Metabolomic profile of seminal plasma from Guzerá bulls (Bos indicus) with contrasting sperm freezability phenotypes.

The present study evaluated the seminal plasma metabolome of Bos indicus Guzerá bulls with good (n = 4) and poor (n = 5) sperm freezability. Animals were raised in natural pasture of a 'Caatinga' ecosystem, in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Seminal plasma samples were subjected to gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and data, analysed using bioinformatics tools (Cytoscape with the MetScape plug-in). Sixty-two metabolites were identified in the bovine seminal plasma. Fatty acids and conjugates and organic compounds were the predominant seminal fluid metabolites, followed by carboxylic acids and derivatives, amino acids, benzenes and steroids and derivatives, carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates and prenol lipids. Multivariate analysis indicated a distinct separation of seminal plasma metabolomes from bulls with contrasting sperm freezability. Abundances of propanoic acid, d-ribose and glycine were greater in the seminal plasma of bulls with good sperm freezability. Heptadecanoic acid and undecanoic acid were the predominant in bulls of poor sperm freezability. Propanoic acid is an energy source for spermatozoa and may act as an antimicrobial component in semen. Glycine acts against oxidizing and denaturing reactions. d-ribose is also an energy source and reduces apoptosis and oxidative stress. Undecanoic acid may protect sperm against fungal damage. This study provides fundamental information approximately the seminal plasma metabolome of tropically adapted bulls and its association with sperm freezability. However, further studies with larger groups of animals are needed to validate those metabolites as markers of sperm freezability. This strategy could support the selection of sires with superior sperm cryoresistance.

Effects of ultraviolet-C radiation on symmetry and morphoanatomy of Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz et. Pav) Mez. (Myrsinaceae) leaves - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.861 / Efeitos da radiação ultravioleta-C sobre a simetria e morfoanatomia foliar de Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz et. Pav) Mez. (Myrsinaceae) - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.861

This study analyzed the effects of UV-C radiation on the development of Rapanea ferruginea leaves. Young plants were selected at six months of age, previously identifying the leaves that had already differentiated on the 3rd, 4th, 6th 8th and 9th nodes. After the selection, the plants were divided into three groups and subjected to UV-C radiation for 30, 60 or 120 minutes. The anatomic study was made by using usual techniques of cut and coloration. The morphometric analyses were made by determining three points on the midvein of the leaf, measuring from left (L) and right (R) borders to each of those points. The symmetry deviations, maximum length and width of the limb were measured and the values were submitted to Anova and the Tukey-test (p 0.05). The responses of R. ferruginea to the UV-C were expressed by variations in the symmetry as well as morphoanatomic injuries, mainly in the palisade parenchyma and mesophyll. The differentiation of leaves did not follow a morphometric pattern, characterizing no directional asymmetry, i.e., fluctuating asymmetry. This study emphasizes the importance of multiscale observations for the determination of plant responses under stress, since several leaves showed anatomic injuries but no morphologic injuries.

Neste estudo, analisaram-se os efeitos da radiação UV-C sobre o desenvolvimento de folhas de Rapanea ferruginea. Plantas jovens foram selecionadas com seis meses de idade identificando-se as folhas já diferenciadas do 3º, 4º, 6º, 8º e 9º nó. Posteriormente, as plantas foram divididas em três grupos e submetidas à radiação UV-C por 30, 60 ou 120 min. seguidos. Para o estudo anatômico, foram utilizadas técnicas usuais de corte e coloração. As análises morfométricas foram realizadas determinando-se três pontos ao longo da nervura central da folha, medindo-se das bordas esquerda (E) e direita (D) até cada um desses pontos. Determinaram-se também os desvios de simetria, o comprimento e a largura máxima do limbo, submetendo os valores à Anova e ao teste de Tukey (p 0,05). As respostas de R. ferruginea à UV-C foram expressas por variações na simetria, bem como por injúrias morfoanatômicas, sobretudo ao parênquima paliçádico e mesofilo. A diferenciação das folhas não seguiu um padrão morfométrico, caracterizando, assim, uma assimetria não-direcional, ou seja, flutuante. Este estudo ressalta a importância de observações multiescalares para a determinação de respostas de plantas ao estresse, já que algumas folhas apresentaram danos anatômicos, porém não morfológicos.