Sperm characteristics, peroxidation lipid and antioxidant enzyme activity changes in milt of Brycon orbignyanus cryopreserved with melatonin in different freezing curves.

The objective of this study was to evaluate extender supplemented with melatonin and freezing curves on the antioxidant enzyme activity, peroxidation lipid and sperm characteristics of cryopreserved Brycon orbignyanus milt. Males (n = 16) and females (n = 5) were hormonally induced with two doses (0.5 mg and 5.0 mg kg-1) of carp pituitary extract, and their gametes were collected by light abdominal massage. The fresh milt was diluted at a ratio of 1:4 (milt:extender) in the following solutions: (Control) 10% methyl glycol (MG) + 5% Beltsville thawing solution; (M1) Control + 1 mM melatonin; and (M2) Control + 2 mM melatonin. The freezing curves were C1 (automated freezer) and C2 (dry shipper for 24 h). After each curve was recorded, the straws were transferred to a liquid nitrogen container until the analyses were performed. The samples were thawed in a water bath (60 °C, 8 s) and evaluated using the Sperm Class Analyzer software for the parameters total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, mean displacement velocity, straightness, and linearity. The following were also measured: motility time, vitality, morphology, oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, quantification of nitric oxide), and fertilization and hatching rates. The data were analyzed within R by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test for comparison of means (p < 0.05). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the solutions in vitality, morphology, motility, and fertilization rate, the solutions with melatonin having the best values. Total motility, progressive motility, and motility time were significantly different. Among oxidative stress markers, only lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity showed an effect of the curve × solution interaction (p < 0.05), the solutions with melatonin yielding the lowest values. The fertilization and hatching rates were also higher under the melatonin treatments, regardless of the curve. Melatonin 2 mM and slow curve are indicated for the cryopreservation of fish species sperm as it led to the slowest detrimental spermatozoa effects and better fertilization and hatching rates.

Tebuconazole-induced toxicity and the protective effect of Ficus carica extract in Neotropical fruit-eating bats.

Tebuconazole (TEB) is a triazole fungicide widely used in agriculture known to cause metabolic and endocrine disorders in mammals. Several plant extracts have shown to be beneficial against pesticide effects due to their hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As fruit bats play a critical role in rainforest regeneration and are constantly exposed to pesticides, we aimed at evaluating TEB-induced toxicity and the possible protective effect of the Ficus carica plant extract in Neotropical fruit-eating bats (Artibeus lituratus). Bats were captured and assigned to 4 experimental groups, offered: 1) CTL (n = 6): papaya; 2) DMSO (n = 6): papaya treated with 1.25% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); 3) TEB (n = 6): papaya treated with tebuconazole (commercial formulation) 0.1%; and 4) TEBFC (n = 6): papaya treated with tebuconazole 0.1% and Ficus carica extract (20%) in DMSO (1.25%). After seven days of exposure, TEB bats showed increased lipid peroxidation, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, vascular congestion and inflammatory infiltrate in the liver, and increased serum transaminase enzyme activities. We found the same alterations in oxidative stress parameters in the breast muscles of TEB-exposed bats. In the testes, all oxidative stress markers were increased in TEB bats and corroborate findings of histopathological and increased serum testosterone levels observed following TEB exposure. The co-administration of the fungicide with the F. carica plant extract attenuated most oxidative stress markers in exposed bats' liver and testes and decreased liver damage, but failed to revert the steroid imbalance caused by the fungicide exposure.

Incidentaloma adrenal bilateral associado a sindrome de Cushing sub-clínica / Bilateral adrenal incidentaloma associated to subclinical cushing's syndrome

Apresentamos um caso de paciente com achado de massa adrenal bilateral à tomografia computadorizada e ausência de sinais ou sintomas associados à hipersecreçao adrenal (incidentaloma). A investigaçao laboratorial revelou perda do ritmo circadiano do cortisol plasmático e salivar, nao supressibilidade de cortisol plasmático e salivar a doses crescentes de dexametasona (1mg, 2mg, 8mg, 24mg). ACTH plasmático basal baixo e nao responsivo à injeçao de CRH ovino, caracterizando assim autonomia da secreçao adrenal e o quadro de síndrome de Cushing sub-clínica. Os achados cirúrgico e anátomo-patológico e o cateterismo seletivo de veias renais e supra renais foram compatíveis com o diagnóstico de adenomas adrenais bilaterais funcionantes. A paciente foi submetida à adrenalectomia com boa evoluçao clínica. Sao discutidos dados clínicos e laboratoriais pertinentes ao caso.