Biochemical and biological evaluation of gyroxin isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

Gyroxin, a thrombin-like enzyme isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom and capable of converting fibrinogen into fibrin, presents coagulant and neurotoxic activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate such coagulant and toxic properties. Gyroxin was isolated using only two chromatographic steps - namely gel filtration (Sephadex G-75) and affinity (Benzamidine Sepharose 6B) - resulting in a sample of high purity, as evaluated by RP-HPLC C2/C18 and electrophoretic analysis that showed a molecular mass of 30 kDa. Gyroxin hydrolyzed specific chromogenic substrates, which caused it to be classified as a serine proteinase and thrombin-like enzyme. It was stable from pH 5.5 to 8.5 and inhibited by Mn²+, Cu²+, PMSF and benzamidine. Human plasma coagulation was more efficient at pH 6.0. An in vivo toxicity test showed that only behavioral alterations occurred, with no barrel rotation. Gyroxin was not able to block neuromuscular contraction in vitro, which suggests that its action, at the studied concentrations, has no effect on the peripheral nervous system.

Pathologic evaluation of testis and epididymis of hairy rams in the semi-arid region of Piaui State

The gross and histological examinations of testis and epididymis of 53 crossbred hairy rams in the semi-arid region of Piaui State showed 34 (64.1 percent) animals with pathologic changes: one animal presented (1.9 percent) testicle hipoplasia; 35 (66 percent) degenerative changes, being 13 (24.5 percent) related to testicular degeneration, three (5.7 percent) to intraepithelial cysts in the epididymal epithelia and 19 (35.8 percent) to retention cysts in the epididymis; 11 (20.7 percent) inflammatory alterations, being five (9.4 percent) related to epididymitis, four (7.5 percent) to orchitis and two (3.8 percent) to spermatic granulomas. The animals with hypoplasic testicle, testicular degeneration and inflammatory alterations were classified as sub-fertile

Os exames macroscópico e microscópico de testículos e epidídimos de 53 ovinos deslanados da região semi-árida do estado do Piauí revelaram34 (64,1 por cento) animais acometidos por processos patológicos, assim distribuídos: um animal (1,9 por cento) apresentou hipoplasia testicular, 35 (66,0 por cento) mostraram alterações degenerativas, sendo 13 (24,5 por cento) casos de degeneração testicular, três (5,7 por cento) de cisto intraepitelial no epidídimo e 19 (35,8 por cento) de cisto de retenção congênita no epidídimo; 11 (20,7 por cento) de alterações inflamatórias, sendo cinco (9,4 por cento) de epididimite, quatro (7,5 por cento) de orquite e dois (3,8 por cento) de granuloma espermático. Os animais com hipoplasia testicular, degeneração testicular e alterações inflamatórias foram classificados como subférteis