Protective effect of exogenous melatonin in rats and their offspring on the genotoxic response induced by the chronic consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.

Maternal alcoholism can induce serious injuries in embryonic and fetal development. The metabolism of alcohol increases the production of free radicals and acetaldehyde, molecules capable of reacting with DNA, impairing organogenesis. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can act as a protective agent against DNA damage caused by genotoxic agents, such as ethanol. This study evaluated the protective effect of exogenous melatonin in rats and their offspring on the genotoxic response induced by chronic alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Twenty-five pregnant rats were divided into the following groups: NC - Negative control; ET - Rats receiving ethanol (3 g/kg/day); ET+10 M - Rats receiving ethanol (3 g/kg/day) and melatonin (10 mg/kg/day); ET+15 M - Rats receiving ethanol (3 g/kg/day) and melatonin (15 mg/kg/day); PC - Positive control (40 mg/kg cyclophosphamide). The dams and 10 pups (five males and five females) from each group were anesthetized to collect blood and liver from the dams and blood, liver and brain of neonates to evaluate the frequency of DNA damage by the comet assay. Blood was also used for the micronucleus test. The results demonstrated a significant increase in DNA damage in the blood and liver cells of dams receiving ethanol and their offspring as well as in the brain of these neonates. Treatments with melatonin (10 and 15 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced the genotoxicity caused by ethanol in the blood of dams and neonates (males and females), liver of dams and male offsprings, and in the brain of female offsprings. It was shown that only the female offspring exposed to maternal alcohol consumption showed a higher frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes. Consequently, exogenous melatonin may be a promising therapeutic agent against genotoxic damage induced by alcohol; however, further studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

First record of prostatic schistosomiasis in Pernambuco, Brazil: signs of chronicity in an endemic disease

Schistosomiasis has affected the rural population of Pernambuco, Brazil, for centuries. The hepatosplenic and neurological manifestations of this parasitosis have often been described. However, prostatic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni had never been registered in Pernambuco, thus the importance of this particular case being reported. Case presentation: This report records the first case of prostatic schistosomiasis in Pernambuco. A 51-year-old patient underwent partial prostatectomy due to possible cancer and was diagnosed with this ectopic form of schistosomiasis. After the surgical procedure, stool samples were collected to run Kato-Katz parasitological tests, which were positive for S. mansoni, thus confirming that the patient was still infected. Laboratory blood tests and clinical examination showed alterations in liver function and confirmed the presence of hepatointestinal damage. Patient monitoring evidenced that the prostate-specific antigen levels remained high and, one year after the first surgical intervention, a new prostatic puncture showed that schistosomiasis and fibromatosis lesions remained present. It is noteworthy that after triple praziquantel treatment (April 2014, July 2014, February 2015) parasitological stool examinations were all negative for S. mansoni. In conclusion this accidental diagnosis of prostatic schistosomiasis raises doubts regarding the ability of healthcare services to identify and treat ectopic schistosomiasis. The persistently high levels of PSA even after surgical and pharmacological treatment, indicate irreversible damage to tissue caused by S. mansoni. Therefore, healthcare services need to be prepared to investigate and diagnose these cases, with a view to preventing chronic sequelae through early treatment

Histomorfometria testicular do morcego Phyllostomus discolor (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) em áreas de Mata Atlântica de Pernambuco / Histomorphometry Testis the bat Phyllostomus discolor (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in areas of Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco

Este estudo analisou a condição reprodutiva, por meio da histomorfometria, de P. discolor coletados em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica do litoral sul de Pernambuco, durante as estações seca e chuvosa. Os animais são de coleção e foram classificados de acordo com a posição testicular (descendentes e não descendentes). Para as análises histomorfométricas, foram selecionados aleatoriamente 18 espécimes durante as estações seca e chuvosa, dos quais (n = 11) com testículos descendentes e (n = 7) com testículos não descendentes. Os resultados demonstraram que as maiores médias da área de ocupação dos túbulos seminíferos foram na estação chuvosa, independente dos espécimes apresentarem os testículos descendentes ou não. Isso pode estar relacionado a um maior investimento em produção espermática, já que na estação chuvosa, existe uma maior disponibilidade de alimentos devido às precipitações pluviométricas.

This study analyzed the reproductive condition, by histomorphometry, of P. discolor collected in forest fragments of the South Coast of Pernambuco during the dry and rainy seasons. The animals are Collection and were classified according to the position testicular (descendants and not descendants). For histomorphometric analysis, 18 were randomly selected specimens during the rainy and dry seasons, being (n = 11) with descendant testicles and (n = 7) with testicles no descendant. The results showed that the highest area average occupancy of the seminiferous tubules were in the rainy season, regardless of the present specimens the testes descendant or not. This may be related to a greater investment in sperm production, since the rainy season, there is a greater availability of food due to rainfall.

Ocurrence of the chestnut long-tongued bat Lionycteris spurrelli Thomas, 1913 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in the Northeastern Atlantic Forest, Brazil / Ocorrência do morcego Lionycteris spurrelli Thomas, 1913 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) na Floresta Atlântica do nordeste do Brasil

During an inventory fieldwork carried out at Usina Salgado property in the county of Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil, we captured a Lionycteris spurrelli specimen in a forest fragment known as Mata do Mingú (8º 31' 29" S and 35º 03' 26" W). This marks the first occurrence for the northeast region and therefore, the first record for the state of Pernambuco, widening its distribution area within Atlantic Forest. The extension of the occurrence area points out this record as being the oriental limit for the species.

Durante um trabalho de campo realizado nas propriedades da Usina Salgado, no município de Ipojuca, Pernambuco, foi capturado um indivíduo da espécie Lionycteris spurrelli, no fragmento denominado Mata do Mingú (8º 31' 29" S e 35º 03' 26" W). O fato registra a primeira ocorrência para a região Nordeste e conseqüentemente o primeiro registro para o estado de Pernambuco, ampliando a área de distribuição do morcego na Floresta Atlântica. A extensão da área de ocorrência aponta este registro como o limite oriental para a espécie.

Análise histológica do ovário de ratas submetidas à ausência de luz / histological analysis of the ovary of female rats submitted to light absence

Objetivo: Obter informações da histologia e do desenvolvimento dos folículos ovarianos de ratas mantidas na ausência de luz. Material e Métodos: Foram utilizadas 10 ratas albinas, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos de cinco animais: GRUPO I - ratas mantidas no ciclo claro/escuro 12/12h, por três meses (Controle), e GRUPO II - ratas mantidas na ausência de luz por três meses. Resultados: Nos animais do grupo II foi observado, na região cortical aos ovários, predominância de corpos lúteos e alguns folículos ovarianos em fase inicial de desenvolvimento, enquanto que na região medular foram evidenciadas poucas células intersticiais dispersas no estroma ovariano. Conclusão: A ausência de luz pode acarretar um aumento do nível de melatonina circulante no sangue e consequentemente, parece contribuir para a manutenção de corpos lúteos e diminuir a atividade de síntese de esteróides das células intersticiais do ovário.

Objective: This study had the objective of acquiring information about the histology and development of ovarian follicles of female rats kept in the absence of light. Material and Methods: 10 albino female rats were used and divided into two groups of five: GROUP I - Female rats kept in the dark-light cycle 12/12 hours, for three months (Control), and GROUP II - female rats kept in the absence of light for three months. Results: in the rats of group II, a predominance of corpus luteum and some ovarian follicles in the initial phase of development was observed in the cortical area to the ovaries, while few dispersed interstitial cells were evidenced in the ovarian stroma, in the medullar area. Conclusion: The absence of light can bring about an increase in the level of melatonin in the blood and consequently, it can contribute to the maintenance of corpus luteum and reduce the activity of synthesis of steroids present in the interstitial cells of the ovary.

Morphometric analysis of the development of the ovarian follicles in pinealectomized rats

El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar morfometricamente el area ocupada por los foliculos ováricos en ovarios de ratas pinealectomizadas. Para ello, 24 ratas albinas (Rattus norvegicus albinus), fueron divididas igualmente en los siguientes grupos: Grupo I - Ratas falsamente pinealectomizadas y mantenidas en el ciclo claro/oscuro (12/12 horas), por tres meses; Grupo II - ratas pinealectomizadas y mantenidas en el ciclo claro/oscuro (12/12 horas), por tres meses; Grupo III - ratas pinealectomizadas y mantenidas en la ausencia de luz durante tres meses; Grupo IV í ratas falsamente pinealectomizadas, y mantenidas en la ausencia de luz por tres meses. Los resultados mostraron que los grupos I y IV presentaban, respectivamente, medias de 19,00 y 25,00, mientras que los grupos II y III presentaron las mayores medias, 28,25 y 27,25, respectivamente, indicando mayor área ocupada por los folículos. Fue observada una peque¤a cantidad de cuerpos lúteos en los grupos pinealectomizados. De esta manera, concluimos que la pinealectomía puede ejercer, con el tiempo, alguna influencia en la función gonadal, lo que podrá inducir la formación de un cuadro clinico anovulatorio, y consecuentemente, el desarrollo de ovarios policísticos.