Reproductive performance of fixed-time artificial insemination in heifers supplemented with a homeopathic complex / Desempenho reprodutivo à inseminação artificial em tempo fixo em novilhas suplementadas com complexo homeopático

For this study, ½ blood Nelore × Aberdeen Angus heifers (n = 40; 14 months) were divided into two groups: control (n=20; 310 kg) and Pró-Cio (n=20; 304 kg). For Pró-Cio group, 20g of homeopathic product (Pró-cio®, Real H, Campo Grande, Brazil) was supplied together with corn eighteen days prior (D-18) to the beginning of the fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (FTAI). On D0, all females received an intravaginal P4 device and 2 mg BE. On D5, the AFC was assessed by ultrasound and blood was collected for AMH dosage. On D8, P4 device was removed; 300 IU eCG, 0.530 mg of cloprostenol sodium and 0.5 mg of EC were administered; an estrus-identifying adhesive was fixed at the tail insertion and the diameter of the dominant follicle (DF) was measured. On D10, all heifers were inseminated, estrus manifestation was assessed and the preovulatory follicle (POF) was measured. On D20, the CL area was measured and blood flow was assessed using Doppler ultrasound. Data were analyzed by Student, Mann-Whitney or Friedman test. The rates of heat expression, ovulation, and blood flow score with Doppler were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and pregnancy rate by binary logistic regression model (P ≤ 0.05). There was no difference in AFC or AMH dosage (P > 0.05). Pró-Cio group had greater diameters of the DF (9.94 ± 0.42 mm) and POF (11.61 ± 0.56 mm) than the controls (DF: 7.72 ± 0.34 mm and POF: 9.91 ± 0.37 mm), as well a larger CL area (3.26 ± 0.26 versus 2.35 ± 0.16 cm2) and a higher mean CL vascularization score (3.06 versus 2.26; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between estrus manifestation or conception rate for control and Pró-Cio groups. Heifers supplemented with the homeopathic product showed larger follicular diameters at the end of the FTAI protocol and CL with better blood flow scores compared to the control group.

Para esse estudo, novilhas ½ sangue Nelore x Aberdeen Angus (n = 40; 14 meses) foram divididas em dois grupos: Controle (n = 20; 310 kg) e Pró-cio (n = 20; 304 kg). Para o grupo Pró-Cio, 20 g/animal de produto homeopático (Pró-cio®, Real H, Campo Grande, Brazil) foi fornecido juntamente com o milho dezoito dias antes (D-18) de inicar o protocolo de inseminaçãoa artificial em tempo-fixo (IATF). No D0, todas as fêmeas receberam um dispositivo intravaginal de P4 e 2 mg BE. No D5, avaliou-se a contagem de folículos antrais (CFA) por ultrassonografia e realizou-se coleta de sangue para dosagem de AMH. No D8, procedeu-se a retirada do dispositivo de P4; aplicação de 300 UI de eCG, 0,530 mg de cloprostenol sódico e 0,5 mg de CE; um adesivo identificador de estro foi fixado na inserção da cauda e foi feita a mensuração do diâmetro do folículo dominante (FD). No D10, todas as novilhas foram inseminadas, foi realizada a avaliação da manifestação de estro e mensuração do folículo pré-ovulatório (FPO). No D20, realizou-se mensuração da área e avaliação do fluxo sanguíneo do CL por ultrassonografia Doppler. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes de Student, Mann-Whitney ou Friedman. As taxas de expressão de estro, ovulação e escore de fluxo sanguíneo com Doppler foram analisadas usando o teste exato de Fisher e taxa de prenhez pelo modelo de regressão logística binária (p ≤ 0,05). Não houve diferença na CFA nem na dosagem de AMH (p > 0,05). O grupo PróCio apresentou maior diâmetro do FD (9,94 ± 0,42 mm) e FPO (11,61 ± 0,56 mm) em relação ao controle (FD: 7,72 ± 0,34 mm e FPO: 9,91 ± 0,37 mm), além de maior área do CL (3,26 ± 0,26 versus 2,35 ± 0,16 cm2; p < 0,05) e maior escore de vascularização médio do CL (3,06 versus 2,26; p < 0,05). Não houve diferença (p > 0,05) na taxa de manifestação de estro e nem na taxa de concepção entre os grupos Controle e Pró-Cio, respectivamente. Novilhas suplementadas com o produto homeopático apresentaram maiores diâmetros foliculares ao final do protocolo de IATF e CL com melhores escores de fluxo sanguíneo em relação ao grupo controle.

Bioinspired oxidation in cytochrome P450 of isomers orientin and isoorientin using Salen complexes.

RATIONALE: Orientin and isoorientin are C-glycosidic flavonoids, considered as markers of some plant species such as Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener, and reported in the literature to have pharmacological properties. In order to evaluate and characterize the in vitro metabolism of these flavonoids, phase I biotransformation reactions were simulated using Salen complexes. METHODS: These flavonoids were oxidized separately in biomimetic reactions in different proportions, using one oxidant, m-chloroperbenzoic acid or iodosylbenzene, and one catalyst, the Jacobsen catalyst or [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl]. The [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl] catalyst was synthesized and characterized using spectrometric techniques. The oxidation potentials of the catalysts were compared. All reactions were monitored and analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (UHPLC-DAD) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). RESULTS: The analysis by UHPLC-DAD and HPLC/MS/MS showed that isoorientin produces more products than orientin and that [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl] produces more products than the Jacobsen catalyst. In addition, [Mn(3-MeOSalen)Cl], which has a higher oxidation potential, formed products with the addition of one or two atoms of oxygen, while the Jacobsen catalyst formed compounds with only one added oxygen atom. The products with the addition of one oxygen atom were mainly epoxides, while those with two added oxygens formed an epoxide in the C-ring and incorporated the other oxygen into the glycosidic moiety. CONCLUSIONS: The formation of epoxides is common in biomimetic reactions and they may represent a safety risk in medicinal products due to their high reactivity. This study may serve as a basis for subsequent pharmacological and toxicological studies that investigate the presence of these compounds as phase I metabolites, and ensure the safe use of plant products containing orientin as a chemical marker.

Reduction of stool bacterial counts and prevention of diarrhea using an oral homeopathic product in newborn lambs.

Lamb farming is generally a secondary activity for farmers, and many breeding systems suffer from management failures that impair production. One reason for decline in performance is enteritis, usually affecting newborn lambs. Enteritis can be fatal, especially in dairy herds. Generally, lambs are fed sucrose or unprocessed milk from sheep or cow that is heated and fed to animals two or three times a day in baby bottles. However, on most farms, milk temperature differs among feeds, as often the process of alteration among diet adaptations is deficient, contributing to enteritis and consequent diarrhea. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to verify the administration of the homeopathic product (Dia 100®) in newborn and bottle-fed lambs, in order to prevent or minimize the occurrence of diarrhea. We studied 60 lambs, divided into two groups with ten repetitions each (n = 30) and during the nursing period (1-45 days of life). Animals in the treated group received the homeopathic product (36 g) orally divided into three doses (1, 7 and 14 days of life). We measured weight gain, mortality, bacterial counts (Escherichia coli and total coliforms) in feces, hematological analysis (leukocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes) and biochemical analyses (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, urea and total protein) at four time-points. There were no differences in weight gain between groups (P > 0.05); however, there was a higher mortality rate in the control group (13%) than in the treated group (6%). E. coli counts were significantly higher in the stools of control group lambs on days 15 and 45 of the experiment (P < 0.05). Total leukocyte counts were greater in treated animals due to greater numbers of lymphocytes on day 15 of the experiment (P < 0.05). In the treated group, we found higher serum levels of total protein, urea (day 15), globulin and triglycerides (days 15 and 30). In the period of administration of the homeopathic product, there was substantial and significant reduction of cases of diarrhea (up to day 14); however, after this period, there were no difference between groups. Based on these results, we concluded that the homeopathic product had moderate efficacy in terms of control of diarrhea. The treated lambs made better use of nutrients, contributing to the development of their immune responses.

Homeopathic treatment as an alternative prophylactic to minimize bacterial infection and prevent neonatal diarrhea in calves.

Bovine neonatal diarrhea is common due low immunity in newborn calves, poor management (or absence) of sanitary barriers, and other factors. Newborn calves with diarrhea in the first days of life suffer failure to thrive and may die if left untreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prophylactic administration of a homeopathic product (Dia 100®) can control bovine neonatal diarrhea in calves born on a farm with substantial sanitary challenges. We counted total bacteria and protozoan parasites in fecal samples. We measured serum glucose, total protein, globulin, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides on days 1, 7 and 14 of life. Twenty newborn calves were maintained in individual stalls, and were divided in two groups: ten untreated animals (control) and ten animals treated with Dia 100®. Fecal consistency was evaluated daily. We diagnosed diarrhea in five animals in the treated group, and in all animals from the control group. Infections with Escherichia coli and Giardia duodenalis were identified as the responsible organisms. The E. coli count was low in the treatment group on day 7 of life compared with the control group. Antibiotics were given to eight animals in the control group, and to two animals in the treatment group. On day of life 7, serum levels of total protein and globulins were higher in the control group, but were lower on day 14. Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were greater in treated animals on days 7 and 14, suggesting that the homeopathic product contributes to improvement of intestinal health and absorption and nutrients. We conclude that Dia 100® controls diarrhea with 50% of efficacy, and reduces antibiotic utilization.