Classification of the sperm chromatin compaction alterations in bulls (Bos taurus) and its correlation with the efficiency of the in vitro production of embryos

This paper proposes to classify the sperm chromatin compaction alterations in bulls, according to the affected area location and its objective is evaluating the correlation of the intensity, the heterogeneity and these kinds of chromatin decompaction with the rates of cleavage and the formation of blastocysts of in vitro production of embryos (IVPE). It was used several subfertile animals sperm samples, which were evaluated using the toluidine blue staining and computer image analysis, making possible the categorization of the chromatin decompaction according to their location. The percentages of chromatin decompaction and heterogeneity were also evaluated. IVPEs were done and the rates of cleavage and of blastocysts were correlated with the chromatin characteristics. It made possible the classification of the chromatin decompaction according to the head affected part in at least four types: base decompaction, basal half decompaction, central axis decompaction, total decompaction. Based on the correlation, it can be implicated that each type of classification has different influences on the bull fertility. It made possible understanding that sperms amount with 5% or more of chromatin decompaction intensity interferes in the bull fertility and this condition can be featured as an uncompensable defect, while the heterogeneity of chromatin is not an important factor in the IVPE results.

Ambiente web para citomorfometria usando imagens 3D / Web environment for histomorphometry using 3D images

Softwares de bioimage são utilizados para a análise de imagens microscópicas e auxiliam os usuários em suas tomadas de decisões, a usabilidade pode limitar o seu uso. OBJETIVOS: Desenvolver um software de bioimage que pode ser acessado em um navegador web. Auxiliar patologistas e outros usuários na tomada de decisão, minimizando a subjetividade de suas avaliações. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados estudos nos softwares de bioimage open sources, o qual foram identificadas as características positivas e negativas, permitindo a escolha das tecnologias apropriadas para desenvolver o ambiente. RESULTADOS: O trabalho proveu um software de bioimage para análise citomorfométrica usando imagens tridimensionais que pode ser acessado por meio de um navegador web. CONCLUSÃO: O ambiente proposto é capaz de subsidiar os usuários com informações sobre as estruturas das células para tomada de decisão, fornecendo dados quantitativos e permitindo a exploração por meio de uma cena tridimensional.

Bioimage softwares are used for the analysis of microscopic images and assist users in their decision making,usability can limit its use. PURPOSES: Develop a bioimage software that can be accessed through a web browser. Assist pathologists and other users in decision making, minimizing the subjectivity of its evaluations. METHODS: Studies were carried out in the bioimage open sources softwares, which have been identified the positive and negative characteristics, allowing the choice of the appropriate technologies to developing the environment. RESULTS: The work provided abioimage software for histomorphometric analysis using three-dimensional images that can be accessed through a webbrowser. CONCLUSION: The proposed environment can subsidize the users with information on the structures of cells to decision making, providing quantitative data and allowing the exploration of a three-dimensional scene.

Changes in cortical bone channels network and osteocyte organization after the use of zoledronic acid

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of zoledronic acid (ZA) on the cortical bone channels network (CBCN) and osteocyte organization in relation to the bone channels. Materials and methods Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into control (CG) and test groups (TG). Twelve animals from TG received 3 ZA doses (7.5 µg/kg), and 6 animals from CG did not receive any medication. TG animals were euthanized at 14 (n = 6) and 75 (n = 6) dadys after drug injection. CBCN was analyzed in mandibles and tibias using computational routines. The osteocyte organization was qualitatively evaluated in tibias using a three-dimensional reconstruction of images from serial histological sections. Results Significant differences in CBCN of tibia were found between the treated and untreated rats, with a wider range of sizes and shapes of the channels after the use of ZA (channels area p = 0.0063, channels area SD p = 0.0276) and less bone matrix (bone volume p = 0.0388). The alterations in the channels’ morphology were more evident at 75 days after the drug injection (channels perimeter p = 0.0286). No differences were found in mandibles CBCN. The osteocyte distribution revealed more variable patterns of cell distribution in ZA groups, with non-homogeneous distribution of cells in relation to the bone channels. Conclusion Zoledronic acid induces structural changes in CBCN and modifies the osteocyte arrangement in cortical bone in the tibia; also, the variability in the morphology of bone channels became more evident after a certain time of the use of the drug.