Selective inhibition of interleukin 6 receptor decreased inflammatory cytokines and increased proteases in an experimental model of critical calvarial defect

Considering the lack of consensus related to the impact of selective IL-6 receptor inhibition on bone remodeling and the scarcity of reports, especially on large bone defects, this study proposed to evaluate the biological impact of the selective inhibitor of interleukin-6 receptor (tocilizumab) in an experimental model of critical calvarial defect in rats. In this preclinical and in vivo study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=12/group): defect treated with collagen sponge (CG) and defect treated with collagen sponge associated with 2 mg/kg tocilizumab (TCZ). The defect in the parietal bone was created using an 8-mm diameter trephine drill. After 90 days, the animals were euthanized, and tissue samples (skull caps) were evaluated through micro-CT, histological, immunohistochemistry, cytokines, and RT-qPCR analyses. Tocilizumab reduced mononuclear inflammatory infiltration (P<0.05) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels (P<0.01) and down-regulated tissue gene expression of BMP-2 (P<0.001), RUNX-2 (P<0.05), and interleukin (IL)-6 (P<0.05). Moreover, it promoted a stronger immunostaining of cathepsin and RANKL (P<0.05). Micro-CT and histological analyses revealed no impact on general bone formation (P>0.05). The bone cells (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes) in the defect area were similar in both groups (P>0.05). Tocilizumab reduced inflammatory cytokines, decreased osteogenic protein, and increased proteases in a critical bone defect in rats. Ninety days after the local application of tocilizumab in the cranial defect, we did not find a significant formation of bone tissue compared with a collagen sponge.

The effects of parturition season and suckling mode on the puerperium of Santa Ines ewes and on the weight gain of lambs / Efeitos do período das parições e dos sistemas de amamentação sobre o puerpério de ovelhas Santa Inês e desempenho ponderal de cordeiros

Seventy-seven ewes were randomly divided into groups according to parturition season and suckling mode [Rainy season: continuous (n=14) and controlled (n=13); Dry season: continuous (n=25) and controlled (n=25)]. The controlled suckling mode, in both seasons, resulted in a decrease in variables, intervals between parturition and first estrus (reduction of 27.11 and 11.46 days for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05) and between parturition and estrus of conception (reduction of 12.81 and 13.58 days, for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05). As to the lambs, the weight gain was higher in animals subjected to controlled suckling in relation to continuous, especially when lambing occurred in the rainy season (17.83±0.56 vs. 13.95±0.52kg for Lambs' weight at 90 days old, respectively; P<0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that controlled suckling management is better indicated for the Amazonian region, since it allows the ewes to have a shorter puerperium period and the lambs exhibit higher weight gain.

Foram utilizadas 77 ovelhas, divididas aleatoriamente em grupos de acordo com o período de parição e o manejo de amamentação [chuvoso: contínua (n=14) e controlada (n=13); seco: contínua (n=25) e controlada (n=13)]. O sistema de amamentação controlado, em ambos os períodos, resultou em decréscimo para as variáveis intervalos entre parto e primeiro estro (redução de 27,11 e 11,46 dias para os períodos chuvoso e seco, respectivamente; P<0,05) e entre parto e estro da concepção (redução de 12,81 e 13,58 dia para os períodos chuvoso e seco, respectivamente; P<0,05). Quanto ao desempenho ponderal dos cordeiros, o ganho de peso foi maior para os animais submetidos ao regime de amamentação controlada em relação à contínua, especialmente quando os nascimentos ocorreram no período chuvoso (17,83±0,56 vs. 13,95±0,52kg para o peso dos cordeiros aos 90 dias de idade, respectivamente; P<0,05). Contudo, o manejo de amamentação controlada é indicado para a região amazônica, por permitir menor tempo de puerpério das ovelhas e maior ganho de peso dos cordeiros.

Sperm parameters and biochemical components of goat seminal plasma in the rainy and dry seasons in the Brazilian Northeast: the season's influence on the cooling of semen / Caracrterísticas espermáticas e bioquímicas do plasma seminal de caprinos nas estações chuvosa e seca do Nordeste brasileiro: influência da estação no resfriamento do sêmen

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.

Respostas reprodutivas e metabólicas de ovelhas alimentadas com bagaço de caju desidratado, durante o pós-parto / Reproductive and metabolic responses of ewes fed dehydrated cashew apple bagasse during the postpartum period

Avaliou-se o efeito da adição de bagaço de caju desidratado (BCD), durante o pós-parto, em 41 ovelhas, alojadas com suas crias em baias, onde recebiam, à vontade, 75 por cento de capim-elefante + 25 por cento de concentrado (DI; n=17), ou 50 por cento de BCD + 25 por cento de capim-elefante + 25 por cento de concentrado (DII; n=24). Cinquenta dias pós-parto, o estro foi sincronizado, e as ovelhas submetidas à monta natural. O grupo DI perdeu mais peso (P<0,05), e o consumo de proteína bruta e de fibra em detergente neutro foi maior nesse grupo (P<0,001). A inclusão de BCD na dieta II induziu ao aumento do consumo de matéria seca, extrato etéreo e fibra em detergente ácido (P<0,001) e redução significativa das concentrações de colesterol, lipídios totais, albumina e proteína total (P<0,001). Não houve diferença entre os grupos (P>0,05) no tempo de retorno do primeiro corpo lúteo funcional, na resposta à sincronização do estro e nas taxas de gestação e prolificidade. A inclusão de 50 por cento de BCD amenizou as perdas de peso, foi bem consumida e não influenciou nas respostas reprodutivas após a sincronização do estro.

The effect of the addition of dehydrated cashew apple bagasse (DCB) to the diet on ewe postpartum response was evaluated on 41 ewes, housed with their kids in pens, where they received two diets containing 75 percent of Elephant Grass plus 25 percent of concentrate (Diet I; n=17), or 50 percent of DCB plus 25 percent of Elephant Grass plus 25 percent of concentrate (Diet II; n=24). On the 50th day postpartum, estrus was synchronized and ewes mated. Diet Igroup exhibited a greater loss of live weight (P<0.05) and higher intakes of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (P<0.001). By contrast, animals from diet II showed a significantly increase in dry matter, ether extract, and acid detergent fiber intakes (P<0.001), and lower plasmatic concentrations of cholesterol, total lipids, albumin, and total protein (P<0.001). No differences were found between groups (P>0.05) for the presence of first functionally CL, estrus synchronization response, and gestation or prolificity rates. Thus, the addition of DCB to the diet was well accepted, induced a reduction of weight loss, and did not affect the reproductive response of ewes.

Consumo, produção de leite e estresse térmico em vacas da raça Pardo-Suíça alimentadas com castanha de caju / Dry mater intake, milk yield, and heat stress indicators of dairy cows fed diets with cashew nut

Avaliaram-se o consumo de matéria seca, a produção de leite e os indicadores de estresse térmico de vacas Pardo-Suíça alimentadas com castanha de caju no semi-árido do Nordeste do Brasil. Doze animais foram distribuídos em um ensaio de reversão, com quatro tratamentos: 0, 8, 16 e 24 por cento de castanha no concentrado. As vacas receberam cana-de-açúcar à vontade e sete quilos de concentrado por dia. Maior consumo de matéria seca de cana-de-açúcar foi observado no tratamento com concentrado sem castanha (7,70kgMS/dia) em relação aos tratamentos com 16 por cento e 24 por cento de castanha (7,35 e 7,05kgMS/dia, respectivamente). O consumo no tratamento com concentrado sem castanha não diferiu do consumo no tratamento com 8 por cento (7,59kgMS/dia). Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a produção de leite e sobre as variáveis indicativas de estresse térmico (P>0,05)

A study was carried out to evaluate dry matter intake, milk yield, and heat stress parameters in Brown Swiss cows fed diets with cashew nut. Animals were raised in the semi-arid region of the Brazilian Northeast. Twelve cows were subjected to a switch back experimental design, with four treatments: 0, 8, 16, and 24 percent of cashew nut in the concentrate. Each cow received 7kg of concentrate per day and had free access to sugar cane. Dry matter (DM) intake and milk yield were daily taken as well as measurements of rectal and milk temperature; and cardiac and respiratory rates. The highest intake of forage (sugar cane) was obtained when the concentrate had no cashew nut (7.7kgDM/day). This value was not different when the concentrate contained 8 percent of cashew nut (7.59kgDM/day) but greater than dry matter intake of cows receiving diets with 16 percent of cashew nut (7.35kgDM/day; P<0.05). The diet with 24 percent of cashew nut in the concentrate resulted in the lowest consumption of forage (7.05kgDM/day), which was significantly different from all other treatments (P<0.05). Variations in milk yield (from 14.76 to 15.31kg/day) were not related to changes in the content of cashew nut in the concentrate (P>0.05). Such low variability in daily milk yield could be associated with the higher energy density of diets containing more cashew nut. Finally, indicators of heat stress were not influenced by changes in the diets, given the air temperatures and environment where all cows were raised