Germ line Cysts and the Formation of the Germinal Epithelium During the Female Gonadal Morphogenesis in Cyprinus Carpio (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Cypriniformes)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hormonal Oscillations During the Estrous Cycle Influence the Morphophysiology of the Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) Female Prostate (Skene Paraurethral Glands)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Aging effects on the mongolian gerbil female prostate (Skene's paraurethral glands): Structural, ultrastructural, quantitative, and hormonal evaluations

Different from the classic view, the prostate is not a gland exclusive to the male, also being an organ of the female genital system presenting morphofunctional similarity between human and rodent. Thus structural, ultrastructural, morphometric-stereological features of the female prostate (Skene's paraurethral gland) and steroid serological levels were evaluated during young, adult, and senile ages in the Mongolian gerbil. The morphofunctional precocity of the female gland in comparison with the male gland occurring in young gland is probably associated with the female circulating steroid levels. The hormonal imbalance in senesce coincides with its susceptibility to histopathological lesions, such as epithelial hypertrophy, metaplasia, and intraepithelial neoplasia. Differently than that of males, the aging degeneration of the female gland involves the accumulation of lipofuscin granules. However, the alterations in senile prostate did not damage its functionality. These analyses reinforce the use of this experimental model for the comprehension of glandular morphofunctional aspects with special attention to senescence. Thus, the appreciation of this organ becomes relevant to avoid future discomfort to women's health.

Long-term inhibition of 5-alpha reductase and aromatase changes the cellular and extracellular compartments in gerbil ventral prostate at different postnatal ages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Gonadal hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila sturtevanti (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

First gonadal maturation of Pinirampus pirinampu (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Informações sobre o ciclo reprodutivo de espécies exploradas pela pesca são imprescindíveis para o seu manejo adequado. O tamanho de início da atividade reprodutiva do Pinirampus pirinampu (Spix, 1829) foi determinado. Os exemplares foram capturados em setembro, outubro e dezembro de 1997 e fevereiro e março de 1998. O estádio de desenvolvimento gonadal foi identificado macroscopicamente. O índice gonadossomático médio (IGS), calculado mensalmente, foi utilizado como indicador da época de desova. Para determinação do comprimento da primeira maturação gonadal agruparam-se, separadamente, machos e fêmeas por classes de comprimento em imaturos e adultos. Os resultados referentes aos indivíduos adultos foram lançados em gráficos e a mediana correspondeu à estimativa do comprimento no qual 50% dos indivíduos atingem a maturidade (L50). Foi também determinado o L100, estimativa do comprimento em que todos os indivíduos estão aptos à reprodução. Machos e fêmeas em processo de maturação gonadal foram encontrados a partir de outubro, com maior freqüência em fevereiro, e, somente a partir deste mês, foram encontrados indivíduos com gônadas esvaziadas. O índice gonadossomático mostrou que a partir de setembro inicia-se o processo de desenvolvimento gonadal, com seu valor máximo em fevereiro. O L50 para fêmeas foi 574 mm e para machos foi 536 mm. O L100 para fêmeas foi 590 mm e para os machos, 580 mm.

Effect of cyproterone acetate on alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat vas deferens

Gonadal hormones regulate the expression of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in several tissues. The present study was carried out to determine whether or not cyproterone acetate, an anti-androgenic agent, regulates the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes that mediate contractions of the rat vas deferens in response to noradrenaline. The actions of subtype selective alpha1-antagonists were investigated in vas deferens from control and cyproterone acetate-treated rats (10 mg/day, sc, for 7 days). Prazosin (pA2 ~9.5), phentolamine (pA2 ~8.3) and yohimbine (pA2 ~6.7) presented competitive antagonism consistent with activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors in vas deferens from both control and treated rats. The pA2 values estimated for WB 4101 (~9.5), benoxathian (~9.7), 5-methylurapidil (~8.5), indoramin (~8.7) and BMY 7378 (~6.8) indicate that alpha1A-adrenoceptors are involved in the contractions of the vas deferens from control and cyproterone acetate-treated rats. Treatment of the vas deferens from control rats with the alpha1B/alpha1D-adrenoceptor alkylating agent chloroethylclonidine had no effect on noradrenaline contractions, supporting the involvement of the alpha1A-subtype. However, this agent partially inhibited the contractions of vas deferens from cyproterone acetate-treated rats, suggesting involvement of multiple receptor subtypes. To further investigate this, the actions of WB 4101 and chloroethylclonidine were reevaluated in the vas deferens from rats treated with cyproterone acetate for 14 days. In these organs WB 4101 presented complex antagonism characterized by a Schild plot with a slope different from unity (0.65 ± 0.05). After treatment with chloroethylclonidine, the complex antagonism presented by WB 4101 was converted into classical competitive antagonism, consistent with participation of alpha1A-adrenoceptors as well as alpha1B-adrenoceptors. These results suggest that cyproterone acetate induces plasticity in the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in the contractions of the vas deferens.

Profile of thyroid hormones in breast cancer patients

Estrogen involvement in breast cancer has been established; however, the association between breast cancer and thyroid diseases is controversial. Estrogen-like effects of thyroid hormone on breast cancer cell growth in culture have been reported. The objective of the present study was to determine the profile of thyroid hormones in breast cancer patients. Serum aliquots from 26 patients with breast cancer ranging in age from 30 to 85 years and age-matched normal controls (N = 22) were analyzed for free triiodothyronine (T3F), free thyroxine (T4F), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), antiperoxidase antibody (TPO), and estradiol (E2). Estrogen receptor ß (ERß) was determined in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. Thyroid disease incidence was higher in patients than in controls (58 vs 18%, P < 0.05). Subclinical hyperthyroidism was the most frequent disorder in patients (31%); hypothyroidism (8%) and positive anti-TPO antibodies (19%) were also found. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the only dysfunction (18%) found in controls. Hyperthyroidism was associated with postmenopausal patients, as shown by significantly higher mean T3 and T4 values and lower TSH levels in this group of breast cancer patients than in controls. The majority of positive ERß tumors were clustered in the postmenopausal patients and all cases presenting subclinical hyperthyroidism in this subgroup concomitantly exhibited Erß-positive tumors. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was present in only one of 6 premenopausal patients. We show here that postmenopausal breast cancer patients have a significantly increased thyroid hormone/E2 ratio (P < 0.05), suggesting a possible tumor growth-promoting effect caused by this misbalance.

Endocrine profiles and ovulation rate of cows superovulated with FSH following passive immunization against steroid free-bovine follicular fluid

Dez vacas multíparas, secas, foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos de cinco animais cada. Nos dias 8 a 12 do diestro, o primeiro grupo recebeu 100 ml de anti-soro contra líquido folicular livre de esteróides (anti-LFb) produzido em ovelhas ovariectomizadas. O segundo grupo (controle) recebeu 100 ml de soro de ovelhas não-imunizadas. Seis horas após a aplicação, os dois grupos foram superovulados com FSH (18 NIH-FSH-S1 unidades) e LH (0,29 NIH-LH-S1 unidades) administrados em quantidades decrescentes durante quatro dias. Na manhã do terceiro dia, foi administrada uma dose luteolítica de cloprostenol. Duas inseminações foram realizadas 48 e 60 horas após. Os embriões foram recuperados pelo método cervical 7 dias após a primeira inseminação. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante todo o período experimental para determinar, por radioimunoensaio, as concentrações plasmáticas de FSH, LH e progesterona. Todas as vacas do grupo imunizado e 3 do grupo controle apresentaram mais de 2 CL. Não existiu diferença significativa (P>0,05) na taxa de ovulação entre os grupos imunizado e controle (14,4 e 9,9, respectivamente). O número de embriões recuperado não foi significativamente diferente (P>0,05) entre os grupos, embora o grupo imunizado tenha apresentado maior número de embriões transferíveis (3,4 ± 1,0 versus 0,8 ± 0,4, P<0,05). As concentrações de gonadotrofinas plasmáticas não foram correlacionadas com a taxa de ovulação ou com o número de embriões recuperados. As concentrações de progesterona plasmática foram positivamente correlacionadas (r = 0,88, P<0,01) com a taxa de ovulação. Os resultados sugerem que o anti-LFb, aplicado antes da superovulação, não reduz a variabilidade da resposta ovariana.

Post partum reproductive assessment in lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris): a case report

O tapir ou anta, descrito como o maior mamífero terrestre brasileiro, pertence à ordem Perissodactila, subordem Hippomorfa, superfamília Tapiroidea e família Tapiridae. Na floresta úmida está envolvido com a dispersão de sementes em função das características do tubo digestivo. O acompanhamento do ciclo estral permite avaliar e compreender a atividade reprodutiva nas espécies animais. Nos animais silvestres, o estresse da contenção pode interferir na própria ciclicidade gonadal, uma das alternativas é o acompanhamento dos hormônios gonadais nas excretas. Buscamos neste trabalho o acompanhamento periódico da atividade gonadal através da quantificação de progesterona no leite. Utilizamos uma fêmea recém-parida no Zoológico de Araçatuba, da qual colhemos leite, esfregaço vaginal e temperatura retal. A progesterona foi quantificada por radioimunoensaio de fase sólida (Coat-a-Count, DPC®) com curva padrão fornecida pela F.A.O. O ensaio mostrou sensibilidade de 1,25 nmol/l com coeficiente de variação intra-ensaio de 15,36%. Durante a fase de lactação, a fêmea não apresentou níveis detectáveis de progesterona por 158 dias (de novembro a abril). O primeiro pico de produção foi de 2,3 nmol/l e apresentou duração de 5 dias. O segundo pico de 3,54 nmol/l teve uma duração de 23 dias. Setenta e quatro dias após o aparecimento da progesterona no leite a lactação cessou. Podemos concluir que a fêmea de tapir apresentou um período de anestro lactacional de aproximadamente 5 meses e voltou a ciclar no outono (abril) sugerindo pouca influência do fotoperíodo. A quantificação da progesterona no leite mostrou-se útil para o acompanhamento do ciclo estral na espécie, porém a variação da citologia vaginal e temperatura retal não apresentaram correlação com os níveis hormonais.

A histologic assessment of the influence of low-intensity laser therapy on wound healing in steroid-treated animals

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-intensity laser therapy on the wound healing process treated with steroid. Background Data: Various biological effects have been associated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were used, and after execution of a wound on the dorsal region of each animal, they were divided into 4 groups (n = 12), receiving the following treatments: G1 (control), wounds and animals received no treatment; G2, wounds were treated with LLLT; G3, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of steroid dosage (2 mg/kg of body weight); G4, animals received steroid and wounds were treated with LLLT. The laser emission device used was a GaAIAs (904 nm), in a contact mode, with 2.75 mW gated with 2.900 Hz during 120 sec (33 J/cm(2)). After the period of 3, 7, and 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and the parts sent to histological processing and dyed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson trichromium (MT) techniques. Results: the results have shown that the wounds treated with steroid had a delay in healing, while LLLT accelerated the wound healing process. Also, wounds treated with laser in the animals treated with steroid presented a differentiated healing process with a larger collagen deposition and also a decrease in both the inflamatory infiltrated and the delay on the wound healing process. Conclusion: LLLT accelerated healing, caused by the steroid, acting as a biostimulative coadjutant agent, balancing the undesirable effects of cortisone (in the tissue healing process.

Qualitative determination of indole alkaloids, triterpenoids and steroid of Tabernaemontana hilariana

This paper reports the separation and identification of indole alkaloids, steroids and triterpenoids from the ethanolic extracts of Tabernaemontana hilariana (Apocynaceae). The alkaloidal fractions from the ethanolic extracts obtained (root barks, green fruits, ripe fruits and seeds) were fractionated and analysed by thin-layer chromatography, capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (cGC-FID) as well as by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). 3-Hydroxycoronaridine, ibogamine, coronaridine pseudoindoxyl, coronaridine, catharanthine, voacangine hydroxyindolenine, voacangine pseudoindoxyl, tabernanthine, tetraphyllicine, 3-hydroxyvoacangine, voacangine, isovoacangine and 3-oxocoronaridine were identified. The insoluble fraction of ethanolic extracts obtained from the root barks and green fruits were analysed and ten aliphatic constituents were also identified by cGC-FID and HRGC-MS. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Puberty and growth rate in thoroughbred fillies

We measured progesterone and estradiol levels from birth to the beginning of adult life in 10 Thoroughbred fillies from the Equilia Stud Farm in Avare SP, Brasil. The animals were measured and weighed monthly for the determination of body development and of a possible correlation between the rate of weight and height gain and the onset of detectable sex hormone levels. Jugular blood was collected twice a week and stored at -20 degrees C until assay of progesterone by a solid phase RIA with a sensitivity of 0.32 nmol/L and of estradiol by liquid phase RIA adapted to low levels (3.67 pmol/L). The fillies were born with high serum levels of both hormones,which fell to undetectable levels by the first week of life. A variation in growth rate was observed, with the highest levels occuring from birth to the 3rd month of life, followed by a reduction until 15 mo of life, when fast growth was resumed. The monthly weight gain was 1.5% when the fillies reached puberty and 5.4% during the next month, (P<0.05, Friedman test). During this second period of accelerated growth after the beginning of progesterone production at detectable levels (above 0.318 nmol/L), the parameters of skeletal growth did not differ (P>0.05). The month of onset of puberty was the month of lowest weight gain in the life of the fillies, and it coincided with the highest insolation period. In conclusion, horses, like all other developed vertebrates, have a double pattern of development, with the acceleration observed at puberty depending on sex steroids, which in turn coincides with the highest insolation period. Gonadal activity characterized by serum progesterone levels was low from birth to the onset of puberty. After puberty the progesterone cycles were similar to those of adult animals with a mature hypothalamic-gonadal axis. (C) 1997 by Elsevier B.V.