Dimethylformamide Preserves the Integrity of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in a Soybean Lecithin-Based Extender.

This study investigated the cryoprotectant effects of dimethylformamide (DMF), ethylene glycol (EG), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as substitutes for glycerol (GLY) in a soybean lecithin (SL)-based extender in the cryopreservation of buck sperm. In this study, the semen of three Saanen bucks was individually extended in SL supplemented with 5% GLY (control), DMF, EG, or DMSO. After this, the extended semen was cryopreserved and two straws from each group were thawed (37°C for 30 seconds), pooled, and analyzed for sperm motion parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosomal integrity (ACI), and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP). Samples were analyzed after 15 minutes (T0) and after 2 hours of incubation at 37°C (T2). The results revealed higher values of motility (total and progressive) and sperm motion parameters for DMF than the other cryoprotectants (p < 0.0001). PMI and HMMP did not differ (p > 0.05) between GLY and DMF, but ACI was higher (p < 0.01) for DMF compared with GLY. Based on these results, DMF and GLY samples were used in heterologous in vitro fertilization assays by using bovine oocytes (n = 337) obtained from a slaughterhouse. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between GLY and DMF for unfertilized (GLY: 38.8%; DMF: 25.33%), pronucleus (GLY: 25.68%; DMF: 27.92%), and cleavage rates (GLY: 35.52%; DMF: 46.75%). Based on these results, it is concluded that DMF preserves sperm motion characteristics and ACI better than GLY, EG, and DMSO, and it is the penetrating cryoprotectant of choice for the cryopreservation of buck sperm in SL extender.

Influência da neoplasia mamária na concentração sérica de hormônios e na expressão de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona em cadelas / Influence of mammary neoplasm on the serum concentration of hormones and on the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in bitches

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as concentrações séricas de estradiol, progesterona e prolactina, bem como a expressão gênica dos receptores de estrógeno α e β e de progesterona em cadelas com neoplasias mamárias. Foram utilizadas 60 cadelas adultas, sem raça definida que foram distribuídas em dois grupos. O Grupo I constituído por 30 cadelas portadoras de neoplasias mamárias e o Grupo II constituído por 30 cadelas saudáveis, não portadoras de neoplasia. Para os tutores, foram aplicados questionários sobre fatores epidemiológicos da doença. Após avaliação dos exames pré-operatórios, as cadelas com neoplasia mamária foram submetidas à mastectomia, coletaram-se fragmentos das neoplasias e linfonodos regionais, os quais foram processados para análise histopatológica. Para as dosagens hormonais de estradiol, progesterona e prolactina foram colhidas amostras de sangue em tubos sem anticoagulante e os soros foram submetidos à técnica de eletroquimioluminescência. A expressão gênica dos receptores hormonais foi realizada por meio da técnica de Real-time PCR e para isso foram coletados fragmentos das neoplasias mamárias e extraído o RNA para obtenção do cDNA. A expressão do mRNA para os REα, REβ e RP foi avaliada a partir da amplificação desses genes utilizando primers específicos. Verificaram-se maiores níveis séricos de estradiol (média de 38,98±13,68pg/mL) em cadelas portadoras de neoplasias mamárias malignas quando comparadas as cadelas do grupo controle (p<0,05). Já os níveis séricos de prolactina foram maiores (média de 0,231±0,201ng/mL) nas cadelas que não possuíam neoplasias mamárias quando comparadas ao Grupo I (p<0,05). Para os níveis de progesterona não foram observadas diferença entre os diferentes grupos (p>0,05). Tanto os tumores malignos como os benignos expressaram REα, REβ e RP, não havendo diferença (p>0,05) na expressão entre tumores malignos ou benignos ou relacionada aos outros fatores prognósticos investigados (estadiamento clínico, presença de ulceração, vascularização e tempo de evolução do processo). Os níveis séricos de estradiol aumentaram significativamente com o estadiamento clínico da doença (p<0,05). Verificou-se moderada correlação negativa entre os níveis séricos de estradiol e prolactina. Dessa forma, conclui-se que as dosagens séricas de estradiol e PRL foram influenciadas pela malignidade do tumor e pelo estadiamento clínico das neoplasias. Os receptores hormonais foram expressos pelas neoplasias, independentemente do tipo tumoral e não estão associados aos outros fatores prognóstico clássicos, como presença de ulceração, vascularização ou estadiamento clínico.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, the gene expression of estrogen α and β and progesterone receptors in bitches with mammary neoplasms. Sixty adult crossbred bitches distributed in two groups were used. Group I consisted of 30 bitches with mammary neoplasms and Group II consisted of 30 healthy bitches without neoplasia. For the tutors, interviews were made about the disease epidemiology. After preoperative examinations, bitches with mammary neoplasia were submitted to mastectomy; fragments of the neoplasms and regional lymph nodes were collected and processed for histopathological analysis. Blood samples were collected in tubes without anticoagulant and the serum was analyzed by electrochemiluminescence to measure estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. The gene expression of the hormonal receptors was performed by means of the Real-time PCR technique, thus fragments of mammary neoplasms were collected and the RNA was extracted to obtain cDNA. Expression of the mRNA for ERα, ERβ and PR was assessed from the amplification of these genes using specific primers. Higher serum levels of estradiol (mean 38.98±13.68pg/mL) were observed in bitches with malignant neoplasms when compared to the control bitches (p<0.05). Serum prolactin levels were higher (mean of 0.231±0.201ng/mL) in bitches that did not have mammary neoplasms when compared to Group I (p<0.05). No difference was observed for related to the progesterone levels between the groups (p>0.05). Both malignant and benign tumors expressed ERα, ERβ and RP with no statistical difference (p>0.05) and there were no difference related to the other prognostic factors investigated (clinical staging, presence of ulceration, vascularization and aging of neoplasms). Serum estradiol levels increased significantly with the clinical staging of the disease (p<0.05). There was a moderate negative correlation between serum levels of estradiol and prolactin. It was concluded that serum levels of estradiol and PRL were influenced by tumor malignancy and clinical staging of neoplasms. Hormonal receptors were expressed by neoplasms, regardless of tumor type and are not associated with other classical prognostic factors, such as ulceration, vascularization or clinical staging.(AU)

Expression of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary and its effect on oocyte nuclear maturation in vitro.

Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted primarily by adipocytes and is involved in the control of male and female reproductive functions. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated with body fat mass, and its biological effects are predominantly mediated through two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The aim of the present study was to verify the expression of the adiponectin system (adiponectin and its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary using qPCR and immunohistochemistry analyses and further investigate the in vitro effects of recombinant adiponectin (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) on goat oocyte nuclear maturation. We demonstrated that the mRNA and proteins of the adiponectin system are present in goat ovary. Gene and protein expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was detected in follicular cells (oocyte, cumulus, granulosa and theca) of small and large antral follicles, while adiponectin mRNA was not detected in oocytes from small and large follicles or in large follicle cumulus cells. Finally, addition of various concentrations of adiponectin in maturation medium affected the number of oocytes that reached metaphase II. In conclusion, in the present study, we detected expression of adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in goat ovarian follicles. Furthermore, we demonstrated that recombinant adiponectin increases nuclear maturation of goat oocytes in vitro.

Identification and genetic characterization of classical swine fever virus isolates in Brazil: a new subgenotype.

The classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs and wild boar. The CSF causes great economic losses for pork production and the occurrence of the disease is notifiable to the OIE. The objective of this work was to identify and characterize CSF virus isolates from Brazil. Seven viral isolates were obtained and the full-length E2 sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a different segregation pattern between Brazilian isolates and members of subgenotype 1.1, forming a separate group within genotype 1. Genetic distance analysis suggested the existence of two new subgenotypes, designated subgenotypes 1.5 and 1.6.

N-pentyl-nitrofurantoin induces apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cell line by upregulating BAX and downregulating BCL-xL gene expression.

BACKGROUND: Nitrofurantoin is a nitroderivative antibiotic that has bactericidal activity against pathogens causing urinary tract infection. A few studies have reported that nitrofurantoin has cytotoxic activity against cancer cells; however, nitrofurans remain a poorly explored class of compounds with respect to their anticancer potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of a nitrofurantoin derivative, n-pentyl-nitrofurantoin (NFP), on HL-60 leukemia cells. METHODS: Cytotoxicity was assayed by the MTT assay. Cell morphology and phosphatidylserine externalization were visualized after Giemsa-May-Grunwald and annexin V staining, respectively. DNA content and mitochondrial depolarization were measured by flow cytometry. BAX and BCL-xL expression was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: NFP was 3.8-fold more cytotoxic against HL-60 leukemia cells than against normal cells. NFP reduced the number of viable cells 24h after the treatment with a concomitant increase in the number of apoptotic cells indicated by the externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial depolarization. The mRNA levels of BAX increased, whereas the mRNA levels of BCL-xL decreased. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that NFP induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells by upregulating BAX and downregulating BCL-xL.

Expression of angiogenic factors and luteinizing hormone receptors in the corpus luteum of mares induced to ovulate with deslorelin acetate.

The effects of deslorelin acetate use in inducing ovulation need to be clarified to improve the results of equine embryo transfer. The mRNA abundance for angiogenic factors and LH receptor (LHR) in corpus luteum (CL) was studied in mares with natural (control group [CG]) and induced ovulation with deslorelin acetate (treatment group [TG]; follicles: ≥ 35 mm). Transrectal ultrasonography was used to verify the ovulation day, and on Days 4, 8, and 12 after ovulation (Day 0), CL samples were obtained through ultrasound-guided biopsy. The messenger RNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and LHR genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A positive correlation was observed between VEGF and LHR (P < 0.00001, r = 0.78), and it was possible to detect higher LHR expression in the TG than in the CG on Day 4 (P < 0.05). Moreover, this expression was higher on Days 4 and 8 than on Day 12 in the TG. Basic fibroblast growth factor was also expressed in luteal tissue on all days for both groups; however, these differences were not significant. In conclusion, deslorelin acetate was effective for the induction of ovulation in mares, resulting in higher expression of LHR, especially on the fourth day after ovulation. In addition, VEGF expression was influenced by induced ovulation, with a lower level on Day 12, which is expected in nonpregnant mares.