Relative abundance and population biology of the non-indigenous crab Charybdis hellerii (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) in a southwestern Atlantic estuary-bay complex

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

Abordagem multivariada envolvendo características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen bovino, idade dos touros e época de colheita de sêmen

Avaliaram-se as relações entre características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de bovinos das subespécies Bos taurus taurus e Bos taurus indicus com a idade dos touros e a época de colheita do sêmen. Utilizaram-se observações feitas durante o período de 1993 a 1999, em 42 touros com 12 a 174 meses de idade, divididos em cinco classes: Bos taurus taurus - 12 a 36 meses; 37 a 60 meses; 61 a 84 meses; 85 a 108 meses; e 109 a 138 meses; e Bos taurus indicus - 12 a 42 meses; 43 a 72 meses; 73 a 102 meses; 103 a 132 meses; e 133 a 174 meses. As características analisadas foram: volume, turbilhonamento espermático, concentração espermática, motilidade espermática, vigor espermático, anormalidades espermáticas e integridade do acrossoma. No processamento das análises, utilizaram-se as médias das características em cada classe de idade e o mês de colheita de sêmen durante o período de 1993 a 1999. As técnicas estatísticas multivariadas de componentes principais e de agrupamento hierárquico mostraram resultados que podem contribuir na escolha de sêmen de melhor qualidade. As classes 103 a 132 meses e 133 a 174 meses para a subespécie Bos taurus indicus e a classe de idade 109 a 138 meses para a subespécie Bos taurus taurus foram as mais contrastantes. Para ambas as subespécies, nos meses mais úmidos, o sêmen apresentou menor qualidade, principalmente na subespécie Bos taurus taurus. As características do sêmen mais contrastantes no estudo por classes e no período de coleta de sêmen foram: vigor espermático, motilidade espermática, concentração espermática, integridade do acrossoma e anormalidades terciárias no sêmen.

Estrutura populacional e aspectos reprodutivos do Octopus insularis Cephalopodas: Octopodidae: implicações para o manejo da pesca de polvo no município de Rio de Fogo-RN

In northeastern Brazil, Octopus insularis is the most commercially important cephalopod species and its capture has been performed for several years by the lobster fishermen in the region. In order to obtain information about the reproductive biology, 1108 specimens were collected between November 2009 and September 2011 in the landings and fish markets of Rio do Fogo (RN). For each specimen the mantle length (CM) and total fresh weight (PT) were recorded. Gonads of 264 males and 295 females were examined macroscopically and histologically to assess sexual maturation and determine reproductive indices. Four reproductive stages were determined for males (immature, maturing, mature and post-mature) and females (immature, early maturing, late maturing and mature). The average of eggs recorded in the female s gonads was 93.820 and 39 was the average of spermatophores found in male Needham s complex. Spermathecae with sperm were found in females with 69 mm CM (immature). Males and females become sexually mature at 64.41 and 98.50 mm of CM, respectively. The weight at sexual maturity was 270 g for males and 630 g for females. The values of the size and weight at sexual maturity found in this study show that males mature at smaller sizes than females. For both sexes the maturation peaks occurred in February and November 2010 and also in September 2011. The periods of maximum reproductive activity lasted about 3 months and it seems to occur every 7 10 months. Only one spent female (stage V) was found and the number of mature females was low. Presumably, mature females migrate to deep waters with complex habitat to protect the offspring, indicating that fishery by snorkeling with maximum depth of 15 meters is not reaches this part of the stock. Finally, it is noticeable the importance of the establishment of management strategies for the exploitation of O. insularis different of the ones used for O. vulgaris, once the species have distinct biological features

Etnobiologia do boto cinza (Sotalia guianensis, van Bénéden, 1864) por comunidades pesqueiras do Rio Grande do Norte, Basil

Ethnobiology studies Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) as well as the use and management of natural resources by local communities in order to understand how the environment is perceived, known and classified by human groups. In fishing communities, LEK adds empirical information about the biology of aquatic species and complements scientific findings, especially when it is difficult to obtain factual information during studies on cetaceans, whose behavior is essentially underwater. Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are constantly threatened by human activities, especially by accidental capture of small coastal species, as in the case of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), object of this study. Ethnobiological researches in fishing communities are of great importance and can clarify aspects of the biology and conservation of this species. Although extensively studied throughout its distribution range, there are still gaps in the knowledge about S. guianensis. Therefore, fishers local ecological knowledge becomes an additional tool to get and confirm information about S. guianensis. This study evaluated the LEK of artisanal fishers who are daily exposed to local population of S. guianensis, through the use of semistructured interviews (N=116). The interviewed fishers were asked about the biology and popular classification of S. guianensis and about possible interactions between this dolphin and them. The studied communities were located in Tibau do Sul (n=39), Pipa (n=36) and Baía Formosa (n=41), all on the south coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The study was based on the assumption that differences in fishers LEK among those communities would be caused by both the variety of fishing environments (lagoon/estuary and ocean) and the intensity of tourism activities. Fishers knowledge is expressive and differed among the studied communities depending on the topic investigated. Fishers correctly reported the habitat, distribution, seasonality and behavioral particularities of S. guianensis. Tourism mainly affected the naming of the species. The study results also suggest that marine fishers have greater knowledge about the species than the estuarine/lagoon ones. Local populations accumulate empirical knowledge according to their environment. Hence, it is important to take into account both empirical knowledge and popular participation in management systems, in order to maintain information sharing among communities

Induction of the acrosome reaction test to in vitro estimate embryo production in Nelore cattle

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

Fecundação in vitro de ovócitos bovinos com sêmen submetido a diferentes diluidores

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do diluidor do sêmen no desenvolvimento in vitro de ovócitos bovinos após a maturação e fecundação in vitro. Ejaculado de um reprodutor foi fracionado e submetido a três diluidores: Lactose/gema de ovo (LG), Citrato/gema de ovo (CG) e Tris/gema de ovo (TG). Amostras deste material foram envasadas, congeladas e estocadas em N² e, posteriormente, descongeladas; a fração móvel foi separada por gradiente descontínuo de Percoll. A concentração espermática foi ajustada para 10 x 10(6)/mL e a capacitação espermática, induzida com 10 µg/mL de heparina. Após 24 horas de cultura para maturação in vitro, os ovócitos, aspirados de folículos ovarianos, foram inseminados com sêmen diluído em meio TALP e, após 48 horas de cultura, os zigotos foram transferidos para gotas de meio TCM 199, com 5% de soro fetal bovino, 5% de soro de vaca em estro e suspensão de células epiteliais do oviduto bovino, cobertas com óleo de silicone, e mantidos em cultura por nove dias. Todas as culturas foram realizadas a 38,5ºC em atmosfera com 5% de CO2. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste do qui-quadrado e houve diferença com relação à taxa de clivagem (TC), sendo as médias de 66,0; 69,3; e 54,4% para LG, CG e TG, respectivamente. Não houve diferença entre tratamentos com relação às taxas de mórulas/blastocistos ou de eclosão. O diluidor do sêmen não teve efeito sobre o desenvolvimento in vitro de embriões bovinos, embora a TC tenha sido afetada.

Comparative validation using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR of bovine semen centrifuged in continuous density gradient

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

Effect of sequence of insemination after simultaneous thawing of multiple semen straws on conception rate to timed AI in suckled multiparous Nelore cows

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation on the quality of bovine spermatozoa evaluated with computer-assisted semen analysis and fluorescent probes association

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of bovine frozen-thawed sperm cells after Percoll gradient centrifugation. Frozen semen doses were obtained from six bulls of different breeds, including three taurine and three Zebu animals. Four ejaculates per bull were evaluated before and after discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis and the integrity of the plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function, were evaluated using a combination of fluorescent probes propidium iodide, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin and 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide. The procedure of Percoll gradient centrifugation increased the percentage of total and progressive sperm motility, beat frequency, rectilinear motility, linearity and rapidly moving cells. In addition, the percentage of cells with intact plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential was increased in post-centrifugation samples. However, the percentage of sperm cells with intact acrosomal membrane was markedly reduced. The method used selected the motile cells with intact plasma membrane and higher mitochondrial functionality in frozen-thawed bull semen, but processing, centrifugation and/or the Percoll medium caused damage to the acrosomal membrane.

Avanços metodológicos na seleção do sexo de espermatozóides bovinos para utilização no melhoramento genético e na produção animal

O mercado demanda, desde final da década de 20, uma tecnologia para a sexagem de espermatozóides que possa ser inserida na indústria de produção de sêmen congelado e que tenha as seguintes características: a) não altere a viabilidade espermática; b) seja compatível com a congelação do espermatozóide sexado; c) permita a sexagem de espermatozóides previamente congelados e descongelados; d) permita a produção de várias doses de sêmen sexado congelado por dia, com custo compatível ao mercado. A importância dessa tecnologia para maximizar a produção animal a um custo baixo tem sido um desafio da pesquisa a vários anos. A possibilidade de produzir, em escala comercial, doses de sêmen enriquecidas com espermatozóides X ou Y aumentará os benefícios do uso da inseminação artificial no seu papel de maximizar o progresso genético entre gerações de acordo com os requerimentos de cada programa de melhoramento animal. Diferentes rotas tecnológicas são percorridas na tentativa de selecionar-se o sexo em mamíferos, tanto nas espécies de interesse zootécnico quanto em espécies ameaçadas de extinção, animais de companhia. Neste sentido, existem duas alternativas: a separação de espermatozóides portadores do cromossomo X, daqueles portadores do cromossomo Y; ou a sexagem de embriões pré-implantados. A viabilidade da sexagem de espermatozóides em bovinos é esperada por muitos anos e os desenvolvimentos recentes tornaram essa tecnologia de aplicação commercial. Entretanto, muitas limitações ainda existem, principalmente, referente à taxa de gestação em condições de campo. Isso restringe a utilização dessa tecnologia no melhoramento genético e produção animal. Nessa palestra abordaremos os potenciais sistemas de criação e produção que poderão beneficiar-se com a sexagem de espermatozóides, quando essas limitações forem solucionadas.

Efeito da idade do touro e do período de colheita de sêmen sobre as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de bovinos de raças européias e zebuínas

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da idade de touros europeus e zebuínos e do período de colheita do sêmen sobre as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen desses animais produzido em uma central de inseminação no período de 1993 a 1999. Os dados de produção de sêmen dos touros foram agrupados em cinco classes de idade (12 a 36 meses, 37 a 60 meses, 61 a 84 meses, 85 a 108 meses e 109 a 142 meses) e quatro períodos de colheita (período 1: dezembro a fevereiro; período 2: março a maio; período 3: junho a agosto e período 4: setembro a novembro). As classes de idade determinaram diferenças significativas no volume, turbilhonamento espermático, nas anormalidades primárias, secundárias, terciárias e totais, na integridade de acrossoma e na quantidade média de doses por ejaculado, cujos valores foram maiores nos zebuínos no período 4 (setembro a outubro). As maiores porcentagens de anormalidades totais, nas duas subespécies, foram observadas nos animais mais jovens (12 a 36 meses) e nos mais velhos (109 e 142 meses). Os zebuínos mais velhos produziram sêmen mais concentrado e maiores quantidades médias de doses por ejaculado. em touros europeus, o sêmen menos concentrado e as maiores porcentagens de anormalidades espermáticas foram observadas no período 1 (dezembro a fevereiro), consequentemente, menores quantidades de doses de sêmen por ejaculado foram produzidas por essa subespécie, o que pode ter sido um efeito do estresse calórico sofrido por estes animais antes da colheita de sêmen. A idade e o período de colheita influenciam na qualidade do sêmen de touros doadores mantidos em regime de colheita para comercialização.

Efeito da idade sobre as principais características andrológicas de touros Brangus- Efeito da idade sobre as principais características andrológicas de touros BrangusIbagé criados extensivamente no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul - Brasil Ibagé criados extensivamente no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul - Brasil

Background: Bull fertility is extremely important for beef cattle production systems and has a multiplier impact on the economical and zootechnical indexes of the herd. Bulls raised in tropical conditions may present varied seminal characteristics due to, among other causes, different management practices and quality of pastures. Another factor that influences the semen characteristics is the age of the sire. The reproductive potential of bull evaluated through the andrological exam aims to ensure the semen quality and to improve the herd reproductive efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main semen parameters of Brangus-Ibage bulls extensively reared in eastern Mato Grosso do Sul state and to verify the effect of age on the andrological characteristics analyzed. It was also evaluated the correlation between age, scrotal circumference, and physical and morphological sperm characteristics produced by the Brangus bulls.Materials, Methods & Results: The study took place in the month of July 2010, during the routine andrological examination of 168 synthetic Brangus-Ibage bulls (5/8 Angus x 3/8 Nelore), belonging to the same property. For data analysis the animals were divided by age groups: animals younger than 4 years (Age I), animals between 4 and 8 years of age (Age II), and animals between 8 and 15 years of age (Age III). In another analysis, the animals were grouped according to the sperm motility pattern obtained from the semen collection: sperm motility lower than 40% (Motility I), sperm motility between 40 and 70% (Motility II) and sperm motility between 70 and 90% (Motility III). The results of the present study demonstrated an effect of age (P < 0.05) on the following androgical characteristics: scrotal circumference, ejaculate volume, sperm vigor, major defects, minor defects and total defects. It was also observed that the animals with higher sperm motility presented higher (P < 0.05) scrotal circumference, and lower (P < 0.05) percentages of major and total defects. Among the andrological characteristics evaluated in the present work, it was observed positive correlations between age and scrotal circumference (R =0.299; P =0.000), age and volume of ejaculate (R =0.161; P =0.037), age and major defects (R =0.188; P =0.015), sperm motility and scrotal circumference (R =0.245; P =0.001), sperm motility and sperm vigor (R =0.483; P =0.000), and between major defects and total defects (R =0.946; P =0.000). Also, negative correlations were observed between sperm motility and total defects (R =-0.372; P =0.000), sperm vigor and major defects (R =-0.498; P =0.000), and sperm vigor and total defects (R =-0.432; P =0.000).Discussion: Based on the results of this study it was concluded that the Brangus-Ibage bulls utilized for natural breeding in eastern Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, presented satisfactory semen quality taking into account the quality of the pastures where the animals were located. In addition, the scrotal circumference, the ejaculate volume, the sperm vigor, and the percentage of morphological characteristics were influenced by the age of the bulls. Therefore, considering the production system and the environmental conditions, the animals with age between 4 and 8 years were superior regarding the sperm parameters evaluated.

Transmission electron microscopy for characterization of acrosomal damage after Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized.

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.

Histologia e morfometria das glândulas das junções infundíbulo-magno e útero-vagina de codorna doméstica

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