A scanning electron microscopy study of the seed and post-seminal development in Angelonia salicariifolia Bonpl. (Scrophulariaceae)

The external morphology of seeds and post-germination developmental stages of Angelonia salicariifolia Bonpl. (Scrophulariaceae) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Some structural features of the seed exotesta and seedling in Angelonia are presented for the first time and are of potential taxonomic value for this neotropical genus. The seeds are very small (0.9-1.7 mm long and 0.5-0.9 mm wide), ovate, with a reticulate-crested exotesta, reticules arranged uniformly in longitudinal rows, with a high density of microcilia-like projections on the cell wall of the reticule base and on the edge of the crests. The hilum is located beside the micropyle at the narrow end of the seed. Germination is epigeal. During germination the radicle develops, followed by elongation of the hypocotyl and primary root. At this stage dense root hairs develop on the lower part of the hypocotyl. The apical bud-located between the cotyledons-begins to develop after the cotyledons have unfolded. The cotyledons are equal in size, sessile and ovate. The seedlings have two types of trichomes, one characteristic of the cotyledons and first pair of leaves (glandular, sessile, four-celled head with quadrangular shape) and the other characteristic of the hypocotyl and epicotyl (stalked, erect, elongate and three-celled with dome-shaped unicellular head). (C) 2001 Annals of Botany Company.

Behavioural and seminal characteristics of Santa Ines rams subjected to successive semen collections in the Amazonian region

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Santa Ines rams subjected to successive semen collections in an Amazonian climate. Four rams were subjected to successive ejaculations during a maximum period of three hours. This procedure was repeated three times at 15-day intervals. Sexual and behavioural (libido) and andrological (testicular and seminal) assessments were performed. A total of 81 ejaculates were collected. Libido and semen vigour, volume, appearance and concentration decreased as the ejaculation frequency increased (P<0.05) and sperm motility showed a decreasing trend (P=0.06). The seminal pH increased over the sequence of collections (P<0.05). The only significant differences observed between individual rams were the variable scrotal circumference and the percentages of live sperm and sperm abnormalities (P<0.05). All the parameters of the first ejaculation were within the normal range for this species, which suggests that the local climatic conditions (high temperature and humidity) did not affect the behavioural, testicular or seminal parameters of experimental rams. Our findings indicate that the reproductive performance of Santa Ines rams could be affected by the intensification of ejaculation frequency; however, individual male variation needs to be taken into consideration.

Effects of scrotal insulation in Nellore bulls (Bos taurus indicus) on seminal quality and its relationship with in vitro fertilizing ability

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of induced testicular degeneration in Bos taurus indicus (Nellore) bulls on changes in seminal characteristics and fertilizing ability of sperm. Four Nellore bulls (30-36-month-old, 500-550 kg) with good seminal quality (> 80% motile and morphologically normal sperm) had serotal insulation applied for 5 d. Semen was collected by electroejaculation and cryopreserved at a the pre-insulation moment, and 7, 14, and 21 d after insulation was removed. Gross motility, vigor of sperm movement (1-5), acrosome integrity, sperm morphology (phase-contrast microscopy), nuclear vacuoles and abnormal chromatin (Feulgen-stain) were determined after sperm preparations for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Prior to IVF, sperm were separated using a Percoll gradient (45% and 90%). Normal sperm decreased (P < 0.05) 14 and 21 d after insulation was removed. on 14 and 21 d, the incidence of head defects (9.7 +/- 0.6 and 17.0 +/- 0.8, respectively; mean +/- S.E.M) was higher (P < 0.05) in agreement with the incidence of nuclear vauoles (14.0 +/- 5.0 and 12.3 +/- 2.3) and abnormal chromatin (24.4 +/- 7.2 and 30.8 +/- 2.8). Although the frequency of cleaved oocytes decreased only on 21 d (P < 0.05), blastocyst rates were lower (P < 0.05) than pre-insulation on 14 and 21 d. In regression analyses, only nuclear vacuoles, head defects and intact acrosome accounted for differences in cleavage (R(2) = 0.38, 0.48, and 0.30, respectively) and blastocyst rates (R(2) = 0.35, 0.37, and 0.44). Abnormal chromatin was associated only with blastocyst rates (R(2) = 0.35). In conclusion, blastocyst rate was more sensitive than cleavage rate and the assessment of nuclear integrity is recommended to predict the fertilizing ability of bull sperm. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tolerância à dessecação e influência do tegumento na germinação de sementes de citrumelo 'swingle' (Citrus paradisi MACF X Poncirus trifoliata (L) RAF.)

O trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a tolerância à dessecação e a influência do tegumento na germinação de sementes de citrumelo 'Swingle'. As sementes foram extraídas manualmente e, em seguida, foi determinado o grau de umidade das sementes. Foi retirada uma amostra referente ao tratamento com o maior grau de umidade (48%) a ser estudado, e as demais foram submetidas à secagem em estufa com circulação forçada de ar (32±2ºC), visando à obtenção dos outros tratamentos com diferentes graus de umidade. O teste de germinação foi instalado em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, num fatorial 6x2 (grau de umidade x presença ou ausência de tegumento), com quatro repetições de 25 sementes por parcela. Após a obtenção de cada tratamento as sementes foram tratadas com o fungicida Thiabendazole (0,4g.kg-1), semeadas em folhas de papel toalha umedecidas e confeccionados rolos que foram mantidos em câmara de germinação a 25ºC sob luz constante. As avaliações foram realizadas a cada sete dias até o 35º dia, sendo determinadas as porcentagens de germinação na primeira contagem, plântulas anormais, sementes mortas, sementes dormentes e germinação total. Também foram calculados o tempo médio e o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias, comparadas pelo teste Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. As sementes toleraram a dessecação até baixos níveis de umidade (16%), e a retirada do tegumento favoreceu o processo germinativo em sementes de citrumelo 'Swingle'.

Velocidade de hidratação em função de características do tegumento de sementes de soja de diferentes cultivares e localidades

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Testicular structure and description of the seminal pathway in Leporinus macrocephalus (Anostomidae, Teleostei)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis

The objectives were to separate canine seminal plasma proteins (with SDS-PAGE) and to determine the correlation between specific proteins and semen characteristics. Three ejaculates from 20 mixed-breed dogs, of unknown fertility, were collected by digital manipulation. Ejaculate volume and color, sperm motility, sperm vigor, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, and membrane integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test and fluorescent staining) were assessed. For each dog, seminal plasma was pooled from all three ejaculates and proteins were separated with SDS-PAGE, using polyacrylamide concentrations of 13% and 22% in the separation gels. After staining, gel images were digitized to estimate molecular weights (MW) and integrated optical density (IOD) of each lane and of individual bands. Total seminal plasma protein concentration was 2.19 +/- 1.56 g/dL (mean +/- SD; range 1.12-5.19 g/dL). A total of 37 protein bands were identified (although no dog had all 37 bands). In the 13% gel, molecular weights ranged from 100.6 to 17.1 kDa, with four bands (49.7, 33.2, 26.4, and 19.5 kDa) present in samples from all dogs. In the 22% gel, molecular weights ranged from 15.6 to 3.6 kDa, with nine bands (15.6, 13.5, 12.7, 11.7, 10.5, 8.7, 7.8, 5.6, and 4.9 kDa) present in samples from all dogs. Combined for both gels, the majority of bands (85%) had molecular weights < 17 kDa, with B20 (15.6 kDa) in high concentrations in samples from all dogs. There were positive correlations (P <= 0.01) between two bands, 134 (67 kDa) and B5 (58.6 kDa), and sperm motility (r = 0.66 and r = 0.46), sperm vigor (r = 0.56 and r = 0.66), percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (r = 0.55 and r = 0.59), the hypoosmotic swelling test (r = 0.76 and r 0.68), and fluorescent staining (r = 0.56 and r = 0.59), respectively. In conclusion, 37 proteins were identified in seminal plasma; two were significantly correlated with semen characteristics. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vasectomy effect on canine seminal plasma biochemical components and their correlation with seminal parameters

Three semen samples were collected at 48 It intervals from 20 mature research dogs previously conditioned to manual semen collection. Vasectomy was performed in all dogs, and 15 days after surgery, another three ejaculates were similarly collected. The semen was evaluated, and centrifuged to obtain seminal plasma for measurement of pH, and concentrations of total proteins (TP), total chlorides (Cl), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na). The seminal plasma protein profile was evaluated by SDS-PAGE; molecular weights and the integrated optical density (IOD) of each band were estimated. There was a negative correlation between K concentration and progressive motility (r = -0.49, P = 0.027), sperm vigor (r = -0.60, P = 0.0053), and plasma integrity, evaluated by both the hypo-osmotic swelling test (r = -0.50, P = 0.026) and a fluorescent stain (r = -0.45, P = 0.046). Positive correlations between Na and K pre- and post-vasectomy (r = 0.88, P < 0.001; r = 0.56, P < 0.01, respectively) were verified. There were a total of 37 bands pre-vasectomy and 35 post-vasectomy (range, 100.6-3.6 kDa). Bands B9 and B13 (42.6 and 29.2 kDa) were not present post-vasectomy. The IOD of band B3 (73.5 kDa) was higher (P 0.03) pre-vasectomy, compared to post-vasectomy; conversely, the IODs of bands B29 and B37 (7.8 and 3.6 kDa) increased (P 0.026 and 0.047). Pre-vasectomy, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.49, P = 0.029) between band B37 band (3.6 kDa) and the Na:K ratio. In conclusion, K appeared to be involved in sperm motility in dogs and could be a tool to evaluate sperm function. The prostate contributed several elements to canine seminal plasma. Vasectomy changed Ca concentrations and the protein profile of the seminal plasma. Further studies must be performed to clarify the function of these elements on the in vivo fertility of dogs. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Heparin-binding proteins of canine seminal plasma

Heparin-binding proteins (HBP) from seminal plasma have been expected to participate in modulation of the acrosomal reaction, and have been correlated with fertility in some species. However, they have not been described in the dog. The aim of this study was to document the HBPs of canine seminal plasma. Six pooled samples of seminal plasma from three crossbred dogs were used. The HBPs were isolated by heparin affinity chromatography and the fractions recovered were pooled. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was carried out on 12 and 18% vertical minigels. The stained gels were scanned and the molecular weight (kDa) values for each band within a lane were calculated by image analysis software. The electrophoresis analysis of the pooled eluded fractions identified 19 bands, with molecular weights varying from 61.5 to 5.2 kDa. Previous studies, using one-dimensional SDS-PAGE, identified two bands (67 and 58.6 kDa), which were positively correlated with some semen parameters (sperm motility, sperm vigor, percentage of morphologically normal sperm and plasma membrane integrity). The 61.5 kDa band detected in the present study apparently corresponded to the 58.6 kDa band identified previously. Canine seminal plasma contained HBP; since HBP modulate the acrosome reaction in other species, they may have the same function in the dog. Further studies are necessary to better characterize this protein and determine if it is associated with fertility in the dog. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Osteopontin in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Membrane of Dogs

The objective of this work was to describe the presence of osteopontin (OPN) in canine seminal plasma and sperm membranes. A pool of seminal plasma and sperm membrane extract from 30 dogs was used. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels were performed and the bands were transferred to nitrocellulose paper and Western blot was undertaken using an antibody anti-OPN. Two and 12 bands were marked in the seminal plasma (77.2 and 15.6 kDa) and sperm membrane extracts (70.6-26.6 kDa), respectively. However, from 12 marked bands in the sperm membrane extract, only three (46.4, 37.7 and 36.5 kDa) were strongly marked. We conclude that, seminal plasma and sperm membranes from dogs contain different isoforms of OPN; yet, further studies will be necessary to determine their function in this species.