Meiotic pairing of B chromosomes, multiple sexual system, and Robertsonian fusion in the red brocket deer Mazama americana (Mammalia, Cervidae)

Deer species of the genus Mazama show significant inter and intraspecific chromosomal variation due to the occurrence of rearrangements and B chromosomes. Given that carriers of aneuploidies and structural rearrangements often show anomalous chromosome pairings, we here performed a synaptonemal complex analysis to study chromosome pairing behavior in a red brocket deer (Mazama americana) individual that is heterozygous for a Robertsonian translocation, is a B chromosome carrier, and has a multiple sex chromosome system (XY1Y2). The synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes showed normal chromosome pairings for all chromosomes, including the autosomal and sex trivalents. The electromicrographs showed homology among B chromosomes since they formed bivalents, but they also appeared as univalents, indicating their anomalous behavior and non-Mendelian segregation. Thus, synaptonemal complex analysis is a useful tool to evaluate the role of B chromosomes and rearrangements during meiosis on the intraspecific chromosomal variation that is observed in the majority of Mazama species. © FUNPEC-RP.

La montaña rusa del financiamiento externo: El acceso de América Latina y el Caribe a los mercados internacionales de bonos desde la crisis de la deuda, 1982-2012

Incluye bibliografía.

Severe population decline of marsh deer, Blastocerus dichotomus (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae), a threatened species, caused by flooding related to a hydroelectric power plant

Balancing power production and environmental conservation can be problematic. The objective of this study was to investigate the abundance of marsh deer in the Paraná River Basin, above the Sergio Motta (Porto Primavera) Dam, before and after the impact of the dam closure. A fixed-wing, flat window aircraft was used to survey study transects. Observations were recorded based on the distance sampling line transect method, assuming that the detection probability decreases with increased distance. The abundance of marsh deer in the survey region prior to flooding was estimated to be 974 individuals (CV = 0.23). The overall abundance dropped from 974 to 444 (CV = 0.26) individuals after flooding, an overall reduction of 54%. This reduction can be attributed to the direct impact of the flooding process, but it was likely exacerbated by indirect effects, such as increased disease, hunting, and reduction in food availability. Prior to flooding, the marsh deer was distributed widely throughout the dam's catchment area; however, the marsh deer habitat was almost completely destroyed by the flooding process. This situation highlights the need to implement management strategies that ensure the survival of the remaining fragmented population.

Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

The Brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is the most common free-living and captive deer in South America, especially in Brazil, and has great ecological and scientific significance. However, data on hematological and biochemical parameters in brown brocket deer are scarce. The goal of this study was to establish reference ranges for hematological and biochemical parameters of Mazama gouazoubira, comparing differences during the seasons of the year and between sex. Blood samples from ten adult healthy brown brocket deer (6 female and 4 male) were collected during daytime, monthly, during 12 months. The animals were maintained in individual stable, protected from noise and fed ad libitum with commercial ration and green fodder. For blood collection, animals were submitted to physical restrain for no longer than 2 minutes. The following parameters were determined: red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein (TP), albumin, cholesterol, total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, triglycerides, creatinine and urea. Values were compared according to season and sex. RBC count, WBC count and MCV suggested seasonal influence. Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCV were influenced by sex. Serum concentration of total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium were influenced by season. Serum magnesium was also influenced by sex. The blood parameters herein reported may be useful as reference values for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in captive brown-brocket deer.

Comparing two different superovulation protocols on ovarian activity and fecal glucocorticoid levels in the brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The role of chromosome variation in the speciation of the red brocket deer complex: the study of reproductive isolation in females

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

Differentiation of deer species of the genus Mazama by track morphometry

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

PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF THREE DIFFERENT PROTOCOLS OF ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE BROWN BROCKET DEER (MAZAMA GOUAZOUBIRA)

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

Effects of laparoscopy on the cardiorespiratory system of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) anesthetized with ketamine/ xylazine/ midazolam combination and isoflurane

A laparoscopia ainda é pouco utilizada como ferramenta para técnicas de reprodução assistida em cervídeos sul-americanos, não havendo informações sobre seus efeitos e protocolos anestésicos seguros para sua realização. Objetivaramse avaliar as possíveis alterações na freqüência cardíaca (FC), respiratória (FR), saturação de oxihemoglobina (SpO2) e temperatura retal (TR) durante a laparoscopia para visualização dos órgãos reprodutivos de seis fêmeas de veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) anestesiadas com a associação cetamina (5mg/kg), xilazina (0,3mg/kg), midazolam (0,5mg/kg) e isofluorano. Cada animal, após anestesiado, foi posicionado em decúbito dorsal para realização de duas laparoscopias com insuflação abdominal de CO2 (14,2 ± 2,39mmHg; M ± EPM) com intervalo de 40 dias. Para avaliar os principais eventos da laparoscopia, esta foi dividida em três períodos: animal sem insuflação abdominal (P1), com insuflação abdominal (P2) e insuflação abdominal com os quadris elevados a 45º (P3). O controle foi realizado após 40 dias da última laparoscopia, para isto, cada animal foi novamente anestesiado e mantido em decúbito dorsal por um período de tempo igual ao tempo médio de duração das anestesias realizadas nas laparoscopias, sem que o procedimento laparoscópico fosse realizado. O tempo de anestesia dos controles foi também dividido em P1, P2 e P3, respeitando o tempo médio de duração de cada um destes períodos das laparoscopias. Para análise dos dados foi usado o teste de análise de variância (ANOVA) seguido do teste de Tukey e valores de P<0,05 considerados significativos. Não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros estudados em nenhum dos períodos estabelecidos para o controle e laparoscopia. Porém, a FR média entre P1 (38,8 ± 4,42) e P3 (32,7 ± 4,81) e a TR média entre P1 (38,2ºC ± 0,17), P2 (37,6ºC ± 0,19) e P3 (37,0ºC ± 0,21) variaram significativamente, independente da laparoscopia. Tais dados permitiram concluir que a laparoscopia não promoveu alterações significativas nos parâmetros avaliados, embora o protocolo anestésico utilizado tenha contribuído para redução da temperatura retal resultando em risco de hipotermia durante a anestesia.

Evaluation of the marsh deer stifle joint by imaging studies and gross anatomy

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

Conformational changes of the HsDHODH N-terminal microdomain via DEER spectroscopy

The human enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (HsDHODH) has been studied for being a target for development of new antineoplasic and antiproliferative drugs. The synthetic peptide N-t(DH) represents the N-terminal microdomain of this enzyme, responsible for anchoring it to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Also, it is known to harbor quinones that are essential for enzyme catalysis. Here we report structural features of the peptide/membrane interactions obtained by using CD and DEER spectroscopic techniques, both in micelles and in lipid vesicles. The data revealed different peptide conformational states in micelles and liposomes, which could suggest that this microdomain acts in specific regions or areas of the mitochondria, which can be related with the control of the quinone access to the HsDHODH active site. This is the first study to report on conformational changes of the HsDHODH N-terminal microdomain through a combination of CD and DEER spectroscopic techniques.

Anatomical description of arterial segment of spleen of deer

The anatomosurgical segmentation of the arteries of the spleen was studied in 31 deer of the species Mazama gouazoubira and Blastocerus dichotomus by means of vascular injection with latex and vinyl acetate and radiographic examination. The arteria lienalis penetrated through the hilus lienis in 87% of the cases, whereas an extrahilar artery was present in the other cases. An extraparenchymal division of the lineal artery into two, three or four segmental arteries was observed in 74% of the cases. Anastomoses between intraparenchymal arterial branches were rare and of a reduced calibre.

Humoral Immune Responses of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccination and Experimental Challenge with M. bovis

Monitoring of the kinetics of production of serum antibodies to multiple mycobacterial antigens can be useful as a diagnostic tool for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection as well as for the characterization of disease progression and the efficacy of intervention strategies in several species. The humoral immune responses to multiple M. bovis antigens by white-tailed deer vaccinated with BCG orally via a lipid-formulated bait (n = 5), orally in liquid form (n = 5), and subcutaneously (n = 6) were evaluated over time after vaccination and after experimental challenge with virulent M. bovis and were compared to the responses by unvaccinated deer (n = 6). Antibody responses were evaluated by using a rapid test (RT), a multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA), a lipoarabinomannan enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (LAM-ELISA), and immunoblotting to whole-cell sonicate and recombinant antigen MPB83. MAPIA and RT detected minimal to no antibody responses over those at the baseline to multiple M. bovis antigens in vaccinated white-tailed deer after challenge. This was in contrast to the presence of more readily detectable antibody responses in nonvaccinated deer with more advanced disease. The LAM-ELISA results indicated an overall decrease in the level of production of detectable antibodies against lipoarabinomannan-enriched mycobacterial antigen in vaccinated animals compared to that in nonvaccinated animals after challenge. Immunoblot data were inconsistent but did suggest the occurrence of unique antibody responses by certain vaccinated groups to Ag85 and HSP70. These findings support further research toward the improvement and potential use of antibody-based assays, such as MAPIA, RT, and LAM-ELISA, as tools for the antemortem assessment of disease progression in white-tailed deer in both experimental and field vaccine trials.

Reducing the Public Health Impact of Bovine Tuberculosis by Controlling Disease Transmission Between Cattle and White-Tailed Deer in Northwestern Minnesota

Bovine tuberculosis, caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a re-emerging zoonotic disease. It has staged a comeback by establishing infections in wildlife and cattle, creating the potential for human disease in locations where it was thought to be under control. In northwestern Minnesota, infected cattle and white-tailed deer were first discovered in 2005. A major bovine tuberculosis eradication campaign is underway in the state, with multiple efforts employed to control M. bovis infection in both cattle and deer populations. In order to effectively eradicate bovine tuberculosis in Minnesota, there is a need for better understanding of the factors that increase the risk of deer and cattle interacting in a way that facilitates tuberculosis transmission. By reducing the risk of disease transmission within the animal populations, we will also reduce the risk that bovine tuberculosis will again become a common disease in human populations. The purpose of this study is to characterize the risk of interactions between cattle and white-tailed deer in northern Minnesota in order to prevent M. bovis transmission. A survey originally developed to assess deer-cattle interactions in Michigan was modified for use in Minnesota, introducing a scoring method to evaluate the areas of highest priority at risk of potential deer-cattle interaction. The resulting semi-quantitative deer-cattle interaction risk assessment was used at 53 cattle herds located in the region adjacent to the bovine tuberculosis “Core Area”. Two evaluators each scored the farm separately, and then created a management plan for the farm that prioritized the areas of greatest risk for deer-cattle interactions. Herds located within the “Management Zone” were evaluated by Minnesota Board of Animal Health staff, and results from these surveys were used as a point of comparison.