Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n = 4) and Nelore (n = 15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P < 0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.

Adaptive morphology of the heart of Southern-Fur-Seal (Arctocephalus australis - Zimmermamm, 1783)

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

JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF DILOCARCINUS PAGEI STIMPSON, 1861 (BRACHYURA, TRICHODACTYLIDAE) REARED IN THE LABORATORY, WITH EMPHASIS ON SETAE MORPHOLOGY

The juvenile development of the freshwater crab Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1861 was studied under laboratory conditions, focusing on setae morphology. The ovigerous females were collected manually associated with water hyacinth at the Municipal Dam of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The specimens were raised in the laboratory under constant aeration, photoperiod (12: 12 h) and temperature (27 +/- 1 degrees C). Twelve juvenile stages were obtained with descriptions of the main morphological characters that allow their identification are presented. Fourteen types of setae were discovered: dentate, denticulate, serrulate, papposerrate, cuspidate, plumose, plumodenticulate, plumoserrulate, simple, pappose, brush, curved, nail and setules. The greatest diversity of setae was found on the mouth appendages, especially the maxillule. The gill ontogeny and sexual dimorphism becomes apparent from the second juvenile stage onwards. At the third juvenile stage, the carapace begins to exhibit a wider shape, becoming similar to that of the adults.

Honey bee lines selected for high propolis production also have superior hygienic behavior and increased honey and pollen stores

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

Seed morphology of bladderworts: a survey on Utricularia sect. Foliosa and sect. Psyllosperma (Lentibulariaceae) with taxonomic implications

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

On the morphology of the digestive system of two Moomorium ant species

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

In situ assessment of the saliva effect on enamel morphology after microabrasion technique

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

Low abundance of long-tongued pollinators leads to pollen limitation in four specialized hawkmoth-pollinated plants in the Atlantic Rain forest, Brazil

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

Effect of Zn2+ ions on the structure, morphology and optical properties of CaWO4 microcrystals

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

3D osteoarthritic changes in TMJ condylar morphology correlates with specific systemic and local biomarkers of disease

Objective: To assess 3D morphological variations and local and systemic biomarker profiles in subjects with a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA).Design: Twenty-eight patients with long-term TMJ OA (39.9 +/- 16 years), 12 patients at initial diagnosis of OA (47.4 +/- 16.1 years), and 12 healthy controls (41.8 +/- 12.2 years) were recruited. All patients were female and had cone beam CT scans taken. TMJ arthrocentesis and venipuncture were performed on 12 OA and 12 age-matched healthy controls. Serum and synovial fluid levels of 50 biomarkers of arthritic inflammation were quantified by protein microarrays. Shape Analysis MANCOVA tested statistical correlations between biomarker levels and variations in condylar morphology.Results: Compared with healthy controls, the OA average condyle was significantly smaller in all dimensions except its anterior surface, with areas indicative of bone resorption along the articular surface, particularly in the lateral pole. Synovial fluid levels of ANG, GDF15, TIMP-1, CXCL16, MMP-3 and MMP-7 were significantly correlated with bone apposition of the condylar anterior surface. Serum levels of ENA-78, MMP-3, PAI-1, VE-Cadherin, VEGF, GM-CSF, TGF beta b1, IFN gamma g, TNF alpha a, IL-1 alpha a, and IL-6 were significantly correlated with flattening of the lateral pole. Expression levels of ANG were significantly correlated with the articular morphology in healthy controls.Conclusions: Bone resorption at the articular surface, particularly at the lateral pole was statistically significant at initial diagnosis of TMJ OA. Synovial fluid levels of ANG, GDF15, TIMP-1, CXCL16, MMP-3 and MMP-7 were correlated with bone apposition. Serum levels of ENA-78, MMP-3, PAI-1, VE-Cadherin, VEGF, GM-CSF, TGF beta 1, IFN gamma, TNF alpha, IL-1 alpha, and IL-6 were correlated with bone resorption. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International.

Morphology and histochemistry of the digestive tract in carnivorous freshwater Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae)

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

EVALUATION OF ROUGHNESS, WETTABILITY, AND MORPHOLOGY OF AN YTTRIA-STABILIZED TETRAGONAL ZIRCONIA POLYCRYSTAL CERAMIC AFTER DIFFERENT AIRBORNE-PARTICLE ABRASION PROTOCOL

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Photoluminescence activity of Ba1-xCaxTiO3: dependence on particle size and morphology

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

Functional morphology of the reproductive system and sperm transfer in Stenopus hispidus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Stenopodidea), and their relation to the mating system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reproductive biology and pollination mechanisms of Epidendrum secundum (Orchidaceae). Floral variation: a consequence of natural hybridization?

The phenology, flower morphology, pollination mechanism and reproductive biology of Epidendrum secundum were studied in a semi-deciduous forest at the Serra do Japi (SJ), and in the Atlantic rain forest of Picinguaba, both natural reserves in the State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. E. secundum flowers all year round, with a flowering peak between September and January. This species is either a lithophytic or terrestrial herb in the SJ, whereas, in Picinguaba, it grows mainly in disturbed areas along roadsides. E. secundum is pollinated by several species of diurnal Lepidoptera at both study sites. In Picinguaba, where E. secundum is sympatric with E. fulgens and both share the same pollinators, pollen transference between these two species was recorded. E. secundum is self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. It is inter-compatible with E. fulgens, producing fertile seeds. In contrast to the population of the SJ, in the Picinguaba region, floral morphology is quite variable among plants and some individuals present flowers with characteristics in-between both sympatric species, suggesting that natural hybridization occasionally occurs. The anthropogenic perturbation is probably the cause of the occurrence of E. secundum in the Picinguaba region, enabling its contact with E. fulgens.