Oogenic development and gonotrophic cycle of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in laboratory / Desarrollo oogénico y ciclo gonotrófico de Aedes aegypti y Aedes albopictus en laboratorio

Abstract: Objective: To determine the time of oogenic development and the length of the gonotrophic cycle of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in laboratory. Materials and methods: Bloodfed females of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were dissected every 4 h to determine the development status of the follicles according to the Christophers' stages. Results: The minimum time of oocyte maturation in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was 64-82 h and 52-64 h post-feeding, respectively. We found that the gonotrophic cycle of Ae. aegypti (3.7-4.2 d) is longer than that of Ae. albopictus (3.2-3.7 d). The follicle length showed significant differences between species at Christophers' stages 2" and 5, whereas follicle amplitude was different between the two mosquitoes at stages 2", 3 and 4. Conclusions: The study provided new evidence on the reproductive strategies of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females that coexist in the Neotropical region of Mexico.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar el tiempo de desarrollo oogénico y del ciclo gonotrófico de Aedes aegypti y Aedes albopictus en laboratorio. Material y métodos: Hembras de Ae. aegypti y Ae. albopictus alimentadas con sangre fueron disecadas cada cuatro horas para determinar el estado de desarrollo folicular, según los estadios de Christophers. Resultados: El tiempo mínimo de maduración del oocito en Ae. aegypti y Ae. albopictus fue de 64-82 h y 52-64 h post-alimentación, respectivamente. El ciclo gonotrófico de Ae. aegypti (3.7-4.2 d) fue mayor que el de Ae. albopictus (3.2-3.7 d). La longitud folicular presentó diferencias significativas entre las especies en los estadios de Christophers 2" y 5, mientras que la amplitud folicular fue diferente entre ambos mosquitos en los estadios 2", 3 y 4. Conclusiones: El estudio proporcionó nueva evidencia sobre la estrategia reproductiva de las hembras de Ae. aegypti y Ae. albopictus que coexisten en la región neotropical de México.

Reproduction of Omalonyx matheroni (Gastropoda: Succineidae) under laboratory conditions

The life histories of succineids have received relatively little attention. To evaluate life history characteristics of Omalonyx matheroni, we studied a Brazilian population (Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Feliciano Miguel Abdala, in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil) under laboratory conditions. The aims of the present study were (1) to describe in detail an appropriate rearing method; (2) to investigate the effects of different temperature and photoperiod conditions; and (3) to assess the effects of self and cross-fertilization on the reproductive biology of these mollusks. We studied the oviposition site, the time to sexual maturity and the influences of photoperiod and temperature on reproductive parameters of O. matheroni reared under laboratory conditions. We tested three combinations of temperature and photoperiod, designated A, B and C (A: 25ºC, 24 hours of light; B: environmental conditions of temperature and photoperiod, characterized as follows: average máximum temperature=27.1ºC, average minimum temperature=18.3ºC, average day length=12.06 hours; and C: 25ºC, zero hours of light) and two rearing densities (I: isolated and G: grouped) on reproductive parameters (number of eggs per egg mass, number of unviable eggs per mass, egg mass incubation period, and duration of the hatching period). A total of 186 individuals and 565 egg masses were studied. Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test, two-way ANOVA and Chi-Square test. Eight generations were produced (March/2004-March/2006), from 35 field specimens, 91% of 3 197 eggs hatched. The time to sexual maturity was approximately three months for individuals reared in groups or in isolation (Student’s t-test: t=1.41, df=31, p=0.16); however, they differed significantly in weight (Student’s t-test: t=3.6, df=31, p<0.001). Regarding the influences of temperatura and photoperiod on reproductive parameters, under natural environmental conditions, individuals produced a greater number of eggs per mass (ANOVA: F2,573=84.15, p<0.001), with a longer incubation period (ANOVA: F2;559=170.05, p<0.001). The extreme photoperiod conditions of 24 hours of light or zero hours of light likely imposed stress and could be related to the significant reductions in the number of eggs per mass, and egg incubation period as well as the increased synchrony in egg hatching. No correlations were observed between the number of unviable eggs per mass and the temperature, photoperiod (ANOVA: F2,573=0.87, p=0.92) or rearing density (ANOVA: F1,573=0.21, p=0.64). Individuals reared in isolation under natural conditions produced more eggs per mass and did not presented any disadvantage with respect to the variables analyzed as compared to the animals reared in groups. These results indicate that O. matheroni can successfully reproduce by selfing. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 553-566. Epub 2012 June 01.

Animais de laboratório: o camundongo / Laboratory animals: the mouse

A experimentação animal nas pesquisas científicas tem contribuído sobremaneira para o desenvolvimento da ciência e tecnologia, promovendo ao longo dos anos a descoberta de medidas profiláticas e tratamentos de enfermidades que acometem os seres humanos. Animais de várias espécies têm sido utilizados nos últimos tempos,sendo os camundongos os mais intensamente utilizados e os mais profundamente conhecidos cientificamente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico, incluindo os trabalhos do nosso grupo, sobre o emprego de camundongos na experimentação animal, abordando sua biologia geral, fisiologia de reprodução, sistemas de criação, genética, habitação, alimentação, manejo, dor e eutanásia, técnicas de risco desenvolvidas na experimentação, coleta de sangue, experimentos farmacológicos e toxicológicos. Embora tendências atuais preconizem a utilização de métodos alternativos (estudos in vitro, culturas de células, etc.), os modelos animais, como os camundongos, apresentam como principal vantagem o fornecimento de informações sobre o organismo como um todo, fato que não é conseguido com outros métodos, o que ainda possibilita o seu emprego em pesquisas científicas

The animal experimentation in the scientific research has contributed excessively for the development of science and technology, promoting to long of the years the discovery of prophylactic measures and treatments for iseases that attack the humans. Animals of some species have been used in the last times, being the mouse the more intensely used and more deeply known scientifically. The objective of this work was to carry through a bibliographical survey including data of our research group, about the use of mice in the animal experimentation, approaching its general biology, reproduction physiology, creation systems, genetics, habitation, feeding, handling, pain and euthanasia, techniques of risk developed in the experimentation, blood collection, pharmacological and toxicological experiments. Although current trends praise the use of alternative methods (in vitro studies, cells cultures, etc.), the animal models, as the mouse, present as main advantage the supply of information on the organism as a whole, fact that is not obtained with other methods, what still it makes possible its utilization in scientific research.

Animales de laboratorio y la Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM-062-ZOO-1999) / Laboratory animals and official Mexican norms (NOM-062-ZOO-1999)

This article concerns animal experimentation and official Mexican norm Nom 0062-Zoo-1999 entitled Technical specifications for the production, care and use of laboratory animals. The history of animal experimentation is briefly resumed. During the nineteenth century, doubts arose as to the right to expose animals to experimental procedures that frequently cause pain and suffering. The first law which protected animals against cruelty was passed in Great Britain in 1876; subsequently, other nations approved similar legislation. During the second part of the twentieth century, opposition to animal experimentation grew. Other groups, mainly scientists and pharmaceutical concerns, defended the right to use animals in research. New knowledge concerning the neurophysiology, cognitive capacity, and the animal faculty to experience pain is briefly mentioned. Guidelines on care and use of animals used in research published in several countries are listed. Finally, the recently published Mexican legislation (Norm) referring to production, care and use of laboratory animals is discussed and its benefits are stressed.

Observaçöes morfológicas do ovário policístico de rata: I estudo histoquímico do colágeno / Morphological aspects of the ovary of the rat

Os autores descrevem os aspectos morfológicos do ovário de ratas em estro permanente, com ênfase para distribuiçäo dos tipos de colágeno, utilizando o método do Picrosírius-Polarizaçäo. Os dados obtidos säo indicativos de que o colágeno, particularmente os tipos Ie III, säo susceptíveis a hiperplasia na dependência de açäo hormonal

Lavado vascular y naloxona en la prevención de daño pulmonar ocasionado por isquemia distal / Vascular washing and naloxone in the prevention of lung damage caused by distal ischemia

El modelo en ratas de isquemia por bloqueo circulatorio de torso y patas traseras, cuando se prolonga 90 minutos o más, ocasiona infiltración alveolar de polimorfonucleares y macrófagos. El lavado vascular de la zona isquémica previo a la reperfusión, y el uso de naloxona disminuyen el grado de infiltración de los alvéolos pulmonares por polimorfonucleares activados. El estudio confirma el daño pulmonar por infiltrados leucocitarios activados por radicales libres de oxígeno en zonas isquémicas y después de su reperfusión en ratas

Animal models in diabetes research

Animals can suffer from diabetes due to a wide variety of factor. The diabetic animals may be regarded as models of diabetes in man; however, the disease displays a wide diversity of pathophysiologic factors and occasionally does not correspond to diabetes in man. Diabetes in animals can be produced by surgery, viral infections, hormone administration and chemical agents. Some animals may develop spontaneous diabetes. Animal models could be useful in the study of acute and chronic complications of the disease. We present information that we think is useful to the researcher who is involved in the care, production or use of animal models of diabetes

Control hormonal del desarrollo puberal en la rata hembra / Endocrine control of pubertal development in the female rat

La rata hembra resulta un interesante modelo experimental para estudiar el desarrollo del control de las hormonas hipofisarias involucradas en la reproducción. Desde el nacimiento hasta la eclosión puberal transcurren aproximadamente 36 días que pueden ser divididos en 4 etapas: a) neonatal, hasta el día 7 de vida, b) infantil, de 7 a 21, c) juvenil, 21 a 30 días, y d) peripuberal, período que culmina con la primera ovulación. Durante estas etapas los perfiles hormonales son definidos y sujetos a un control característico para cada período. La prolactina está baja hasta el fin del período infantil, momento en que comienza a aumentar gradualmente. Este aumento está relacionado con una maduración de mecanismos liberadores de la prolactina (como el sistema serotoninérgico y el estradiol), en presencia de un aumento del tono dopaminérgico inhibitorio. La prolactina en aumento produce una maduración de los receptores ováricos a LH, y una desensibilización de receptores dopaminérgicos, ambos eventos importantes para la eclosión puberal. La FSH aumenta desde el nacimiento hasta alcanzar el día 12 de vida valores máximos. Luego desciende permaneciendo baja hasta la pubertad. Las causas de este perfil de secreción son múltiples: a los 12 días de edad hay una aumentada sensibilidad de la hipófisis a la LHRH, y una mayor liberación de FSH por serotonina. Por otro lado, frente a una escasa retroalimentación negativa estrogénica y bajos niveles de inhibina, la FSH está bajo control negativo de la...