Pfaffia glomerata hydroalcoholic extract stimulates penile tissue in adult Swiss mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Roots of Pfaffia glomerata are used in traditional medicine as aphrodisiacs and sexual stimulants. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of the hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Pfaffia glomerata on the Leydig cells, cavernous bodies and other penile constituents, as well as on serum testosterone and 17ß-estradiol levels of adult mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mature male Swiss mice were divided into 6 groups: control (water), sildenafil citrate, 3 groups receiving daily doses of P. glomerata extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and one group receiving intermittent doses of P. glomerata (200 mg/kg/3-3d). RESULTS: The proportions of blood vessels, lymphatic space and estradiol levels were increased. On the other hand, reduction of testosterone levels due to Leydig cells death was observed. As for penile parameters, volumetric proportions of cavernous bodies, collagen and nitric oxide were increased, while smooth muscle content was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Despite that the long term intake of P. glomerata extract was related to a stimulant action, reduction on Leydig cell viability induced decreased testosterone production.

Testicular characterization and spermatogenesis of the hematophagous bat Diphylla ecaudata.

Diphylla ecaudata is a hematophagous bat endemic of South America, with food preference for bird blood. Given the lack of information about the reproductive activity of this species, this study aimed to describe the testicular morphology and histomorphometry of D. ecaudata in order to understand its reproductive biology, specially spermatogenesis. The animals were collected in Lajes city, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Following euthanasia, the testes were histologically processed for morphological, morphometric, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. Their average body weight was 24.64g, with a gonadosomatic index of 0.49%, tubulesomatic index of 0.47%, and a total of 32.20m of seminiferous tubules per gram of testis. The pre-meiotic, meiotic, and post-meiotic phases accounted for 56.20%, 9.30%, and 34.50% of the seminiferous epithelium cycle, respectively. The ultrastructure of spermiogenesis was similar to that described in other mammals and the perforatorium was not observed in the sperm. Androgen receptors were detected in Sertoli cell nuclei and Leydig cell cytoplasm, while aromatase enzyme was detected only in Sertoli cell nuclei. FGF2 and BCL-2 activities were detected in the cytoplasm of zygotene and pachytene primary spermatocytes, as well as round and elongated spermatids. D. ecaudata showed testicular pattern similar to other mammals and characteristics common to other bat species. This species stood out for its high efficiency of Sertoli cells, which presented high capacity to support germ cells, besides the highest sperm production rates among those already recorded. This study is the first step towards the knowledge of D. ecaudata reproduction and the first description of its spermatogenesis.

Effects of catuaba cristal® on the testis of wistar rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of Catuaba Cristal® (CC), an alcoholic drink made from wine and Erythroxylum catuaba Ar. Cam on testis. Wistar rats either received CC solution (n=8) or water (n=9). Results showed significant body weight reduction within the CC group, although, no weight changes were observed for liver, kidney, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate. The volumetric proportion and volume of interstitial tissue and lymphatic space were reduced in the treated group. In the CC group, although the nuclear volume of Leydig cells (LC) decreased, the number of LC per testis increased. These results suggested that CC had no beneficial effect on spermatogenesis of Wistar rats.

Conhecimento cronobiológico de acadêmicos do curso de educação física da Faculdade Assis Gurgacz e sua relação com a aprendizagem / The chronobiological knowledge of physical education students at the assis gurgacz college and its relation to learning

O ser humano possui períodos do dia em que se encontra mais ativo, com maior facilidade para o aprendizado. Se um indivíduo conhecer seu cronotipo e os horários pertinentes e mais adequados para estudar, poderá distribuir tarefas diárias em favor da produtividadee qualidade de vida. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar o perfil cronobiológico dos acadêmicos do 3° período matutino e noturno do curso de Educação Física da FAG e compará-los com suas médias aritméticas. Para identificação dos cronotipos, aplicou-se questionário proposto por HORNE e OSTBERG (1976), adaptado por CARDINALI (1992). Constatou-se que dos 25 acadêmicos do período matutino,8 (32 por cento) têm seu cronotipo classificado como moderadamente matutino, 12 (48 por cento) intermediário, 5 (20 por cento) moderadamente vespertino, ouseja, estes últimos têm seu cronotipo em desacordo com o horário de estudo. Dos 46 acadêmicos do período noturno, 22 (47,83 por cento) têm seu cronotipo classificado como intermediário, 8 (17,39 por cento) moderadamente vespertino, 16 (34,78 por cento) moderadamente matutino e estudam em desacordo ao seu cronotipo. Analisando-se as médias aritméticas dos 25 alunos do período matutino 5 (20 por cento) tinham notas abaixo da media, sendo 1 deles moderadamente matutino, 2 intermediários e 2 moderadamente vespertinos. Dos 46 acadêmicos do período noturno, 5 (10,86 por cento) apresentam notas abaixo da média, sendo 2 moderadamente matutino e 3 intermediários. Através dos dados, concluiu-se que os indivíduos que freqüentam as aulas em horários condizentes com o seu cronotipo podem apresentar uma maior produtividade, fato que contribuirá para uma melhor aprendizagem e qualidade de vida.

Human beings have periods in which they are more active and are prone to learn easily. If one knows its own chronotype and the suitable period to study, one could distribute the daily tasks in favor of productivity and life quality. This study aimed to verify thechronobiological profile of college students in the 3rd period of the Physical Education course at FAG and compare them to their arithmetic means. In order to identify the chronotype, a questionnaire proposed by HORNE and OSTBERG (1976) adapted by CARDINALI (1992) was used. It was evidenced that among the 25 students in the matutine period, 8 (32) percent had their chronotype classified as moderatelymatutine, 12 (48 percent) intermediate, 5 (20 percent) moderately vespertine, which means that the latter are in disagreement with their period of study.From the 46 students studying at night, 22 (47.83 percent) had their chronotype classified as intermediate, 8 (17.39) moderately vespertine, 16 (34.78) moderately matutine and they study in the least suitable period for their chronotype. Analyzing the arithmetic means of the 25 students of the matutine period, 5 (20 percent) had grades lower than the average: one was moderately matutine, 2 intermediate, and 2 moderately vespertine. Among the 46 students who studied at night, 5 (10.86 percent) had grades lower than the average: 2 moderately matutine and 3intermediate. Through the obtained data, it was possible to conclude that individuals attending classes in the period appropriated for theirchronotype may present higher productivity – what will contribute for better learning and life quality.