelhantes aos 35 d entre Bl (38,0) e Bx (47,6) (p>0,05). As perdas de prenhez aos 60 d foram semelhantes (p>0,05) tanto para embriões a fresco nos estádios de Bl (3,1) e Bx (4,8), e vitrificados em Bl (1,9) e Bx (4,7). As taxas de nascimentos foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p>0,05). Conclusão: As taxas de prenhez e nascimentos dos embriões IVP vitrificados de Nelore (Bos indicus) sob condições de campo é semelhante àquela dos embriões a fresco.

Natural predator and a human stimulus differently affect the behavior, cortisol and cerebral hemisphere activity of marmoset monkeys.

The behavior, cortisol concentration and cerebral hemisphere activity of twelve marmoset monkeys were determined during standardized predatory stress-related events. Each subject was submitted to three 5-min trials, randomly held at 2-week intervals: a human intruder, a taxidermized oncilla cat and a no-stimulus control trial. Stimuli were positioned outside the home-cage and the ensuing reaction recorded. Baseline tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) was subtracted from the post-trial measure to determine changes in blood flow induced by ipsilateral brain activity. Cortisol was assayed immediately after the post-trial TMT assessments. Both genders reacted fearfully/anxiously towards the stimuli - each condition inducing a distinct pattern. Cortisol increased only when females were confronted with the wildcat, with higher levels of alarm calls predicting lower cortisol release. When either stimulus was present, changes in TMT were detected, albeit only in the right ear. The specific directional shift in temperature was gender- and stimulus-dependent, requiring further investigation. The control trial did not alter any of the parameters. Marmosets thus exhibit flexible multileveled coping strategies towards different aversive events, yet in general these seem to be asymmetrically processed by the right cerebral hemisphere.