Qualidade seminal e perfil metabólico de caprinos alimentados com semente de linhaça na dieta / Semen quality and metabolic profile of goats fed flaxseed in the diet

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de semente de linhaça na dieta sobre a qualidade seminal e o perfil metabólico de machos caprinos. Foram utilizados 16 machos da raça Saanen, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, recebendo níveis de inclusão de semente de linhaça (0, 4, 8 e 12%) na dieta, durante um período de 60 dias. As coletas e as avaliações seminais foram realizadas duas vezes por semana. Os animais foram submetidos a coletas quinzenais de sangue, durante todo o período experimental. Os dados foram avaliados por ANOVA e pela análise de regressão a 5% de significância. Houve comportamento cúbico para motilidade espermática progressiva, que apresentou o maior valor (82,30%) com a adição de 9,92% de semente de linhaça na dieta (P<0,05). Houve comportamento cúbico para concentração plasmática de triglicerídeos, e o nível de 8% de semente de linhaça na dieta apresentou média de 43,32mg dL-1, acima dos valores normais para a espécie caprina (P<0,05). A inclusão de semente de linhaça na dieta de machos caprinos proporcionou melhora na produção espermática e na qualidade seminal. No entanto, devem-se considerar os possíveis efeitos dos níveis superiores a 4% de semente de linhaça sobre o perfil metabólico dos animais.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of flaxseed inclusion in the diet of male goats through the semen quality and metabolic profile. Randomly allocated 16 Saanen males were placed into four groups receiving flaxseed inclusion levels (0, 4, 8 and 12%) in the diet over a period of 60 days. The collections and seminal evaluations were performed twice a week. The animals were subjected to biweekly blood collections from the beginning to the end of the trial period. The data were evaluated by ANOVA and regression analysis at 5% significance. A cubic behavior for motility, with the highest value (82.30%) with the addition of 9.92% of flaxseed in the diet (P< 0.05) was detected. A cubic behavior for plasma triglyceride concentration and the level of 8% of flaxseed in the diet averaged 43.32mg dL -1 above normal values for goats (P< 0.05) was detected. The inclusion of flaxseed in the diet of male goats improved sperm production and quality. However, one should consider the possible effects of the levels above 4% of flaxseed on the metabolic profile of the animals.(AU)

Farmacopuntura utilizando os acupontos Hou Hai e Bai Hui em protocolos de sincronização de estro em cabras / Pharmacopuncture using acupoints Hou Hai and Bai Hui in estrous synchronization protocols in goats

Avaliou-se a eficiência da administração de subdoses de eCG nos acupontos Bai Hui e Hou Hai em protocolos de sincronização de estro em cabras. Na primeira etapa, 57 cabras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos: T1- 300UI de eCG intramuscular (IM); T2- 60UI de eCG no acuponto Hou Hai; T3- 60UI de eCG no acuponto Bai Hui e T4- 60UI de eCG IM; e na segunda etapa, 28 cabras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em três tratamentos: T1- 300UI de eCG IM; T2- 30UI de eCG no acuponto Bai Hui e T3- 30UI de eCG IM. Ao final do tratamento hormonal, as cabras foram monitoradas para detecção do estro, realização das coberturas e avaliação do comportamento reprodutivo. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de normalidade, seguida dos testes estatísticos adequados para cada variável. Na primeira etapa experimental, obteve-se maior duração de estro nas cabras do T1 (P=0,009). Na segunda etapa experimental, obteve-se maior número de animais em estros no T1 (P=0,03). As demais variáveis para ambas as etapas não sofreram influência dos tratamentos (P>0,05), demonstrando que a administração de subdoses de eCG nos acupontos Bai Hui e Hou Hai foi eficiente para sincronizar o estro.(AU)

The efficiency of administration of subdoses of eCG in the Bai Hui and Hou Hai acupoints in oestrus synchronization protocols in goats was evaluated. In the first stage, 57 goats were randomly assigned to four treatments: T1- 300UI of intramuscular eCG (IM); T2- 60UI of eCG in acupoint Hou Hai; T3- 60UI of eCG in the Bai Hui acupoint and T4- 60UI of eCG IM; and in the second stage, 28 goats were randomly assigned to three treatments: T1-300UI of eCG IM; T2-30UI of eCG in the Bai Hui acupoint and T3- 30UI of eCG IM. At the end of the hormonal treatment the goats were monitored for estrus detection, and evaluation of reproductive behavior. The data were submitted to normality analysis, followed by appropriate statistical tests for each variable. In the first experimental stage, a longer duration of estrus in the T1 goats (P= 0.009) was obtained. In the second experimental stage, a greater number of animals were obtained in estrus at T1 (P= 0.03). The other variables for both experiments were not influenced by the treatments (P> 0.05), demonstrating that administration of eCG subdoses in the Bai Hui and Hou Hai acupoints was efficient to synchronize the estrus.(AU)

Óleo de peixe associado ao ácido ascórbico no diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino / Fish oil associated to ascorbic acid in diluter for cryopreservation goat semen

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da inclusão de óleo de peixe associado ao ácido ascórbico no diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino. Dois machos da raça Boer foram submetidos à coleta de sêmen pelo método de vagina artificial, sendo os ejaculados avaliados quanto aos aspectos físicos e morfológicos. Após avaliação, formou-se um pool, seguido do fracionamento em cinco grupos: G1 - diluidor citrato-gema e G2, G3, G4 e G5 - diluidor citrato-gema acrescido de 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0% de óleo de peixe e 0,05% de ácido ascórbico, respectivamente. Após descongelamento, foram realizadas avaliações físicas do sêmen e os testes complementares de termorresistência lento (TTR), hiposmótico (HO), integridade acrossomal e compactação da cromatina espermática. Houve comportamento linear crescente (P<0,05) para motilidade pós-descongelamento. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para vigor pós-descongelamento (2,00±0,24). No TTR não houve diferença (P>0,05) para motilidade e vigor espermáticos entre os tempos cinco e 180min, com médias inicial e final de 62,17±12,13 e 14,29±10,55 para motilidade e de 2,00±0,52 e 0,49±0,44 para vigor. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para o HO, com porcentagem média de espermatozoides reativos de 23,5±5,96%. Houve comportamento linear crescente para acrossoma íntegro e decrescente para acrossoma irregular (P<0,05). Não houve diferença (P>0,05) na compactação da cromatina, com 97,06±1,17% de cromatina íntegra. A inclusão até 4% de óleo de peixe acrescido de ácido ascórbico no diluidor melhorou motilidade e integridade de acrossoma após a criopreservação.(AU)

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of fish oil inclusion associated with ascorbic acid in the thinner for goat semen cryopreservation. Two male Boers underwent semen collection through the artificial vagina method, ejaculates being then assessed for physical and morphological aspects. After evaluation, a pool was formed, followed by the split into five groups: G1 - yolk-citrate extender and G2, G3, G4 and G5 - yolk-citrate extender plus 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0% fish oil and 0.05% ascorbic acid, respectively. After thawing, physical evaluations of semen were assessed and additional testing slow heat resistance (TTR), hiposmotic (HO), acrosome integrity and compression of sperm chromatin. There was linear increase (P<0.05) post-thaw motility. No difference was obtained for post-thaw vigor and there was no influence of the association of fish oil and ascorbic acid in TTR. Plasma membrane integrity, by hyposmotic test (HO), presented a mean of reactive spermatozoa of 23.5±5.96% (P>0.05). There was linear increase for intact acrosome and decreasing acrosome irregular (P<0.05). In the analysis of the chromatin compaction, approximately 3% of damages (P>0.05) were observed. The inclusion of 4% fish oil plus ascorbic acid in diluter improved motility and acrosome integrity after cryopreservation.(AU)

Morfometria do aparelho genital e resposta superovulatória de coelhas suplementadas com geleia real / Morphometry of the genital tract and superovulatory response in rabbits supplemented with royal jelly

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com geleia real sobre a morfometria do aparelho genital, resposta superovulatória e qualidade embrionária de coelhas. Trinta e seis fêmeas foram distribuídas em quatro grupos (G), sendo: G1 (n=9) formado por animais não suplementados com geleia real, e G2, G3 e G4 (n=9 em cada grupo) por animais suplementados com 10, 20 e 40mg/dia de geleia real. A superovulação consistiu na aplicação de 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica equina, seguida por 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana, via intramuscular, 48 horas após, e submetidas à cobrição natural. Os animais foram sacrificados, e os embriões coletados 72 horas após a cópula. Não houve diferença estatística entre tratamentos para as variáveis analisadas. O peso médio do aparelho genital foi de 10,88±0,38g; dos ovários - direito e esquerdo -, 0,28±0,02g; e o índice gonadossomático, 0,02±0,0g. O número médio de estruturas totais recuperadas foi de 9,2±1,4; de embriões viáveis, 8,7±1,4; e de degenerados, 0,5±0,2. Dos embriões viáveis, 5,6±0,8 foram classificados como grau I; 2,3±0,5, como grau II; e 0,8±0,2, como grau III. A suplementação com geleia real na dose de até 40mg/dia não apresentou efeito estimulador sobre o aparelho genital e a qualidade embrionária de coelhas.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of supplementation of royal jelly on the morphometry of the genital tract, superovulatory response and embryonic quality in adult rabbits. 36 rabbits were distributed in four groups (G), as follows: G1 (n=9): no supplementation with royal jelly, G2, 3 and 4 (n=9): supplementation with 10, 20 and 40mg/day of royal jelly. The superovulatory protocol consisted in the application of a dose of 40UI of Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin, followed by a dose of UI of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, intramuscularly, 48 hours later, and submitted to natural cover. The animals were euthanasiated and the embryos collected 72 hours after copulation. There was no statistical difference for the analyzed variables (P>0.05). The average weight for the female genital tract was 10.89±0.38g; the average weight of right and left ovaries was 0.28±0.02g and the average gonadosomatic index rate was 0.02±0.0g. The number of total recovered structures was 9.2±1.4. The average number of viable embryos was 8.7±1.4 and of degenerated embryos was 0.5±0.2. Viable embryos were morphologically classified as degree I: 5.6±0.8; degree II: 2.3±0.5; degree III: 0.8±0.2. Royal jelly did not present stimulatory effect on organs related to the reproduction of rabbits, nor was it effective to improve their embryonic quality at dosages of up to 40mg of in natura royal jelly.

Sincronização da ovulação utilizando FSH em substituição à eCG em cabras / Ovulation synchronization using FSH replacing eCG in goats

The effect of substitution of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in synchronization protocols of ovulation in dairy goats was evaluated. Twelve goats received intravaginal sponges impregnated with 60mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for 10 days. The sponges were removed and the animals were distributed into two groups (G): G1 (n=6) treated with 0.5mL of a synthetic analogue of PGF2 α and 100 IU of eCG for each 10kg weight, intramuscular injection (IM); and G2 (n=6) treated with 0.5mL of a synthetic analogue of PGF2α and 20mg of FSH (IM). All animals were monitored for estrus detection with aid of a ruffian after sponge removal. The ovarian dynamics were analyzed by ultrasound, since six hours after sponge removed. Each animal was analyzed in time elapsed of six hours until 12 hours after ovulation detection. For data analyses, the Wilcoxon test and variance analyses were used. There was not difference between the analyzed parameters (P>0.05). In this way, eCG can be replaced by FSH in synchronization protocols of ovulation in dairy goats.

Effect of antihypertensive drugs on ethanol induced gastric lesions: is there a correlation with mucosal blood flow?

We studied the effect of five antihypertensive drugs on ethanol-induced gastric haemorrhagic lesions in rats. While hydralazine aggravates these lesions, nifedipine and propranolol have a protective action. On the other hand, enalapril and prazosin have no effect. Thus the effects of antihypertensive drugs on ethanol-induced lesions do not always correlate with their reported actions on gastric mucosal blood flow.

Aggravating action of hydralazine on ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

Endogenous nitric oxide has been proposed as one of the mediators of gastric cytoprotection. We studied the effect of the vasodilator hydralazine which acts via nitric oxide and thus is expected to have a gastroprotective action. However, hydralazine aggravates ethanol-induced gastric lesions. This effect is not influenced by pretreatment with the selective alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin but is abolished by the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril suggesting the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system.

Protective effect of propranolol on ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats: probable mechanism of action.

The non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, has been reported to protect against gastric injury in mice, an effect only partly due to prostaglandin release. This study was designed to confirm the gastric cytoprotective effect of propranolol in another species of animal, the rat, and investigate further its mechanism of action. Our results show that propranolol prevents both ethanol-induced gastric lesions as well as ethanol-induced contraction of the circular muscle of rat fundic strip. The local anaesthetic, lignocaine also inhibited the effect of ethanol on circular muscle. However, timolol, another non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, failed to produce such an action. The effect of propranolol was abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin and a high dose of the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue. The results suggest that in addition to prostaglandins, endogenous nitric oxide and the membrane stabilising action of propranolol may also be involved in its gastroprotective action.

Gastric cytoprotection.

The term 'cytoprotection' means protection against gastric mucosal injury by a mechanism other than inhibition or neutralisation of gastric acid. Several mechanisms of gastric cytoprotection have been proposed like increased mucus and bicarbonate secretion, strengthening of gastric mucosal barrier, increased gastric mucosal blood flow, decreased gastric motility, increased formation of prostaglandins and sulfhydryls, scavenging of free radicals, stimulation of cellular growth and repair, decreased release of leukotrienes etc. Some of the drugs widely used in therapy of peptic ulcer are cytoprotective e.g. sucralfate, colloidal bismuth and aluminium containing antacids. As the concept of gastric cytoprotection is becoming widely accepted, the list of drugs which have shown a cytoprotective action in animal experiments is growing rapidly. This list includes zinc sulphate, meciadanol, propranolol, dipyridamole etc.

Aggravating action of clonidine on ethanol-induced gastric lesions: probable mechanism of action.

Large doses of the imidazoline alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine aggravate ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, the opioid antagonist naloxone and the H2 antagonist cimetidine do not prevent this action of clonidine suggesting that it is not mediated by alpha 2, opioid or H2 receptors. Further, like clonidine, high doses of phentolamine and cimetidine aggravate gastric lesions per se, suggesting that all three may be acting at a common 'receptor' site, possibly the imidazoline-preferring receptor (IPR).

Comparison of the effects of captopril and enalapril on oxyphenbutazone and ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats.

We have compared the effect of the converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and enalapril, on two models of gastric ulcers, viz; ethanol and oxyphenbutazone-induced lesions in rats. Both captopril and enalapril did not affect ethanol-induced lesions. While captopril significantly protected against oxyphenbutazone-induced lesions, enalapril aggravated the lesions. This difference is probably due to the lack of the protective sulfhydryl group in the chemical structure of enalapril.

Vascular desensitisation--possible role of prostaglandins.

Prolonged exposure to noradrenaline (NA) brings about an increase in the release of prostaglandin (PG)-like material from rat aortic strip. The release is greater with oxymetazoline while methoxamine decreases it. These effects are blocked by yohimbine and prazosin respectively. Pretreatment with 6-OHDA or reserpine diminishes the release of PG-like material. Barium chloride, a non-specific spasmogen, does not affect the release significantly. It appears therefore that the source of PG-like material is presynaptic and that its release mechanism is linked to an alpha 2 (alpha 2) adrenoceptor. It is proposed that this release of PG-like material contributes to the development of desensitisation in vascular tissue.