Epididimite ovina por Actinobacillus seminis no Estado de Pernambuco

Relata-se a ocorrência de orquite e epididimite ovina associada ao isolamento de Actinobacillus seminis no Estado de Pernambuco. Clinicamente observou-se aumento de volume nos testículos e epidídimos, dor e aumento de temperatura local à palpação, e atrofia testicular bilateral. Após o abate observou-se a presença de conteúdo purulento no epidídimo. À microscopia dos testículos observou-se espessamento da túnica albugínea, necrose de coagulação e calcificação de túbulos seminíferos, infiltrado inflamatório com predominância de linfócitos entre túbulos seminíferos, além de mineralização incipiente de túbulos. No epidídimo observou-se intensa proliferação de tecido conjuntivo ao redor dos ductos epididimários. O diagnóstico de orquite e epididimite por Actinobacillus seminis foi confirmado pela associação dos achados clínico-patológicos, isolamento e identificação da bactéria.

Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound study of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

The aim of the present study was the ultrasound characterization of the abdominal and pelvic regions of five maned wolves kept in captivity at the Triage Center of Wild Animals of the Federal University of Viçosa (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Viçosa). This characterization included descriptions of ultrasonographic aspects and measurements of various structures using B-mode ultrasound. Biometric data were collected to assess the existence of significant linear correlations between these measurements and the measurements obtained by ultrasound. Additionally, hematological and serum biochemistry evaluations of the animals were performed. The ultrasound findings were similar to those available in the literature on domestic dogs, which were used for comparison as a result of the lack of published data regarding maned wolves. The latter species showed characteristics closely resembling those of the former, differing in the spleen and left renal cortex echogenicities, in the appearance of the prostatic and testicular regions and in the hepatic portal vein morphology. In the current study, the biometric values were similar to those previously published; however, no data regarding thoracic perimeter, modified crown-rump length or thoracic depth were found in the literature for this Canidae species. Statistical analysis showed the existence of a strong negative correlation between the modified crown-rump length and left renal length, between the modified crown-rump length and the right renal volume, between the thoracic perimeter and the height at the cranial pole of the left adrenal gland and between the thoracic perimeter and the height at the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland. Laboratory findings, including segmented neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts and the serum levels of glucose, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, total protein, globulin, creatine phosphokinase, triglyceride, sodium, phosphate, potassium and chloride, were inconsistent with values found by other authors. The ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging method that must be further explored in the medicine of wild animals; therefore, additional research in this area is required.

Análise morfológica e morfométrica das gônadas de preguiça (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825)

A preguiça pode ser designada, zoologicamente, como um mamífero da classe Eutheria, ordem Edentata, subordem Xenarthra e família Bradypodidae. O gênero Bradypus é constituído de três espécies distintas: a preguiça-de-bentinho (B. tridactylus), restrita à região amazônica; a preguiça-comum (B. variegatus), de ampla distribuição, ocorrendo nas Américas Central e do Sul e a preguiça-de-coleira (B. torquatus), única seriamente ameaçada de extinção. Percebe-se a necessidade de uma investigação mais aprofundada sobre a espécie B. variegatus, a fim de contribuir de forma efetiva com a elaboração de tratados de anatomia da fauna silvestre, além de buscar mais informações sobre a anatomia do sistema reprodutor do bicho preguiça (Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825) e, desta forma, aplicar os novos conhecimentos na sua preservação. Utilizamos quatro indivíduos machos e três fêmeas, pertencentes ao banco de espécies da Área de Anatomia do Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (DMFA/UFRPE), as quais foram dissecados e evidenciamos a vascularização das gônadas, bem como suas localizações e aspectos morfológicos e morfométricos dos testículos e ovários. Como resultados, observou-se que o macho possui testículos localizados no interior do espaço intraabdominal, ligados às glândulas adrenais por um ligamento de peritônio. A vascularização não é feita por um plexo pampiniforme, mas por uma artéria e uma veia testicular. Os testículos possuem, em média, volume igual a 1,42cm³ e espessura, largura e comprimento, respectivamente iguais a 0,98, 1,23 e 1,45cm. Os ovários também estão no interior do espaço intra-abdominal, no fundo do útero, protegidos por uma bolsa ovariana, composta por mesovário e mesossalpinge. A vascularização é realizada por um plexo arteriovenoso que irriga e drena o útero, e suas ramificações na parede uterina atingem os ovários. Os ovários possuem, em média, espessura, largura e comprimento, respectivamente iguais a 0,37, 0,73 e 0,62 cm.

Parâmetros anátomo-estruturais de orgãos reprodutivos de ovinos sem raça definida (SRD) nativos do Estado da Paraíba, com e sem bipartição escrotal: estudo do escroto e funículo espermático

Foram utilizados 42 ovinos sem raça definida, divididos segundo a configuração escrotal. Destes animais, 12 foram utilizados na investigação da biometria testicular e histologia da pele escrotal. Os demais foram destinados ao estudo do funículo espermático. Os animais foram agrupados em um grupo de 21 animais sem bipartição escrotal (GEI) e 21 com bipartição escrotal, (GEII), esta não atingindo 50% do comprimento do eixo longitudinal do escroto. Em cada grupo, em 6 animais foram coletados fragmentos da pele do escroto e em 5 do funículo espermáticos, e processados em rotina histológica e analisados em microscopia de luz; e em 10 foram injetados látex na artéria testicular para obtenção de moldes vasculares e obtenção do comprimento da artéria. Quando comparados os grupos GEI e GEII, não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas significativas (p<0,05) entre a espessura do escroto (epiderme e derme), constituição histológica da pele escrotal, número de glândulas sudoríparas por área, comprimento do funículo espermático ou parâmetros biométricos testiculares. Entretanto, o comprimento total das artérias testiculares do GEI foi maior do que o GEII (p<0,05). Concluiu-se, com base nos parâmetros morfológicos analisados, que a bipartição escrotal em ovinos não influenciou na estrutura da pele, funículo ou biometria testicular quando comparado aos animais que não apresentavam esta característica. Outros estudos merecem atenção para desmistificar o porquê do aparecimento dessa característica em ovinos e se esta característica é ou não desejável para melhoria na produção desses animais em regiões de clima quente.

Systematization, distribution and territory of the caudal cerebral artery on the brain's surface of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Thirty Meleagris gallopavo heads with their neck segments were used. Animals were contained and euthanized with the association of mebezonium iodide, embutramide and tetracaine hydrochloride (T 61, Intervet ) by intravenous injection. The arterial system was rinsed with cold saline solution (15°C), with 5000IU heparin and filled with red-colored latex. The samples were fixed in 20% formaldehyde for seven days. The brains were removed with a segment of cervical spinal cord and after, the dura-mater was removed and the arteries dissected. The cerebral carotid arteries, after the intercarotid anastomosis, were projected around the hypophysis, until they reached the tuber cinereum and divided into their terminal branches, the caudal branch and the rostral branch. The rostral branch was projected rostrolateralwards and gave off, in sequence, two collateral branches, the caudal cerebral and the middle cerebral arteries and the terminal branch was as cerebroethmoidal artery. The caudal cerebral artery of one antimere formed the interhemispheric artery, which gave off dorsal hemispheric branches to the convex surface of both antimeres. Its dorsal tectal mesencephalic branch, of only one antimere, originated the dorsal cerebellar artery. In the interior of the cerebral transverse fissure, after the origin of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, the caudal cerebral artery emitted occipital hemispheric branches, pineal branches and medial hemispheric branches, on both antimeres. The caudal cerebral artery's territory comprehended the entire surface of the dorsal hemioptic lobe, the rostral surface of the cerebellum, the diencephalic structures, the caudal pole and the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere and in the convex surface, the sagittal eminence except for its most rostral third. Due to the asymmetry found in the caudal cerebral arteries' ramifications, the models were classified into three types and their respective subtypes.

Triplex Doppler evaluation of the testes in dogs of different sizes

This study aimed to assess whether there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes. Twenty dogs were equally divided into small and large groups used in this study. The dogs were evaluated using Triplex ultrasound. Testicular artery was located by Colour Doppler in the spermatic cord, marginal to the testes and intratesticular segments and then, spectral Doppler were used to calculate: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). The mean testicular volume in the left side was significantly higher than the right side, in both groups. Doppler examination showed higher velocities (EDV) at spermatic cord in large dogs; marginal to the testes was observed higher velocities in small dogs; intratesticular region no differences were observed (P < 0.05) and within the groups differences between segments of the artery were also observed for each parameter. The results showed that there are differences in Doppler velocimetry parameters between different sizes.

A new species of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) from central Brazil

Utricularia cochleata C. P. Bove (Lentibulariaceae) from the "cerrado" (savanna) in central Brazil is described and illustrated. It is similar to Utricularia aureomaculata Steyerm. and Utricularia steyermarkii P. Taylor and can be distinguished from both by the densely branched traps, smaller lower calyx lobe, with rounded apex, the spur longer than the lower lip, insertion of the thecae below the filament apex, and the ciliate stigma.

Neuroendocrine regulation of salt and water metabolism

Neurons which release atrial natriuretic peptide (ANPergic neurons) have their cell bodies in the paraventricular nucleus and in a region extending rostrally and ventrally to the anteroventral third ventricular (AV3V) region with axons which project to the median eminence and neural lobe of the pituitary gland. These neurons act to inhibit water and salt intake by blocking the action of angiotensin II. They also act, after their release into hypophyseal portal vessels, to inhibit stress-induced ACTH release, to augment prolactin release, and to inhibit the release of LHRH and growth hormone-releasing hormone. Stimulation of neurons in the AV3V region causes natriuresis and an increase in circulating ANP, whereas lesions in the AV3V region and caudally in the median eminence or neural lobe decrease resting ANP release and the response to blood volume expansion. The ANP neurons play a crucial role in blood volume expansion-induced release of ANP and natriuresis since this response can be blocked by intraventricular (3V) injection of antisera directed against the peptide. Blood volume expansion activates baroreceptor input via the carotid, aortic and renal baroreceptors, which provides stimulation of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus and possibly also serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei. These project to the hypothalamus to activate cholinergic neurons which then stimulate the ANPergic neurons. The ANP neurons stimulate the oxytocinergic neurons in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei to release oxytocin from the neural lobe which circulates to the atria to stimulate the release of ANP. ANP causes a rapid reduction in effective circulating blood volume by releasing cyclic GMP which dilates peripheral vessels and also acts within the heart to slow its rate and atrial force of contraction. The released ANP circulates to the kidney where it acts through cyclic GMP to produce natriuresis and a return to normal blood volume

Interaction between NO and oxytocin: Influence on LHRH release

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurons have been localized in various parts of the CNS. These neurons occur in the hypothalamus, mostly in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei and their axons project to the neural lobe of the pituitary gland. We have found that nitric oxide (NO) controls luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release from the hypothalamus acting as a signal transducer in norepinephrine (NE)-induced LHRH release. LHRH not only releases LH from the pituitary but also induces sexual behavior. On the other hand, it is known that oxytocin also stimulates mating behavior and there is some evidence that oxytocin can increase NE release. Therefore, it occurred to us that oxytocin may also stimulate LHRH release via NE and NO. To test this hypothesis, we incubated medial basal hypothalamic (MBH) explants from adult male rats in vitro. Following a preincubation period of 30 min, MBH fragments were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer in the presence of various concentrations of oxytocin. Oxytocin released LHRH at concentrations ranging from 0.1 nM to 1 µM with a maximal stimulatory effect (P<0.001) at 0.1 µM, but with no stimulatory effect at 10 µM. That these effects were mediated by NO was shown by the fact that incubation of the tissues with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NOS, blocked the stimulatory effects. Furthermore, the release of LHRH by oxytocin was also blocked by prazocin, an a1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, indicating that NE mediated this effect. Oxytocin at the same concentrations also increased the activity of NOS (P<0.01) as measured by the conversion of [14C]arginine to citrulline, which is produced in equimolar amounts with NO by the action of NOS. The release of LHRH induced by oxytocin was also accompanied by a significant (P<0.02) increase in the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a mediator of LHRH release that is released by NO. On the other hand, incubation of neural lobes with various concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (NP) (300 or 600 µM), a releaser of NO, revealed that NO acts to suppress (P<0.01) the release of oxytocin. Therefore, our results indicate that oxytocin releases LHRH by stimulating NOS via NE, resulting in an increased release of NO, which increases PGE2 release that in turn induces LHRH release. Furthermore, the released NO can act back on oxytocinergic terminals to suppress the release of oxytocin in an ultrashort-loop negative feedback

Aversive stimulation during the stress-hyporesponsive period does not affect the number of corticotroph cells in neonatal male rats

Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the effects of neonatal handling and aversive stimulation during the first 10 days of life on the number of corticotrophs in the anterior lobe of the pituitary of 11-day-old male Wistar rats. Since adult rats handled during infancy respond with reduced corticosterone secretion in response to stressors and with less behavior inhibition in novel environments, we assumed that neonatal stimulation could affect pituitary morphology during this critical period of cell differentiation. Three groups of animals were studied: intact (no manipulation, N = 5), handled (N = 5) and stimulated (submitted to 3 different aversive stimuli, N = 5). The percentage of ACTH-immunoreactive cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary (number of ACTH-stained cells divided by total number of cells) was determined by examining three slices per pituitary in which a minimum of 200 cells were counted by two independent researchers. Although animals during the neonatal period are less reactive to stress-like stimulation in terms of ACTH and corticosterone secretion, results showed that the relative number of ACTH-stained cells of neonatal handled (0.25 ± 0.01) and aversive stimulated (0.29 ± 0.03) rats was not significantly different from intact (0.30 ± 0.03) animals. Neonatal stimulation may have a differential effect on the various subpopulations of corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary

Annual changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels and correlation with gonadal status of a freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Adult Channa punctatus murrels of both sexes (60-80 g) were collected locally from Ramgarh Lake during the second week of every month (10 individuals of each sex/month) throughout the year. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum calcium and phosphate levels by the methods of Trinder (1960) and Fiske and Subbarow (1925), respectively. Gonads were fixed to judge the state of maturation of the fish. Males exhibited no change in serum calcium levels throughout the year in correlation with testicular maturation. However, serum phosphate levels exhibited a rise in correlation with the increased gonadosomatic index. Females showed marked seasonal changes in serum calcium and phosphate levels which were associated with ovarian maturation (vitellogenesis).

Behavioral and electroencephalographic analysis of seizures induced by intrahippocampal injection of granulitoxin, a neurotoxic peptide from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera

In this study, the behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis of seizures induced by the intrahippocampal injection in rats of granulitoxin, a neurotoxic peptide from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera, was determined. The first alterations occurred during microinjection of granulitoxin (8 µg) into the dorsal hippocampus and consisted of seizure activity that began in the hippocampus and spread rapidly to the occipital cortex. This activity lasted 20-30 s, and during this period the rats presented immobility. During the first 40-50 min after its administration, three to four other similar short EEG seizure periods occurred and the rats presented the following behavioral alterations: akinesia, facial automatisms, head tremor, salivation, rearing, jumping, barrel-rolling, wet dog shakes and forelimb clonic movements. Within 40-50 min, the status epilepticus was established and lasted 8-12 h. These results are similar to those observed in the acute phase of the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy and suggest that granulitoxin may be a useful tool not only to study the sodium channels, but also to develop a new experimental model of status epilepticus.

Expression of p53 protein in pituitary adenomas

Inactivating mutations of TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, are associated with abnormal cell proliferation. Although p53 expression is common in many human malignancies, p53 protein has seldom been evaluated in pituitary tumors. When detected, the percentage of p53-positive cells is low, and, in general, it is exclusive for invasive lesions. The aim of the present study was to use immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of p53 protein in pituitary adenomas from tumor samples of 163 surgeries performed in 148 patients (40% male, 60% female). In 35% of the cases the adenoma was nonfunctional, while in the others it was associated with PRL, GH and/or ACTH endocrine hypersecretion syndrome. Macroadenomas were observed in 83.2% of the cases with available neuroimage evaluation, of which 28% invaded the cavernous, sphenoid and/or ethmoidal sinus, bone, third ventricle or subfrontal lobe. p53 protein was detected in 2/148 patients (1.3%). Immunohistochemistry was positive for PRL and GH in these cases. Due to the high percentage of invasive pituitary adenomas found in our study, the low frequency of p53 detection suggests that it is inadequate as a routine marker for aggressiveness and as a predictive factor of tumor behavior.

Nitrergic modulation of vasopressin, oxytocin and atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in response to sodium intake and hypertonic blood volume expansion

The central nervous system plays an important role in the control of renal sodium excretion. We present here a brief review of physiologic regulation of hydromineral balance and discuss recent results from our laboratory that focus on the participation of nitrergic, vasopressinergic, and oxytocinergic systems in the regulation of water and sodium excretion under different salt intake and hypertonic blood volume expansion (BVE) conditions. High sodium intake induced a significant increase in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the medial basal hypothalamus and neural lobe, while a low sodium diet decreased NOS activity in the neural lobe, suggesting that central NOS is involved in the control of sodium balance. An increase in plasma concentrations in vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and nitrate after hypertonic BVE was also demonstrated. The central inhibition of NOS by L-NAME caused a decrease in plasma AVP and no change in plasma OT or ANP levels after BVE. These data indicate that the increase in AVP release after hypertonic BVE depends on nitric oxide production. In contrast, the pattern of OT secretion was similar to that of ANP secretion, supporting the view that OT is a neuromodulator of ANP secretion during hypertonic BVE. Thus, neurohypophyseal hormones and ANP are secreted under hypertonic BVE in order to correct the changes induced in blood volume and osmolality, and the secretion of AVP in this particular situation depends on NOS activity.

Fertility of male adult rats submitted to forced swimming stress

We investigated whether stress interferes with fertility during adulthood. Male Wistar rats (weighing 220 g in the beginning of the experiment) were forced to swim for 3 min in water at 32ºC daily for 15 days. Stress was assessed by the hot-plate test after the last stressing session. To assess fertility, control and stressed males (N = 15 per group) were mated with sexually mature normal females. Males were sacrificed after copulation. Stress caused by forced swimming was demonstrated by a significant increase in the latency of the pain response in the hot-plate test (14.6 ± 1.25 s for control males vs 26.0 ± 1.53 s for stressed males, P = 0.0004). No changes were observed in body weight, testicular weight, seminal vesicle weight, ventral prostate weight or gross histological features of the testes of stressed males. Similarly, no changes were observed in fertility rate, measured by counting live fetuses in the uterus of normal females mated with control and stressed males; no dead or incompletely developed fetuses were observed in the uterus of either group. In contrast, there was a statistically significant decrease in spermatid production demonstrated by histometric evaluation (154.96 ± 5.41 vs 127.02 ± 3.95 spermatids per tubular section for control and stressed rats, respectively, P = 0.001). These data demonstrate that 15 days of forced swimming stress applied to adult male rats did not impair fertility, but significantly decreased spermatid production. This suggests that the effect of stress on fertility should not be assessed before at least the time required for one cycle of spermatogenesis.