Dynamics of cell and tissue genesis in the male reproductive system of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Amblyomma cajennese (Fabricius, 1787) and Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772): a comparative analysis

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

Reproductive biology of Hepatus pudibundus (Crustacea: Brachyura), the most abundant crab on the southeastern Brazilian coast

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

Impacts of Reproductive Technologies on Beef Production in South America

The majority of beef cow herds in South America are constituted by Bos indicus females, which have particular reproductive features that contribute to reduced reproductive efficiency compared with that of B. taurus cohorts. Hence, several alternatives to enhance reproductive efficiency of B. indicus heifers and cows have been developed to address their inherent reproductive shortcomings. These research-based technologies are being described in detail within this chapter and have already made an impact on South American B. indicus-based production systems. These include the following: (a) hormonal protocols to induce puberty in nulliparous heifers or estrous cyclicity in postpartum cows to maximize their reproductive performance during the subsequent breeding season, (b) hormonal protocols to synchronize estrus and/or ovulation in B. indicus females to exploit their reproductive responses to artificial insemination, and (c) genetic and environmental factors that influence reproductive success in beef herds, including reproductive diseases and excitable temperament of B. indicus females, that have been investigated to support/promote the development of appropriate mitigation technologies.

A cytochemical approach to describe oocyte development in the freshwater ostariophysan, Serrasalmus maculatus (Characiformes)

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

Population differentiation and speciation in the genus Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae): effects of reproductive and chromosomal barriers

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Association between JY-1 gene polymorphisms and reproductive traits in beef cattle

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

Extracellular matrix remodeling of the testes through the male reproductive cycle in Teleostei fish

During the fish reproductive cycle, testes undergo morphological changes related to germinal epithelium and remodeling of extracellular matrix components (ECM). ECM is degraded mainly by action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Due to the natural renewal of ECM in fish testes, we choose Pimelodus maculatus to study remodeling of ECM throughout reproductive cycle, using picrosirius (to identify type I, II, III collagen) and reticulin (type III collagen), and to immunolocalize MT1-MMP (membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase) and MMP-2 in testis cells. Testes were classified in four reproductive phases: regenerating, development, spawning capable and regressing. Picrosirius and reticulin demonstrated a differential distribution of total collagen fibers during the reproductive cycle. Immunohistochemistry showed MT1-MMP only in acidophilic granulocyte cells mainly inside blood vessels, in connective tissue of capsule close to the germinal compartment, and also infiltrated in interstitial connective tissue. MMP-2 was detected in fibroblast and endothelial cells of interstitial and capsule blood vessels, in epithelial cells of capsule, and in acidophilic granulocyte cells at same description for MT1-MMP. The fish testes ECM were remodeled throughout reproductive cycle in according to morphophysiological alterations. During reproductive season (spawning capable), the interstitium increased in total collagen fibers (type I, II, III). After spermiation period (regression and regenerating), the amount of collagen fibers decreased in response to action of MMPs on collagen degradation and other interstitial components (not assessed in this study). MMPs seem to be indispensable components for natural cyclic events of ECM remodeling of fish testes and for guarantee tissue homeostasis throughout reproductive cycle.

Sexual development, size at maturity, size at maternity and fecundity of the blue shark Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Southwest Atlantic

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Two periods of total testicular regression are peculiar events of the annual reproductive cycle of the black Myotis bat, Myotis nigricans (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphological Changes in the Seminal Receptacle During Ovarian Development in the Speckled Swimming Crab Arenaeus cribrarius

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

Prenatal exposure to testosterone masculinises the female gerbil and promotes the development of lesions in the prostate (Skene

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

Structure, histochemistry and seasonal variations of the male reproductive accessory glands in the Pallas

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

Assessment of reproductive capacity in females of Smith, 1869 (Brachyura, Portunoidea) during a period of high reproductive activity

The reproductive capacity of the swimming crab Callinectes danae Smith, 1869 was assessed based on the reproductive investment (RI) of ovigerous females and the gonadosomatic index (GI) of non-ovigerous adult females. Crabs were collected in June 2009 with a shrimp fishing boat at Ubatuba (23° 26′S 45° 02′W) São Paulo, Brazil. Overall, 191 adult females were analyzed, of which 108 were ovigerous and 83 non-ovigerous. The size of ovigerous females ranged from 54.5 to 79.8 mm carapace width (CW) and non-ovigerous females ranged from 56.0 to 80.9 mm CW. RI values did not differ among the size classes (ANOVA, p > 0.05), with an overall mean of 15.8%. The same occurred with the Gonadossomatic index for non-ovigerous females, for which the mean value was 11.7%. The regression between the dry weight of the egg mass and the dry weight of the crab (Student’s t, p = 0.25; ttab = 1.66; tcal = 0.66) indicated an isometric relationship for the variables analyzed. The simultaneous occurrence of gonadal maturation and embryonic development in ovigerous females suggests that these crabs may spawn at least twice in the same breeding season and reveals the need for evaluation of the allocation of energy in subsequent spawns.

NLRP1 L155H polymorphism is a risk factor for preeclampsia development

Problem: Augmented levels of IL-1 ss have been pointed out as an important pathogenic factor for preeclampsia development. Inflammasome is the cytoplasmic complex responsible for pro-IL1 ss cleavage and IL-1 ss secretion. Aim of the study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in inflammasome'genes and preeclampsia. Method of study: Selected polymorphisms in inflammasome genes (NLRP1, NLRP3, CARD8, and IL1B) were analyzed in 286 Brazilian women with and 309 without preeclampsia. Results and Conlclusions: The NLRP1 variant rs12150220 (L155H) was associated with the development of preeclampsia (OR=1.58), suggesting a role of this inflammasome receptor in the pathogenesis of this multifactorial disorder.

Assessment of reproductive capacity in females of Callinectes danae Smith, 1869 (Brachyura, Portunoidea) during a period of high reproductive activity

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