Citologia aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF), em testículo de onça pintada (Panthera onca), utilizada como ferramenta no diagnóstico de infertilidade

Técnicas de biópsia, caracterizadas pela remoção de segmentos de órgãos e tecidos para análise histopatológica, não são indicadas no auxílio diagnóstico de alterações testiculares para animais ameaçados de extinção, por não serem totalmente isentas de riscos. Neste sentido, é de grande interesse que se desenvolvam técnicas de biópsia testicular cada vez mais seguras e com o mínimo de conseqüências negativas. Com este intuito três onças pintadas (Panthera onca) foram submetidas a exames de Citologia Aspirativa por Agulha Fina (CAAF). Amostras foram obtidas através da punção aspirativa dos testículos, esfregaços foram confeccionados, corados com Panótico e analisados sob Microscopia Óptica. Simultaneamente foram realizadas coletas de sêmen para avaliação do volume, pH, concentração, motilidade, vigor e morfologia espermáticas. Quanto à avaliação espermática, os animais apresentaram valores semelhantes aos encontrados na literatura quanto ao volume, pH, motilidade, vigor e morfologia espermáticas. Quanto a concentração espermática os animais apresentaram valores abaixo dos encontrados na literatura. Nos exames de CAAF, todas as gerações de células germinativas foram identificadas, indicando espermatogênese normal em todos os animais, com exceção das espermátides finais duplas que ainda não foram relatadas como achados em punções testiculares de outras espécies, o que vem confirmar a elevada porcentagem de células teratológicas encontradas nesses animais. Desta forma, podemos concluir que a CAAF testicular é um método diagnóstico auxiliar importante na detecção de alterações testiculares em casos de sub ou infertilidade, podendo ser utilizados na rotina de investigação do trato reprodutivo masculino, quando o exame histopatológico, por ser um método altamente invasivo, é desaconselhável.

Antigenic typing of brazilian rabies virus samples isolated from animals and humans, 1989-2000

Amostras de vírus rábico isoladas de animais e humanos no período de 1989 a 2000 foram tipificadas antigenicamente com a utilização de um painel de anticorpos monoclonais contra a nucleoproteína viral, pré-estabelecido para o estudo da epidemiologia molecular do vírus rábico isolado nas Américas. As amostras testadas foram isoladas no laboratório de diagnóstico do Instituto Pasteur e outros centros de diagnóstico de raiva no Brasil. Além das cepas de vírus rábico fixo CVS-31/96-IP, mantida em cérebro de camundongos e a PV-BHK/97, mantida em cultura de células, cepas de vírus rábico isoladas de cães, gatos, bovinos, eqüinos, morcegos, ovinos, caprino, suínos, raposa, sagüí, coatí, guaxinim e humanos, totalizaram 330 amostras. Seis variantes antigênicas foram definidas, compatíveis com perfís observados no painel de anticorpos monoclonais pré-estabelecido utilizado, as de número 2 (cão), 3 (Desmodus rotundus), 4 (Tadarida brasiliensis), 5 (Vampiro da Venezuela), 6 (Lasiurus cinereus) e Lab (reagente a todos os anticorpos utilizados), além de outros seis perfís desconhecidos, não compatíveis com aqueles observados no painel utilizado. A maior variabilidade foi observada entre as amostras isoladas de morcegos insetívoros e a variante mais comum isolada entre as espécies foi a variante 3 (Desmodus rotundus). Estes fatos podem representar a existência de múltiplos ciclos de transmissão independentes, envolvendo diferentes espécies de morcegos.

Karyotype description of two Neotropical Psittacidae species: the endangered Hyacinth Macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, and the Hawk-headed Parrot, Deroptyus accipitrinus (Psittaciformes: Aves), and its significance for conservation plans

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

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.

THE POPULATION STATUS OF THE ENDANGERED BRAZILIAN ENDEMIC LEAF-CUTTING ANT ATTA-ROBUSTA (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

The population status of the endemic leaf-cutting ant Atta robusta was assessed using extensive field surveys. In the coastal plain of the state of Rio de Janeiro, we found localized populations of A. robusta, bur no evidence of population recruitment. In disturbed habitats, A. robusta is apparently being displaced by Atta sexdens rubropilosa.

Characteristics of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolated from animals in Brazil

Strains (105) of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolated in Brazil between 1982 and 1990 mere bio-serotyped. They were also studied for plasmid profile, autoagglutination and calcium dependence at 37 degrees C, Congo red uptake, pyrazinamidase activity, esculin hydrolysis, salicin fermentation and drug sensitivity: 95.24% were biotype 2, serogroup O:3; 2.86% were biotype 1, serogroup O:1; and 1.90% were biotype 2, non-agglutinable. Plasmids were found in 77.14% of the strains (one in each strain). There was total correlation between the presence of the virulence plasmid and autoagglutination, calcium dependence at 37 degrees C and Congo red uptake. The esculin, salicin and pyrazinamidase tests were not efficient in differentiating pathogenic from non-pathogenic Y, pseudotuberculosis isolates. All strains were highly sensitive to the drugs used. These results indicate that Y. pseudotuberculosis is a potential pathogen for humans in Brazil, especially because the bio-serogroups detected among animals are those most frequently associated with human diseases.

Experimental study of progressive facial hemiatrophy: effects of cervical sympathectomy in animals

Progressive facial hemiatrophy (Romberg's syndrome) is of unknown cause and uncertain pathogenesis. The main pathogenetic hypotheses are: sympathetic system alterations, localized scleroderma, trigeminal changes, possibly of genetic origin. To test the hypothesis of sympathetic system alterations, we designed an experimental model with ablation of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion in rabbits, cats and dogs. All the animals were operated upon when 30 days old and were examined monthly for 1 year. During this period localized alopecia, corneal ulceration, keratitis, strabismus, enophthalmos, ocular atrophy, hemifacial atrophy and slight bone atrophy on the side of the sympathectomy were observed. Thus, cervical sympathectomy reproduces in animals the principal clinical alterations of Romberg's syndrome. Our data suggest that the sympathetic system is involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Radiative properties of the skin and haircoat of cattle and other animals

Radiative properties (reflectance rho, transmittance tau, and absorptance alpha) were determined for wavelengths from 300 to 850 nm in the haircoat and the skin of water buffalo, deer (Pantanal deer, Blastocerus dichotomus), and cattle of the Holstein, Simmental, Canchim, Brangus, and Nelore breeds. The results showed that white hairs have higher rho (0.60 to 0.67) than the other coat colors, but the gray coats (mixed white and dark hair) of the Nelore cattle presented higher rho than that of the white coats of the European breeds at wavelengths lower than 600 nm. The light gray colored skin of the Canchim cattle had higher rho (0. 66) than the non-pigmented skin of Holstein (0.53). Red skins presented rho values higher than those of dark gray and black skins. Buffalo skin (dark gray) presented an average rho of 0.23+/-0.02 and alpha of 0.77+/-0.02. The red haircoat of the deer presented rho lower (0.37) than that of cattle of the same color (0.58). However, there was little difference between deer and cattle with respect to reflectance and absorptance of the skin. As for the spectral transmittance of the skin, it was very low and about the same for both species, until 600 nm. In the range 600 to 850 nm, the tau values for cattle rose to 0. 17, while those for deer increased only to 0.12.

Conservation genetics of the endangered Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

The Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus L. 1758) is the most endangered neotropical cervid, and in the past occupied a wide range of open habitats including grassland, pampas, savanna, and cerrado (Brazil) from 5 degrees to 41 degrees S. To better understand the effect of habitat fragmentation on gene flow and genetic variation, and to uncover genetic units for conservation, we examined DNA sequences from the mitochondrial control region of 54 individuals from six localities distributed throughout the present geographical range of the Pampas deer. Our results suggest that the control region of the Pampas deer is one of the most polymorphic of any mammal. This remarkably high variability probably reflects large historic population sizes of millions of individuals in contrast to numbers of fewer than 80 000 today. Gene flow between populations is generally close to one migrant per generation and, with the exception of two populations from Argentina, all populations are significantly differentiated. The degree of gene flow was correlated with geographical distance between populations, a result consistent with limited dispersal being the primary determinant of genetic differentiation between populations. The molecular genetic results provide a mandate for habitat restoration and reintroduction of Pampas deer so that levels of genetic variation can be preserved and historic patterns of abundance can be reconstructed. However, the source of individuals for reintroduction generally should be from populations geographically closest to those now in danger of extinction.

Persistência de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em fragmentos de floresta ombrófila mista no estado do Paraná, Brasil

The Araucaria Forest is now represented by remnants of what was a continuous area of about 200,000 km(2). Medium and large mammals inhabiting this forest have suffered the impacts from the disturbance process and environmental degradation. Thus, this study determined which medium and large mammal species still inhabit the remnants of this vegetation type in Western Parana State. Three study areas, with 520, 405 and 135 hectares, consisting of stretches of primary forest mixed with secondary forest, were considered for mammal inventory. The evidence of mammals was verified directly (views) and indirectly (traces, trichology and interviews with local dwellers). It was recorded 32 species (including one exotic and two small ones), belonging to eight orders and 18 families. Nine animals of these species are at risk of extinction in the Parana State and five configure with insufficient data in the List of Endangered Species of the state. The results of this study indicate the great importance of these forest fragments in the conservation of several medium and large mammals in the Araucaria Forest of Parana State. Nevertheless, due to the negative pressures that these areas have been suffering, immediate and concrete public actions are required to ensure the maintenance of these mammal populations.