Maternal antibody transfer to broiler progeny varies among strains and is affected by grain source and cage density

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of broiler breeder dietary grain source and cage density on maternal antibody (MatAb) transfer to progeny in 2 genetic strains (A and B). Broiler breeders were assigned to 16 litter floor pens and fed either corn- or wheat-based diets. Breeders were administered 4 live vaccines against Newcastle disease virus (NDV). At 23 wk of age, pullets and cocks, which reflected the full BW distribution from each treatment, were moved to a cage breeder house and placed at 1 or 2 hens/cage. Breeders were artificially inseminated at 44 wk (experiment 1) and 52 wk of age (experiment 2). Eggs were collected for 8 d, incubated, and placed in individual pedigree bags at d 19 of incubation. Blood samples from 5 chicks per treatment combination were collected at hatch in both experiments. Spleen and bursa were collected from the same chicks for histomorphometry analyses in experiment 2. In the second experiment, 12 chicks per treatment were placed in cages. Progeny were provided diets based on the same grain (corn or wheat) as their parents. Serum samples were collected at 5, 9, and 13 d of age and analyzed for anti-NDV MatAb. Data were analyzed as a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design considering strain, dietary grain source, and cage density as main factors. Interaction effects were observed in breeders and progeny. Experiment 1 showed that strain A chicks had lower levels of MatAb when hens were housed at 2 hens/cage rather than 1 hen/cage. The MatAb levels of strain B chickens were not affected by cage density in either experiment. Experiment 2 demonstrated similar effects of cage density on MatAb levels and the area of bursa follicles for both strains. Progeny of breeders fed corn-based diets had smaller spleen white pulp only when hens were housed at 2 hens/cage compared with 1 hen/cage. The results of these experiments suggest that breeder strain and cage-density conditions affected MatAb transfer to progeny and embryo development of spleen and bursa.

Población folicular y concentraciones plasmáticas de progesterona (P4) en ovejas sometidas a diferentes protocolos de sincronización

Los efectos de la prostaglandina (PGF2α) vs CIDR y eCG (gonadotrofina coriónica equina) en la dinámica de la población folicular y su relación con las concentraciones plasmáticas de P4 fueron investigadas en ovejas cíclicas. Fueron utilizadas 14 hembras ovinas de la raza Bergamascia; el Grupo 1 (Gl) se sometió a dos aplicaciones de PGF2α, y, el Grupo 2 (G2) tratado con CIDR durante 14 días siendo que, en el momento de su retirada, se administraron 500 UI de eCG. La dinámica folicular ovárica fue monitoreada por medio de ecógrafo. Se monitorearon todos los folículos ≥ mm y se gráfico su posición diariamente, observándose el desarrollo individual folicular. Desde el día anterior a la aplicación de la segunda dosis de PGF2α, (Gl) y desde la administración de eCG (G2) hasta el décimo día del ciclo estral se colectaron muestras de sangre para el análisis de P4. Hubo diferencia significativa (P<0,001) en las concentraciones plasmáticas de P4 entre los tratamientos. La sincronización del estro y ovulación utilizando CIDR + 500 UI de eCG, incrementó la cantidad de folículos reclutados, además de aumentar el diámetro máximo y la tasa de crecimiento de los folículos grandes en la primera onda folicular. En consideración a los resultados se puede concluir que la sincronización del estro y de la ovulación en hembras ovinas, utilizando el CIDR y 500 UI de eCG, incrementa la cantidad de folículos reclutados, además de aumentar el diámetro máximo y la tasa de crecimiento de los folículos grandes. La asociación CIDR+500 UI de eCG provoca aumentos significativos en las concentraciones plasmáticas de progesterona (P4) al inicio de la fase luteal en hembras ovinas.

Reproductive cycles in Bos indicus cattle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Oocyte morphometry in female dogs (Canis familiaris, Linnaeus, 1758)

In the present study, the ovaries of 15 healthy bitches divided into three groups according to age were analysed by histology and morphometry: group 1 (1-3 years), group 2 (> 3-5 years) and group 3 (> 5-7 years). After ovariosalpingohysterectomy, the ovaries were fixed, routinely processed for embedding in paraffin and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The following morphometric parameters were analysed: maximum and minimum diameter (mu m), perimeter (mu m), area (mu m(2)) and roundness of the cytoplasm and nucleus of oocytes from different types of follicles. Significant differences in the cytoplasmic and nuclear parameters of follicular oocytes between the experimental groups were determined by ANOVA and the Tukey test (5%). For the biotechnology of reproduction, the present results showed that in vitro maturation yielded the best performance for oocytes from primordial follicles in group 3 females and for oocytes embedded in secondary and tertiary follicles in group 2 females. In addition, the present findings will help in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases affecting bitches, and will especially contribute to a better understanding of these cells by researchers in the field of histology and canine reproduction.

Luteal Function and Follicular Growth Following Follicular Aspiration During the Peri-Luteolysis Period in Bos indicus and Crossbred Cattle

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

Pediatric Chronic Sclerosing Sialadenitis: Kuttner Tumor

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis is an uncommon cause of salivary gland enlargement mainly occurring in the fifth and seventh decade of life. In the Western population, chronic sclerosing sialadenitis has been characterized as an IgG4-related disease. Although rare, this lesion occurs in children. To increase awareness about this entity in the pediatric age group, we report the case of an 11-year-old boy with a hard, 4.0-cm circumscribed mass in the right submandibular gland. Histologically there was marked distortion of the gland architecture by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate and extensive fibrosis with septa that crossed and distorted the gland, leaving atrophic acini and dilated, irregular ducts. The lymphoid infiltrate formed multiple follicles with active germinal centers, numerous plasma cells, and areas with diffuse arrangement. Immunophenotyping showed abundant CD20- and CD3-positive lymphocytes; cytokeratin AE1/AE3 highlighted the distorted architectural pattern; IgG staining showed large numbers of positive cells infiltrating the interstitium and surrounding the atrophic acini and ducts. IgG4 staining revealed a large proportion of positive infiltrating elements. Kuttner tumor belongs to the group of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases. The differential diagnosis includes pleomorphic adenoma and other salivary gland neoplasms. Its recognition in children is important clinically because this entity is amenable to steroid treatment, and additional work up and follow up is warranted to stave off other IgG4-related diseases/complications.

Expression and Function of Fibroblast Growth Factor 18 in the Ovarian Follicle in Cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Histochemical and ultrastructural cytochemistry of glycogen in ovarioles of Neoponera villosa ants (hymenoptera : ponerinae)

In Neoponera villosa ants, we found ovaries of the polytrophic meroistic type which is characterized by the presence of nurse cells forming together with the oocyte, the so-called follicles. The nurse cells have the primary function of supplying the oocyte with RNA, but they contribute to the supply of other elements such as glycogen. With the objetive of detecting the presence of this substance in the ovarioles of workers and queens of N. viillosa ants the ovaries were removed and processed according to electron microscopy technic for glycogen detection. Glycogen is a common element in insect oocytes and is abundantly distributed in the cytoplasm of N. villosa workers and queens. However, in ovarian follicles it can only be detected at stages II and III of development. Glycogen synthesis probably occurs predominantly in nurse cells which transfer it into the oocyte through the nourish pore. This process requires high energy expenditure that justify the large numbers of mitochondria associated with glycogen in the nurse cell cytoplasm. The amount of glycogen in the nurse cells of queens is slightly greater than workers.

Role of luteinizing hormone in follicle deviation based on manipulating progesterone concentrations in mares

The effects of several doses of progesterone on FSH and LH concentrations were used to study the role of the gonadotropins on deviation in growth rates of the two largest follicles during the establishment of follicle dominance. Progesterone was given to pony mares at a daily dose rate of 0 mg (controls), 30 mg (low dose), 100 mg (intermediate dose), and 300 mg (high dose). All follicles ≥ 6 mm were ablated at Day 10 (Day 0 = ovulation) to initiate a new follicular wave; prostaglandin F(2α) was given to induce luteolysis, and progesterone was given from Days 10 to 24. The low dose did not significantly alter any of the ovarian or gonadotropin end points. The high dose reduced (P < 0.05) the ablation-induced FSH concentrations on Day 11. Maximum diameter of the largest follicle (17.2 ± 0.6 mm) and the second- largest follicle (15.5 ± 0.9 mm) in the high-dose group was less (P < 0.04) than the diameter of the second-largest follicle in the controls (20.0 ± 1.0 mm) at the beginning of deviation (Day 16.7 ± 0.4). Thus, the growth of the two largest follicles was reduced by the high dose, presumably through depression of FSH, so that the follicles did not attain a diameter characteristic of deviation in the controls. The intermediate dose did not affect FSH concentrations. However, the LH concentrations increased in the control, low, and intermediate groups, but then decreased (P < 0.05) in the intermediate group to pretreatment levels. The LH decrease in the intermediate group occurred 2 days before deviation in the controls. The maximum diameter of the largest follicle was less (P < 0.0001) in the intermediate group (27.3 ± 1.8 mm) than in the controls (38.9 ± 1.5 mm), but the maximum diameter of the second-largest follicle was not different between the two groups (19.0 ± 1.1 vs. 20.3 ± 1.0 mm). Thus, the onset of deviation, as assessed by the second-largest follicle, was not delayed by the decrease in LH. Diameter of the largest follicle by Day 18 in the intermediate group (23.1 ± 1.6 mm) was less (P < 0.05) than in the controls (28.0 ± 1.0 mm). These results suggest that circulating LH was not involved in the initiation of dominance (inhibition of other follicles by the largest follicle) but was required for the continued growth of the largest follicle after or concurrently with its initial expression of dominance.

Temporal interrelationships among luteolysis, FSH and LH concentrations and follicle deviation in mares

The effect of altered LH concentrations on the deviation in growth rates between the 2 largest follicles was studied in pony mares. The progestational phase was shortened by administration of PGF2α on Day 10 (Day 0=ovulation; n=9) or lengthened by daily administration of 100 mg of progesterone on Days 10 to 30 (n=11; controls, n=10). All follicles ≥5 mm were ablated on Day 10 in all groups to initiate a new follicular wave. The interovulatory interval was not altered by the PGF2α treatment despite a 4-day earlier decrease in progesterone concentrations. Time required for growth of the follicles of the new wave apparently delayed the interval to ovulation after luteolysis. The FSH concentrations of the first post-ablation FSH surge were not different among groups. A second FSH surge with an associated follicular wave began by Day 22 in 7 of 11 mares in the progesterone group and in 0 of 19 mares in the other groups, indicating reduced functional competence of the largest follicle. A prolonged elevation in LH concentrations began on the mean day of wave emergence (Day 11) in the prostaglandin group (19.2 ± 2.2 vs 9.0 ± 0.7 ng/mL in controls; P<0.05), an average of 4 d before an increase in the controls. Concentrations of LH in the progesterone group initially increased until Day 14 and then decreased so that by Day 18 the concentrations were lower (P<0.05) than in the control group (12.9 ± 1.6 vs 20.2 ± 2.6 ng/mL). Neither the early and prolonged increase nor the early decrease in LH concentrations altered the growth profile of the second-largest follicle, suggesting that LH was not involved in the initiation of deviation. However, the early decrease in LH concentrations in the progesterone group was followed by a smaller (P<0.05) diameter of the largest follicle by Day 20 (26.9 ± 1.7 mm) than the controls (30.3 ± 1.7 mm), suggesting that LH was necessary for continued growth of the largest follicle after deviation. (C) 2000 by Elsevier B.V.

Inhibin B and the ovarian follicular reserve

Inhibins are dimeric glycoproteins composed of an α-subunit and a βA-subunit (inhibin A) or βB-subunit (inhibin B), which inhibits pituitary gonadotropin secretion of FSH. The inhibin B is a product of the cohort of antral follicles. The ovarian follicle number decrease steadily as a function of increasing age, with consequent falls in the levels of inhibin B and increase of FSH levels. It is sufficient to maintain ovulatory function and continued secretion of estradiol. Elevated FSH levels seem to occur late in the sequence of events associated with ovarian failure. The inhibin B, produced by granulosa cells, is the earliest marker of the decline in ovarian follicular reserve across reproductive aging.

Wolbachia endosymbiont in a species of the Anastrepha fraterculus complex (Diptera: Tephritidae)

In Anastrepha sp.2 aff. fraterculus, the egg-cell harbours a large population of endosymbionts. The bacteria were identified as belonging to genus Wolbachia by PCR assay using primers of the ftsZ gene followed by sequencing of the amplified band. Newly deposited eggs stained in toto by Hoechst show that the bacteria are unevenly dispersed throughout the egg-cell, with a higher accumulation at the posterior pole, and that the degree of infestation varies from egg to egg. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy shows that bacteria are present in the female germ line of embryonic and larval stages, as well as in the different cell types of the ovaries at the adult stage. Mature ova within the follicles harbour a large population of the symbionts. The results indicate the existence of a transovarian transmission of the endosymbionts in this fly.

Mating influence in the ovary differentiation in adult queens of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The present results show that in the ovarioles of a newly emerged (0 day) queen of A. mellifera only two regions may be distinguished: a proximal, short germarium and a very long distal, terminal filament. As the queen matures and gets ready for the nupcial flight, the germarium increases in lenght, advancing towered the distal end, as the terminal filament shortens. The ovarioles of queens ready to mate (6 to 8 days old) have, already one or two ovarian follicles, i.e. a very short proximal vitellarium, but a real vitellogenesis only starts after the fecundation. If the queen does not mate the ovarioles structure is disrupted (12-16 days old). In mated queen eggs the ovarioles present three differentiated regions, from the apice to the basis: a short terminal filament, a medium size germarium, and a very long basal vitellarium. As the eggs are laid, the emptied follicle collapses, degenerates and produces a corpus luteum.