Effects of incubation temperature on muscle morphology and growth in the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

This study describes the influence of incubation temperature during initial development phase on the morphology and muscle growth characteristics in the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Pacu eggs were incubated at 25, 27, and 29 degreesC until hatching. After day 5, fish from each temperature were transferred to 5001 tanks. At hatching and after 5, 25, and 60 days, muscle samples were collected, some were frozen in liquid nitrogen and others fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde or 2.5% glutaraldehyde. These samples were used for morphological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric analysis. At hatching, we observed a superficial monolayer of small diameter fibers, lying just beneath the skin surrounding several round cells. From day 5, we observed two distinct populations of muscle fibers distributed in two layers: (1) red-in a superficial region with aerobic activity, and following acid preincubation, high mATPase activity, and 2) white-with anaerobic activity, and following alkaline preincubation, high mATPase activity. Twenty-five days after hatching, an intermediate layer and cell proliferating zones could be seen in the dorsal fin muscle region, with intermediate characteristics. Throughout the experimental period, there was an increase in muscle mass due to new fiber recruitment in the cell proliferating zones and between the more differentiated fibers in red, intermediate, and white muscles. This was more obvious from day 25, and at 29 degreesC than at 25 and 27 degreesC. Fiber hypertrophy occurred from hatching to 60 days and was more evident from 5 to 25 days. The number of proliferating nuclei (PCNA-labelling) increased from hatching to 60 days, and was more obvious in the 29 degreesC group at 60 days. Our results show that at incubation temperatures of 25, 27 and 29 degreesC, hypertrophy was predominantly from hatching to 25 days, after that muscle growth by hyperplastic mechanism increased. The interaction of muscle hypertrophic and hyperplastic growth processes in the 29 degreesC group produced the largest fish at the end of the experiment. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of adding polyclonal antibody preparations on ruminal fermentation patterns and digestibility of cows fed different energy sources

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

Effects of intravenous glucose infusion and nutritional balance on serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, insulin, and progesterone in nonlactating dairy cows

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

Effects of temperament and acclimation to handling on feedlot performance of Bos taurus feeder cattle originated from a rangeland-based cow-calf system

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The effects of alternative forced-molting methods on the performance and egg quality of commercial layers

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

Effects of uterine cervix constriction on Wistar rats

Purpose: To verify if uterine cerclage can induce craniosynostosis or any cranial deformity in new born Wistar rats. Methods: One pregnant female Wistar rat underwent laparotomy on day 18 of gestation and the uterus cervix was closed with a 3-0 nylon suture to avoid delivery, that occurs normally on the 21 day. The suture was released after 48 hours beyond the normal gestation period. The female rat delivered 11 pups. Six surviving rats from the delivery (group A - constrained group). Two rats were born from another mother and in the same age were used as control group (group B - 2 nonconstrained controls) were allowed to grow. They were sacrificed 1.2 years after their birth all the eight animals. Linear measurement, routine histology and computed tomography of the skull were performed at the time of their death to evaluate the cranial asymmetries by mesurements of the anatomical landmarks of the craniofacial skeleton of the rats on the two groups and compared then. Results: We did not observe statistically significant differences in any of the compared measurements (p>0.05) obtained through the morphologic and radiologic methods. Histologic examinations did not reveal any sign of premature fusion or suture imbrications. Critical decrease in longitudinal body size was noticed as the limbs too in all the animals of group A. Conclusion: Constriction of uterine cervix leads to fetus suffering, even death for a few animals, associated to small body size, but not to craniosynostosis.

Effects of neonatal castration and androgenization on sexual dimorphism in bone, leptin and corticosterone secretion

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of two chronic stress models on ligature-induced periodontitis in Wistar rats

Objectives: The present study aims at comparing the effects of physical and variable chronic stress on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.Design: Forty-eight adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 12): physical stress, variable stress, positive control and negative control. The models of physical stress were immobilization and immobilization associated with exposure to cold. The models of variable stress were exposure to intermittent light, 24 h isolation, oral cavity examination, crowded environment, smell of blood and noise. After 10 days of physical or variable stress animals underwent experimental induction of periodontal disease in one oral side. Positive control also underwent experimental induction of periodontal disease on the 10th day. Negative control did not receive any type of intervention. At the end of the experimental period (60 days), all animals were euthanized. After routine laboratory processing, images of the histological sections were digitised and submitted to histometric measurement using two parameters: histologic attachment loss and bone loss.Results: Histological attachment loss and bone loss were greater (p < 0.05) in the physical stress group than in the other groups (variable stress, positive and negative control groups). on the non-periodontitis side, these same histological parameters did not significantly differ amongst groups.Conclusions: Physical stress negatively modulated the response pattern to experimentally induced periodontitis in rats. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of pigment, disinfection, and accelerated aging on the hardness and deterioration of a facial silicone elastomer

The failure of facial prostheses is caused by limitations in their flexibility and durability. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of disinfection and aging on Shore A hardness and deterioration of a facial silicone with different pigmentations. Twenty samples with addition of each pigment (ceramic (C), make-up (M)) and without pigment (L) were made. For each pigment type and no pigment, 10 samples were subjected to two types of disinfectant solution (soap (S) and Efferdent (E)), totaling sixty samples. The specimens were disinfected three times per week for 60 days, and subjected to accelerated aging for 1008 h. The hardness of the facial silicone was measured with a durometer, and its deterioration was evaluated by obtaining the weight difference over time. Both the hardness and weight of the samples were measured at baseline, after chemical disinfection, and periodically during accelerated aging (252, 504, and 1008 h). Deterioration was calculated during the periods between baseline and chemical disinfection, and between baseline and each aging period. The results were analyzed using three-way repeated measures ANOVA and the Tukey's HSD Post-hoc test (alpha = 0.05). Specifically, samples containing pigment exhibited significantly higher hardness and deterioration values than those lacking pigment (P < 0.05). In addition, period of time (disinfection and accelerated aging) statistically increased the hardness and deterioration values of the silicone (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that both pigment and time statistically affected the hardness and deterioration of the silicone elastomer. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Potent anti-inflammatory effects of systemically administered curcumin modulate periodontal disease in vivo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of ultrasonic, electric, and manual toothbrushes on subgingival plaque composition in orthodontically banded molars

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

Plant growth regulators on the pre-harvest period of 'Pêra' oranges

Neste estudo, avaliou-se os efeitos de auxinas e giberelinas, combinados e aplicados em pré-colheita na qualidade interna de frutos de laranjeira Pêra. Citrus sinensis Osbeck cultivar Pêra foram pulverizadas com três aplicações, em intervalos de 45 dias, com os seguintes tratamentos: GA3 + 2,4-D a 12,5mg L-1 de cada; GA3 + 2,4-D 25mg L-1; GA3 + 2,4-D 37,5mg L-1; GA3 + NAA 12,5mg L-1;GA3 + NAA 25mg L-1; GA3 + NAA 37,5mg L-1; NAA + 2,4-D 12,5mg L-1; NAA+2,4-D 25mg L-1; NAA+2,4-D 37,5mg L-1 e testemunha (água). Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos não prejudicaram a qualidade interna dos frutos. Além disso, os níveis de resíduo de reguladores vegetais no suco, ficaram abaixo de 0,05mg L-1, 110 dias após a última aplicação.

Anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts and essential oil from Citrus aurantium L.

Citrus aurantium L. is commonly used as an alternative treatment for insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy. Essential oil from peel (EOP) and hydroethanolic (70% w/v) extract (HE) from leaves were obtained. Hexanic (HF), dichloromethanic (DF) and final aqueous (AF) fractions were obtained from HE by successive partitions. Swiss male mice (35-45 g) were treated orally with 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg of these preparations 30 min before the experiments for the evaluation of the sedative/hypnotic activity (sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital-SPB: 40 mg/kg, i.p.), anxiolytic activity (elevated plus maze-EPM) and anticonvulsant activity (induced by pentylenetetrazole-PTZ: 85 mg/kg, se or by maximal electroshock-MES: 50 mA, 0.11s, corneal). The results showed that EOP (0.5 g/kg) increased the latency period of tonic seizures in both convulsing experimental models. This effect was not dose-dependent. Treatment with 1.0 g/kg increased the sleeping time induced by barbiturates and the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. Specific tests indicated that the preparation, in both doses used, did not promote deficits in general activity or motor coordination. HF and DF fractions (1.0 g/kg) did not interfere in the epileptic seizures, but were able to enhance the sleeping time induced by barbiturates. The results obtained with EOP in the anxiety model, and with EOP, HF and DF in the sedation model, are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Citrus aurantium L., which could be useful in primary medical care, after toxicological investigation.

The toxic effects of Coleus barbatus B. on the different periods of pregnancy in rats

Extracts of Coleus bal barbatus B. have been used in folk medicine to interrupt pregnancy. In order to evaluate if this plant interferes with embryo implantation or with the normal development of the concepts, pregnant Wistar rats were treated with increasing doses (220, 440 and 880 mg/kg per day) of a hydroalcoholic extract of C. barbatus. The rats received the extract by gavage from days 0 to 5 of pregnancy (preimplantation period) or 6 to 15 (organogenic period). Control groups received distilled water during the same periods: the animals were killed at term for the evaluation of maternal and fetal parameters. The results showed that the treatment with 880 mg/kg per day of the extract of C. barbatus before embryo implantation caused delayed fetal development and an anti-implantation effect, which justifies the popular use of this extract with abortive purposes. After embryo implantation delayed development associated with maternal toxicity was observed in the fetuses of the group which received 880 mg/kg per day. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of prenatal hydrocortisone acetate exposure on fertility and sexual behavior in male rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hydrocortisone during the prenatal period and its later repercussions on the fertility and sexual behavior of male rats. Pregnant rats were treated (s.c.) with hydrocortisone acetate, at 1.5 mg/day on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of gestation. Decreased body weight and no alteration in anogenital distance were observed in male offspring. Adulthood, presented reductions of body weight, plasma testosterone levels, and seminal-vesicle wet weight without secretion as well as no alteration in the wet weights of the testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicle with secretion in the treated group. Males exposed to hydrocortisone during the prenatal period were able to mate with normal females, which became pregnant but exhibited an increased number of post-implantation losses. In spite of this, these treated males exhibited decreased male sexual behavior and the appearance of female sexual behavior after these male rats were castrated and pretreated with exogenous estrogen. These results indicate that exposure to hydrocortisone in the later stages of pregnancy may have a long-term effect on the fertility and sexual behavior of mate rats, suggesting an incomplete masculinization and defeminization of the central nervous system. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. (USA). All rights reserved.