Morphology of the small and large intestines of the six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) Linnaeus, 1758.

Euphractus sexcinctus has a diverse diet, so it needs anatomical and habitual features to help it get its meals. Therefore, the objective is to study the morphology of the small and large intestines of the six-banded armadillo (E. sexcinctus). The research was authorized and approved under number 136/16. Six animals, obtained from victims of predatory hunting, were dissected for the research. For the anatomical analysis, the specimens were dissected and photographed. The fragments of each organ were submitted to histological routine to obtain slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue and Masson's trichrome for further analysis. The small intestine has three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Histologically, it has the typical four layers of tubular organs. The mucosa is covered by simple cylindrical epithelium with the presence of specializations in the form of microvilli and variation in the number of goblet cells, depending on the portion observed. In the duodenal portion, the presence of the serous layer was not observed. In the jejunal portion, it is possible to observe lymphoid tissue aggregates in the submucosa, which become more evident in the ileum. The large intestine is divided into cecum, colon, and rectum and has the same histological subdivisions as the small intestine, but with some specializations. The presence of simple cylindrical intestinal crypts is clearly observed and the presence of a large number of goblet cells, which increase as it approaches the rectum. In the submucosa of the large intestine, the presence of organized lymphoid plaques is detected. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The presence of large numbers of goblet cells, which increase as one approaches the rectum. The presence of organized lymphoid plaques is detected. The duodenal portion was not observed presence of the serous layer.

Structure of the parotid gland in natural infection by Leishmania infantum in Canis familiaris.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform a histopathological, morphometric and proteomic study of the parotid gland of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum treated and not treated with Allopurinol. DESIGN: Parotid glands from 14 dogs were used, divided into two groups: untreated and treated with oral allopurinol (20 mg / kg, once daily for 90 days). After adequate dissection, the organs were submitted to histopathological, histomorphometric and immunohistochemical techniques, using the monoclonal anti-ß-catenin antibody. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation of treated and untreated groups showed acinar hypertrophy, structural disorganization of the nucleus and cytoplasm. There was an increase in the area and perimeter of the parotid acini in the experimental groups. The immunostaining of the ß-catenin protein in the membrane was severely reduced in the treated and untreated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Leishmania infantum infection and treatment with Allopurinol alter the tissue structure of the parotid gland in dogs, promoting an increase in the acinar volume and a decrease in the expression of ß-catenin in cell membranes.

Morphological features of lower respiratory tract of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, Linnaeus, 1758).

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a mammal of the Xenarthra Superorder, which inhabits Central, South and North America. Few morphological descriptions are observed in this species, including the respiratory tract; therefore, the objective of this study was to describe morphologically the lower respiratory tract of the nine-banded armadillo. Five animals were dissected, and the macroscopic and microscopic aspects were analysed. In the anatomical analysis, the perfusion technique was performed with vinyl acetate and the fragments of tissue from respiratory organs (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and pulmonary lobes) were stained with haematoxylin-eosin for visualization under optical microscopy. Containing about 30 cartilage rings, the trachea is lined internally with ciliated pseudostratified epithelial tissue. The lungs are subdivided into lobes by deep interlobar fissures, with two lobes in the right lung and three lobes in the left lung. Microscopically, the primary, secondary and tertiary bronchi have non-ciliated pseudostratified epithelium with goblet cells. It was found that macro- and microscopically the respiratory tract of this species is similar to existing xenarthras and other excavator animals. These data provide subsidies for the clinic and preservation of this species.

Efeito da adição do ácido palmítico e da vitamina E ao diluidor Tris-gema na criopreservação de sêmen canino / Effect of addition of palmitic acid and Vitamin E to the Tris-egg yolk diluter in canine semen cryopreservation

Canine sperm is a very delicate cell that is quite susceptible to oxidative stress since the cytoplasm is restricted and features little antioxidant reserves. Furthermore, the sperm membrane has some polyunsaturated fatty acids sensitive to lipid peroxidation, which makes it important to addition antioxidant substances to the diluter aiming at decreasing such stress to the sperm cell, particularly during seminal cryopreservation. Several antioxidants have been used in this process in some domestic animal's species, however, the use of palmitic acid has been little reported in works on cryopreservation of semen of the canine species. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effect of addition antioxidants palmitic acid and vitamin E to the Tris-egg yolk diluter on the semen quality of dogs after thawing. Samples were collected from the ejaculates of 4 adult dogs, apparently healthy, of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed of kennels in the city of Teresina, PI, places where the pre-freezing procedures of the dog's semen were performed. The samples were diluted in Tris citric acid fructose (3.28 g Tris-hydroxymethyl-aminomethane, 1.78 g citric acid monohydrate and 1.25 g D-fructose), dissolved in 100 mL distilled water, and added 20% egg yolk and 6% glycerol, at the concentration of 100x106 sptz/mL. The semen samples were divided into 3 mL aliquots to form 3 experimental groups: G1 - Only Tris-egg yolk (Control group); G2 - Tris-egg yolk + 100 µM palmitic acid; and G3 - Tris-egg yolk + 116 µM vitamin E. Semen was collected weekly over a period of little over 2 months. After thawing, thermorresistance test (TTR) was carried out at 0, 30, 60, and 90 min to assess spermatics motility and vigor, in addition to analysis of integrity of plasma membrane, acrosomal membrane and mitochondrial activity of the sperm, using fluorescent probes. These assessments were performed out at the Animal Reproduction Biotechnology Laboratory (LBRA/UFPI). In the TTR, G2 and G3 didn't exhibit significant results for spermatics motility or vigor when compared with the control group. The palmitic acid and vitamin E also had no significant effects on the parameters of acrosomal membrane integrity or mitochondrial activity. However, sperm cryopreserved with the addition of palmitic acid exhibited significant differences for plasma membrane integrity, providing greater protection to the sperm cells in G2. The palmitic acid is one of the most saturated fatty acids in human semen, with reports of great proportions also in the seminal plasma of dogs. Its main role is to protect the plasma membrane from external damage, improving viability and fertility of the sperm after cryopreservation. Data is scarce in the literature on the composition of fatty acids in canine semen and regarding the use of palmitic acid as a seminal antioxidant in that species, which grants further studies aiming to investigate such valuable information for canine reproduction. It is concluded that addition palmitic acid at 100µM concentration to the Tris-egg yolk diluter was able to preserve the integrity of the plasma membrane during the process of cryopreservation of canine semen.(AU)

Histomorphometry of pancreas development in hybrid chicken (Galus galus) embryo and fetus.

The pancreas comprises an important metabolic organ of endocrine and exocrine character that has embryonic origin of rudimentary buds that fuse to form the organ. The present work aims to describe the pancreatic histogenesis of hybrid chick embryos (Gallus gallus). The research was performed in the UFPI, previously approved by the CEUA with protocol no. 040/15. We used 120 fertilized eggs of hybrid chickens kept in an incubator with controlled temperature and humidity. Daily collections of embryos and fetuses were performed from 4 to 21 days of incubation through the anatomical dissection consecutive the euthanasia. The tissues, previously fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde, were submitted to histological processing and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Finally, the mounted slides were analyzed in image software to obtain histomorphometric data, which were submitted to statistical analysis. The pancreas of hybrid chicken embryos originates around the fourth day of incubation with the dorsal and ventral pancreatic bud formation, which are composed by epithelial and mesenchymal cells. These cells differ in exocrine and endocrine cells. Around twelve embryonic days occurs the buds fusion and the immature organ formation that will give continue with the ductal system development, vascularization and compartmentalization of the endocrine and exocrine parts. Until 21st day of incubation it is possible to identify undifferentiated tissue forms which suggesting postnatal histogenesis. The description of pancreas histogenesis using histometric data on hybrid chicken embryos contributes to the clarification of embryonic development and reaffirms the premise that chickens serve as an experimental model for embryonic study of mammals.

Morphology of laryngeal cartilage of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) Linnaeus, 1758.

Armadillos, Xenarthras representatives, known for adaptability to different ecosystems, own specific morphophysiological characteristics that are not known and deserve to be studied. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of cartilage of the larynx of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Five dead armadillos were donated by the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity (ICMBio-PI) to the Federal University of Piauí. The animals were fixed and dissected for removal of the larynx. The cartilages were identified and described, photodocumented, and schematized. Fragments with about 0.5 cm of each cartilage were collected and submitted to classical histology for Hematoxylin-Eosin coloring. The slides were assembled in enterlan and analyzed under a light microscope. The larynx of the armadillo (D. novemcinctus) is located in the mentonian region, ventral to the esophagus, and due to the total positioning of the tongue in the oral cavity, there is also a cranial cervical position in this species. The larynx has five cartilages, they are: a cricoid, a thyroid, an epiglottis, and two arytenoids. The corniculate process is present; however, the cuneiform process is absent. The epiglottis has a discrete bifurcation at its apex. In all cartilages epithelial variations are observed. The tissues are varied from squamoso stratified to cylindrical pseudostratified, with propria lamina rich in mucoserosas glands. With the exception of epiglottic cartilage, predominantly elastic, the rest are hyaline. The larynx of D. novemcinctus, although the same number of cartilages, differs morphologically and microscopically from the larynx of other species.

Saberes Maternos Sobre a Relação da Amamentação Natural e Hábitos Bucais Deletérios / Maternal Knowledge about the Relationship between Breastfeeding and Deleterious Oral Habits

A amamentação é a mais importante ação para o crescimento e desenvolvimento adequados da criança. A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda a amamentação natural exclusiva nos seis primeiros meses de vida do bebê. O insucesso da amamentação pode estar ligado à falta de apoio e orientação das mães. Dessa forma, o objetivo da pesquisa foi verificar o conhecimento das mães sobre a influência da amamentação natural no desenvolvimento de hábitos bucais deletérios. Estudo observacional transversal, desenvolvido após análise e aprovação do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa. Foram realizados questionários estruturados, com perguntas abertas e fechadas, dirigidos às mães que procuram atendimento de primeira consulta para seus filhos em uma clínica-escola da cidade de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. O questionário abordou o perfil socioeconômico e a temática da amamentação natural, hábitos deletérios e a sua relação. Observou-se que a grande parcela (92,5%) das mães relatou ter recebido informações sobre amamentação, entretanto a prevalência de hábitos deletérios foi significativa (54,3%). O tempo médio de aleitamento materno exclusivo foi de 4,98 meses, com associação estatisticamente significativa entre o tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo e o recebimento de informações (p=0,026). Quanto à percepção do seu próprio conhecimento, mais da metade das mães classificaram como regular (48,9%) ou insatisfatório (11,7%) o seu conhecimento sobre a relação da amamentação natural com o desenvolvimento de hábitos bucais deletérios. Não houve impactos do conhecimento das mães sobre amamentação natural no desenvolvimento de hábitos bucais deletérios. AU

Breastfeeding is the most important action for the proper growth and development of children. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life. The failure of breastfeeding may be linked to lack of support and guidance of mothers. Thus, the objective of the research was to assess the mothers' knowledge about the influence of natural breastfeeding on the development of deleterious oral habits. Cross-sectional observational study, developed after review and approval by the Ethics and Research Committee. Structured questionnaires were performed with open and closed questions for mothers who seeking care first consultation for their children in a school clinic in the city of Teresina, Piauí state, Brazil. The questionnaire addressed the socioeconomic profile and the theme of natural breastfeeding, deleterious habits and its relationship with. It was observed that a large proportion (92.5%) of mothers reported receiving information on breastfeeding, however the prevalence of deleterious habits was significant (54.3%). The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 4.98 months, with a statistically significant association between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and receiving information (p = 0.026). As for the perception of their own knowledge, more than a half of the mothers classified as regular (48.9%) or poor (11.7%) their understanding of the relationship of breastfeeding to the development of deleterious oral habits. There was no impact of knowledge of mothers on breastfeeding in the development of deleterious oral habits. AU