Larval development of indigenous South American freshwater fish species, with particular reference to pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): A review

In recent years, a number of South American freshwater fish have gained increasing attention for their potential in aquaculture, not only because of their excellent performance in farming systems but also to meet the high consumer demand for these species due to declining fishery resources. Many South American freshwater species are migratory and produce altricial larvae, with a small amount of yolk reserves. Unlike precocial freshwater species and altricial coldwater marine fish, these freshwater fish investigated have rapid yolk depletion and metamorphosis. Specific studies on the initial development of South American fish are scarce and fragmented. One of the most widely studied species is the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), farmed in warm continental waters. In the present review we compile new and published data on the initial development of pacu, including morphogenesis of the skeletal, muscle, digestive and sensory systems; compare it to other Neotropical species; and discuss the importance of this information to develop larviculture protocols. When pacu larvae exhaust yolk reserves, they initiate a new form of interaction with the environment, becoming exclusively exotrophic. This type of interaction is made possible by the rapid development of sensory, skeletal, locomotor and digestive structures. In addition to understanding fish ontogeny, studies on larval development are necessary to improve farming systems and larviculture techniques aimed at producing high-quality juveniles in aquaculture. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hatching, survival and deformities of piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) embryos subjected to different cooling protocols

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

Bonding of facial silicon with nanoparticles to an acrylic resin substrate

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

Moments of induced spawning and embryonic development of Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei, Characidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Maternal Thyroid and Glucocorticoid Hormone Interactions in Larval Fish Development, and Their Applications in Aquaculture

Thyroid hormones (THs) have long been known to have regulatory roles in the differentiation and maturation of vertebrate embryos, beginning with the knowledge that hormones of maternal origin are essential for human fetal central nervous and respiratory system development. Precise measurements of circulating THs led to insights into their critically important actions throughout vertebrate growth and development, initially with amphibian metamorphosis and including embryogenesis in fishes. Thyroid cues for larval fish differentiation are enhanced by glucocorticoid hormones, which promote deiodinase activity and thereby increase the generation of triiodothyronine (T-3) from the less bioactive thyroxin (T-4). Glucocorticoids also induce the expression of thyroid hormone receptors in some vertebrates. Maternally derived thyroid hormones and cortisol are deposited in fish egg yolk and accelerate larval organ system differentiation until larvae become capable of endogenous endocrine function. Increases in the T-3/T-4 ratio during larval development may reflect the regulatory importance of maternal thyroid hormones. Experimental applications of individual hormones have produced mixed results, but treatments with combinations of thyroid and corticoid hormones consistently promote larval fish development and improve survival rates. The developmental and survival benefits of maternal endocrine provisioning are increased in viviparous fishes, in which maternal/larval chemical contact is prolonged. Treatments with exogenous thyroid and corticoid hormones consistently promote development and reduce mortality rates in larval fishes, with potential hatchery-scale applications in aquaculture.

Embryonic development and nourishment in the viviparous fish Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae)

While viviparity confers protection to the embryos during gestation, it increases energetic costs for the mother, which acquires new relations to its offspring. Maternal-fetal transfer of nutrients can occur in different patterns: as lecithotrophy (nourished by yolk) or matrotrophy (nourished by the mother). The development of Poecilia vivipara embryos was described macroscopically and microscopically, and the form of nutritional provisioning was identified. Embryonic development was divided into three prefertilization and seven postfertilization stages. The first organ to appear is the notochord, followed by the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, and then by muscles and eyes. Embryonic nutritional provisioning was lecithotrophic, with yolk persisting until the last developmental stages and rich in proteins and polysaccharides. This kind of embryonic nutrition confirms the pattern found in the family Poeciliidae.

Risk factors for facial melasma in women: a case-control study

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

Optimizing xanthophyll concentrations in diets to obtain well-pigmented yolks

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Developmental aspects of early pregnancy in mares

In mares, the embryo migrates to the uterus between days 5 and 6 postovulation beginning its mobility through all uterine segments, which is essential for the maternal recognition of pregnancy. During the mobility phase, the embryonic vesicle shows a linear growth rate until its fixation between days 15 and 17, when the orientation phenomenon occurs. From fixation to day 28 of pregnancy, the embryonic growth is less evident (plateau) by cross-section ultrasound examination. After this period the linear growth rate is reestablished until day 46. This plateau is attributed to the increased uterine tone that compresses the vesicle and to volume expansion, making it difficult to detect the conceptus growth only by the cross-section diameter. Around day 20, the embryo proper is visualized as an echogenic spot in the ventral aspect of the vesicle. Additionally, development of allantoic sac, embryonic heartbeat, yolk sac regression and posterior umbilical cord formation also can be visualized from days 20 to 40. An intimate interaction between uterus and conceptus is essential for the normal pregnancy development. Color-and spectral-Doppler ultrasonography can be useful for the evaluation of this interface. A gradual increase on uterine vascularity during the early pregnancy and transient changes in endometrial vascularity accompanying the vesicle location during the mobility phase have been described. Around day 38 of gestation, the formation of the endometrial cups begins and, consequently, the synthesis of the equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) induces the formation and development of supplementary corpora lutea, which are important to secrete progesterone and to maintain pregnancy until around day 120.

Effect of dietary energy concentration on performance parameters and egg quality of white leghorn laying hens

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

Estudo da associação de polimorfismos no gene MC1R com cor de pele e cor de cabelo para fins forenses

Melanin is a very important pigment to human species, and besides defining skin, eyes and hair color, it is also involved in sun exposure protection. This pigment is classified into two subtypes: pheomelanin, which is responsible for lighter pigmentation and eumelanin, the dark pigment related. Due to this type of melanin variation it is possible to found different phenotypes of hair and skin color. The genetics MC1R variations are described as the most important for diversity in pigmentation, and this gene is directly related to the complex process of melanin synthesis. The use of these variations to phenotype prediction using genetic information has been used in Europe countries to infer physical features from biological samples, with the purpose of directing searches of criminal suspects and victims identification. The aim of this study was to analyze 8 major MC1R polymorphisms in a sample of Brazilian individuals. Analyzing 91 individuals, we observed with higher frequencies the polymorphisms rs1805005:G>T, rs2228479:G>A and rs885479:G>A, which are related to skin and hair colors, as previously showed in literature. These data suggest the possibility of predicting phenotype from genetic polymorphisms in Brazilian population. However it will be necessary to analyze a larger number of individuals to be able to confirm these associations and to perform a more detailed statistical analysis

Biotratamento de sacolas plásticas de supermercado

Supermarket plastic bags are produced by high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) resins. In Brazil, are produced annually around 150 plastic bags per capita. Disposed in landfills, the supermarket plastic bags prevent the passage of water by slowing the breakdown of biodegradable materials and hindering compaction of waste, according to their low degradability. This work investigated the biodegradation of PE bags containing additive oxo-biodegradable and bags without additives: buried in soil columns, exposed in a controlled environment and exposed to air. The analysis methods used to assess the changes brought in the bags with respect to microbial action and exposure time were weight loss, thickness measurement, infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle. The results showed that the use of prodegradant agents such as oxobiodegradable additives in polyethylene bags, buried in soil for 270 days, was not efficient to accelerate the biodegradation by microorganisms. It seems that these additives have been more efficient to degrade the colored pigmentation of printed bags, under the influence of light and heat.

Alterações metabólicas e morfométricas induzidas por hipóxia em Gallus gallus

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular e do transportador de glicose 1 em cães com ceratose actínica e carcinoma de células escamosas

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Expressão gênica e protéica de receptores de estrogênio β e progesterona no melasma facial de mulheres e na pele sã adjacente

Pós-graduação em Patologia - FMB