Male gonadal denervation by guanethidine at pre-puberty: Different doses, different results. The intervention of the pineal deafferentation

Since gonadal denervation and pineal deafferentation by cervical superior ganglionectomy affect sexual development, this study was performed to evaluate testicular steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and the cervical superior ganglion (CSG) histology in rats treated with guanethidine (GD). The treatment was performed by GD s.c. injections for 3 weeks, from the 21st day of age to the 41st day of age (pre-puberty), when the animals were sacrificed. Different doses were used: group A=10 mg/kg/day, group B=50 mg/kg/day and saline (control group). Testicular denervation was confirmed by HPLC for catecholamines in testicular tissue. Testicular concentrations (TC) of progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) were measured by RIA. Significantly higher TC of P4 and lower TC of T were observed only in group A in comparison with group B and the control group. No alteration of sperm production was observed in either treated group. Histological analysis of CSG showed only few neuronal alterations in group A rats, while in group B the nervous cells were practically destroyed. This suggests that 10 mg/kg/day GD treatment probably produces a specific blockade of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 desmolase at pre-puberty leading to a decrease of the androgen production. However, in the 50 mg/kg/day group no differences were observed concerning the steroid profiles, this result being attributed to the extensive damage to the CSG observed only in group B. The CSG destruction causes deafferentation of the pineal gland producing abolishment of the inhibition of the 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 desmolase promoted by melatonin or by an out of phase production of androgen.

Maturação de sementes de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreb). I. Maturidade do campo

The present work aimed to define the field maturity of Avena strigosa Schreb seeds cv. Comum. Three experiments were carried out in field conditions during 1986, 1987 and 1989 in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. The sowings were made in May. The characteristics evaluated were: panicles and spikelet aspects, the weight of the dry matter of 100 seeds with and without glumes, the seed moisture, the percentage of germinated seeds (sum of normal + abnormal seedlings), the percentage of germination and vigor (first count of germination test). Based on the dry matter accumulation and the gemination percentage of the seeds, it was concluded that the field maturity of the seeds was reached around 28 and 3 5 days after 100% of panicles emergence of the field. At this stage, the field presented a few percentage of particles (+/- 20%) not yet all yellowish, with spikelets at semi-hard stage and the seeds with 20 to 30% of moisture.

A Via Campesina Brasil e a avaliação da primeira década de impactos da reforma agrária do Banco Mundial

During the past decade, influenced strongly by World Bank land policies, many governments instituted a new mode of recreating the peasantry, one supposedly led by market forces through credit programs secured by land. Supported by large landowner organizations, defended as a conquest by the rural labor movement and combated by member organizations of the Via Campesina, the new mode of peasant renovation has inspired a diversity of interpretations both positive and negative. To evaluate these events, this article seeks to demonstrate the World Bank's intentionality in urging the implementation of market-led agrarian reform in developing countries; discusses the construction of immaterial territories in the context of this policy; analyzes the development of a people's think tank in response to the agitation of the Via Campesina Brazil and the negative impact of the credit system on peasants.

Doses de potássio em cobertura na primeira soca da cultura da cana-de-açúcar cultivada no norte matogrossense

The sugar cane crop has been cultivated in all regions of the Brazil, occupying different soil types. The north region of Mato Grosso has favorable climate conditions for the culture, however, has been achieved low productivity due to the not application of fertilizer and inefficient doses. Being the potassium the mineral element absorbed in large amount by culture. Aimed to with this work to evaluate the effect of growing doses of the nutrient applied in coverage in the second cycle of the variety of sugar cane IAC86-2480. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. The Potassium doses were: 0; 60; 120; 180 e 240 kg ha(-1) of K(2)O. Was evaluated the degrees Brix, diameter, weigth, height and productivity of stalk. No was significant effects for the variable degrees Brix in response to potassium doses, since to others had response quadratic. The dose of maximum agronomic efficiency was of 150 kg ha(-1) de K(2)O obtaining productivity of 85 t ha(-1) of stalk, representing 25% increase in productivity.

Influência da elevaçáo transitória e da elevaçáo sustentada da pressáo arterial sobre a primeira derivada temporal da pressáo ventricular.

PURPOSE--To analyze the influence of transient and sustained elevations of arterial pressure (AP) on the rate of rise of the left ventricular pressure (dp/dt). METHODS--Thirteen anesthetized, thoracotomized and mechanically ventilated dogs, submitted to pharmacological autonomic block (oxprenolol-3 mg/kg plus atropine-0.5 mg/kg). The AP elevation was obtained by mechanical constriction of the descending thoracic aorta. Two protocols were applied to all animals: Transient Arterial Hypertension (TAH) and Sustained Arterial Hypertension (SAH) and the following variables were evaluated: heart rate (HR), systolic (LVSP) and end diastolic (LVEDP) left ventricular pressure and dp/dt. In TAH the variables were analyzed in the basal condition (To) and at the maximal value of AP attained during the transient pressure elevation (TM). In the protocol SAH the variables were evaluated in the conditions: Control (Ho), hypertension 1 (H1) and hypertension 2 (H2). RESULTS--Considering all conditions, there were no significant differences among the values of HR. In the protocol TAH, the LVSP varied from 133 +/- 22 mmHg to 180 +/- 27 mmHg, whereas in SAH the values of LVSP were as follow: HO = 129 +/- 25 mmHg; H1 = 152 = 23 mmHg; H2 = 182 +/- 24 mmHg. LVEDP changed in both protocols: To = 7 +/- 2 mmHg; TM = 13 +/- 2 mmHg (p < 0.05); Ho = 7 +/- 2 mmHg; H1 = 10 +/- 2 mmHg; H2 = 14 +/- 3 mmHg (p < 0.05). During TAH there was no difference between the values of dp/dt (To = 3.303 +/- 598 mmHg/s; TM = 3.350 +/- 653 mmHg/s; p > 0.05), however, there were increases of the dp/dt during SAH (Ho = 3.233 +/- 576 mmHg/s; H1 = 3.831 +/- 667 mmHg/s; H1 = 4.594 +/- 833 mmHg/2; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION--The values of dp/dt are not influenced by transient elevation of AP. Sustained increase of AP activates cardiac adjustments, which results in elevation of dp/dt, by stimulation of contractile state. Probably, the inotropic intervention mechanism is the length dependent activation due to the Frank-Starling mechanism.

Comparação entre metodologias para avaliar a idade à primeira concepção em éguas puro-sangue inglês

In Brazil, due to the breeding season for Thoroughbred, the reproductive data are normally truncate, since the breeders try to get animals that were born at the beginning of the breeding season in order to take their competitive advantages (more developed, mature and trained animals) compared to animals born later in the same breeding season. To analyze these data suitable methods should be used. Then, this paper aims to compare three methodologies: the method of maximum restricted likelihood, using MTDFREML, bayesian analysis without censured data by software MTGSAM and bayesian analysis with censured data by software LMCD, to evaluate age at first conception in thoroughbred mares, in order to verify its impact on the choice of stallions during selection. The database contained 3509 records for age at first conception (months) for thoroughbred mares. The heritability estimates were 0.23, 0.30 and 0.0926 (log scale), for MTDF, MTGSAM and LMCD, respectively. Considering all animals in the pedigree (6713), ranking correlations varied from 0.91 to 0.99. When only stallions were considered (656), those varied from 0.48 to 0.99 (considering different percentages of selected males) between evalua-tion methods. The highest changes in the general classification were observed when LMCD was compared to the other two methods. As the linear censured model is the most suitable for trait analysis with censured data, it was observed that censure information would lead to the choice of different animals during the selection process, when compared to the two other methodologies.

Tempo de passagem de sementes pelo trato digestório de aves frugívoras, uma primeira avaliação no Brasil

The transit time of seeds ingested by frugivorous animals has important implications for the spatial distribution of seeds and their dispersal distance. Nevertheless, this parameter is rarely included in seed dispersal studies. In this paper, we provide information about the transit time of seeds of nine species of plants ingested by individuals of six species of captive birds (Turdus albicollis, T. amaurochalinus, T. leucomelas, T. rufiventris, Stephanophorus diadematus and Saltator similis). We found that (1) seeds are regurgitated quickly through the digestive tract of birds than defecated seeds, and (2) large seeds (e.g., > 5 mm in diameter for Turdus spp.) are regurgitated rather than defecated. These results corroborate other studies, but the relationship between seed size and transit time seems to be quite complex and variable, requiring more detailed studies on this important aspect of the ecology of seed dispersal and digestive physiology of frugivorous birds.

Desenvolvimento, produtividade e composição bromatológica da primeira soqueira da cana-de-açúcar em função de fontes de fósforo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development, yield and chemical composition of the first ratoon sugar cane, depending on the residual effect of phosphorus sources. The study was conducted in the municipality of Alta Floresta - MT. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial scheme 4x2, with four replications. The phosphorus sources were used: bone meal, Arad phosphate and triple superphosphate, and a control without the application of the nutrient. The varieties of sugar cane were planted IAC86-2480 and SP79-1011. We evaluated the plant height, stalk diameter, mass of a plant, number of stems, dry matter yield, P content of the plant and the chemical composition of the forage. The residual effect of fertilization, using different sources of phosphorus, no significant alterations in the development, yield and chemical composition of the first ratoon sugar cane, with little reduction in NDF and ADF when using the bone meal. The variety IAC86-2480 showed better results, providing a higher content of crude protein and phosphorus in the plant and increased production of dry mass.

Estádios de maturação de pêssegos 'Aurora-1' para o processamento mínimo

The experiment aimed to verify the effect of maturation stage on the quality of minimally processed peaches. Fruits were used in two stages of maturity, on time corresponding to the background color yellow-green, and mature, which corresponds completely to the background color yellow. The minimum process consisted of washing, sanitizing, enzyme peel, cut lengthwise and removed the stone fruits. Halves obtained were immersed in water chlorinated to 10 mg L-1 of water and left on standing to drain the excess liquid. Afterwards, it was proceeded the packaging of the halves in containers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and with transparent lid, and the storage at 3 ± 2 ° C and RH = 65% for 12 days, with assessments every three days. The variables evaluated were appearance, weight loss, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble and reduced sugars, ascorbic acid, total and soluble pectin, coloring and activity of polyphenoloxidase. The storage of minimally processed peaches 'Aurora-1' mature harvested was limited mainly by the loss of freshness and firmness, and because they have darker appearance, and lower levels of reduced sugars and ascorbic acid. Peaches 'Aurora-1', harvested at the maturity stage on time, had better quality and longer duration of their minimally processed products.

Involvement of pituitary gonadotropins, gonadal steroids and breeding season in sex change of protogynous dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Teleostei: Serranidae), induced by a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor

Two experiments were performed using the aromatase inhibitor (AI) letrozole (100mg/kg) to promote sex change, from female-to-male, in protogynous dusky grouper. One experiment was performed during the breeding season (spring) and the other at the end of the breeding season (summer). During the spring, AI promoted sex change after 9weeks and the sperm produced was able to fertilize grouper oocytes. During the summer, the sex change was incomplete; intersex individuals were present and sperm was not released by any of the animals. Sex changed gonads had a lamellar architecture; cysts of spermatocytes and spermatozoa in the lumen of the germinal compartment. In the spring, after 4weeks, 11ketotestosterone (11KT) levels were higher in the AI than in control fish, and after 9weeks, coincident with semen release, testosterone levels increased in the AI group, while 11KT returned to the initial levels. Estradiol (E2) levels remained unchanged during the experimental period. Instead of decreasing throughout the period, as in control group, 17 α-OH progesterone levels did not change in the AI-treated fish, resulting in higher values after 9weeks when compared with control fish. fshβ and lhβ gene expression in the AI animals were lower compared with control fish after 9weeks. The use of AI was effective to obtain functional males during the breeding season. The increase in androgens, modulated by gonadotropins, triggered the sex change, enabling the development of male germ cells, whereas a decrease in E2 levels was not required to change sex in dusky grouper. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Uso de fitorreguladores e efeitos no florescimento de plantas de pinhão-manso e na maturidade fisiológica das sementes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Maturação induzida, alterações fisiológicas, produtividade e qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.)

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

Períodos de interferência de uma comunidade infestante na cultura do milho em primeira e segunda safras

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA