Hypercholesterolemia and Ecto-enzymes of Purinergic System: Effects of Paullinia cupana.

Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein and blood cholesterol, causing inflammatory lesion. Purinergic signaling modulates the inflammatory and immune responses through adenine nucleotides and nucleoside. Guaraná has hypocholesterolemic and antiinflammatory properties. Considering that there are few studies demonstrating the effects of guaraná powder on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides, we investigated its effects on the activity of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase) and ecto-adenosine deaminase activity in lymphocytes of rats with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. The rats were divided into hypercholesterolemic and normal diet groups. Each group was subdivided by treatment: saline, guaraná powder 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day and caffeine concentration equivalent to highest dose of guaraná, fed orally for 30 days. An increase in adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis was observed in the lymphocytes of rats with hypercholesterolemia and treated with 25 or 50 mg/kg/day when compared with the other groups. The hypercholesterolemic group treated with the highest concentration of guaraná powder showed decreased ecto-adenosine deaminase activity compared with the normal diet groups. Guaraná was able to reduce the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to basal levels in hypercholesterolemic rats. High concentrations of guaraná associated with a hypercholesterolemic diet are likely to have contributed to the reduction of the inflammatory process.

Células-tronco mononucleares associadas ao plasma rico em plaquetas na consolidação de falha óssea no cão. Estudo piloto / Mononuclear stem cells associated with platelet-rich plasma in the consolidation of bone defects in dogs. A pilot study

A padronização de técnicas e o teste da associação do Plasma Rico em Plaquetas (PRP) e das Células-Tronco Mononucleares (CTMs) na consolidação de falhas ósseas corticais, por meio de avaliação clínica, biomecânica, radiológica e histológica, é avaliada em um estudo piloto. Foram utilizados seis cães adultos, fêmeas, sem raça definida, pesando entre 5 e 10kg, separados por sorteio aleatório em seis tratamentos. Foi confeccionada uma falha elíptica de 1,0x0,4cm na cortical medial diafisária da tíbia direita de cada animal, sendo preenchida de acordo com o tratamento proposto. No cão I, a falha foi preenchida com solução fisiológica (SF); no II, com o PRP; no III, com a fração total das células mononucleares (FTCM); no IV, com a fração vascular estromal (FVE); no V, com o PRP associado à FTCM; no VI, com a associação PRP e FVE. Foram realizadas avaliações: clínicas, diariamente; dos graus de claudicação, semanalmente; radiológica e perimetria da coxa, antes, no pós-operatório imediato, aos 7, 14, 21 e 30 dias; biomecânica, antes do procedimento, aos 10, 20 e 30 dias; e biópsias, aos 15 e 30 dias. A FTCM obteve uma contagem e viabilidade média de 2,0x108cél. e 90%, respectivamente, enquanto a FVE obteve 3x106cél. e 50%. O PRP concentrou, em média, sete vezes o número inicial de plaquetas do sangue total, de 250.000 µl-1 plaquetas no sangue total para 1.750.000 µl-1 plaquetas no PRP. Obteve-se padronização adequada de técnicas, possibilitando o teste da associação entre as células-tronco mononucleares (CTMs) e o plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP), assim como seu uso isolado, no reparo de falhas ósseas corticais, indicando a possibilidade de a associação FTCM e PRP ser o melhor tratamento...

The standardization of techniques and tests of the association of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Mononuclear Stem Cells (MSCs) in the consolidation of cortical bone defects by clinical, biomechanical, radiological, and histological analysis is evaluated in a pilot study. Six adult female dogs of mixed breed, weighing between 5 and 10kg, separated by random draw in six treatments were used. An elliptical failure of 1.0 x0.4cm was done in the medial diaphyseal cortical of the right tibia of each animal, that was filled according with the proposed treatment. In dog I, the failure was filled with saline (S), in dog II with PRP, in dog III with total mononuclear cell fraction (TMCF), in dog IV with stromal vascular fraction (SVF), in dog V with association of PRP and TMCF, and in dog VI with an association of PRP and SVF. Daily clinical evaluation, weekly degrees of lameness, radiological and girth before, immediate postoperative, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days, biomechanics before the procedure, at 10, 20 and 30 days, and biopsies at 15 and 30 days were performed. The TMCF got a count and viability of 2,0x108cells and 90% respectively, while for SVF it was 3x106cells and 50%, respectively. The PRP concentrated on average seven times the original number of platelets from whole blood, platelets from whole blood 250.000 μl-1 to 1.750.000 μl-1 platelets in PRP. This afforded adequate standardization of techniques, enabling the test of association between mononuclear stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma(PRP), as well as their separate use to repair cortical bone defects, indicating the possibility of the association between FTCM and PRP to be the best treatment...

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin in functional and morphological alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate functional and morphological alterations caused by oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to evaluate the antioxidant effect of quercetin (QUE) in this disease. One hundred and thirty male Wistar rats, it were randomly distributed in 10 different experimental groups, with ten animals per group: Control Saline (CS), Control Ethanol (CE), Control QUE 5mg/kg (CQ5), Control QUE 25mg/kg (CQ25), Control QUE 50mg/kg (CQ50), Diabetic Saline (DS), Diabetic Ethanol (DE), Diabetic QUE 5mg/kg (DQ5), Diabetic QUE25 mg/kg (DQ25), Diabetic QUE 50mg/kg (DQ50). Therefore, hyperglycemia is directly involved in oxidative stress production, as well as in functional and morphological alterations caused by the excess of free radicals. QUE, specially at the dosage of 50mg/kg, can act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, becoming a promising adjuvant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Fração total de células mononucleares intra-articular em cães submetidos à reconstrução do ligamento cruzado / Total fraction of mononuclear intra-articular cells in dogs undergoing cruciate ligament reconstruction

Avaliou-sea ação da fração total de células mononucleares autógenas da medula óssea (FCMO) por aplicação intra-articular, após a correção cirúrgica do ligamento cruzado rompido. Foram utilizados 20 cães, os quais sofreram desmotomia do ligamento cruzado cranial e caudal unilaterais, 21 dias antes do reparo cirúrgico. Dez animais receberam as células autógenas no momento da correção. As avaliações se deram por estudo radiográfico, exames clínicos e biópsias aos 50 e 90 dias pós-operatórios. O grupo que recebeu a FCMO apresentou crescimento ósseo intra-articular ao estudo radiográfico, contudo os 20 animais apresentaram célulasCD34 positivas em suas amostras biopsiadas, indicando haver presença de células-tronco em ambos os grupos. Conclui-se que,para o modelo experimental proposto, não se recomenda o uso da fração total de células mononucleares e que trabalhos experimentais com o uso de células-tronco nas articulações devem evitar modelos cujo foco de lesão mantenha contato direto com a medula óssea.

This study was performed to evaluate the action of the fraction of total mononuclear cells from the bone marrow (FCMO) applied intra-articularly after the surgical repair of an experimentally ruptured cruciate ligament. Twenty dogs which suffered one-sided cruciate desmotomy of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligament 21 days before the correction were used. Ten animals received the FCMO at the time of correction. The assessments were done through X-ray and clinical examinations, and biopsies at 50 and 90 days postoperatively. It was concluded that there was no clinical difference between the two groups until 90 days of evaluation. The group that received FCMO grew intra-articular bone shown on the X-ray study. All twenty animals, however, presented cells marked with CD34 antibodies on their biopsy samples, indicating the presence of stem cells in both groups. It is concluded thatfor theexperimental model, it is not recommended to use the mononuclear cell fraction,andin experimental studies with the use of stem cells in the joints models whose focus of injury keep direct contact with the bone marrow should be avoided.

Activity of cholinesterases and adenosine deaminase in blood and serum of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

This study aimed to evaluate the activity of cholinesterases and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in blood and serum of rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Twelve adult rats were used in the experiment divided into two uniform groups. Rodents from group A (control group) were non-infected and animals from group B served as infected, receiving intraperitoneally 3·3×10(7) trypomastigotes/each. Blood collection was performed at days 60 and 120 post-infection (PI) in order to evaluate the hemogram, blood activity of acetylcholinesterase, and serum butyrylcholinesterase and ADA activities. Hematological parameters did not differ between groups. A significant increase (P<0·05) of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in blood while butyrylcholinesterase had a significant reduction (P<0·01) in serum of infected rats at days 60 and 120 PI. ADA activity in serum showed an inhibition in infected animals when compared to non-infected at day 120 PI. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the activity of cholinesterases and ADA were changed in animals infected with T. cruzi. The possible causes of these alterations will be discussed in this paper.

Peroxidação lipídica em ratos tratados com sulfato de vincristina e decanoato de nandrolona / Lipid peroxidation in rats treated with vincristine sulphate and nandrolone decanoate

Brain and serum lipid peroxidation was studied in rats treated with vincristine sulphate and different doses of nandrolone decanoate. Thirty rats were distributed into six groups (n=5). The treatments were applied once a week for two weeks. Sample collection was performed in the third week. Treatments during the first week were: G1 (control) - physiologic solution, G2 - vincristine sulphate (4mg/m²), G3 - physiologic solution, G4 - physiologic solution, G5- vincristine sulphate (4mg/m²), and G6 - vincristine sulphate (4mg/m²). In the second week, they were: G1 (control) - physiologic solution, G2- physiologic solution, G3 - nandrolone decanoate (1.8mg/kg-1), G4 - nandrolone decanoate (10mg/kg-1), G5 - nandrolone decanoate (1.8mg/kg-1), and G6 - nandrolone decanoate (10mg/kg-1). Lipid peroxidation increased with the isolated use of vincristine and nandrolone decanoate, and with vincristine associated to the highest dose of the ester as well. These results suggest that vincristine sulphate and nandrolone decanoate increase free radical production. Therapeutic dose of nandrolone decanoate when associated with vincristine sulphate proved to be beneficial, as it was able to protect the organism from damaging processes involved in free radical production.

Este estudo teve por objetivo detectar a peroxidação lipídica presente no cérebro e no soro de ratos tratados com sulfato de vincristina e diferentes doses de decanoato de nandrolona. Trinta ratos foram distribuídos em seis grupos (n=5). Os tratamentos foram aplicados uma vez por semana, durante duas semanas, e a coleta de amostras foi realizada na terceira semana. Na primeira semana, os tratamentos consistiram de: G1(controle) - solução fisiológica; G2 - sulfato de vincristina (4mg/m 2 ); G3 - solução fisiológica; G4 - solução fisiológica; G5 - sulfato de vincristina (4mg/m 2 ) e G6 - sulfato de vincristina (4mg/m 2 ). Na segunda semana: G1(controle) - solução fisiológica; G2 - solução fisiológica; G3 - decanoato de nandrolona (1.8mg/kg-1 ); G4 - decanoato de nandrolona (10mg/kg-1 ); G5 - decanoato de nandrolona (1.8mg/kg-1 ) e G6 - decanoato de nandrolona (10mg/kg-1 ). A peroxidação lipídica aumentou com o uso isolado tanto da vincristina quanto do decanoato de nandrolona e com a associação da vincristina à dose mais alta do éster. Estes resultados sugerem que o sulfato de vincristina e o decanoato de nandrolona aumentam a produção de radicais livres. A dose terapêutica do decanoato de nandrolona, quando associada ao sulfato de vincristina, provou ser benéfica, já que foi capaz de proteger o organismo dos processos prejudiciais induzidos pela produção de radicais livres.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-neospora spp. em cavalos de carroça e equinos da raça crioula no estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Occurrence of antibodies anti-neospora spp. in cart horses and crioula breed horses from Rio Grande do Sul state

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a frequência de detecção de anticorpos contra Neospora spp. em cavalos de carroça e em cavalos da raça Crioula. Para tal, 214 amostras de soro foram coletadas e analisadas pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta, das quais 91 eram de cavalos de carroça e 123 de cavalos da raça Crioula, todas provenientes da região central do Rio Grande do Sul. As frequências de anticorpos detectadas foram: 15,9 por cento (34/214) na população total estudada, 15,4 por cento (14/91) nos cavalos de carroça e 16,3 por cento (20/123) nos cavalos da raça Crioula. Estes resultados sugerem que a infecção por Neospora spp. está presente igualmente nas duas populaç ões. Assim, devido à importância e ao padrão da patogênese da neosporose em equinos, Neospora spp. deve ser incluído no diagnóstico de problemas reprodutivos em éguas e em casos de problemas neurológicos em equinos.

Relationship between splenic sequestration and thrombocytopenia in Trypanosoma evansi infection in rats.

Trypanosoma evansi infections in domestic animals are characterized by anemia and thrombocytopenia. The cause of the platelets decrease is unknown, but researchers suggest that thrombocytopenia may result from damage of the bone marrow, reduced survival of platelets, auto-immune thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation and splenic sequestration. Some of these causes have already been tested by our research group and found to be unrelated. Therefore, this study has the objective of testing the hypothesis that splenic sequestration might be responsible for thrombocytopenia in T. evansi-infected rats. A total of 28 rats assigned to four groups were used in the experiment. Group A rats were splenectomized and infected with T. evansi, group B rats were infected with T. evansi, group C rats were splenectomized, but not infected and group D rats were normal controls. Five days post-infection all rats were anesthetized and blood was collected in order to measure the number of circulating platelets, fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The spleens of groups B and D were weighed at necropsy. The infected animals (groups A and B) showed a significant reduction in platelets and increased PT and aPTT when compared to negative control groups (groups C and D). Animals from group A showed increased levels of fibrinogen. The mean weight of spleen differed between group B (2.62g) and group D (0.55g). It was concluded that there is no relationship between thrombocytopenia and splenic sequestration in infection by T. evansi.

Influence of Trypanosoma evansi in blood, plasma, and brain cholinesterase of experimentally infected cats.

Changes in blood, plasma and brain cholinesterase activities in Trypanosoma evansi-infected cats were investigated. Seven animals were infected with 10(8) trypomastigote forms each and six were used as control. Animals were monitored for 56 days by examining daily blood smears. Blood samples were collected at days 28 and 56 post-inoculation to determine the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in blood and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in plasma. AChE was also evaluated in total brain. The activity of AChE in blood and brain, and the activity of BChE in plasma significantly reduced in the infected cats. Therefore, the infection by T. evansi influenced cholinesterases of felines indicating changes in the responses of the cholinergic system.

Pathological findings associated with experimental infection by Trypanosoma evansi in cats.

Five cats were experimentally inoculated with Trypanosoma evansi in order to evaluate the pathological changes induced by this protozoan infection. Clinical signs observed included vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperthermia, weight loss, facial oedema, corneal opacity, lymphadenopathy and hindlimb instability. Reduction in hematocrit was observed from 7 days post-infection (dpi) (P<0.05). One cat died at 40 dpi and the other four cats were humanely destroyed. Necropsy examination was performed in two cats at 56 dpi and two cats at 120 dpi. Gross findings in all cats included generalized muscle atrophy, pale mucosae, icterus of the subcutaneous and serosal tissue and the intima of arteries, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Other findings included corneal opacity, subcutaneous oedema (mainly of the head) and hydropericardium. Trypomastigotes of T. evansi were observed in impression smears prepared from the aqueous humor. Microscopically, there was lymphoid hyperplasia of the spleen and lymph nodes. The animals with corneal opacity had mild corneal oedema and accumulation of fibrin and inflammatory cells (neutrophils and plasma cells) in the anterior chamber. Similar inflammatory cells infiltrated the iris, ciliary body, corneoscleral limbus and conjunctiva.

Diminazene aceturate in the control of Trypanosoma evansi infection in cats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of diminazene aceturate in the control of the infection by Trypanosoma evansi in cats. Fourteen animals were infected with 10(8) trypomastigote forms each and six were used as negative control (group A). Seven of the infected cats were used as positive control (group B) and seven were treated with diminazene aceturate (3.5 mg kg(-1)) for 5 consecutive days (group C). Biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated during the experiment. Blood with anticoagulant was collected at day 49 post-inoculation and preserved in ethanol for DNA extraction. Samples were analyzed using PCR T. evansi-specific to assess the effectiveness of treatment. The treatment with diminazene aceturate had an efficacy of 85.7%. Alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea, and creatinine values remained within the normal physiological range in the treated cats. Hemogram was normalized in all the cured animals. Therefore, the therapy used is effective in controlling T. evansi in cats.

Membranas de látex natural na herniorrafia diafragmática experimental em cães / Natural latex membranes in experimental diaphragmatic hernioplasty in dogs

Utilizaram-se membranas de látex para o reparo de defeitos diafragmáticos em 12 cães, distribuídos em três grupos: no G1 utilizou-se membrana comercial e no G2, membrana experimental. O G3 foi usado como controle. Foi feito um defeito retangular no músculo diafragma, com 4cm de comprimento por 3cm de largura, que nos grupos G1 e G2 foi substituído pelo implante da membrana de látex correspondente. Os animais foram avaliados por estudo radiográfico, hemograma, videocirurgia e análise histológica. Os resultados mostraram que a membrana de látex do grupo 2 foi eficiente na correção de defeito no diafragma, promovendo a reparação e neovascularização tecidual local, sem causar rejeição durante o período de avaliação.

Latex membranes were experimentally used to repair diaphragmatic defects in 12 dogs, distributed in 3 groups. In group 1, a commercial membrane was used, and in group 2, an experimental membrane. Group 3, animals were used as control. A rectangular defect (4cm in length and 3cm in width) was surgically performed in the diaphragm muscle, which was substituted, in group 1 and 2, by the implantation of corresponding latex membrane. The animals were evaluated by radiography, blood count, video-surgery, and histologic study. Results showed that the latex membrane of group 2, were efficient in the correction of the defect in the diaphragm, promoting the repairing and local neovascularization, without causing rejection during the evaluated period.

Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em cães com atrofia muscular induzida / Neuromuscular electric stimulation in dogs with induced muscle atrophy

Empregou-se a estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) de baixa freqüência no músculo quadríceps femoral de cães com atrofia induzida e avaliou-se a ocorrência de ganho de massa nessa musculatura. Foram utilizados oito cães com pesos entre 15 e 30kg, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos denominados de I ou controle e II ou tratado. A articulação femorotibiopatelar esquerda foi imobilizada por 30 dias pelo método de transfixação percutânea tipo II, com retirada de aparelho de imobilização após esse período. Decorridas 48 horas da remoção, foi realizada a EENM nos cães do grupo II, cinco vezes por semana, com intervalo de 24 horas cada sessão, pelo período de 60 dias. Foram avaliadas a circunferência da coxa, a goniometria do joelho, a análise clínica da marcha, as enzimas creatina-quinase (CK) e aspartato-amino-transferase (AST) e a morfometria das fibras musculares em cortes transversais do músculo vasto lateral colhido mediante biópsia muscular. A EENM foi empregada no músculo quadríceps femoral na freqüência de 50Hz, duração de pulso de 300 milisegundos e relação de tempo on/off de 1:2. Quanto à morfometria das fibras do músculo vasto lateral, no grupo tratado houve aumento significativo (P<0,05) da área transversal aos 90 dias em relação ao dia zero. A EENM de baixa freqüência ocasiona hipertrofia do músculo vasto lateral em cães após a imobilização rígida temporária da articulação do joelho.

Low frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was used on the femoral quadriceps of dogs with induced muscular atrophy and the occurrence of gain in mass in these muscles was evaluated. Eight dogs from 15 to 30kg were randomly distributed in two groups named I, or control; and II, or treated. For the induction of muscular atrophy, the left femoral-tibial-patellar joint was immobilized for 30 days by percutaneous transfixation type II. After 30 days, the immobilization device was removed. The NMES treatment began 48 hours after the removal of the immobilization device of the dogs of group II, and it was carried out five times per week with an interval of 24 hours between each session, for 60 days. The following parameters were measured: thigh circumference, goniometry of the knee, clinical gait analysis, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes, and morphometry of the muscular fibers in transversal cuts of the vastus lateralis muscle collected through muscular biopsy. The NMES was applied on the femoral quadriceps at a frequency of 50 Hz, with pulse duration of 300 milliseconds, and the on/off time was at a proportion of 1:2. Regarding the morphometry of the vastus lateralis fibers, a significant increase (P<0.05) in the transversal area of the treated group at 90 days was observed when compared with that identified at the time of immobilization. Thus, it can be concluded that low frequency NMES brings about hypertrophy of the vastus lateralis muscle in dogs after temporary rigid immobilization of the knee joint.

Atividade funcional neutrofílica em cabras com mastite induzida experimentalmente por Staphylococcus aureus e suplementadas com vitamina E (acetato DL-a-tocoferol) / Neutrophilic function activity in goats with mastitis experimentally induced by Staphylococcus aureus and supplemented with vitamin E (acetate DL-a-tocopherol)

Avaliou-se a função neutrofílica em cabras com mastite por Staphylococcus aureus, induzida experimentalmente, suplementadas com vitamina E (acetato DL-a-tocoferol). Foram utilizadas 14 cabras gestantes da raça Saanen, com idades entre 8 e 12 meses e com cultura bacteriológica do leite negativa. Sete cabras receberam 2000UI de vitamina E, via intramuscular, no dia do parto e no sétimo dia pós-parto. As outras sete não foram medicadas. No 10º dia pós-parto, os dois grupos foram inoculados com 300 unidades formadoras de colônias de Staphylococcus aureus, cepa ATCC 25923, diluídas em 10ml de solução fisiológica, na glândula mamária esquerda. A função de neutrófilos sangüíneos foi medida pelo teste nitroazul tetrazólio (NBT), antes da inoculação, no momento da infecção e 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas pós-infecção, quando foi instituído o tratamento intramamário com antimicrobiano, por três dias consecutivos. A colheita final de sangue foi realizada 48 horas após a última aplicação do medicamento. Amostras de sangue para determinação da vitamina E foram colhidas no dia do parto, no momento da infecção, 48 horas pós-infecção e 48 horas pós-tratamento e analisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta performance. Na prova não estimulada do NBT não foram verificadas diferenças entre grupos e entre momentos. Na prova estimulada do NBT (NBT-E) houve diferença entre tratamentos às 12 e 72 horas pós-infecção, com valores mais elevados de NBT-E nos animais sem suplementação. Conclui-se que a suplementação com vitamina E reduz o percentual de neutrófilos NBT-E positivos.

Efeitos da administraçäo de vitamina E na infecçäo mamária e na contagem de células somáticas de cabras primíparas desafiadas experimentalmente com Staphylococcus aureus / Effects of administration of vitamin E on mammary health and milk cell counts of first parturition goats experimentally challenged with Staphylococcus aureus

O trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da administraçäo de vitamina E sobre a contagem de células somáticas e a infecçäo da glândula mamária de cabras primíparas desafiadas com a inoculaçäo intramamária de Staphylococcus aureus ao 10º dia pós-parto. Vinte e oito animais foram divididos em quatro grupos, cada um composto por sete cabras primíparas da raça Saanen, como segue: grupo-controle, grupo de animais suplementados com vitamina E, grupo de animais desafiados com S.aureus inoculados na glândula mamária e grupo de animais suplementados com vitamina E e desafiados com S.aureus na glândula mamária. Na segunda e terceira semanas de lactaçäo, a inoculaçäo de S.aureus na glândula mamária permitiu a recuperaçäo do microrganismo no leite e elevou a contagem de células somáticas (CCS). A liberaçäo de S.aureus no leite ocorreu de maneira intermitente. Em animais suplementados com vitamina E, o desafio com S.aureus resultou em CCS mais baixa e menor número de microrganismos no leite. Sugere-se que a CCS possa ser utilizada para a detecçäo da mastite caprina, devendo-se utilizar contagens superiores a 1,0x10(6)células/ml de leite como critério para a realizaçäo de exames microbiológicos