High percentage of midpiece defects in Brangus bull sperm with no reduction in sperm kinematics.

The study investigated midpiece defects in sperm from a 5-year-old Brangus bull with a high rate of semen batch rejection, due to morphologically abnormal sperm, with no reduction in sperm kinematics. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted over a 16-month period, involving 28 ejaculates. Notably, despite the high proportion of midpiece defects (average 37.73%, from 3% to 58%), the study revealed stable sperm production, with no discernible differences in the kinematic data before and after cryopreservation. Electron microscopy identified discontinuities in the mitochondrial sheath, characteristic of midpiece aplasia (MPA). The anomalies were attributed to be of genetic origin, as other predisposing factors were absent. Additionally, the electron microscopy unveiled plasma membrane defects, vacuoles and chromatin decondensation, consistent with previous findings linking acrosome abnormalities with midpiece defects. The findings underscored the necessity of conducting thorough laboratory evaluations before releasing cryopreserved semen for commercialization. Despite substantial morphological alterations, the initial semen evaluation data indicated acceptable levels of sperm kinematics, emphasizing the resilience of sperm production to severe morphological changes. This case report serves as a contribution to the understanding of midpiece defects in bull sperm, emphasizing the need for meticulous evaluation and quality control in semen processing and commercialization.

Antileishmanial activity of 2-amino-thiophene derivative SB-200.

Leishmaniasis, presenting the highest number of cases worldwide is one of the most serious Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Clinical manifestations are intrinsically related to the host's immune response making immunomodulatory substances the target of numerous studies on antileishmanial activity. The currently available drugs used for treatment present various problems including high toxicity, low efficacy, and associated drug resistance. The search for therapeutic alternatives is urgent, and in this context, thiophene derivatives appear to be a promising therapeutic alternative (many have shown promising anti-leishmanial activity). The objective of this study was to investigate the antileishmanial activity of the 2-amino-thiophenic derivative SB-200. The thiophenic derivative was effective in inhibiting the growth of Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania major, and Leishmania infantum promastigotes, obtaining respective IC50 values of 4.25 µM, 4.65 µM, and 3.96 µM. For L. infantum, it was demonstrated that the antipromastigote effect of SB-200 is associated with cell membrane integrity losses, and with morphological changes observed during scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity was performed for J774.A1 macrophages and VERO cells, to obtain a CC50 of 42.52 µM and a SI of 10.74 for macrophages and a CC50 of 39.2 µM and an SI of 9.89 for VERO cells. The anti-amastigote activity of SB-200 revealed an IC50 of 2.85 µM and an SI of 14.97 against macrophages and SI of 13.8 for VERO cells. The anti-amastigote activity of SB-200 is associated with in vitro immunomodulation. For acute toxicity, SB-200 against Zophobas morio larvae permitted 100% survival. We conclude that the 2-amino-thiophenic derivative SB-200 is a promising candidate for in vivo anti-leishmania drug tests to evaluate its activity, efficacy, and safety.

Description of the puparium of Hermetia teevani Curran (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) reared from roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz).

The puparium of Hermetia teevani Curran is described, based on 173 specimens reared from cassava roots (Manihot esculenta), in laboratory under controlled conditions until the emergence of the adults. Hermetia teevani is the ninth species with immature stage known for Hermetia, in addition to being recorded for the first time for the Distrito Federal and State of Gois.

Description of the puparium of Hermetia pulchra (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Brazil.

The puparium of Hermetia pulchra is described, based on a single specimen reared in laboratory under controlled conditions until the emergence of an adult female. The puparium of H. pulchra was compared with puparium of H. illucens and some differential features were indicated. A checklist of the Brazilian species of the genus Hermetia is included, with new distributional records for H. pulchra in the Brazilian States of Bahia and Distrito Federal. Hermetia sphecodes is recorded for the first time for Brazil (State of Amazonas).

Intra-puparial development of the Cochliomyia macellaria and Lucilia cuprina (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

ABSTRACT The intra-puparial development of the blowflies Cochliomyia macellaria (n = 310) and Lucilia cuprina (n = 470), was studied under controlled conditions in laboratory. The 3rd instar larvae were reared until they stopped feeding, and the pre-pupae were separated according to the size in larval length and degree of pigmentation and of the cuticle. We observe a set of five continuous events or phases: (1) pupariation, (2) larva-pupa apolysis, (3) cryptocephalic pupa, (4) phanerocephalic pupa and (5) pharate adult. The total time of the intra-puparial development, larva-pupa apolysis to pharate adult, lasted for 120 h (5 days) to C. macellaria and 210 h (8.75 days) to L. cuprina.

Shells and Bones: A Forensic Medicine Study of the Association of Terrestrial Snail Allopeas micra with Buried Human Remains in Brazil.

Little is known regarding the scavenger fauna associated with buried human corpses, particularly in clandestine burials. We report the presence of 20 shells of the terrestrial snail Allopeas micra, within hollow bones of human remains buried for 5 years, during the process of collecting DNA material. The fact that a large number of shells of A. micra had been found in the corpse and in the crime scene supports the assumption that there was no attempt to remove the corpse from the area where the crime occurred. Despite this, our observations cannot be used to estimate the postmortem interval because there is no precise knowledge about the development of this species. This is the first record of a terrestrial snail associated with a human corpse and its role in this forensic medicine case.

Intra-puparial development of the black soldier-fly, Hermetia illucens.

The intra-puparial development of the black soldier-fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), was studied based on 125 pupae under controlled conditions in laboratory. The 6(th) instar larvae were reared until they stopped feeding, and the prepupae were separated according to the reduction in larval length and degree of pigmentation and sclerotization of the cuticle. The pupal stage lasted eight days (192 hours). The process of pupation (larva/pupa apolysis) occurred in the first six hours, extroversion of the head and thoracic appendages took place between the ninth and 21(st) hours, and the pharate appeared 21 hours after completing pupation. After pupariation, four morphological phases of intra-puparial development were observed and described.

Intra-puparial development of the females of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) / Desenvolvimento intra-pupal de fêmeas de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

Intra-puparial development of the females of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Calliphoridae). The chronology and morphological changes that take place during intra-puparial development of Chrysomya albiceps is described based on 254 specimens reared in the laboratory. Larvae were obtained from the eggs laid by a single female. The pre-pupae were separated according to the reduction of larval length and the degree of pigmentation and sclerotization of the cuticle. After pupation, 10 individuals were fixed in Carnoy's solution and preserved in 70% ethanol, 10 individuals were fixed every 3 hours up to complete the first 24 hours (n = 80), the remaining individuals were fixed every six hours up to the 90th hour (n = 110) when 54 females emerged. The pupae were immersed in 5% formic acid for 48 hours and maintained in 70% ethanol, and then dissected and analyzed. C. albiceps shows four intra-puparial stages, each of which were described and compared with those described for Musca domestica, Calliphora erythrocephala, Sarcophaga bullata, Cuterebra tenebrosa, Oestrus ovis and Dermatobia hominis. Four developmental stages may be described: (1) the larva-pupa apolysis, after three hours; (2) the criptocephalic pupa, after six hours; (3) the phanerocephalic pupa, after nine hours; (4) the pharate pupa, after nine hours. The pharate adult is completely formed after 81 hours.

Desenvolvimento intra-pupal de fêmeas de Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) A cronologia e as mudanças morfológicas que ocorrem durante o desenvolvimento intra-pupal de Chrysomya albiceps são descritos com base em 254 espécimes criados em laboratório. As larvas foram obtidas a partir os ovos postos por uma única fêmea. As pré-pupas foram separadas de acordo com a redução do comprimento larval, o grau de pigmentação e esclerotização da cutícula, depois da formação das pupas, 10 indivíduos foram fixados em solução de Carnoy e conservados em etanol 70%, e 10 indivíduos foram fixados a cada 3 horas, até completar as primeiras 24 horas (n = 80), os demais indivíduos foram fixados a cada seis horas até a hora 90 (n = 110), quando 54 fêmeas haviam emergido. As pupas foram imersas em de ácido fórmico a 5% por 48 horas e mantidos em etanol 70%, e então dissecados e analisados. C. albiceps mostrou quatro estágios intra-pupais, que foram descritos e comparados com aqueles descritos para Musca domestica, Calliphora erythrocephala, Sarcophaga bullata, Cuterebra tenebrosa, Oestrus ovis e Dermatobia hominis.Quatro estágios de desenvolvimento podem ser descritos: (1) apólise da larva-pupa, depois de três horas; (2) a pupa criptocefálica, depois de seis horas, (3) a pupa fanerocefálica, depois de nove horas, e a pupa farada após nove horas. O adulto farado está completamente formado após 81 horas.