Desvio da proporção sexual por meio da suplementação de fêmeas suínas com ácido ascórbico e sua influência na resposta à seleção

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Origem do suíno casco-de-burro e sua relação genética com populações ibéricas e americanas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Manure production and mineral excretion in feces of gilts fed ractopamine

A study was conducted to evaluate the feces+urine produced per animal (FUPA), dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces of gilts fed diets with increasing levels of ractopamine (0, 5, 10 and 15 mg kg-1 of diet). A total of 468 finishing gilts were allotted into 36 pens. In two days of each week, feces and urine were daily sampled in four pens per treatment, quantifying the feces+urine. To determine the characterization of feces, two samples per week were taken daily, in nine pens per treatment. It was used a split plot design, considering the ractopamine level as the plot and the weeks as the subplots. There was no reduction in nitrogen amount in feces. An interaction was detected between ractopamine concentrations and weeks for FUPA and phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in feces. Ractopamine addition in diets for gilts has reduced the feces+urine production and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion. Higher values estimated for potassium content in feces of animals fed diets with 10 and 15 mg of ractopamine kg-1 were found between the second and third week. Increasing levels of ractopamine from 5 to 15 mg kg-1 promoted higher excretion of sulfur over the weeks of supply.

Molecular detection of the blood meal source of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in a transmission area of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, Parana State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Hypersensitivity induced in dogs by nymphal extract of Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari:Ixodidae)

In general, hosts develop resistance to ticks after repeated infestations; nevertheless, several studies on naturally occurring host-tick interactions were unable to detect resistance of hosts to ticks even after repeated infestations. The purpose of this investigation was to study the type of cutaneous hypersensitivity to unfed nymphal extract of A. cajennense in dogs, which, unlike guinea pigs, do not develop resistance. A first, but no second, peak in skin reaction was observed, suggesting that cellular immunity is an important mechanism of resistance to ticks. This may partially explain why guinea pigs, but not dogs, develop resistance against ticks.

Diet overlap and foraging activity between feral pigs and native peccaries in the pantanal

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

Estrutura genômica de uma população de suínos base Landrace

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Detecção de anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. em animais de vida livre do Pantanal do Mato Grosso do Sul

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Invasão de herbívoro pisoteador e o padrão espacial de uma palmeira em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica

A introdução de espécies exóticas traz severas consequências para o ambiente, sendo a perda de diversidade a mais notável. Espécies exóticas podem competir por recursos com as espécies nativas, podendo assim causar a extinção de muitas espécies. A demografia e o padrão espacial de populações naturais também podem ser afetados pela presença de uma espécie invasora, o que pode levar a significativos efeitos para todo o ecossistema. Este trabalho teve por objetivo investigar o impacto causado na demografia e no padrão de distribuição espacial da palmeira Euterpe edulis pelo pisoteio e herbivoria do javaporco, resultado do cruzamento do Sus scrofa com o Sus scrofa domesticus. Esta palmeira tem especial importância para o ecossistema por ser considerada uma espécie-chave no ambiente, fornecendo alimento para muitas espécies. Foi feita uma parcela de 25 x 50m e contabilizados todos os indivíduos da palmeira presentes. Para avaliar a estrutura demográfica as plantas foram categorizadas em seis estádios de acordo com a altura: plântula, jovem I, jovem II, imaturo I, imaturo II e adulto. Para a distribuição espacial as plantas foram divididas em quatro estádios de acordo com o potencial impacto do javaporco e importância para o recrutamento: plântula, jovem, imaturo e adulto. Os dados foram coletados antes (2008) e depois (2014) da invasão do javaporco em um fragmento de mata estacional semidecídua no interior do Estado de São Paulo. A invasão do javaporco não afetou drasticamente a estrutura demográfica como um todo, mas houve uma redução considerável na proporção de plantas jovens I. Para avaliar os impactos na distribuição espacial usamos uma análise espacial de padrões de pontos univariada (entre plantas dentro de cada estádio) e bivariada (entre plantas de dois estádios). O javaporco não influenciou a distribuição espacial de plantas em cada estádio e nem as relações espaciais entre as plantas...

Wild Boar and Red Deer Display High Prevalences of Tuberculosis-Like Lesions in Spain

We describe the distribution of tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Spain. Animals with TBL were confirmed in 84.21% of mixed populations (n = 57) of red deer and wild boar and in 75% of populations of wild boar alone (n = 8) in central and southern Spain (core area). The prevalence of TBL declined towards the periphery of this region. In the core area, the prevalence ranged up to 100% in local populations of wild boar (mean estate prevalence 42.51%) and up to 50% in red deer (mean estate prevalence 13.70%). We carried out exploratory statistical analyses to describe the epidemiology of TBL in both species throughout the core area. Prevalence of TBL increased with age in both species. Wild boar and red deer mean TBL prevalence at the estate level were positively associated, and lesion scores were consistently higher in wild boars than in red deer. The wild boar prevalence of TBL in wild boar did not differ between populations that were or were not cohabiting with red deer. Amongst the wild boars with TBL, 61.19% presented generalized lesions, and the proportion of generalized cases was similar between sex and age classes. In red deer, 57.14% of TBL-positive individuals presented generalized lesions, and the percentage of generalized cases increased with age class, but did not differ between the sexes. These results highlight the potential importance of wild boar and red deer in the maintenance of tuberculosis in south central Spain.

Risk Factors Associated With the Prevalence of Tuberculosis-Like Lesions in Fenced Wild Boar and Red Deer in South Central Spain

In recent decades the management of large game mammals has become increasingly intensive in south central Spain (SCS), resulting in complex epidemiological scenarios for disease maintenance, and has probably impeded schemes to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in domestic livestock. We conducted an analysis of risk factors which investigated associations between the pattern of tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) across 19 hunting estates from SCS and an extensive set of variables related to game management, land use and habitat structure. The aggregation of wild boar at artificial watering sites was significantly associated with an increasing risk of detecting TBL in both species, which probably relates to enhanced opportunities for transmission. Aggregation of wild boar at feeding sites was also associated with increased risks of TBL in red deer. Hardwood Quercus spp. forest availability was marginally associated with an increased risk of TB in both species, whereas scrubland cover was associated with a reduced individual risk of TBL in the wild boar. It is concluded that management practices that encourage the aggregation of hosts, and some characteristics of Mediterranean habitats could increase the frequency and probability of both direct and indirect transmission of TB. These findings are of concern for both veterinary and public health authorities, and reveal tuberculosis itself as a potential limiting factor for the development and sustainability of such intensive game management systems in Spanish Mediterranean habitats.

Feral swine damage and damage management in forested ecosystems

Invasive feral swine (Sus scrofa) cause deleterious impacts to ecosystem processes and functioning throughout their worldwide distribution, including forested ecosystems in the United States. Unfortunately, many feral swine damage management programs are conducted in a piecemeal fashion, are not adequately funded, and lack clearly stated or realistic objectives. This review paper identifies damage caused by feral swine to forest resources and presents techniques used to prevent and control feral swine damage. Concluding points related to planning a feral swine damage management program are: (1) the value of using a variety of techniques in an integrated fashion cannot be overstated; (2) there is value in using indices for both feral swine populations and their damage pre and post management activities; (3) innovative technologies will increasing be of value in the pursuit of feral swine damage reduction; and (4) though not appropriate in every situation, there is value in involving the public in feral swine damage management decisions and activities.

Invasão de herbívoro pisoteador e o padrão espacial de uma palmeira em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica

A introdução de espécies exóticas traz severas consequências para o ambiente, sendo a perda de diversidade a mais notável. Espécies exóticas podem competir por recursos com as espécies nativas, podendo assim causar a extinção de muitas espécies. A demografia e o padrão espacial de populações naturais também podem ser afetados pela presença de uma espécie invasora, o que pode levar a significativos efeitos para todo o ecossistema. Este trabalho teve por objetivo investigar o impacto causado na demografia e no padrão de distribuição espacial da palmeira Euterpe edulis pelo pisoteio e herbivoria do javaporco, resultado do cruzamento do Sus scrofa com o Sus scrofa domesticus. Esta palmeira tem especial importância para o ecossistema por ser considerada uma espécie-chave no ambiente, fornecendo alimento para muitas espécies. Foi feita uma parcela de 25 x 50m e contabilizados todos os indivíduos da palmeira presentes. Para avaliar a estrutura demográfica as plantas foram categorizadas em seis estádios de acordo com a altura: plântula, jovem I, jovem II, imaturo I, imaturo II e adulto. Para a distribuição espacial as plantas foram divididas em quatro estádios de acordo com o potencial impacto do javaporco e importância para o recrutamento: plântula, jovem, imaturo e adulto. Os dados foram coletados antes (2008) e depois (2014) da invasão do javaporco em um fragmento de mata estacional semidecídua no interior do Estado de São Paulo. A invasão do javaporco não afetou drasticamente a estrutura demográfica como um todo, mas houve uma redução considerável na proporção de plantas jovens I. Para avaliar os impactos na distribuição espacial usamos uma análise espacial de padrões de pontos univariada (entre plantas dentro de cada estádio) e bivariada (entre plantas de dois estádios). O javaporco não influenciou a distribuição espacial de plantas em cada estádio e nem as relações espaciais entre as plantas...

Development of spermatogenesis in captive-bred Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phases of sexual development and spermatogenesis of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii) based on analyses of the structural components of the testes. The testes of animals from 0 to 150 days of age were collected by orchiectomy, weighed, and processed for analysis by light microscopy. At 45 days of age, spermatozoa were seen in the tubular lumen. Spermatogenesis was not established in animals from 45 to 150 days of age. The stages of sexual development may be classified into the following phases: from birth to the age of 15 days (immature); 30 days of age (prepubertal); 45-105 days of age (pubertal); and 120 and 150 days of age (postpubertal). This is the first study to address the male reproductive biology of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy.

Genetic Manipulation, Gene Silencing and Biomarker Development in Multiple Experimental Models.

The thesis is set in three different parts, according to the relative experimental models. First, the domestic pig (Sus scrofa) is part of the study on reproductive biotechnologies: the transgenesis technique of Sperm Mediated Gene Transfer is widely studied starting from the quality of the semen, through the study of multiple uptakes of exogenous DNA and lastly used in the production of multi-transgenic blastocysts. Finally we managed to couple the transgenesis pipeline with sperm sorting and therefore produced transgenic embryos of predetermined sex. In the second part of the thesis the attention is on the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and on its derived cell line: the S2 cells. The in vitro and in vivo models are used to develop and validate an efficient way to knock down the myc gene. First an efficient in vitro protocol is described, than we demonstrate how the decrease in myc transcript remarkably affects the ribosome biogenesis through the study of Polysome gradients, rRNA content and qPCR. In vivo we identified two optimal drivers for the conditional silencing of myc, once the flies are fed with RU486: the first one is throughout the whole body (Tubulin), while the second is a head fat body driver (S32). With these results we present a very efficient model to study the role of myc in multiple aspects of translation. In the third and last part, the focus is on human derived lung fibroblasts (hLF-1), mouse tail fibroblasts and mouse tissues. We developed an efficient assay to quantify the total protein content of the nucleus on a single cell level via fluorescence. We coupled the protocol with classical immunofluorescence so to have at the same time general and particular information, demonstrating that during senescence nuclear proteins increase by 1.8 fold either in human cells, mouse cells and mouse tissues.