Biomonitoring of air quality in the Bodoquena microregion, Mato Grosso Do Sul: mutagenic and morphoanatomical alterations in Tradescantia pallida (rose) D.R. Hunt var. purpurea

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess air quality in relation to vehicular traffic flow in cities located at different elevations in the Bodoquena microregion, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. To do so, a micronucleus test was carried out using the TRAD-MCN bioassay on young Tradescantia buds collected from February to November 2018 in seven cities of the microregion with different traffic flow intensities. Meteorological parameters were evaluated, and vehicular traffic was counted to determine traffic flow in each city. With data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and processing in Esri ArcGIS® software version 10.5.1, the regions was mapped based on an Elevation Model. Morphoanatomical analyses were performed according to standard methodology. Measurements were taken of thickness, length and width of tissues and structures, including the upper and lower cuticle, upper and lower epidermis, hypodermis and mesophyll. The greatest traffic flow was found in the cities of Bodoquena, Guia Lopes da Laguna, Jardim, and Porto Murtinho, with the period from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. showing the highest traffic flow. The greatest frequency of mutagenic alterations was found in the city of Guia Lopes da Laguna, although the results did not differ significantly from Bonito, Caracol, and Jardim. Throughout the biomonitoring, the summer and autumn seasons showed the greatest micronuclei frequencies in all evaluated cities. Variations in the tissue/structure thickness was observed across cities and seasons, but with a decrease in thickness during autumn. In general, the tissues/structures were smaller for the cities of Nioaque and Porto Murtinho, while the anatomical and morphological characteristics of leaf length and thickness showed no differences among cities. We found limited correlation between micronuclei frequency and traffic flow, supporting the hypothesis that although mutagenic alterations are observed in T. pallida, in this microregion the changes are numerically lower when compared to other regions of the state. In light of the genotoxic and morphoanatomical factors assessed herein, the Bodoquena microregion appears to be well preserved in terms of air quality, presenting low micronuclei frequency and a limited reduction in tissues and leaf structures, regardless of the season.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do ar com base no fluxo veicular das cidades localizadas em diferentes altitudes na microrregião da Bodoquena, no estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Para tal, foi realizado o teste de micronúcleo, por meio do bioensaio TRAD-MCN em botões jovens de Tradescantia coletadas no período entre fevereiro a novembro de 2018 em sete cidades da microrregião da Bodoquena, com diferentes intensidades de fluxo veicular. Foram avaliados os parâmetros meteorológicos, os veículos foram contados para determinar o tráfego de veículos em cada cidade e altitude. A partir da topografia Shuttle Radar (SRTM) e processamento no software Esri ArcGIS® versão 10.5.1 foi possível mapear a área com base no Modelo de Elevação. As análises morfoanatômicos foram realizadas conforme metodologia padrão. As mensurações de espessura, comprimento, largura dos tecidos e estruturas como a cutícula superior, cutícula inferior, face superior e face inferior da epiderme, hipoderme e mesófilo foram avaliadas. O maior fluxo veicular foi encontrado nas cidades de Bodoquena, Guia Lopes da Laguna, Jardim e Porto Murtinho. O horário das 17:00 às 18:00h foi o que apresentou maiores fluxo de veículos. A maior frequência de alterações mutagênicas foi encontrada na cidade de Guia Lopes, não diferindo de Bonito, Caracol e Jardim. Ao longo do biomonitoramento observou-se que as estações de verão e outono foram as que apresentaram maiores frequências de micronúcleo independente da cidade avaliada. Observou-se que a correlação entre a frequência de micronúcleos e o fluxo veicular foi baixa, apoiando a tese de que essa microrregião, embora apresente alterações mutagênicas em T. pallida, as alterações numericamente são pequenas quando comparadas a outras regiões do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Observou-se uma variação na espessura dos tecidos/estruturas que é variável entre as diferentes cidades e estações do ano. De forma geral os tecidos/estrutura apresentaram redução na espessura para as cidades de Nioaque e Porto Murtinho quanto aos aspectos anatômicos e morfológicos, sendo que, para o comprimento e espessura foliar não foi observado diferenças entre as cidades. Em relação as estações do ano, observou-se que no outono a espessura dos tecidos/estruturas são menores. Diante dos fatores genotóxicos e morfoanatômicos aqui avaliados, a microrregião da Bodoquena parece estar bem preservada em termos de qualidade do ar, apresentando baixa frequência de micronúcleos e redução limitada de tecidos e estruturas foliares, independentemente da estação do ano.

Biomonitoring of air quality in the Bodoquena microregion, Mato Grosso Do Sul: mutagenic and morphoanatomical alterations in Tradescantia pallida (rose) D.R. Hunt var. purpurea.

The objective of this study was to assess air quality in relation to vehicular traffic flow in cities located at different elevations in the Bodoquena microregion, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. To do so, a micronucleus test was carried out using the TRAD-MCN bioassay on young Tradescantia buds collected from February to November 2018 in seven cities of the microregion with different traffic flow intensities. Meteorological parameters were evaluated, and vehicular traffic was counted to determine traffic flow in each city. With data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and processing in Esri ArcGIS® software version 10.5.1, the regions was mapped based on an Elevation Model. Morphoanatomical analyses were performed according to standard methodology. Measurements were taken of thickness, length and width of tissues and structures, including the upper and lower cuticle, upper and lower epidermis, hypodermis and mesophyll. The greatest traffic flow was found in the cities of Bodoquena, Guia Lopes da Laguna, Jardim, and Porto Murtinho, with the period from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. showing the highest traffic flow. The greatest frequency of mutagenic alterations was found in the city of Guia Lopes da Laguna, although the results did not differ significantly from Bonito, Caracol, and Jardim. Throughout the biomonitoring, the summer and autumn seasons showed the greatest micronuclei frequencies in all evaluated cities. Variations in the tissue/structure thickness was observed across cities and seasons, but with a decrease in thickness during autumn. In general, the tissues/structures were smaller for the cities of Nioaque and Porto Murtinho, while the anatomical and morphological characteristics of leaf length and thickness showed no differences among cities. We found limited correlation between micronuclei frequency and traffic flow, supporting the hypothesis that although mutagenic alterations are observed in T. pallida, in this microregion the changes are numerically lower when compared to other regions of the state. In light of the genotoxic and morphoanatomical factors assessed herein, the Bodoquena microregion appears to be well preserved in terms of air quality, presenting low micronuclei frequency and a limited reduction in tissues and leaf structures, regardless of the season.

Prostaglandin F2α promotes ovulation in prepubertal heifers.

The objective was to determine the effects of exogenous prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF), with or without progesterone treatment, on first ovulation in prepubertal heifers. We tested the hypothesis that PGF has a luteolysis-independent ovulatory effect in cattle. Crossbred Angus heifers (12 to 14 mo old, 250 kg body weight, and an average body condition score of 3 out of 5) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography on two occasions, 11 days apart. Heifers in which a CL was not detected at either examination were considered prepubertal. Heifers were assigned randomly to three experimental groups: (1) PG group (N = 14); heifers were treated with a PGF analog (500 µg cloprostenol im) 5 days after the emergence of a spontaneous (i.e., naturally occurring, noninduced) follicular wave; (2) PPG group (N = 12); heifers were given an intravaginal progesterone-releasing insert (CIDR; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, QC, Canada), and a follicular wave was induced with 50 mg of progesterone + 2 mg of estradiol benzoate im, and a PGF analog was given at the time of CIDR removal, on day 5 of the follicular wave (on average, 8.6 ± 0.5 days after CIDR insertion); and (3) control group heifers were given no treatment (N = 14). Heifers were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography from the start of the experiment to confirmation that ovulation had occurred, or to 5 days after PGF injection (PG and PPG groups) or until dominant follicles of the next follicular wave reached 8 mm (control group). The percentage of heifers that ovulated within 10 days after wave emergence was higher in PPG (10/12; 83.3%) and PG (11/14; 78.5%) groups than in control (1/14; 7.1%; P < 0.0001). Ovulations occurred 69.6 ± 6 h and 93.8 ± 5 h after PGF treatment in PPG and in PG groups, respectively, whereas only one heifer in the control group ovulated 96 h after day 5 of follicular wave (P = 0.13). In summary, PGF treatment was associated with ovulation in prepubertal heifers whether or not exogenous progesterone was used as a pretreatment. The hypothesis that PGF will induce ovulation by a luteolysis-independent mechanism was supported.

Progesterone production in mares and echographic evaluation of the corpora lutea formed after follicular aspiration.

Ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration was performed in 26 Criollo crossbred mares, followed by the evaluation of ultrasonographic images of the Corpus luteum (CL) that was formed after puncture of follicles of different diameters (Group 25-29 mm; Group 30-35 mm and Group >35 mm). Serum progesterone (P(4) ) concentrations were measured to determine CL function. The size of the CL was measured and the CL was classified based on the following echoscore: 1- anechoic tissue; 2- poorly defined luteal structure with low echogenicity; 3- echogenicity analogous to a luteal structure. The proportion of aspirated follicles that formed a functional CL (based on P(4) concentration) 8 days after aspiration was 57.1% (4/7; CL size 25-29 mm), 75.0% (6/8; CL size 30-35 mm) and 72.7% (8/11; CL size >35 mm), respectively (p > 0.05). The echographic scores of aspirated follicles (indicating the presence or absence of a CL) were consistent with serum P(4) concentrations (p < 0.0001). Of 26 aspirations, 18 resulted in luteal function confirmed by increased progesterone concentrations ([P(4) ] > 1.0 ng/ml); 17 of these mares (94.4%) had an echoscore (2-3) compatible with luteinization (p = 0.0372). Eight days after aspiration, serum [P(4) ] > 2.0 ng/ml was associated with high (p = 0.0056) CL echoscore (3) in 15 of 17 mares (88.2%). The echoscore used in this study was valuable as a screening test to detect the presence of a functional CL after aspiration. An echoscore of 3 served as a practical and efficient method to confirm luteinization.

Fetal calf serum enhances in vitro production of Bos taurus indicus embryos.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) on the quality of in vitro produced bovine embryos. Cumulus oocyte-complexes (COCs, n = 2 449) recovered by ovum pick-up from Bos taurus indicus donors were randomly assigned to experimental groups. Sperm selected by Percoll gradient was used for in vitro fertilization (insemination = Day 0). In Experiment 1 (n = 1 745 COCs), zygotes were cultured in vitro in Synthetic Oviduct Fluid + 4 mg/mL of bovine serum albumin (BSA), or BSA + 2% FCS (BSA+FCS). In Experiment 2 (n = 704 COCs), the COCs were cultured in SOF + BSA, BSA + 2% FCS, or BSA + 2% FCS on D4 (BSA + FCSD4). In Experiment 1, blastocyst yield (51%) and Quality I blastocysts (41%) at Day 7 were higher (P < 0.05) in the BSA + FCS treatment than in BSA (42 and 30%, respectively). In Experiment 2, blastocyst yield was higher (P < 0.05) in the BSA+FCS (47%) treatment. Quality I blastocyst yield was higher (P < 0.05) for BSA + FCS (34%) and BSA+FCSD4 (32%) compared to the BSA treatment (20%). A total of 820 embryos were transferred, with no significant differences among groups in pregnancy rates. In conclusion, in vitro culture in SOFaaci + BSA + FCS enhanced blastocyst yield and Quality I blastocysts; adding FCS to the culture medium increased the efficiency of IVP of bovine embryos.

Influence of climatic conditions on in vitro production of bovine embryos / Influência do clima na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos

Temperature and rainfall were analyzed daily during six years to evaluate their influence on in vitro production of bovine embryos. Weekly replications (n=480) were performed on 14,778 ovaries collected at slaughterhouses. Cumulus oocyte complexes (n=19,180) were fertilized with a pool of Bos taurus taurus semen in one incubator with 5 percent CO2. Presumable zygotes were cultured in gasified plastic bags with 5 percent CO2, 5 percent O2, and 90 percent N2. In the first year, cleavage and embryo yield were 60.3 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively, being lower (P<0.05) than in the following years. Average cleavage rates were always lower in winter (P<0.0001), thus producing less embryos. Winter climatic conditions had a negative influence on in vitro production, when cleavage and embryo yield declined, possibly because of reduced availability and growth of native pasture.

A temperatura e a precipitação pluviométrica foram analisadas diariamente, durante seis anos, para avaliar sua influência sobre a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. As repetições semanais (n=480) foram realizadas com 14.778 ovários coletados em matadouros. Os oócitos (n=19.180) foram maturados em estufa com atmosfera com controle de temperatura e umidade saturada com 5 por cento de CO2 e, após 20h, foram fecundados com sêmen de Bos taurus taurus e mantidos sob as mesmas condições de atmosfera da maturação. Os zigotos foram cultivados em placas de quatro poços em bolsas gaseificadas com 5 por cento de CO2, 5 por cento de O2 e 90 por cento de N2, à temperatura de 39ºC e umidade saturada. No primeiro ano, a taxa clivagem (60,3 por cento) e a produção de embriões (15,6 por cento) foram inferiores (P<0,05) aos demais anos. As taxas de clivagem foram sempre menores no inverno (P<0,0001). As condições climáticas no inverno tiveram influência negativa sobre a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos e houve diminuição nos índices de clivagem e produção de blastocistos, possivelmente devido à reduzida disponibilidade e crescimento da pastagem nativa.

Luteal function induced by transvaginal ultrasonic-guided follicular aspiration in mares.

Ultrasonic-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration was performed in 58 crossbreed mares in order to determine whether aspiration of various dominant follicle diameters resulted in luteal tissue capable of producing progesterone (P(4)). The mares were randomly assigned to three groups according to follicular diameter (25-29 mm; 30-35 mm and >35 mm). Mares that had ovulations naturally served as controls. The serum progesterone (P(4)) concentrations in the aspirated mares were greater (P < 0.0001; r(2) = 0.6687; CV = 21.52) in mares with natural ovulation compared to mares with aspirated follicles regardless of groups. Serum P(4) concentration in aspired mares with follicular diameter of 25-29 mm declined 0.365 ng/ml/day (P = 0.0065) from the day of aspiration (D0) up to D8. In mares with follicle diameter of 30-35 mm, serum P(4) concentration increased (0.258 ng/ml/day; P = 0.001), as well as in the mares with follicles >35 mm diameter (0.481 ng/ml/day; P < 0.0001), and in mares with natural ovulation (1.236 ng/ml/day; P < 0.0001). Out of the 25 mares with follicular aspirations that formed Corpora hemorragica (P(4) >1 ng/ml), 23 (92%) had greater (>2 ng/ml) serum P(4) concentrations on Day 8 after aspiration. Of these 23 mares, 75% were in the 25-29 mm group, 9/10 (90%) in the 30-35 mm group, and 11/11 (100%) of the mares in the >35 mm follicular diameter group had luteinization (P(4) >2 ng/ml). These results suggest that a functional Corpus luteum can be induced in mares using follicular aspiration and that a minimum 35 mm follicular diameter is needed to reach a progesterone serum concentration compatible with that of a Corpus luteum produced by natural ovulation.

Fertilidade prós-parto em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida / Post-partum fertility in thoroughbred mares

Observaram-se 549 éguas da raça Puro-Sangue de Corrida paridas durante o segundo semestre, no período de 1º de julho de 1983 a 31 de dezembro de 1994, com a finalidade de se analisar o índice de concepçäo pós-parto, a duraçäo e a fertilidade dos cios pós-parto, os percentuais de produtos nascidos no ano seguinte e relacioná-los com a idade das éguas. Verificou-se que éguas com idade superior a 13 anos apresentaram uma capacidade significativamente menor de conceber e levar a gestaçäo a termo do que éguas mais novas. O 1º cio pós-parto ocorre em média aos 12,3 (ñ10,9) dias pós-parto e, quando apresenta uma duraçäo de 8 a 14 dias, é significativamente mais fértil do que quando tem uma duraçäo fora destes limites. A taxa de prenhez observada no 2º cio pós-parto foi significativamente superior à do 1º cio pós-parto

Duraçäo da gestaçäo em relaçäo à idade de éguas da raça Puro Sangue de Corrida, aos pesos do potro e da placenta, e ao horário do parto / Gestation length related to the age in Thoroughbred mares, to placenta's and newborn foal's weight and parturition time

Este estudo foi realizado com o propósito de determinar parâmetros fisiológicos relativos ao pós-parto e puerpério na égua e potro. De 01/07/1983 a 25/11/1992 foram observados 390 partos em éguas da raça Puro Sangue de Corrida. Eguas mais velhas produziram potros e placentas mais pesados; a idade materna näo influenciou na duraçäo da gestaçäo e esta última näo esteve relacionada com o período de concepçäo ou com o peso do produto. Eguas mais velhas, com endométrio sadio, apresentaram placentas mais pesadas que éguas jovens, também saudáveis. 87,54 por cento dos partos ocorrem à noite (entre 18 horas e 7 horas) relacionando-se com períodos de tranquilidade ambiental

Parâmetros fisiológicos e etológicos do potro recém-nascido, na raça puro-sangue de corrida / Ethological and physliological parameters in the thoroughbred newborn foal

Foram observados trezentos e noventa partos em éguas da raça Puro-Sangue de Corrida entre julho de 1983 e novembro de 1992, com a finalidade de se determinar os parâmetros fisiológicos e etológicos relativos ao neonato. Verificou-seque a ruptura do cordäo umbilical ocorreu em torno dos 6,2 minutos após o nascimento. O reflexo de sucçäo manifestou-se em média aos 36 minutos e os potrinhos levantaram pela primeira vez aos 49 minutos. Aqueles que levantaram até 2 horas e 23 minutos após o parto näo apresentaram problemas. A 1§ mamada ocorreu em média aos 94 minutos pós-parto e 82,55 por cento dos potros mamaram até 2 horas pós-parto. A eliminaçäo do mecônio ocorreu em 127,4 minutos pós-parto, em média 30 minutos após a 1§ mamada

Influência da lavagem uterina nos índices de concepçäo pós-parto em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida / Effects of uterine flushing on post-partum conception rate in throughbred mares

Avaliou-se o efeito da lavagem uterina pós-parto com soluçäo de NaCl a 0,9 por cento ou iodo-povidine a 0,4 por cento em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida (PSC), em relaçäo aos índices de concepçäo pós-parto (p.p.). Foram comparadas as taxas de concentraçäo de 27 éguas, sem qualquer manipulaçäo uterina (Controle), 57 éguas com soluçäo de NaCl (I), 36 éguas com iodopovidine (II) e 15 éguas apresentando retençäo de placenta, que sofreram lavagem uterina com as duas soluçöes. Concluiu-se que as lavagens uterinas p.p., independentemente da substância utilizada, influenciaram negativamente a involuçäo e a preparaçäo do útero para a concepçäo, só estando indicadas em éguas com retençäo de placenta, desde que aplicadas até o 3§ ou 4§ dia p.p.

Diagnóstico precoce de gestaçäo na égua através da ultra-sonografia / Early pregnancy diagnosis in the mare using ultrasound

Cento e onze períodos de gestaçäo, em éguas Puro Sangue de Corrida, foram diagnosticados com ultra-som 14 dias após a última cobertura e sua evoluçäo acompanhada até completar 50 dias. O crescimento, as alteraçöes de forma da vesícula embrionária, a visualizaçäo do embriäo e outros parâmetros a serem levados em consideraçäo por ocasiäo da avaliaçäo do desenvolvimento da gestaçäo säo aqui relatados