Effects of Dietary Crude Glycerin Concentration on Testicular Morphology and Oxidative Stress Markers and on Plasma Testosterone Concentrations.

We evaluated the effects of feeding 6%, 12% or 18% crude glycerin, containing 80.5% glycerol, on testicular histomorphometry and markers of oxidative stress and on plasma testosterone concentrations in lambs. Body weight, testicular biometric measurements, gonadosomatic index and net weight of the testicles were higher for the treated groups (P <0.05) compared with a control group that did not receive dietary glycerin. The mean total length of seminiferous tubules was higher in the 6% group (P <0.05), while the mean total tubular and seminiferous epithelium volumes increased in all treated groups (P <0.05). The volume of Leydig cells increased in the 12% group, while their number per gram of testicle decreased (P <0.05). There was a decrease in mean nuclear diameter and mean volume of Leydig cells, and an increase in the mean number of these cells per gram of testicle, in the 18% group (P <0.05). Plasma testosterone concentrations were unaffected. There was desquamation of seminiferous epithelium and vacuolation of Sertoli cells in the treated groups. Variable degrees of spermatocyte necrosis and the presence of giant cells were seen in all groups and there was intense vacuolation of Sertoli cells in the 12% and 18% groups. Superoxide dismutase and catalase production increased most in the 12% and 18% groups (P <0.05), while glutathione production was higher in the 18% group (P <0.05). Mean nitric oxide concentration decreased in all treated groups (P <0.05), while malondialdehyde production was higher in the 18% group than in the control and 6% groups (P <0.05). We conclude that the inclusion of 6% glycerin in the diet of lambs results in changes in testicular morphology that have been previously associated with improved reproductive function, but without evidence of oxidative stress.

Expression of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary and its effect on oocyte nuclear maturation in vitro.

Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted primarily by adipocytes and is involved in the control of male and female reproductive functions. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated with body fat mass, and its biological effects are predominantly mediated through two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. The aim of the present study was to verify the expression of the adiponectin system (adiponectin and its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in goat ovary using qPCR and immunohistochemistry analyses and further investigate the in vitro effects of recombinant adiponectin (5 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL) on goat oocyte nuclear maturation. We demonstrated that the mRNA and proteins of the adiponectin system are present in goat ovary. Gene and protein expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 was detected in follicular cells (oocyte, cumulus, granulosa and theca) of small and large antral follicles, while adiponectin mRNA was not detected in oocytes from small and large follicles or in large follicle cumulus cells. Finally, addition of various concentrations of adiponectin in maturation medium affected the number of oocytes that reached metaphase II. In conclusion, in the present study, we detected expression of adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in goat ovarian follicles. Furthermore, we demonstrated that recombinant adiponectin increases nuclear maturation of goat oocytes in vitro.

Caracteristicas de la poblacion menor de 15 anos con dermatopatias, zona rural cafetera de Cundinamarca: 1987-1988 / Characteristics of the population under 15 years old with dermatopathies, rurar coffe crops zone: Cundinamarca, 1987-1988

Estudio descriptivo prospectivo para determinar las caracteristicas ambientales, personales y el estilo de vida de la poblacion menor de 15 anos residente en las zonas rurales cafeteras de Cundinamarca, que presentaba afeccion de la piel al examan medico durante una consulta general , o detectadas por la enfermera durante el control de crecimiento y desarrollo. Durante el periodo comprendido entre el segundo semestre de 1987 y el primer semestre de 1988 se detectaron 176 casos; pero los datos incluidos en el estudio se refieren a 144, porque en los 32 restantes no se conto con informacion suficiente. Del total de pacientes, 59.2 por ciento tenia dermatosis infecciosas, el 22.0 por ciento inflamatorias y el 18.8 por ciento idiopaticas. La prevalencia de las primeras se atribuye a factores ambientales de clima, saneamiento basico inadecuado, condiciones de hacinamiento, tipo de vivienda y ocupacion sin descartar la relacion con deficiencias nutricionales. Los escolares de 5-10 anos, fueron los mas afectados. Entre las dermatopatias inflamatorias, las mas frecuentes fueron las panalitis (35.8 por ciento ) seguidas de milaria y dermatitis atopica con 25 por ciento cada una. Las primeras se atribuyen al contacto prolongado con el panal sucio y el uso de pantalones de plastico. La milaria es frecuente en climas calidos y humedos como el de la region. Las dermatopatias idiopaticas fueron las de menor incidencia y pueden relacionarse con las epocas de calor y exposicion a rayos solares. Se recomienda reforzar la educacion en salud tendiente a mejorar las condiciones ambientales, higienicas y los habitos de vida