Histopathology of Endocrine Organs of Miranda's White-Lipped Frogs (Leptodactylus macrosternum) from Cultivated and Non-Cultivated Regions in Semi-Arid Northeastern Brazil.

Endocrine disruption defines the influence of environmental contaminants on the control of behaviour, growth and reproduction of free-living species. Amphibians are considered as bioindicators of environmental balance in aquatic and terrestrial systems and of physiological and immunological sensitivity to environmental stressors. In the Caatinga Domain of northeastern Brazil, the Lower Jaguaribe River (LJR) region is outstanding for the conservation of anurans and has considerable species diversity. However, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers is of increasing concern because of consequent risks to environmental, human and animal health. Miranda's white-lipped frogs (Leptodactylus macrosternum) are abundant and well-adapted in this region and, therefore, are considered to be a suitable bioindicator. The objective of this work was to evaluate the morphology of endocrine organs of this species for evidence of potential impacts of agrosystems. We found significantly smaller females and parathyroid cytolysis in frogs collected from cultivated areas, compared with those from non-cultivated regions. Interrenal degeneration was found in both sample populations. Chemical analysis detected pesticides and potentially toxic elements in tissues of Miranda's white-lipped frog tissues from the LJR region (data not shown). These findings suggest that the parathyroid gland acts as a biomarker of environmental toxicity in cultivated areas in the LJR region. In this study, the other examined endocrine organs did not show significant potential for use in biomonitoring the impact of toxic chemicals.

Blood Profile of Opossums Didelphis aurita and D. albiventris of São Paulo State, Brazil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.7007 / Perfil hematológico de gambás Didelphis aurita e D. albiventris do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.7007

The objective of this study was to provide data on the blood profile of opossums (em>Didelphis sp.). Hemograms were performed of 83 em>D. aurita and 35 em>D. albiventris. The results of em>D. aurita were: Hematocrit for adults(A) 31.8 ± 8.0%, and for offspring(F) 30.2 ± 6.9%; Red blood cells A: 4.3 ± 1.5 x 106 L-1, F: 3.4 ± 1.1 x 106 L-1; Total proteins A: 8.5 ± 1.0 g dL-1, F: 7.2 ± 0.9 g dL-1; Hemoglobin A: 10.9 ± 3.4 g dL-1, F: 8.7 ± 2.2 g dL-1; VCM A: 78.13 ± 18.13, F: 93.65 ± 23.62; HCM A: 26.41 ± 6.42, F: 27.09 ± 7.44; CHCM A: 64.59 ± 8.12, F: 30.40 ± 11.49; White blood cells A: 8,205 ± 4,950 L-1, F: 5,126 ± 3,945 L-1; Neutrophils A: 2,761 ± 2,966 L-1, F: 1,310 ± 2,283 L-1; Lymphocytes A: 3,653 ± 2,431 L-11, F: 3,239 ± 2,234 L-1; Monocytes A: 363.2 ± 308.7 L-1, 101.5 ± 107.9 L-1; Eosinophiles A: 1,362.0 ± 1,114.0 L-1, F: 456.1 ± 464.4 L-1 and Basophils A: 65.9 ± 127.0 L-1, F: 19.8 ± 48.7 L-1. em>D. albiventris presented Hematocrit A: 33.2 ± 14.0%, F: 25.7 ± 3.7%; Red blood cells A: 4.8 ± 1.7 x 106 L-1, F: 3.9 ± 1.5 x 106 L-1; Total proteins A: 8.2 ± 0.6 g dL-1, F: 7.9 ± 1.1 g dL-1; Hemoglobin A: 10.3 ± 2.8 g dL-1, F: 10.2 ± 2.7 g dL-1; VCM A: 71.34 ± 23.74, F: 74.88 ± 27.68; HCM A: 22.86 ± 9.09, F: 28.63 ± 9.27, CHCM A: 32.48 ± 2.43, F: 40.13 ± 0.42; White blood cells A: 11,683 ± 7,245 L-1, F: 4,667 ± 4,027 L-1; Neutrophils A: 6,007 ± 6,250

O objetivo deste trabalho foi fornecer dados sobre o perfil hematológico de gambás (Didelphis sp.). Realizou-se hemograma de 83 D. aurita e 35 D. albiventris. Os valores obtidos dos D. aurita foram: Hematócrito dos adultos(A) 31,8 ± 8,0% e dos filhotes(F) 30,2 ± 6,9%; Eritrócitos A: 4,3 ± 1,5 x 106 L-1, F: 3,4 ± 1,1 x 106 L-1; Proteínas Totais A: 8,5 ± 1,0 g dL-1, F: 7,2 ± 0,9 g dL-1; Hemoglobina A: 10,9 ± 3,4 g dL-1, F: 8,7 ± 2,2 g dL-1; VCM A: 78,13 ± 18,13, F: 93,65 ± 23,62; HCM A: 26,41 ± 6,42, F: 27,09 ± 7,44; CHCM A: 64,59 ± 8,12, F: 30,40 ± 11,49; Leucócitos A: 8.205 ± 4.950 L-1, F: 5.126 ± 3.945 L-1; Neutrófilos A: 2.761 ± 2.966 L-1, F: 1.310 ± 2.283 L-1; Linfócitos A: 3.653 ± 2.431 L-1, F: 3.239 ± 2.234 L-1; Monócitos A: 363,2 ± 308,7 L-1, F: 101,5 ± 107,9 L-1; Eosinófilos A: 1.362,0 ± 1.114,0 L-1, F: 456,1 ± 464,4 L-1 e Basófilos A: 65,9 ± 127,0 L-1, F: 19,8 ± 48,7 L-1. Os valores obtidos dos em>D. albiventris foram: Hematócrito A: 33,2 ± 14,0%, F: 25,7 ± 3,7%; Eritrócitos A: 4,8 ± 1,7 x 106 L-1 , F: 3,9 ± 1,5 x 106 L-1; Proteínas Totais A: 8,2 ± 0,6 g dL-1, F: 7,9 ± 1,1 g dL-1; Hemoglobina A: 10,3 ± 2,8 g dL-1, F: 10,2 ± 2,7 g dL-1; VCM A: 71,34 ± 23,74, F: 74,88 ± 27,68; HCM A: 22,86 ± 9,09, F: 28,63 ± 9,27, CHCM A: 32,48 ± 2,43, F: 40,13 ± 0,42; Leucócitos A: 11.683 ± 7.245 L-1, F: 4.667 ± 4.027 L-1; Neutrófilos A: 6.007 ± 6.250 L-1, F: 1.274

Prevalence of Enterobacteria in Bothrops jararaca in São Paulo State: Microbiological Survey and Antimicrobial Resistance Standards - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i3.536 / Prevalência de enterobactérias em Bothrops jararaca no Estado de São Paulo: levantamento microbiológico e padrões de resistência antimicrobiana - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v30i3.536

There are few microbiological surveys on reptiles in Brazil. The study described here focuses on a species of snake of great medical interest and serves as basis for other studies and comparisons. The samples were collected directly from the colon of healthy adult Jararacas. The material was seeded in MacConkey Agar (Difco®) and XLT4 Agar (Difco®). The isolates were identified through the API 20E Identification System (BioMériux®). The isolates of Salmonella sp. were submitted to serotyping. Finally, the colonies were submitted to the antimicrobial sensitivity test. Several genera of the Enterobacteriaceae family were obtained (Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Kluyvera, Morganella, Proteus, Providencia and Salmonella), as well as a genus of morphologically similar Gram-negative bacteria (Aeromonas). Salmonella, Citrobacter and Escherichia were the most frequent isolates. Fourteen (14) serotypes of Salmonella were identified; 13 are of the subspecies IIIb and 1 of the subspecies IV. Aeromonas, Enterobacter, Escherichia and Klebsiella presented a higher resistance rate to antibiotics. Kluyvera and Salmonella were the genera most sensitive to the tested drugs. Aminoglycosides presented good antimicrobial action, but chloramphenicol was the only drug to which no isolate presented resistance.

Existem poucos levantamentos microbiológicos em répteis no Brasil. O estudo aqui descrito enfoca uma espécie de serpente de grande interesse médico e serve como base para outros estudos e comparações. As amostras foram colhidas diretamente do cólon de jararacas adultas e saudáveis. O material foi semeado em ágar MacConkey (Difco®) e ágar XLT4 (Difco®). Os isolados foram identificados por meio do Sistema API 20E de Identificação Bioquímica (Galerias API-BioMériux®). Os isolados de Salmonella sp. foram submetidos à sorotipagem. Por fim, as colônias foram submetidas ao teste de sensibilidade antimicrobiana. Foram obtidos vários gêneros da família Enterobacteriaceae (Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Kluyvera, Morganella, Proteus, Providencia e Salmonella) e um gênero de bactéria Gram-negativa morfologicamente semelhante (Aeromonas). Salmonella, Citrobacter e Escherichia foram os isolados mais frequentes. 14 sorotipos de Salmonella foram identificados, sendo 13 da subespécie IIIb e 1 da subespécie IV. Aeromonas, Enterobacter, Escherichia e Klebsiella apresentaram maior taxa de resistência aos antibióticos. Kluyvera e Salmonella foram os gêneros mais sensíveis às drogas testadas. Aminoglicosídeos apresentaram boa ação antimicrobiana, mas cloranfenicol foi a única droga para qual nenhum isolado apresentou resistência.