Consumption of avocado oil (Persea americana) improves the biochemical profile of rats submitted to long-term androgenic stimulation / El consumo de aceite de aguacate (Persea americana) mejora el perfil bioquímico de ratas sometidas a estimulación androgénica a largo plazo

INTRODUCTION: indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids is associated with cardiovascular diseases, renal damage, and hepatic toxicity. Contrastingly, nutraceutical foods such as avocados prevent and control several diseases, as they can reduce the effects of oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: this study evaluates the benefits of consuming an avocado oil-based diet to attenuate the systemic damage caused by supraphysiological doses of testosterone, by analyzing the biochemical profile of 28 42-day-old male Wistar rats. METHODS: silicone pellets containing testosterone were surgically implanted, and they received control or avocado oil-based feed. After 20 weeks, all the male rats were anesthetized and their blood samples collected. RESULTS: although the high hormone concentration had a negative influence on the biochemical profile of these animals, the groups that consumed avocado oil exhibited a reduction in serum triacylglycerols (-21 %; p = 0.0001), VLDL (-20 %; p = 0.0085), LDL (-78 %; p < 0.0001), and total cholesterol (-12 %; p < 0.0001), along with positive changes in their HDL concentrations (+7 %; p = 0.001). The avocado oil groups also manifested a reduction in the total concentration of serum proteins (-24 %; p = 0.0357), albumin (-26 %; p = 0.0015), urea (-14 %; p = 0.04), and creatinine (-33 %; p < 0.0001). The concentration of liver transaminases was found to be higher in the animals included in the induced group (ALT, +66 %; p = 0.0005, and AST, +23 %; p = 0.0021), whereas they remained stable in the avocado oil group. CONCLUSION: from the above, it may be concluded that supraphysiological doses of testosterone are related to increased risk factors for cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic diseases, and that the consumption of avocado oil shields the biochemical profile, thus reducing the associated risk factors

INTRODUCCIÓN: el uso indiscriminado de esteroides anabólicos se asocia con enfermedades cardiovasculares, daño renal y toxicidad hepática. En cambio, los alimentos nutracéuticos como el aguacate previenen y controlan varias enfermedades, ya que pueden reducir los efectos del estrés oxidativo. OBJETIVO: este estudio evalúa los beneficios de consumir una dieta basada en aceite de aguacate para atenuar el daño sistémico causado por dosis suprafisiológicas de testosterona mediante el análisis del perfil bioquímico de 28 ratas Wistar macho de 42 días de edad. MÉTODOS: se implantaron quirúrgicamente perdigones de silicona que contenían propionato de testosterona y los animales recibieron una alimentación de control o una basada en el aceite de aguacate. Después de 20 semanas se anestesiaron todos los animales y se recogieron sus muestras de sangre. RESULTADOS: aunque la alta concentración de hormonas tuvo una influencia negativa en el perfil bioquímico de estos animales, los grupos que consumieron aceite de aguacate mostraron una reducción de los triglicéridos séricos (-21 %; p = 0,0001), las VLDL (-20 %; p = 0,0085), las LDL (-78 %; p < 0,0001) y el colesterol total (-12 %; p < 0,0001), con cambios positivos en las LDL (+7 %; p = 0,001). Los grupos alimentados con aceite de aguacate manifestaron una reducción de la concentración total de proteínas séricas (-24 %; p = 0,0357), albúmina (-26 %; p = 0,0015), urea (-14 %; p = 0,04) y creatinina (-33 %; p < 0,0001). Se encontró que la concentración sérica de transaminasas hepáticas era mayor en los animales del grupo inducido (ALT: +66 %; p = 0,0005, y AST: +23 %; p = 0,0021), mientras que en los grupos con aceite de aguacate, los parámetros hepáticos se mantuvieron estables. CONCLUSIÓN: de todo ello se puede concluir que las dosis suprafisiológicas de testosterona están relacionadas con un aumento de los factores de riesgo de sufrir enfermedades cardiovasculares, renales y hepáticas, y que el consumo de aceite de aguacate protege el perfil bioquímico, lo que reduce los factores de riesgo asociados

Spectral Doppler ultrasound in selecting an equine embryo receiver.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the RI and PI values would help in choosing the best embryo recipient, and observe whether CL vascularization would influence P4 production. During the breeding season 2018/2019, the study was conducted using 35 mares, which is used for reference to collect data for the project on the day of embryo transfer. The utilized mares were divided into five groups followed by the day after ovulation, with D0 being the day of ovulation. Therefore, the five groups are as follows: D4-mares that were on the 4th post-ovulation day; D5-mares that were on the 5th post-ovulation day; and doing so successively for D6, D7 and D8. On the day of embryo transfer, the CL of the mares that selected as recipients was evaluated by B-mode and power flow mode ultrasonography and the right and left dorsal branches of the uterine arteries by spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples were taken on the day of the embryo transfer for a dosage of P4 concentration by radioimmunoassay. No statistical difference was found between the variables when the mares were separated into pregnant and non-pregnant mares, or when they were separated by age groups. When the groups of mares were compared by the day of embryo transfer, the statistical difference was found between the groups D5 × D6 (p = .0053) and D6 × D8 (p = .0036) in RI variable. In PI variable, the statistical difference was found between the groups D4 × D8 (p = .049), D5 × D6 (p = .0446) and D6 × D8 (p = .0024). We conclude that the mares with RI measurement of uterine arteries near 1.0 are correlated to mares with high CL vascularization and elevated P4 concentration.

Antioxidant action of alpha lipoic acid on the testis and epididymis of diabetic rats: morphological, sperm and immunohistochemical evaluation

ABSTRACT Introduction Chronic hyperglycemia is caused by diabetes mellitus-committed genital morphophysiology, and oxidative stress is one of the main factors involved in this process. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can prevent metabolic and morphological changes in diabetic individuals. Objectives In present study, we evaluated the effects of regular ALA consumption on the spermatogenesis and histoarchitecture in the male genital system of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into groups: Control (CG); Diabetic Control (DCG), receiving commercial diet: ALA Group (ALAG) and Diabetic ALA Group (DALAG), fed diets with added ALA (300 mg/Kg bw). The diabetic groups received a single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). After sixty days of the diet, the animals were euthanized, and semen, testis and epididymis samples were collected. A histomorphometric analysis was performed to determine the epithelial height, tubular and luminal diameter, tubular and luminal area of seminiferous tubules and each epididymal region. Sertoli cells were evidenced using the antivimenti antibody and were quantified. The results were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA test. Results At the end of the experiment, the DALAG glycemia was significantly lower than DCG. The histomorphometric parameters of the seminiferous and epididymal tubules did not show improvement in the DALAG. However, there was an improvement in the DALAG in terms of the concentration, motility and percentage of spermatic pathologies, as well as in the number of Sertoli cells (p<0.001). Conclusions The results demonstrated that supplementation with the ALA antioxidant retards testicular lesions and preserve the process of spermatogenesis in diabetes.

Antioxidant action of alpha lipoic acid on the testis and epididymis of diabetic rats: morphological, sperm and immunohistochemical evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hyperglycemia is caused by diabetes mellitus-committed genital morphophysiology, and oxidative stress is one of the main factors involved in this process. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can prevent metabolic and morphological changes in diabetic individuals. OBJECTIVES: In present study, we evaluated the effects of regular ALA consumption on the spermatogenesis and histoarchitecture in the male genital system of diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into groups: Control (CG); Diabetic Control (DCG), receiving commercial diet: ALA Group (ALAG) and Diabetic ALA Group (DALAG), fed diets with added ALA (300 mg/Kg bw). The diabetic groups received a single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). After sixty days of the diet, the animals were euthanized, and semen, testis and epididymis samples were collected. A histomorphometric analysis was performed to determine the epithelial height, tubular and luminal diameter, tubular and luminal area of seminiferous tubules and each epididymal region. Sertoli cells were evidenced using the antivimentin antibody and were quantified. The results were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA test. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the DALAG glycemia was signifi cantly lower than DCG. The histomorphometric parameters of the seminiferous and epididymal tubules did not show improvement in the DALAG. However, there was an improvement in the DALAG in terms of the concentration, motility and percentage of spermatic pathologies, as well as in the number of Sertoli cells (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that supplementation with the ALA antioxidant retards testicular lesions and preserve the process of spermatogenesis in diabetes.

Avaliação de constituintes séricos em eqüinos e muares submetidos à prova de resistência de 76km, no Pantanal do Mato Grosso, Brasil / Serum biochemistry evaluation in horses and mules submitted to endurance ride of 76km in the Pantanal region, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Estudaram-se as alterações nas concentrações séricas do sódio, potássio, cálcio ionizado, uréia, creatinina, glicose, creatino quinase (CK), aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e lactatodesidrogenase (LDH) em quinze eqüinos e cinco muares, durante prova de resistência de 76km de extensão, com dois dias de duração, no Pantanal de Mato Grosso. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas no primeiro dia, antes do início da prova (T1); ao fim do primeiro dia, após percorrer 38km (T2); no segundo dia, antes do início da prova (T3) e ao final da prova (T4). Nos eqüinos, foi observada queda na concentração sérica de sódio e LDH em T3 com retorno aos valores basais em T4. O potássio e o cálcio apresentaram queda da concentração em T2. Houve aumento da concentração sérica de uréia e creatinina em T2 e de glicose em T3. Os valores séricos de CK e AST permaneceram semelhantes aos de T1. Nos muares, as concentrações séricas do sódio, cálcio, uréia, glicose e LDH apresentaram perfil semelhante ao dos eqüinos, enquanto o potássio, creatinina, CK e AST permaneceram próximos aos de T1. Não foi observada diferença entre a bioquímica sérica de eqüinos e muares. Assim, pode-se concluir que a prova de resistência avaliada não impôs exercício de duração e/ou intensidade acima das condições fisiológicas dos animais participantes.

Gesso sintético e pinos transcorticais na redução de fratura de tíbia em uma bezerra / Fiberglass cast and transcortical pins in tibial fracture reduction in a calf

Relata-se um caso de fratura de tíbia em uma bezerra de sete meses de idade, 200kg de peso, apresentando fratura fechada, cominutiva em diáfise. A fixação externa foi preferida como método de imobilização óssea, utilizando-se pinos transcorticais e gesso sintético. Obteve-se eficiente imobilização da fratura, com rápida recuperação do animal, dispendendo-se pouco tempo para o pós-operatório (52 dias). A técnica demonstrou ser de fácil realização e passível de ser executada a campo.

A case of tibial fracture in a 7-month-old calf is reported, with closed comminuted diaphysial fracture. It has been given preference to external fixation as means of fracture immobilization, and transcortical pins and fiberglass cast have been used. Effective immobilization of the fracture and fast recovering of the animal as well as less time consuming toward the postoperative have been obtained. This technique has showed feasible to be done in the field.