Study of relations among age at first calving, average weight gains and weights from weaning to maturity in Nellore cattle

Dados de 23.120 animais da raça Nelore foram utilizados para estimar herdabilidade e correlações genéticas para a idade ao primeiro parto, o ganho em peso da desmama ao ano e do ano ao sobreano, o peso à desmama, o peso ao ano, o peso ao sobreano e os pesos aos 2 e aos 5 anos de idade. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, em análise multicaracterística. As herdabilidades estimadas para idade ao primeiro parto, ganho da desmama ao ano, ganho do ano ao sobreano, peso à desmama, peso ao ano, peso ao sobreano e peso aos 2 aos 5 anos foram de 0,17 ± 0,01; 0,23 ± 0,03; 0,25 ± 0,03; 0,28 ± 0,02; 0,26 ± 0,03; 0,30 ± 0,03; 0,32 ± 0,02 e 0,36 ± 0,04, respectivamente. Correlações genéticas baixas e negativas foram estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os pesos medidos em diferentes idades, que variaram de -0,26 a -0,14. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os ganhos de peso também foram negativas, porém levemente superiores (-0,29 e -0,32). Os resultados indicam que a seleção para maior ganho de peso pode reduzir a idade ao primeiro parto e aumentar o peso adulto de fêmeas da raça Nelore. Mudança genética mais rápida para diminuição da idade ao primeiro parto das fêmeas pode ser obtida com a inclusão dessa característica nos índices de seleção.

OVARIAN HISTOLOGY and FOLLICULAR SCORE IN FEMALE RATS TREATED WITH NANDROLONE DECANOATE and SUBMITTED TO PHYSICAL EFFORT

The study was conducted to analyze the histology of the ovaries of adults rats treated with steroids, and submitted or not to physical effort. The control group consisted of females submitted to physical effort and sedentary females, both of which received a physiological solution of 0.9% saline. Treated females, sedentary or not, received 6 mg/kg of body weight of nandrolone decanoate. The steroid and physiological solution were administered intraperitoneally, with a single injection per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The applied physical effort was swimming (20 minutes daily, 5 days/week, for the 4 weeks of treatment). Serial sections (5 mu m) of ovaries were prepared for histological evaluation and follicular score. The weight of ovaries and hypophysis, the number of antral and atretic follicles, and the area of corpus luteum were all affected by the steroids. In the ovaries of the control groups, well-developed corpus luteum was observed. In the treated groups, the cortical stroma was occupied by ovarian interstitial tissue. The females treated with steroids presented estral acyclicity. The use of nandrolone decanoate, whether associated with physical effort or not, affected the morphological pattern of the ovaries.

Acquisition of motor abilities up to independent walking in very low birth weight preterm infants

Objective: To determine chronological and corrected ages at acquisition of motor abilities up to independent walking in very low birth weight preterms and to determine up to what point it is necessary to use corrected age.Methods: This was a longitudinal study of preterms with birth weight < 1,500 g and gestational age <= 34 weeks, free from neurosensory sequelae, selected at the high-risk infants follow-up clinic at the Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicine de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) in Botucatu, Brazil, between 1998 to 2003, and assessed every 2 months until acquisition of independent walking.Results: Nine percent of the 155 preterms recruited were excluded from the study, leaving a total of 143 patients. The mean gestational age was 30 +/- 2 weeks, birth weight was 1,130 +/- 222 g, 59% were female and 44% were small for gestational age. Preterms achieved head control in their second month, could sit independent at 7 months and walked at 12.8 months' corrected age, corresponding to the 4th, 9th and 15th months of chronological age. There were significant differences between chronological age and corrected age for all motor abilities. Preterms who were small for their gestational age acquired motor abilities later, but still within expected limits.Conclusions: Very low birth weight preterms, free from neurosensory disorders, acquired their motor abilities within the ranges expected for their corrected ages. Corrected age should be used until independent walking is achieved.

Modifying Effects of Lemongrass Essential Oil on Specific Tissue Response to the Carcinogen N-Methyl-N-Nitrosurea in Female BALB/c Mice

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

In utero and lactational exposure to fenvalerate disrupts reproductive function in female rats

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

Reproductive development and function of female rats exposed to di-eta-butyl-phthalate (DBP) in utero and during lactation

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

Assessment of Female Reproductive Endpoints in Sprague-Dawley Rats Developmentally Exposed to Diuron: Potential Ovary Toxicity

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

Comparison of cheliped weight and growth in two species of crabs of the genus Callinectes (Brachyura, Portunidae)

A comparison of the cheliped's weight in two species of the genus Callinectes was accomplished. The species C. danae e C. ornatus were collected by two otter trawl in Ubatuba bay (23 degrees 26' S and 45 degrees 02' W). The allometric constants obtained from the regression adjusted to a power function (Y = aX(b)) were analyzed. These species presented different allometry degrees for each sex considered. The relation Pe x PC presented positive allometry for sex of both species, but male presented higher positive allometry than female. C. danae presented higher positive allometry for chelipeds than C. ornatus. We suggest here that C. danae could be indicated to be submitted to grow out in ponds since it reaches higher size and bigger chelipeds.

Nutritional ecology of blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae): estimates of critical larval weight for pupation on two different diets

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reproductive physiology, and physical and sexual development of female offspring born to diabetic dams

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

Genetic trends in the expected progeny difference of the asymptotic weight of Nelore females

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

Ingestive behavior and performance of female lambs grazing on Marandu palisadegrass under different stocking rates

The ingestive behavior and performance of female lambs grazing on Marandu pasture submitted to different stocking rates during the rainy and transition season were evaluated. The experimental area with 4,500 m² was divided into 45 paddocks of 100 m². Twenty-seven Santa Ines female lambs (purebred) with 4 months age and 22 kg of initial body weight were distributed in a completely randomized design, with nine replicates. Lambs were divided into 9 groups with the same initial weight and submitted to three stocking rates: 2, 3 and 4 lambs/paddock, which corresponded to 40, 60 and 80 lambs/ha, respectively. Each group of animals had a module of five paddocks, managed on intermittent grazing system, with 7 days of occupation and 28 d of rest. Increase on time grazing and reduction on time ruminating and resting were observed as stocking rates increased. There was 14% raise in time grazing and 41% decline on time resting by lambs subjected to the highest stocking rate compared with those in the lower stocking rate. The number of animals/ha promoted linear effect on average daily gain, which was higher for animals in the lowest stocking rate of 90 g/d. For gain per area, the best result was obtained with 60 animals/ha featuring an average value of 426 kg/ha.

Weight width carapace relationship in the crab hepatus-pudibundus (herbst, 1785) (crustacea, decapoda, calappidae) of the Ubatuba region, SP, Brazil

In populational studies, the weight/width carapace relationship analysis, can furnish indications about the individual physiological variations as a function of the environment, and it can indicate sexual dimorphism. The goal of this research is to find the mathematical expressions of weight/width carapace relationship in the crab Hepatus pudibundus. This study was accomplished by analysing the crabs that were sampled monthly with a shrimp fishing boat equipped with 2 otter-trawl nets, during the period from november/1988 to october/1989. A total of 624 specimens were obtained composed of 244 males and 380 females. In each group the sex, the weight (PE) and the carapace width (LC) were determined. The obtained values agree with the studied range, showing variations during male and female development, represented by the potential function of the equation Y = aX(b). Such variations are probably related to reproductive strategies.

Testosterone stimulates growth and secretory activity of the female prostate in the adult gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The prostate of the female gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is similar to the human female prostate (Skene gland) and, despite its reduced size, it is functional and shows secretory activity. However, virtually nothing is known about its physiological regulation. This study was thus undertaken to evaluate the behavior of the gerbil female prostate in a hyperandrogenic condition. Adult females received subcutaneous injections of testosterone cypionate (1 mg/kg body weight every 48 h) up to 21 days. Circulating levels of testosterone and estradiol were monitored, and the prostate and ovaries subjected to structural and immunocytochemical analyses. The treatment resulted in sustained high levels of circulating testosterone, and caused a transient increase in estradiol. There was an increase in epithelial cell proliferation accompanied by significant reorganization of the epithelium and an apparent reduction in secretory activity, followed by a progressive increase in luminal volume density and accumulation of secretory products. Immunocytochemistry identified the expression of androgen receptor and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-related antigen in prostatic epithelial cells. A circulating PSA-related antigen was also found, and its concentration showed strong negative correlation with circulating estrogen. Epithelial dysplasia was detected in the prostate of treated females. Analysis of the ovaries showed the occurrence of a polycystic condition and stromal cell hyperplasia. The results indicate that testosterone has a stimulatory effect on the female prostate, inducing epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, secretory activity, and dysplasia. The results also suggest that prostatic growth and activity, polycystic ovaries, and ovarian stromal cell hyperplasia are related to a hyperandrogenic condition in females.

Net energy, protein and macrominerals requirements for 70 to 120 day old female rabbits

In order to determine the net energy, protein and macrominerals requirements of 70 to 120 day old, 52 female White New Zealand rabbits, weighing 1900g +/- 40g were used. At the beginning of the experimental period, 14 of the 52 young does were slaughtered and the 38 remaining animals were kept under two dietary management: ad libitum and restricted feeding. Slaughters were performed to determine each nutrient body content. The weight gain nutrient requirements depicted by the quantities of each nutrient stored into the body were obtained by applying the regression equation, which estimate the empty body nutrient content logarithm as a function of the empty body weight logarithm, as described by ARC (1980). By determining the heat production logarithm at the zero level of metabolizable energy intake, the maintenance net energy requirement was estimated to be 45.31 Kcal/day/Kg(0.75) the mean net energy. protein, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium and potassium requirements for each gram of weight gain per day were estimated to be, 2.51 Kcal, 0.21g, 0.02g, 0.005g, 0.001g, 0.0004g and 0.002g, respectively.