Does heteropterys aphrodisiaca administration andendurance training alter bones of mature rats?

Heteropterys aphrodisiaca infusion, alone or associated with endurance training, was investigated in rat bonesin relation to their mechanical properties, collagen content and morphology. Male rats were divided into fourgroups (n = 8): CS- control sedentary, HS- H. aphrodisiaca sedentary, CT–control trained, HT‑H. aphrodisiacatrained. The training protocol consisted in running on a motorized treadmill, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks,with weekly increase in treadmill velocity and duration. Control groups received water while HS and HTgroups received H. aphrodisiaca infusion (104 mg/animal) by gavage during the 8 weeks. Tibiae werefrozen for collagen dosage and biomechanical analysis or preserved in Karnovsky’s fixative, then processedfor histomorphological analysis by conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. TheHT group showed significantly higher yield load and yield stress in the tibiae three-point bending test. Themaximum load, stiffness, maximum stress and elastic modulus were statistically similar for the experimentalgroups. The hydroxyproline content, morphometrical and stereological data were not significantly differentfor the four groups. Scanning electron microscopy showed more lacunae and Havers canals in the bone oftrained animals, moreover the osteons were more disorganized, when compared with sedentary groups. Thesealterations may indicate that the bone of trained animals was being remodeled. However, after 8 weeks oftraining, it was not possible verify alterations in morphometrical measurements, collagen content, stiffness andmodulus of elasticity of the trained and treated animals.

Relationship between invertebrate fauna and bromeliad size

Several bromeliads species store water and organic substrates, allowing the establishment of phytotelmata and associated fauna on their leaves. In this study, we sampled 70 individuals of Vriesea sp. (Carrière) (Bromeliaceae), in rupestrian fields in the Serra de Ouro Branco-MG, Brazil. The relationships between invertebrate species richness and abundance and size of bromeliads were tested using multiple regression. We found 19 species associated with bromeliads, mainly Diptera larvae. The abundance of the phytotelmate fauna increased principally in relation to the volume of water in the bromeliad reservoir. Phytotelmata richness was affected principally by diameter of the reservoir. There was a significant relationship between the abundance and richness of invertebrates associated with leaves with diameter and height of the plant. Invertebrate richness was better explained by abundance of individuals. These results suggest that the increase of richness was attended by higher numbers of microhabitats and more space for colonization of bigger bromeliads. Additionally, there was more chance of sampling different species in locales with greater abundance of individuals.

Muitas espécies de bromélias são capazes de armazenar água e detritos, permitindo o estabelecimento de comunidades associadas aos seus tanques de água e às suas folhas. Neste trabalho, foram amostrados 70 indivíduos de Vriesea sp. (Carrière) (Bromeliaceae), em uma área de campo rupestre na Serra de Ouro Branco-MG, Brasil. Foi testada a relação entre a riqueza e a abundância das comunidades de invertebrados associados e o tamanho da bromélia. Em todos os casos foram utilizadas análises de regressão linear múltipla. Foram amostradas 19 espécies, principalmente larvas de Diptera associadas à bromélia. A abundância da fauna fitotelmata aumentou principalmente com o volume de água no reservatório da bromélia. Já a riqueza de fitotelmata foi relacionada principalmente com o diâmetro da planta. No entanto, a abundância e riqueza dos invertebrados associados às folhas apresentaram relação significativa com a altura e o diâmetro da planta. A riqueza de invertebrados foi mais bem explicada pela abundância de indivíduos do que pelo tamanho da bromélia. Estes resultados sugerem que o aumento da riqueza pode ter sido resultante do maior número de microhabitats e de espaço para colonização em bromélia de maior tamanho. Além disso, houve maior chance de amostrar espécies diferentes em locais com maior abundância de indivíduos.