Modelagem e estimação de parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos para pesos do nascimento à seleção (378 dias) de machos Nelore

Genetic parameters for weights (17, 942 records), obtained in intervals of 60 days, from the birth to selection (378 days of age), of 2,582 males of the Nellore breed was estimated in univariate analyses by the Maximum Restricted Likelihood method. The models of analysis models included the fixed effects of contemporary groups, month of birth, mother age and age when the weights were collected as covariate. Three models differing in random effects were tested: the model 1 (M1) was adjusted for the direct and maternal addictive genetic effects and maternal permanent environment; in model 2 (M2) the maternal genetic effect was excluded; and the model 3 (M3) was only adjusted for the direct addictive genetic effect. The test of likelihood (LRT) detected significant differences, for all the ages, of M2 and M1 in relation to the simple model (M3), evidencing the importance of the maternal effects. Except for the birth weight (0.40), low values (0.05 to 0.12) of h(2) were found for M1 and M2 until 8 months of age and, after this period, reasonable increase could be observed, reaching 0.28 until 13 months of age. The estimates of the total variance fraction, due to the effect of maternal permanent environment, were high and practically became unaffected between the models 1 and 2. Maternal effects, not necessarily decomposed (in genetic addictive and permanent environment), affected the Nellore males growth. Models that contemplate maternal effects, besides the genetic addictive direct effects, are more realistic to describe the trajectory of the variances in the initial phases of growth of Nelore male calves.

Seleção para peso pós-desmama em um rebanho Gir. 2. Estimativas de variâncias e parâmetros genéticos dos efeitos direto e materno para características de crescimento

Componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos para características de crescimento foram estimados usando diferentes modelos em um rebanho da raça Gir. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita sob modelo animal univariado. Os modelos de análise incluíram os efeitos fixos de mês de nascimento, grupo contemporâneo e idade da vaca. Cinco modelos diferindo quanto aos efeitos aleatórios foram testados. Para todas as características da fase pré-desmama, o teste de razão de verossimilhança (LRT) indicou o modelo com efeito genético aditivo direto e efeitos maternos (genético e de ambiente permanente) como o de melhor ajuste. As estimativas de herdabilidade direta para peso ao nascer (PN), peso aos quatro meses corrigido para 120 dias (P120), peso à desmama corrigido para 210 dias (P210) e ganho diário na fase pré-desmama (GPRE) foram, respectivamente, 0,31± 0,07; 0,14 ± 0,06; 0,23 ± 0,07 e 0,22 ± 0,07. Para as características da fase pós-desmama, o modelo que forneceu o melhor ajuste aos dados incluiu apenas o efeito genético aditivo direto. As estimativas de herdabilidade direta para peso de machos ao final da prova de ganho de peso (P378), peso de fêmeas corrigido para 550 dias (P550), ganho diário na prova de ganho de peso (G112), altura aos 378 dias em machos (AM) e altura aos 550 dias, em fêmeas (AF) foram, respectivamente: 0,45 ± 0,11; 0,29 ± 0,11; 0,37 ± 0,11; 0,79 ± 0,13 e 0,36 ± 0,0. Os efeitos maternos, tanto o genético quanto o de ambiente permanente, foram fontes de variação importantes para as características da fase pré-desmama, não sendo verificada influência desses efeitos sobre as características da fase pós-desmama.

Progesterone concentrations, exogenous equine chorionic gonadotropin, and timing of prostaglandin F-2 alpha treatment affect fertility in postpuberal Nelore heifers

Two experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that elevated progesterone concentrations impair pregnancy rate to timed artificial insemination (TAI) in postpuberal Nelore heifers. In Experiment 1, postpuberal Nelore heifers (n = 398) received 2 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) and either a new progesterone-releasing intravaginal device containing 1.9 g of progesterone (CIDR) (first use) or a CIDR previously used for 9 d (second use) or for 18 d (third use) on Day 0, 12.5 mg prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)) on Day 7, 0.5 mg estradiol cypionate (ECP) and CIDR withdrawal on Day 9, and TAI on Day 11. Largest ovarian follicle diameter was determined on Day 11. The third-use CIDR treatment increased largest ovarian follicle diameter and pregnancy rate. Conception to TAI was reduced in heifers with smaller follicles in the first- and second-use CIDR treatments, but not in the third-use CID treatment. In Experiment 2, postpuberal Nelore heifers received the synchronization treatment described in Experiment 1 or received 12.5 mg PGF2. on Day 9 rather than Day 7. In addition, 50% of heifers received 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on Day 9. Heifers were either TAI (Experiment 2a; n = 199) or Al after detection of estrus (Experiment 2b; n = 125 of 202). In Experiment 2a, treatment with cCG increased pregnancy rate to TAI in heifers that received PGF2. on Day 9 but not on Day 7 and in heifers that received a first-use CIDR but not in heifers that received a third-use CIDR. Treatments did not influence reproductive performance in Experiment 2b. In summary, pregnancy rate to TAI in postpuberal Nelore heifers was optimized when lower concentrations of cxogcnous progesterone were administered, and eCG treatment was beneficial in heifers expected to have greater progesterone concentrations. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and functional characterization of BnSP-7, a Lys49 myotoxic phospholipase A(2) homologue from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis Venom

BnSP-7, a Lys49 myotoxic phospholipase A, homologue from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis venom, was structurally and functionally characterized. Several biological activities were assayed and compared with those of the chemically modified toxin involving specific amino acid residues, the cDNA produced from the total RNA by RT-PCR contained approximately 400 bp which codified its 121 amino acid residues with a calculated pi and molecular weight of 8.9 and 13,727, respectively. Its amino acid sequence showed strong similarities with several Lys49 phospholipase A, homologues from other Bothrops sp, venoms. By affinity chromatography and gel diffusion, it was demonstrated that heparin formed a complex with BnSP-7, held at least in part by electrostatic interactions. BnSP-7 displayed bactericidal activity and promoted the blockage of the neuromuscular contraction of the chick, biventer cervicis muscle. In addition to its in vivo myotoxic and edema-inducing activity, it disrupted artificial membranes, Both BnSP-7 and the crude venom released creatine kinase from the mouse gastrocnemius muscle and induced the development of a dose-dependent edema. His, Tyr, and Lys residues of the toxin were chemically modified by 4-bromophhenacyl bromide (BPB), 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (NBSF), and acetic anhydride (AA), respectively. Cleavage of its N-terminal octapeptide was achieved with cyanogen bromide (CNBr), the bactericidal action of BnSP-7 on Escherichia coli was almost completely abolished by acetylation or cleavage of the N-terminal octapeptide, the neuromuscular effect induced by BnSP-7 was completely inhibited by heparin, BPB, acetylation, and CNBr treatment. The creatine kinase releasing and edema-inducing effects were partially inhibited by heparin or modification by BPB and almost completely abolished by acetylation or cleavage of the N-terminal octapeptide, the rupture of liposomes by BnSP-7 and crude venom was dose and temperature dependent. Incubation of BnSP-7 with EDTA did not change this effect, suggesting a Ca2+-independent membrane lytic activity. BnSP-7 cross-reacted with antibodies raised against B. moojeni (MjTX-II), B. jararacussu (BthTX-I), and B. asper (Basp-II) myotoxins as well as against the C-terminal peptide (residues 115-129) from Basp-II. (C) 2000 Academic Press.

Interfacial surface charge and free accessibility to the PLA(2)-active site-like region are essential requirements for the activity of Lys49 PLA(2) homologues

Lys49 phospholipase A(2) homologues are highly myotoxic and cause extensive tissue damage but do not display hydrolytic activity towards natural phospholipids. The binding of heparin, heparin derivatives and polyanionic compounds such as suramin result in partial inhibition (up to 60%) of the myotoxic effects due to a change in the overall charge of the interfacial surface. In vivo experiments demonstrate that polyethylene glycol inhibits more than 90% of the myotoxic effects without exhibiting secondary toxic effects. The crystal structure of bothropstoxin-I complexed with polyethylene glycol reveals that this inhibition is due to steric hindrance of the access to the PLA(2)-active site-like region. These two inhibitory pathways indicate the roles of the overall surface charge and free accessibility to the PLA2-active site-like region in the functioning of Lys49 phospholipases A(2) homologues. Molecular dynamics simulations, small angle X-ray scattering and structural analysis indicate that the oligomeric states both in solution and in the crystalline states of Lys49 phospholipases A2 are principally mediated by hydrophobic contacts formed between the interfacial surfaces. These results provide the framework for the potential application of both clinically approved drugs for the treatment of Viperidae snakebites. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of P-MAPA immunomodulator on Toll-like receptor 2, ROS, nitric oxide, MAPKp38 and IKK in PBMC and macrophages from dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

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