Effects of topical application of pure and ozonized andiroba oil on experimentally induced wounds in horses / Efeitos do uso tópico do óleo de andiroba puro e ozonizado em feridas induzidas em cavalos

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and histopathological aspects of topical application of pure and ozonized andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) on the healing process of wounds in healthy horses. Eight 6.25 cm2 wounds were surgically produced on each horse, from the cranial region to the sacrum, being four wounds on each side of the lumbar region. In three animals, left side was used for macroscopic observations and area measurement and right side was used for histopathological analysis. For the other two animals, evaluations were inverted. The beginning of the topical treatment occurred 12 hours after surgical induction of the injuries and was maintained daily until complete healing of the wounds, using saline solution (GC), ozonized saline solution (GO) sequentially and bilaterally in the craniocaudal direction, pure andiroba oil (GAP) and ozonized andiroba oil (GAO). Randomly, the sequence of the treatments was modified. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. The time for complete healing of all wounds was recorded. A wound contraction of 67.75% for GC, 65.26% for GO, 67.91% for GAP, and 69.84% for GAO were recorded. Histopathologic evaluation revealed that wounds from the GAO and GAP had an advanced epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, moderate vascular proliferation, and presence of PMN infiltrate and discrete viewing of MN. It was possible to conclude that all treatments had benefits when comparing to control group, concluding that both pure and ozonized andiroba oil may be good options for treating wounds in horses.(AU)

Este trabalho realizou uma avaliação clínica e histopatológica da aplicação tópica do óleo de andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet), puro e ozonizado, no processo de cicatrização de feridas em cinco equinos saudáveis. Oito feridas de 6,25 cm2 foram induzidas cirurgicamente, quatro de cada lado da região lombar, craniais em relação à região sacral. Em três animais, o lado esquerdo foi destinado à avaliação macroscópica e mensuração de área, enquanto o lado direito foi destinado à análise histopatológica. Nos outros dois animais, as avaliações foram invertidas. O tratamento tópico foi iniciado 12 horas após a indução cirúrgica e foi mantido diariamente até a completa cicatrização das feridas. Foram usados, sequencialmente e bilateralmente, no sentido craniocaudal: solução salina (GC), solução salina ozonizada (GO), óleo de andiroba puro (GAP) e óleo de andiroba ozonizado (GAO). Aleatoriamente, a sequência de tratamentos foi modificada. As análises macroscópicas e microscópicas foram realizadas 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias após a cirurgia, e o tempo total para cicatrização registrado. A contração da ferida foi de 67,75% para GC, 65,26% para GO, 67,91% para GAP, e 69,84% para GAO. A avaliação histopatológica demonstrou que as feridas tratadas com GAO e GAP apresentaram uma avançada epitelização, proliferação fibroblástica e deposição de colágeno, moderada proliferação vascular e presença de infiltrados de células polimorfonucleares (PMN) e discreta proliferação de células mononucleares (MN). Foi possível concluir que todos os tratamentos usados foram benéficos perante o grupo de controle, mostrando que as versões pura e ozonizada do óleo de andiroba representam alternativas terapêuticas ao tratamento de feridas em equinos.(AU)

Consequences of eight consecutive applications of equine chorionic gonadotropin on ovarian follicle development and ovulation in bos indicus cows / Consequências do uso consecutivo de oito doses de gonadotrofina coriônica equina no desenvolvimento folicular e ovulação de vacas bos indicus

ABSTRACT: The equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a glycoprotein produced in mare endometrial calices. In bovine, it is used in estrus synchronization protocols. However, studies have shown that it is potentially immunogenic and its effect can decrease after repetitive use. This study aimed to evaluate antral follicle dynamics, corpus luteum (CL) and ovulation rate in bos indicus cows submitted to an estrus synchronization protocol in association with eCG for eight times consecutively. Ten cyclical, multiparous, and pasture raised beef cows were divided into two groups: control group (n=5) and eCG group (n=5). In 30 day interval, all animals were synchronized with the same estrogen/progesterone based protocol, totalizing 8 re-synchronizations. Cows in the treatment group received 300IU eCG 48 hours prior to the presumable ovulation. Ultrassound examinations were performed on Day 4 of the protocol (approximately 1.5 days after follicle recruitment) to count antral follicles, on Day 10, to count antral follicles and to measure size of the largest follicle and on Day 18 to measure the diameter of the CL. No difference (P>0.05) between follicular growth and size of the pre-ovulatory follicle was reported between groups. Cows treated with eCG had a larger (P<0.05) CL and increased (P<0.05) ovulation rate (18mm and 92%, respectively) when compared with control group (14.1mm and 80%, respectively). Furthermore, consecutive treatments did not affect CL nor ovulation rates. In conclusion, eCG treatment increased CL size and ovulation rate even after 8 consecutive treatments.

RESUMO: A gonadotrofina coriónica equina (ECG) é uma glicoproteína produzida nos cálices endometriais da égua. Em bovinos, é utilizada em protocolos de sincronização do estro. Estudos têm mostrado que ela é potencialmente imunogênica e seu efeito pode diminuir depois de utilização repetida. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica folicular, o diâmetro do corpo lúteo (CL) e taxa de ovulação em vacas bos indicus submetidas a um protocolo de sincronização estral com eCG por oito vezes. Dez vacas de corte, cíclicas, multíparas e solteiras foram divididas em dois grupos: grupo controle (n=5) e grupo eCG (n=5). Em um intervalo de 30 dias, os animais foram sincronizados com um protocolo de estrógeno/progesterona, totalizando 8 re-sincronizações. Os animais do grupo tratamento receberam 300UI eCG 48 horas antes da provável ovulação. Exames ultrasonográficos foram realizados no dia 4 do protocolo (aproximadamente 1,5 dias após o recrutamento folícular), para contar folículos antrais, no dia 10, contar folículos antrais e medir o tamanho do maior folículo e, no dia 18, para medir o diâmetro do CL. Não foi encontrada diferença (P>0,05) entre folículos no dia 4 ou 10. Vacas tratadas com eCG tinham um maior (P<0.05) CL e elevada (P<0.05) taxa de ovulação (18mm e 92%, respectivamente) quando comparadas ao grupo controle (14,1mm e 80%, respectivamente). Além disso, tratamentos consecutivos não afetaram o CL nem as taxas de ovulação. Em conclusão, o tratamento com eCG aumentou o tamanho do CL e taxa de ovulação, mesmo depois de 8 tratamentos consecutivos.

Nematocidal activity of extracellular enzymes produced by the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on cyathostomin infective larvae.

Duddingtonia flagrans produces chitinases, however, optimization of the production of these enzymes still needs to be explored, and its nematocidal activity should still be the subject of studies. The objective of the present study was to optimize chitinase production, and evaluate the nematocidal activity of extracellular enzymes produced by the nematophagous fungus D. flagrans on cyathostomin infective larvae. An isolate from D. flagrans (AC001) was used in this study. For the production of enzymes (protease and chitinase), two different culture media were inoculated with AC001 conidia. Both enzymes were purified. The statistical Plackett-Burman factorial design was used to investigate some variables and their effect on the production of chitinases by D. flagrans. After that, the design central composite (CCD) was used in order to determine the optimum levels and investigate the interactions of these variables previously observed. Only two variables (moisture and incubation time), in the evaluated levels, had a significant effect (p<0.05) on chitinase production. The conditions of maximum chitinase activity were calculated, with the following values: incubation time 2 days, and moisture 511%. The protease and chitinase derived from D. flagrans, individually or together (after 24h), led to a significant reduction (p<0.01) in the number of intact cyathostomin L3, when compared to the control, with following reduction percentage values: 19.4% (protease), 15.5% (chitinase), and 20.5% (protease+chitinase). Significant differences were observed (p<0.05) between the group treated with proteases in relation to the group treated with proteases+chitinases. In this study, the assay with the cyathostomins showed that chitinase had a nematocidal effect, suggesting that this enzyme acts on the "fungus versus nematodes" infection process. It is known that nematode eggs are rich in chitin, and in this case, we could think of a greater employability for this chitinase.

Fungi predatory activity on embryonated Toxocara canis eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and destruction of second stage larvae.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p < 0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p < 0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L2. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L2.