ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to verify the caprine semen characteristics during dry and rainy seasons in the Brazilian Northeast, and the influence of these seasons on cooled semen. Seminal volume, concentration, percentage of motile cells, vigor and spermatic morphology, as well as biochemical profile (fructose, citric acid, P, Ca2+, Mg, total proteins and phospholipase A2 activity) were analyzed. It was observed a reduction (P<0.05) in normal sperm morphology, fructose, citric acid, P, Mg and total protein concentration during the dry season, which did not affect the motility, vigor, volume and sperm concentration. Phospholipase A2 activity was increased during the dry season (P<0.05). The analysis of the semen cooled at 4ºC during 48 hours showed reduction in total motility and vigor sperm during the dry season (P<0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that the best period of year for caprine semen cooling is the rainy season.
Verificou-se as características seminais de caprinos durante a época seca e a chuvosa no Nordeste brasileiro e a influência da época no resfriamento do sêmen. Foram mensurados volume, concentração espermática, porcentagem de espermatozoides móveis, vigor, morfologia espermática e características bioquímicas (frutose, ácido cítrico, fósforo, magnésio, proteínas totais e atividade da fosfolipase A2). Observou-se redução (P<0,05) no número de espermatozóides morfologicamente normais, frutose, ácido cítrico, fósforo, magnésio e proteínas totais durante a época seca que não influenciaram na motilidade, vigor, volume e concentração do sêmen. Entretanto, a atividade da fosfolipase A2 foi maior na época seca. Quando o sêmen foi submetido ao resfriamento a 4ºC durante 48 horas, houve redução (P<0,05) na motilidade total e no vigor espermático durante a época seca. Com base nesses resultados, conclui-se que o período chuvoso é melhor para resfriar sêmen de caprinos no Nordeste brasileiro.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Semen Preservation/statistics & numerical data , Semen Preservation/veterinary , Semen/chemistryABSTRACT
The effects of pimozide, mazindol and apomorphine on muscarinic receptors in homogenates of rat cerebral motor cortex were measured by binding assays, using 3H-N-methylscopolamine (3H-NMS) alone as ligand (for the measurement of M1- and M2-like receptors) or in the presence of carbachol or pirenzepine for determination of M1- and M2-like receptors, respectively. Female Wistar rats (150g) were treated daily for one week with pimozide, a dopaminergic antagonist (10 and 20 mg/Kg, po, by gavage), or with apomorphine (1mg/Kg,ip). In another ser of experiments, animals were treated with pimozide and 30 min later with mazindol (10 mg/Kg, po, by gavage) or apomorphine. The drugs were administered daily for one week. Controls received the same volume of saline. 3H-NMS binding was increased from the control value of 418 ñ 17 ñ 42 fmol/mg protein by administration of mazindol (10mg/Kg) but binding was reduced to 360 ñ 11 fmol/mg protein upon administration of pimozide (20mg/Kg) plus mazindol (10mg/Kg. Similarly 10 mg/ Kg pimozide reduced the increase in M1-like receptors caused by mazindol from 262 ñ to 220 ñ 20 fmol/mg protein. Although 20 mg/Kg pimozide alone produced a decrease in M1-plus M2-like receptors (from 418 ñ 17 to 348 ñ 22 fmol/mg protein), its action was preferentially on M2-like receptors, decreasing them from 148 ñ 10 to o ñ 15 fmol/mg protein in the control and treated groups, respectively. At the higher dose, 20 mg/Kg pimozide also inhibited the 3 H-NMS binding (M1-plus M2-like receptors) in the presence of apomorphine (263ñ25 vs 418 ñ 17 fmol/mg protein...