A Case Study: The Effect of Visitors on Two Captive Pumas With Respect to the Time of the Day

This study analyzed the effects of noise levels and number of visitors on the behaviors of a mother puma and her daughter in a zoo environment with respect to the time of day. The study monitored visitation (noise and number) over two 1-week periods (4 weeks between periods) and frequency of various puma behaviors (videorecorded). The study analyzed videotaped behavior of the pumas based on the time of day and visitors number and noise levels. There was a direct association of puma behaviors with visitors number and noise levels. The daughter puma was the most affected and behavioral changes of both pumas correlated more strongly with the noise level than the number of visitors. The noise level and number of visitors affected the behavior of the mother and her daughter only in the morning. The results of this study indicate that both noise level and number of visitors affected these pumas but revealed the noise as predominant. Moreover, the response of these pumas to visitors depended on the time of the day.

Morphology and protein content of hepatocytes in type I diabetic rats submitted to physical exercises

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphological analysis of colon goblet cells and submucosa in type I diabetic rats submitted to physical training

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of swimming training on bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of moderate swimming training on the GH/IGF-1 growth axis and tibial mass in diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated to one of four groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD) and trained diabetic (TD). Diabetes was induced with alloxan (35 mg/kg b.w.). The training program consisted of a 1 h swimming session/day with a load corresponding to 5% of the b.w., five days/week for six weeks. At the end of the training period, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for quantification of the serum glucose, insulin, GH, and IGF-1 concentrations. Samples of skeletal muscle were used to quantify the IGF-1 pepticle content. The tibias were collected to determine their total area, length and bone mineral content. The results were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05 indicating significance. Diabetes decreased the serum levels of GH and IGF-1, as well as the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content in the SD group (P < 0.05). Physical training increased the serum IGF-1 level in the TC and TD groups when compared to the sedentary groups (SC and SD), and the tibial length, total area and bone mineral content were higher in the TD group than in the SD group (P < 0.05). Exercise did not alter the level of IGF-1 in gastrocnemius muscle in nondiabetic rats, but the muscle IGF-1 content was higher in the TD group than in the SD group. These results indicate that swimming training stimulates bone mass and the GH/IGF-1 axis in diabetic rats. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of short-term physical training on the liver IGF-I in diabetic rats

To investigate the influence of short-term physical training on IGF-I concentrations in diabetic rats, male wistar rats were distributed into four groups: sedentary control, trained control, sedentary diabetic and trained diabetic. Diabetes was induced by Alloxan (32 mg/kg b.w.) and training protocol consisted of swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week, during 4 weeks, supporting 5% b.w. At the end of this period, rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for determinations of serum glucose, insulin, albumin, IGF-I and hematocrit. Liver samples were used to determine glycogen, protein, DNA and IGF-I concentrations. Diabetes reduced insulin and IGF-I concentrations in blood and liver protein, ratio protein/DNA and IGF-I concentrations in liver and increased glycemia. Physical training reduced serum glucose and recovered hepatic glycogen stores in diabetic rats and reduced serum and liver IGF-I concentrations. In conclusion, short-term physical training improved the metabolic conditions of diabetic rats, despite of impairing liver and blood IGF-I concentrations.

Efeitos do treinamento aeróbio sobre o perfil lipídico de ratos com hipertireoidismo

Há poucos estudos analisando a importante relação entre o exercício físico, agudo e crônico, e alterações metabólicas decorrentes do hipertireoidismo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito de quatro semanas de treinamento aeróbio sobre o perfil lipídico de ratos com hipertireoidismo experimental. Foram utilizados 45 ratos da linhagem Wistar, divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: Controle Sedentário (CS) - administrados com salina durante o período experimental, não praticaram exercício físico (n = 12); Controle Treinado (CT) - administrados com salina, participaram do treinamento (n = 11); Hipertireoidismo Sedentário (HS) - induzidos ao hipertireoidismo, não praticaram exercício físico (n = 12); e Hipertireoidismo Treinado (HT) - induzidos ao hipertireoidismo, participaram do treinamento (n = 10). O treinamento aeróbio teve duração de quatro semanas, cinco vezes na semana, com duração de uma hora por sessão. Após o término do período experimental todos os ratos foram anestesiados em câmara de CO2 até sua sedação. Coletaram-se amostras de sangue para dosagem de colesterol total, triglicerídeos, HDL-colesterol e LDL-colesterol e hormônio T3; e amostras do coração, fígado, músculo gastrocnêmio e tecido adiposo das regiões mesentérica, retroperitonial e subcutânea para pesagem e dosagem de triglicerídeos. Para análise estatística utilizou-se ANOVA two-way, seguida do post hoc LSD de Fischer. Observaram-se menores valores de AGL no grupo HS quando comparado ao CS. O grupo HS teve nível de triglicerídeos significativamente superior nas regiões mesentérica, do gastrocnêmio e retroperitonial quando comparado com os grupos CS e CT, e apenas o tecido adiposo da região retroperitonial apresentou diferenças significativas na qual o grupo HT apresentou menor peso quando comparado com o grupo CS. Pode-se concluir que os ratos hipertireoidicos apresentaram perfil lipídico diferente dos ratos controle, e o treinamento aeróbio em ratos Wistar pode ter alterado o perfil lipídico dos animais com hipertireoidismo experimental quando comparados com o grupo sedentário e grupos controle.

Effects of physical training on the immune system in diabetic rats

Aims: This study aims to investigate the influence of physical training on the immune system of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were distributed into Sedentary Control (SC), Trained Control (TC), Sedentary Diabetic (SD) and Trained Diabetic (TD) groups were used. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (32 mg/bw-i.v.). Training protocol consisted of swimming, at 32 18C, one hour/day, five days/week, supporting an overload equivalent to 5 of the body weight, during four weeks. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were collected for glucose, insulin, albumin, hematocrit determinations, total and differential leukocyte counting. Additionally, liver samples for glycogen analyses were obtained. Results: The results were analyzed by one way at a significance level of 5. Diabetes reduced blood insulin, liver glycogen stores and increased blood glucose and neutrophil count. Physical training restored glycemia, liver glycogen levels, neutrophils and lymphocytes count in diabetic rats. Conclusions: In summary, physical training was able to improve metabolic and immunological aspects in the experimental diabetic rats.

RESPONSES of HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS and AEROBIC PERFORMANCE of ELITE MEN and WOMEN SWIMMERS DURING A 14-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Different exercise protocols improve metabolic syndrome markers, tissue triglycerides content and antioxidant status in rats

Background: An increase in the prevalence of obesity entails great expenditure for governments. Physical exercise is a powerful tool in the combat against obesity and obesity-associated diseases. This study sought to determine the effect of three different exercise protocols on metabolic syndrome and lipid peroxidation markers and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in adult Wistar rats (120 days old).Methods: Animals were randomly divided into four groups: the control (C) group was kept sedentary throughout the study; the aerobic group (A) swam1 h per day, 5 days per week, at 80% lactate threshold intensity; the strength group (S) performed strength training with four series of 10 jumps, 5 days per week; and the Concurrent group (AS) was trained using the aerobic protocol three days per week and the strength protocol two days per week.Results: Groups A and S exhibited a reduction in body weight compared to group C. All exercised animals showed a reduction in triglyceride concentrations in fatty tissues and the liver. Exercised animals also exhibited a reduction in lipid peroxidation markers (TBARS) and an increase in serum superoxide dismutase activity. Animals in group A had increased levels of liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activities.Conclusions: We concluded that all physical activity protocols improved the antioxidant systems of the animals and decreased the storage of triglycerides in the investigated tissues.

Microscopic Evidences That Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Treatment Improves Sciatic Nerve Regeneration After Neurorrhaphy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Calcium in pre-laying and laying rations on the performance and quality of laying hens' eggshell

O ensaio experimental objetivou avaliação do efeito de diferentes níveis de cálcio (Ca) nas rações de pré-postura e postura sobre o desempenho e qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais. Foram alojadas 256 frangas da linhagem Hisex Brown com 16 semanas de idade em galpão convencional de postura. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 4 x 2 (4 níveis de cálcio - 0,8; 1,3; 1,8 e 2,3% na pré-postura e 2 níveis de cálcio - 2,5 e 3,5% na postura), totalizando oito tratamentos com quatro repetições de oito aves por unidade experimental. Iniciou-se com a ração de pré-postura às 16 semanas de idade das aves, sendo que a mesma foi fornecida até as aves atingiram 18 semanas de idade, quando então, iniciou-se com a ração de postura. Foram avaliadas durante quatro ciclos de 28 dias as seguintes variáveis: produção e peso dos ovos, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, massa de ovos e qualidade da casca dos ovos. Através dos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que um bom desempenho foi obtido com 0,8% de cálcio na fase de pré-postura. Na fase de postura o nível de 3,5% de cálcio promoveu maior peso de ovo e melhor qualidade de casca.

The night and day of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in the Serra do Japi, Brazil: elytra colour related to daily activity

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

HAEMONCHUS PLACEI IN CALVES - EFFECTS OF DIETARY-PROTEIN AND MULTIPLE EXPERIMENTAL-INFECTION ON WORM ESTABLISHMENT AND PATHOGENESIS

An experiment was conducted to examine the influence of dietary protein and immunisation on parasite establishment and pathogenesis of Haemonchus placei in calves. Four groups of 4-6-month-old worm-free calves (n=4) were given a low protein diet (LP) containing 213 g crude protein (CP) per head per day or a high-protein diet (HP) containing 469 g per head per day CP. Five weeks later, calves in one of the two groups of each dietary treatment were given 50 000 H. placei infective larvae (L(3)). Twenty-five days later, infection in these groups was terminated by dosing with oxfendazole, This immunisation process was repeated 4 days later. Four days after termination of the second immunisation all calves were challenged with 100 000 L(3). Five weeks later, all calves were slaughtered for abomasal worm counts. Worm establishment was lower in the immunised groups; however, only the HP-I group showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05). All calves gained weight during the first 13 week period, and after challenge the non-immunised groups lost weight, independent of the level of protein in the diet (P < 0.05), Packed cell volume values for all treatments only dropped after challenge (P < 0.05) and the HP-immunised group presented values significantly higher when compared with the other treatments, All calves were hypoproteinaemic and hypoalbuminaemic at the end of the experiment, regardless of the treatment. Immunised calves showed a normocytic normochromic anaemia, while the non-immunised groups presented a microcytic normochromic anaemia.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLASMA 17-BETA ESTRADIOL ON THE DAY OF ESTRUS AND NUMBER OF VIABLE EMBRYOS IN BOS-INDICUS (NELLORE) COWS SUPEROVULATED WITH FSH

Thirteen cows, Bos indicus, of the Nellore breed were superovulated with 22 mg of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) administered by intramuscular route during four consecutive days (D10, D11, D12 and D13), starting on the 10th day of the estrous cycle (day 0 = estrus). Prostaglandin (PGF2alpha, 1.0 mg, im) was administered on D12, 48 h after the first FSH injection, for the induction of estrus on D14, when artificial insemination was performed. Seven days later (D21 of the cycle), embryos were collected, and evaluated, and the ovarian response was estimated on the basis of number of corpora lutea determined by rectal palpation. Blood samples were obtained for the determination of plasma 17-beta estradiol on D10, D11, D12, D13, D14 and D21 and plasma progesterone on D14 by RIA. The donors were divided into two groups according to progesterone levels on D14, the day of the induced estrus (GI: P4 less-than-or-equal-to 1.00 ng/ml, N = 5 and GII: P4 > 1.00 ng/ml, N = 8). A linear positive correlation was observed between plasma 17-beta estradiol concentration on the day of estrus and viable embryo number. We conclude that plasma 17-beta estradiol and progesterone concentrations on the day of estrus can be used to predict the viability of embryos recovered from Nellore cows superovulated with FSH.

EFFECT OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY AND DAM AGE ON MATERNAL BLOOD-CHEMISTRY AND FETAL GROWTH

In order to determine the effect of maternal exercise on maternal nutritional status and fetal growth, young (Y = 45-50 days old) Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 to 8 animals: control pregnant (CP), control non-pregnant (CNP), exercise-trained (swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 19 days) pregnant (TP) and exercise-trained non-pregnant (TNP). Four equivalent groups of adult rats (A - 90-100 days old) were also formed. Serum glucose, total protein, albumin, hematocrit and liver glycogen were determined in female rats and pups. There were no statistical differences in serum glucose, total protein and albumin levels, litter size ot birth weight among exercise-trained animals, controls and their respective pups. Hematocrit was significantly lower in pups of exercise-trained young rats than in all other groups (YCP = 38.6 +/- 3.0; YTP = 32.6 +/- 2.1; ACP = 39.0 +/- 2.5; ATP = 39.2 +/- 2.9%). Liver glycogen levels were lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant rats but similar in exercise-trained and control rats of the same age and physiological status (YCNP = 4.1 +/- 0.2; YCP = 2.7 +/- 0.9; YTNP = 4.9 +/- 0.8; YTP = 2.7 +/-0.4; ACNP = 6.1 +/- 0.6; ACP = 3.1 +/- 0.8; ATNP = 6.6 +/- 0.8; ATP = 2.2 +/- 0.9 mg/100 mg). We conclude that pups of adult female rats are spared from the effects of this kind of exercise training during pregnancy. on the other hand, it appears that maternal adaptations to exercise training in young rats are able to preserve only some aspects of pup metabolism.