Sistema de reprodução em populações naturais de Peltophorum dubium

A Multi-locus mixed mating model and correlated mating model were used to analyze the mating system of four natural populations of Peltophorum dubium (Sprengel) Taubert from Western Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Open pollinated seeds were collected from 19 to 33 seed-trees per population and evaluated by allozyme electrophoresis analysis. Significant differences between pollen and ovule gene frequencies were detected in more than 50% of loci in each population, indicating deviations from random mating, probably due to correlated mating, self-fertilizations and mating among relatives. The comparison the fixation index estimated from seed trees ((F) over cap (m), ranged from 0.009 to 0.285) with their progenies ((F) over cap (p), ranged from 0.127 to 0.364) suggested selection against inbreeding between offspring of adult stages. The estimates of multi-locus outcrossing rate (t(m)) ranged from 0.557 to 0.924, indicating that the species has a mixed-mating system. Differences between multi-locus and single-locus outcrossing rate (t(m)-t(s))was positive and significantly different from zero for all populations, with values ranging from 0.092 to 0.111, suggesting mating among relatives within the populations, probably due to the presence of intra-population spatial genetic structure. The mean coefficient of co-ancestry (Theta) within progenies ranged from 0.147 to 0.251; confirming that the progenies are compounded by mixtures of different kinds of relatedness. The results are discussed from the view of genetic improvement and conservation of the species.

Differential Expression of IGF Family Members in Heat-Stressed Embryos Produced In Vitro from OPU-Derived Oocytes of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus) Cows

Contents The IGF system is related to embryo quality. We aim to determine the effect of the heat stress on the mRNA expression of IGF1 and IGF2, IGFR1 and IGFR2, IGFBP2 and IGFBP4, and PAPPA in in vitro production (IVP) blastocysts from Nelore and Holstein after ovum pick up (OPU) to better understand the differences between these breeds.Oocytes from four Nelore and seven Holstein were collected in six OPU sessions. Following in vitro maturation and fertilization using six Nelore or Holstein sires, embryos were divided into control (cultured at 39 degrees C) and heat stress (HS; exposed to 41 degrees C for 9h). Blastocysts were submitted to RNA extraction. The IGF1 expression was higher in blastocysts under HS in both breeds, and the expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 was higher in Holstein blastocysts under HS. The high PAPPA expression and the low expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 are associated with a more efficient degradation of IGFBPs, which results in greater IGF bioavailability in Nelore blastocysts and may contribute to the superior HS tolerance in Nelore, when compared to Holstein.

Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n = 4) and Nelore (n = 15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P < 0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.