Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) seminal plasma and their relation to sperm quality / Atividade da superóxido dismutase e catalase no plasma seminal de catetos (Pecari tajacu) e sua relação com a qualidade espermática

The study of the seminal plasma help us to understand the mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the sperm. The antioxidant enzymes, as the superoxide dismutase - SOD and catalase - CAT, are capable of removing the oxidative agents before they produce injuries. The aim of the current study was to investigate the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in seminal plasma, and their association with sperm quality in collared peccaries. Study was conducted during the dry period (August and September) on a region characterized by a semiarid climate, with an average annual temperature of 27°C and irregular rainfall (Mossoro, RN, Brazil; 5°10´S and 37°10´W). Nine ejaculates were obtained from sexually mature males (1 sample per animal) by electroejaculation. Semen was evaluated for microscopic parameters and the activity of SOD and CAT was measured by spectrophotometry. All ejaculates were white in color. Mean values for concentration were of 207 ± 160 x106 sperm/mL, motility of 83.0 ± 20.9% and viability of 72.5 ± 10.4%. In regards to the enzymatic activity, none was observed for the CAT enzyme. Trace levels of SOD (0.033 ± 0.049 AU/mgP) were detected in the ejaculates of all individuals; however, no correlation was observed between SOD levels and the sperm motility (R = 0.35; P = 0.931), vigor (R = 0.29; P = 0.133), viability (R = 0.16; P = 0.29), functional membrane (R = 0.04; P = 0.617) or morphology (R = 0.03; P = 0.637). In conclusion, we demonstrated the first description of antioxidant enzyme activity in seminal plasma of fresh ejaculates obtained from collared peccaries. SOD antioxidant activity was evident during the dry period of a semiarid region, but no relationship between SOD and semen parameters was observed.(AU)

O estudo do plasma seminal nos auxilia a compreender os mecanismos pelos quais as espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) afetam o espermatozoide. As enzimas antioxidantes, como a superóxido dismutase - SOD e a catalase - CAT, são capazes de remover os agentes oxidativos antes que causem injúrias. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a atividade das enzimas SOD e CAT no plasma seminal, e sua associação com a qualidade espermática em catetos. O estudo foi conduzido durante o período seco (agosto a setembro) em uma região caracterizada pelo clima semiárido, com temperatura média anual de 27°C e pluviosidade irregular (Mossoró, RN, Brasil; 5°10´S e 37°10´W). Nove ejaculados foram obtidos de machos sexualmente maduros (1 amostra por animal) por eletroejaculação. O sêmen foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros microscópicos e a atividade da SOD e da CAT foi mensurada por espectrofotometria. Todos os ejaculados apresentavam coloração branca. Os valores médios para a concentração foram de 207 ± 160 x106 espermatozoides/mL, motilidade de 83,0 ± 20,9% e viabilidade de 72,5 ± 10,4%. No que diz respeito à atividade enzimática, nenhuma foi observada para a enzima CAT. Traços de SOD (0,033 ± 0,049 AU/mgP) foram detectados nos ejaculados de todos os indivíduos; entretanto, nenhuma correlação foi observada entre os níveis de SOD e a motilidade espermática (R = 0,35; P = 0,931), o vigor (R = 0,29; P = 0,133), a viabilidade (R = 0,16; P = 0,29), a função de membrana (R = 0,04; P = 0,617) ou a morfologia espermática (R = 003; P = 0,637). Em conclusão, nós demonstramos a primeira descrição da atividade enzimática antioxidante no plasma seminal de ejaculados frescos obtidos de catetos. A atividade da SOD foi evidente durante o período seco de uma região semiárida, mas nenhuma relação entre a SOD e os parâmetros seminais foi observada.(AU)

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) seminal plasma and their relation to sperm quality / Atividade da superóxido dismutase e catalase no plasma seminal de catetos (Pecari tajacu) e sua relação com a qualidade espermática

The study of the seminal plasma help us to understand the mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the sperm. The antioxidant enzymes, as the superoxide dismutase - SOD and catalase - CAT, are capable of removing the oxidative agents before they produce injuries. The aim of the current study was to investigate the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT in seminal plasma, and their association with sperm quality in collared peccaries. Study was conducted during the dry period (August and September) on a region characterized by a semiarid climate, with an average annual temperature of 27°C and irregular rainfall (Mossoro, RN, Brazil; 5°10´S and 37°10´W). Nine ejaculates were obtained from sexually mature males (1 sample per animal) by electroejaculation. Semen was evaluated for microscopic parameters and the activity of SOD and CAT was measured by spectrophotometry. All ejaculates were white in color. Mean values for concentration were of 207 ± 160 x106 sperm/mL, motility of 83.0 ± 20.9% and viability of 72.5 ± 10.4%. In regards to the enzymatic activity, none was observed for the CAT enzyme. Trace levels of SOD (0.033 ± 0.049 AU/mgP) were detected in the ejaculates of all individuals; however, no correlation was observed between SOD levels and the sperm motility (R = 0.35; P = 0.931), vigor (R = 0.29; P = 0.133), viability (R = 0.16; P = 0.29), functional membrane (R = 0.04; P = 0.617) or morphology (R = 0.03; P = 0.637). In conclusion, we demonstrated the first description of antioxidant enzyme activity in seminal plasma of fresh ejaculates obtained from collared peccaries. SOD antioxidant activity was evident during the dry period of a semiarid region, but no relationship between SOD and semen parameters was observed.

O estudo do plasma seminal nos auxilia a compreender os mecanismos pelos quais as espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) afetam o espermatozoide. As enzimas antioxidantes, como a superóxido dismutase - SOD e a catalase - CAT, são capazes de remover os agentes oxidativos antes que causem injúrias. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a atividade das enzimas SOD e CAT no plasma seminal, e sua associação com a qualidade espermática em catetos. O estudo foi conduzido durante o período seco (agosto a setembro) em uma região caracterizada pelo clima semiárido, com temperatura média anual de 27°C e pluviosidade irregular (Mossoró, RN, Brasil; 5°10´S e 37°10´W). Nove ejaculados foram obtidos de machos sexualmente maduros (1 amostra por animal) por eletroejaculação. O sêmen foi avaliado quanto aos parâmetros microscópicos e a atividade da SOD e da CAT foi mensurada por espectrofotometria. Todos os ejaculados apresentavam coloração branca. Os valores médios para a concentração foram de 207 ± 160 x106 espermatozoides/mL, motilidade de 83,0 ± 20,9% e viabilidade de 72,5 ± 10,4%. No que diz respeito à atividade enzimática, nenhuma foi observada para a enzima CAT. Traços de SOD (0,033 ± 0,049 AU/mgP) foram detectados nos ejaculados de todos os indivíduos; entretanto, nenhuma correlação foi observada entre os níveis de SOD e a motilidade espermática (R = 0,35; P = 0,931), o vigor (R = 0,29; P = 0,133), a viabilidade (R = 0,16; P = 0,29), a função de membrana (R = 0,04; P = 0,617) ou a morfologia espermática (R = 003; P = 0,637). Em conclusão, nós demonstramos a primeira descrição da atividade enzimática antioxidante no plasma seminal de ejaculados frescos obtidos de catetos. A atividade da SOD foi evidente durante o período seco de uma região semiárida, mas nenhuma relação entre a SOD e os parâmetros seminais foi observada.

Tumor venéreo transmissível canino com múltiplas localizações extragenitais / Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor with Multiple Extragenital Locations

Background: Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a neoplasm which primarily affects the genital mucosa of canines. However, this tumor has been described in several extragenital areas. Although there are no major difficulties to confirm a TVT when present in the genitalia, it can be confused with several conditions, either neoplastic or non-neoplastic, when located beyond the external reproductive organs. The involvement of multiple extragenital locations is poorly reported, which may compromise the tissues involved and hinder the establishment of a diagnostic conclusion. The study aimed to describe a case of multiple and extragenital TVT in dogs. Case: A two year old mongrel dog had a history of swollen nose and ocular abnormalities. The patient underwent physical examination followed by request of nose and eye cytology. The animal was euthanized and sent for autopsy; the material was intended for cytological diagnosis. It was found an increase in volume in the middle third of the nasal region. In the oral cavity, there was a tumor in the caudal third of the hard palate. Neoformations were also detected in the third eyelid. The nasal and eyelid cytological examination was compatible with TVT plasmacytoid pattern. During the necropsy, it was also detected tumors in the nasal cavity, occupying the space of turbinal bones Proliferation occurred even in the palatine bone and pharynx. In the visual system, the tumors did not involve other attachments or eyeball chambers There were no anatomical lesions In other areas. The cytopathology of all tumors presented diagnosis similar to the initial microscopic findings, thus characterizing a framework of multiple extragenital plasmacytoid TVT. Discussion: A study found that the nasal cavity and skin tissue were the locations most affected by the presentation of extragenital TVT. So, there was a similarity to the present case in relation to the shape of the nasal TVT; however, the occurrence in other sites such as the oral cavity and third eyelid is uncommon, although found in the patient reported. The extragenital location may appear regardless to genital lesions. In the examined animal, the placement of the TVT to extragenital areas such as nasal and ocular adnexa was justified by the fact that these regions correspond to anatomical sites exposed to direct physical contact for the acquisition of neoplastic cells, possibly because of the pre­mating behavior of the male toward the bitch that housed the tumor. As an intranasal neoplasia progresses, some signs, such as the swelling of the hard palate, are presented. Thus, in the current study, the proliferation showed in the oral cavity and the pharynx was regarded as an extension of local mechanical nasal cancer. Recent surveys have ranked the TVT as standard plasmocitoyd, linphocitoyd or mixed. It has been hypothesized that all TVTs start as linphocitoyd, become mixed and then plasmocytoid. The latter condition usually suggests the tumor presence for more than eight weeks, often being seen in non genitals. Accordingly, in the present case there was an agreement with the usual standard morfocelular and the extragenital aspect observed. This morphology suggested that the evolution of TVT showed up late. Although TVT is essentially related to the external reproductive organs, one should be alert to its exclusively extragenital presentation. This peculiar location can lead to a delayed diagnosis because of the similarity with affections of another nature.

Efeitos dos fármacos alfa-adrenérgicos na eletroejaculação de catetos (Tayassu tajacu) / Effects of alpha-adrenérgic drug in the electroejaculation of collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu)

Objetivou-se verificar a existência de potenciais associações entre medetomidina e atipemazole na eletroejaculação de catetos anestesiados com propofol. Os doze catetos receberam os tratamentos: controle, sem pré medicação; medetomidina 40 μg.Kg -1IV ou atipemazole 200 μg.Kg -1 IV. Todos os animais receberam propofol 5 mg.Kg -1 IV na indução e manutenção da anestesia. Foram avaliados: frequência cardíaca, respiratória, pressão arterial sistólica, diastólica, e média, temperatura, hemogasometria e cortisol. Em relação aos parâmetros reprodutivos, avaliou-se o tempo de latência da ejaculação, ereção, e variáveis seminais. Analisamos os dados por one way ANOVA para medidas repetidas seguidas por Tukey. P < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. Para o sêmen, obtive-se diferença significativa na concentração espermática entre atipemazole (100,00 25,96 x 106) e medetomidina (220,20 49,74 x 106), contudo ambos não diferiram estatisticamente do controle (180,00 50,71 x 106). Medetomidina promoveu alterações cardiovasculares mais significativas. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos valores de cortisol entre os tratamentos comparados. Recuperação com propofol foi significativamente mais rápida. Os fármacos medetomidina e atipemazole não incrementam a função erétil de catetos. Entretanto, influenciam na concentração espermática e na função ejaculatória destes. O propofol isolado proporcionou uma anestesia mais eficiente na coleta de sêmen catetos submetidos à eletroejaculação.

The objective was to verify the existence of potential associations between medetomidine and atipemazole in electroejaculation of peccaries anesthetized with propofol. The twelve peccary received the following treatments: control, none pre medication; medetomidine 40 microg.Kg-1 IV or atipemazole 200 microg.Kg-1 IV. All animals received 5 mg.Kg-1 IV propofol induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Were evaluated: heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, temperature, blood gas and cortisol. For the semen evaluated the onset time of ejaculation, erection, and seminal variables. We analyzed the data by one way ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Tukey. P < 0.05 were considered significant. For semen, we obtained only a significant difference in sperm concentration between atipemazole (100.00 25.96 x 106) and medetomidine (220.20 49.74 x 106), yet both did not differ from controls (180.00 50.71 x 106). Medetomidine promoted cardiovascular changes more significant. There was no significant difference in cortisol levels between the treatments compared. Atipamezole and medetomidine do not increase the peccarys erectile function. However, they influence the concentration of sperm and ejaculatory function in the peccary undergoing electroejaculation. Propofol alone, resulted in a more efficient anesthesia for peccary collection semen.